The Perfect Apple Crumble Pie Recipe for Cozy Gatherings

Warm aromas of cinnamon and baked apple crumble pie waft through the kitchen, promising a delightful dessert that speaks straight to the heart.

Sweet memories of autumn afternoons dance with every golden, buttery bite of this classic treat.

Seasonal apples create the perfect foundation for a crumbly, caramelized topping that adds irresistible texture and depth.

Layers of tender fruit and crisp pastry blend seamlessly, offering a comforting dessert that feels like a warm embrace.

The balance of tart apples and sweet crumble makes this pie a crowd-pleasing favorite for any gathering.

Rich, golden-brown edges and a fragrant spice profile ensure each slice delivers pure satisfaction.

Classic Comfort in Every Apple Crumble Pie

• Embrace Quick Preparation: Whip up this delightful pie with simple ingredients and minimal steps, making it perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Celebrate Versatile Comfort: Enjoy a classic dessert that works wonderfully for family gatherings, potlucks, or a cozy weekend treat that everyone will love.
• Create Irresistible Texture Contrast: Experience the magical combination of tender, spiced apples beneath a crispy, buttery crumble topping that adds a delightful crunch to every bite.
• Customize with Ease: Adapt the recipe by switching apple varieties or adding nuts to the crumble for a personalized touch that makes this pie uniquely yours.

Apple Crumble Pie Ingredient Essentials

• Pie Crust: A premade or homemade base that provides the foundation for the apple filling.

• Apples: Crisp and sweet fruit that forms the core of the pie’s flavor profile.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and prevents apple browning.
• Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar: Provide sweetness and help create a caramelized filling.
• All-Purpose Flour: Helps thicken the apple filling and create a cohesive texture.
• Ground Cinnamon, Ground Nutmeg: Warm spices that enhance the apple’s natural sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complexity to the overall flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour, Granulated Sugar, Brown Sugar, Ground Cinnamon: Create a sweet and spiced crumbly texture.
• Cold Butter: Provides richness and helps create the signature crumbly topping texture.

How to Build Apple Crumble Pie Layers

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 375°F, creating the perfect baking environment for your mouthwatering pie.

Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling

• Fresh lemon juice
• Granulated sugar
• Brown sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Vanilla extract

Pour this fragrant mixture into your prepared pie crust, ensuring an even distribution of flavors.

Step 3: Create the Crumbly Topping

• All-purpose flour
• White sugar
• Brown sugar
• Ground cinnamon

Add cold butter and work it into the dry ingredients using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse, sandy crumbs.

Step 4: Sprinkle and Cover

Generously distribute the crumble topping across the apple filling, creating a delightful textured layer that will turn golden and crispy.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pie into the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes.

Look for a gorgeous golden-brown topping and bubbling apple filling as signs of deliciousness.

Step 6: Let It Rest and Serve

Allow the pie to cool for at least 30 minutes, letting the flavors meld and the filling set.

Slice, serve, and enjoy the irresistible combination of tender apples and crispy topping.

Tips for Buttery, Crunchy Crumble

• Choose firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor and texture in your pie.
• Drain excess liquid from apple mixture to prevent a soggy bottom crust and ensure a perfectly crisp base.
• Customize the cinnamon and nutmeg amounts to match your personal taste preferences or dietary needs.
• Freeze butter for 10 minutes before cutting into the topping mixture to create a more delicate, crumbly consistency.
• Cover the pie crust edges with aluminum foil during baking to prevent over-browning and maintain a golden, even color.

Creative Ideas for Apple Crumble Pie Variations

• Gluten-Free Friendly: Replace regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free flour blend in both crust and crumble topping for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Vegan Version: Swap butter with coconut oil, use maple syrup instead of refined sugar, and create a plant-based pie crust using vegetable shortening.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, and use tart green apples to reduce overall sugar content while maintaining flavor.
• Spiced Autumn Remix: Add ground cardamom and ginger to the spice mix, incorporate chopped pecans into the crumble topping for extra warmth and crunch.

Best Ways to Serve Apple Crumble Pie

• Cozy Brunch Companion: Serve warm slices alongside freshly brewed coffee or black tea for a delightful morning treat.
• Elegant Dessert Plate: Pair with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or whipped cream to elevate the classic apple crumble pie experience.
• Comfort Food Celebration: Add a drizzle of caramel sauce or sprinkle chopped toasted nuts on top for extra texture and rich flavor complexity.
• Holiday Presentation: Dust with powdered sugar and garnish with a few fresh mint leaves for a festive and beautiful dessert display.

How to Store Apple Crumble Pie Slices

• Store leftover apple crumble pie in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
• Wrap the entire pie or individual slices in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Warm slices at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Cover with foil to prevent excessive browning and keep the crust crisp. Remove foil for the last 3-5 minutes to restore crunchiness.

FAQs

• What type of apples work best for this pie?

Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Braeburn apples are ideal because they hold their shape and offer a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness during baking.

• How do I prevent a soggy bottom crust?

Pre-bake the pie crust for 10 minutes before adding the apple filling, and ensure you drain excess liquid from the apple mixture to keep the crust crisp.

• Can I make this pie ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the pie a day in advance and store it at room temperature, covered loosely with foil. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes before serving to restore the crispy topping.

Apple Crumble Pie Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Grandma’s classic apple crumble pie brings warmth and nostalgia to family gatherings. Buttery pastry, cinnamon-spiced apples, and crispy crumble topping invite comforting memories of home-baked goodness you’ll savor with each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Pie Ingredients:

Fruits:

• 6 cups apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

Sugars and Sweeteners:

• 0.5 cup granulated sugar
• 0.25 cup brown sugar
• 0.5 teaspoons granulated sugar

Flours and Thickeners:

• 1.25 cups all-purpose flour
• 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
• 0.75 cup all-purpose flour

Butter:

• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

Spices and Seasonings:

• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 0.25 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Additional Ingredients:

• 2–4 tablespoons ice water
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 0.25 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (optional)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 375°F (190°C) to ensure optimal baking temperature for the pie.
2. Combine apple slices with lemon juice, creating a bright coating that prevents browning while adding a subtle tang to the filling.
3. Incorporate sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla into the apple mixture, thoroughly coating each slice to develop a rich, complex flavor profile.
4. Transfer the seasoned apple mixture into the prepared pie crust, arranging the slices evenly to create a uniform base.
5. Create the crumble topping by blending flour, sugars, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl, ensuring a consistent dry mixture.
6. Integrate cold butter into the dry ingredients, using a pastry cutter or fingertips to generate a coarse, crumbly texture that will provide a delightful crisp layer.
7. Distribute the crumble topping generously and uniformly across the apple filling, covering the entire surface for maximum textural contrast.
8. Position the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 50-60 minutes, watching for a golden-brown topping and bubbling fruit filling that indicates complete cooking.
9. Remove from the oven and allow the pie to cool for a minimum of 30 minutes, enabling the filling to set and flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

• Choose firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a balanced sweet-tangy flavor and perfect texture that holds up during baking.
• Create a gluten-free version by substituting regular flour with almond flour or gluten-free all-purpose blend in both crust and crumble topping.
• Prevent a soggy bottom crust by preheating a baking sheet and placing the pie directly on the hot surface, which helps crisp the bottom and ensures even cooking.
• Enhance the crumble’s texture by freezing butter chunks for 10-15 minutes before cutting into the dry ingredients, resulting in a more flaky and distinct crumbly topping.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 315 kcal
• Sugar: 26 g
• Sodium: 65 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg