Dutch Apple Pie Recipe: Warm and Crumbly

Introduction

Dutch apple pie, with its iconic flaky crust, spiced apple filling, and buttery crumb topping, is a comforting classic that outshines traditional double-crust pies with its delightful texture contrast. This dessert is a crowd-pleaser for all ages, perfect for Thanksgiving, fall gatherings, or any cozy occasion. Its straightforward preparation makes it ideal for bakers of all levels. This recipe delivers a traditional Dutch apple pie, adaptable for dietary preferences, best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 3-4 tbsp ice water

Apple Filling Ingredients:

• 6 cups peeled, cored, and thinly sliced apples (about 5-6 medium apples, e.g., Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Crumb Topping:

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
• 1/4 cup rolled oats (optional, for texture)

For Serving:

• Optional: Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
• Suggested Pairings: Coffee, hot cider, or chai tea
• Suggested Equipment: 9-inch pie dish, pastry cutter, or food processor

Step-by-Step Process

1. Make Crust: In a large bowl, whisk flour and salt. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or pulse in a food processor until pea-sized crumbs form. Add ice water, 1 tbsp at a time, mixing until the dough just holds together. Form into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
2. Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll dough to a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch pie dish, trim excess, and crimp edges. Chill the crust while preparing the filling.
3. Prepare Filling: In a large bowl, toss sliced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla until evenly coated. Set aside.
4. Make Crumb Topping: In a medium bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in melted butter until crumbly. Add oats if using, mixing until clusters form.
5. Assemble Pie: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pie dish on a baking sheet. Fill chilled crust with apple mixture, mounding slightly in the center. Sprinkle crumb topping evenly over apples, pressing gently to adhere.
6. Bake: Bake for 50-60 minutes, until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbly. If edges brown too quickly, cover with a pie shield or foil after 30 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a knife into the apples; they should be tender.
7. Cool and Serve: Let the pie cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours to set. Serve warm or at room temperature with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, paired with coffee or hot cider.

Tips for Success

• Use a mix of tart (Granny Smith) and sweet (Honeycrisp) apples for balanced flavor.
• Keep butter cold for the crust to ensure flakiness; freeze for 10 minutes if needed.
• Slice apples thinly (1/4-inch) for even cooking; thicker slices may remain crunchy.
• Chill the crust to prevent a soggy bottom.
• Press the crumb topping gently to avoid it falling off during slicing.
• Let the pie cool adequately to allow filling to set; cutting too soon causes runniness.
• Place a baking sheet under the pie to catch drips and simplify cleanup.
• Make ahead: Prepare crust and topping a day in advance; store separately in the fridge.

Variations and Customization

• Gluten-Free Dutch Apple Pie: Use a gluten-free flour blend for the crust and topping; ensure oats are gluten-free.
• Vegan Dutch Apple Pie: Replace butter with vegan margarine and use a plant-based egg wash (soy milk) for the crust.
• Low-Sugar Dutch Apple Pie: Reduce granulated sugar to 1/4 cup and brown sugar to 2 tbsp in filling; use 1/4 cup total sugar in topping.
• Spiced Dutch Apple Pie: Add 1/4 tsp ground cloves or ginger to the filling for extra warmth.
• Nutty Dutch Apple Pie: Add 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumb topping.
• Caramel Dutch Apple Pie: Drizzle 1/4 cup caramel sauce over apples before adding the topping.
• Mini Dutch Apple Pies: Divide dough and filling into 4 (4-inch) tart pans; reduce baking time to 25-30 minutes.
• Pear Dutch Apple Pie: Replace half the apples with firm pears (e.g., Bosc) for a sweet twist.

Storage and Serving Tips

• Store leftover pie covered in the fridge for up to 4 days; the topping may soften.
• Reheat slices in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes to restore crispness; microwaving softens the crust.
• Freeze baked pie (wrapped tightly) for up to 2 months; thaw in the fridge and reheat at 350°F for 15-20 minutes.
• Serve warm for the best texture; cold pie is firmer but still delicious.
• Use leftovers as a topping for oatmeal or yogurt parfaits.
• Avoid leaving at room temperature for more than 2 hours to prevent spoilage.
• Pair with ice cream to complement the warm spices and tart apples.
• Slice with a sharp knife for clean cuts through the crumb topping.

Nutritional Information

Based on 8 servings (1 slice each, without ice cream):

• Calories: 420 kcal
• Total Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Cholesterol: 50mg
• Sodium: 220mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 58g
• Dietary Fiber: 3g
• Sugars: 32g
• Protein: 4g
• Vitamin A: 15% Daily Value
• Vitamin C: 10% Daily Value
• Calcium: 4% Daily Value
• Iron: 10% Daily Value

Note: Nutritional values vary based on ingredient brands and optional add-ins. This pie is high in sugar and fat due to butter and sugar. For dietary needs, try gluten-free or low-sugar variations. Apples provide fiber and vitamins.

Conclusion

This Dutch apple pie recipe delivers a warm, crumbly dessert that’s perfect for fall gatherings or any occasion, turning simple ingredients into a comforting masterpiece. Its flaky crust and spiced filling make it a favorite for home bakers. The tender apples and crunchy topping create a delightful combination. This recipe is sure to become a cherished classic, loved for its warmth and flavor.

Dutch Apple Pie Recipe: Warm and Crumbly

Classic Dutch apple pie with crumb topping.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings 6

Ingredients

  

• Crust:
• 1 ¼ cups flour
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup cold butter
• 3-4 tbsp ice water
• Filling:
• 6 cups sliced apples
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp vanilla
• Topping:
• ¾ cup flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• 6 tbsp melted butter
• ¼ cup oats optional
• Optional: Ice cream
• Suggested Pairings: Coffee

Instructions

 

• Mix flour, salt, and butter for crust; add ice water, form a disk, and chill 30 min.
• Roll crust, fit in a 9-inch dish, crimp edges; chill.
• Toss apples with sugars, flour, spices, lemon, and vanilla.
• Mix topping ingredients with melted butter.
• Fill crust with apples; top with crumbs.
• Bake at 375°F 50-60 min; cool 2 hrs.
• Serve with ice cream and coffee.

Notes

• Use mixed apples for flavor.
• Store in the fridge for up to 4 days, freeze for 2 months.
• Try a gluten-free variation.
• Pair with hot cider.