Dutch Apple Pie Recipe

This Dutch Apple Pie delivers the perfect balance of tender apples wrapped in warm spices, all crowned with a buttery, crumbly topping that makes it distinctly different from traditional apple pies. The contrast between the soft, spiced apple filling and the crisp, sweet crumb topping creates a dessert experience that’s comforting yet sophisticated. Ready in just over an hour, this pie brings bakery-quality results to your home kitchen!

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Unbaked pie shell: Serves as the foundation for our pie. Feel free to use store-bought for convenience or your favorite homemade crust for that extra personal touch.
• Egg white: Creates a barrier between the filling and crust, preventing the dreaded “soggy bottom” that can ruin an otherwise perfect pie.
• Apples: The star of the show! Choose firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape when baked. A mix of apple types creates the most complex flavor.
• Lemon juice: Brightens the flavor of the apples and prevents them from browning during preparation.
• Sugars (both white and brown): The combination provides depth of flavor with the molasses notes from the brown sugar complementing the apples beautifully.
• All-purpose flour: Thickens the apple juices as they cook, preventing a runny filling.
• Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg): These warming spices create that classic apple pie flavor that makes everyone feel at home.
• Salt: Enhances all the other flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Butter: The secret to a perfect crumb topping, creating those irresistible buttery pockets of flavor throughout the crumble.

Variations

Fruit Combinations

Try mixing in other fruits with the apples – pears, cranberries, or even blackberries make wonderful additions. Use about 4 cups apples and 1½ cups of your chosen additional fruit.

Spice It Up

Experiment with your spice blend by adding a pinch of cardamom, allspice, or ginger to the apple mixture for a unique flavor profile.

Nutty Crumble

Add ½ cup of chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the crumb topping for extra crunch and flavor.

Caramel Drizzle

For an indulgent twist, drizzle caramel sauce over the top of the finished pie just before serving.

How to Make Dutch Apple Pie

Step 1: Prepare the Crust

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Take your unbaked pie shell and brush the bottom and sides thoroughly with beaten egg white. This creates a moisture barrier that keeps your crust crisp. Place the crust on a baking sheet and bake for about 5 minutes until it’s just slightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside.

Step 2: Create the Apple Filling

In a large mixing bowl, combine your peeled and sliced apples with lemon juice, tossing to coat evenly. Add both sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt to the apples. Mix everything gently but thoroughly until all apple slices are coated with the sugar-spice mixture. Pour this filling into your partially baked crust, arranging the apples so they’re relatively flat.

Step 3: Make the Crumb Topping

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, white sugar, and brown sugar until well combined. Add the cold butter and use a pastry cutter, two forks, or your fingertips to work it into the dry ingredients. Keep working until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized butter pieces throughout. This variation in size creates the perfect crumbly texture.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake

Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apple filling, covering it completely. Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any potential drips) and bake at 375°F for 50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and you can see the filling bubbling around the edges. If the topping starts browning too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil.

Step 5: Cool and Serve

Allow the pie to cool for at least 2 hours before slicing. This cooling time is crucial as it allows the filling to set properly, ensuring clean slices rather than a runny mess.

How to Serve

Classic Pairings

Serve warm (not hot) with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for the ultimate comfort dessert. The contrast between the warm pie and cold ice cream creates a delightful temperature play.

Whipped Cream

Freshly whipped cream with just a touch of vanilla makes a lighter but equally delicious topping.

Cheese Please

In many parts of the Midwest and New England, apple pie is traditionally served with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese for a sweet-savory combination that’s surprisingly delicious.

Caramel Sauce

Drizzle with warm caramel sauce for an extra decadent treat that enhances the apple flavor.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Cover leftover pie loosely with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The flavors actually develop nicely overnight, making this a perfect make-ahead dessert.

Freezing

You can freeze the baked and completely cooled pie for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and place in a freezer bag to prevent freezer burn.

Reheating

To reheat a refrigerated slice, warm it in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes or microwave for 30 seconds. For frozen pie, thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in a 350°F oven for 20-25 minutes until heated through.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Dutch Apple Pie represents the perfect balance of simplicity and wow-factor. The crisp, buttery crumb topping sets it apart from traditional pies, while the perfectly spiced apple filling offers comfort in every bite. Whether you’re serving it at a holiday gathering, weekend family dinner, or simply treating yourself on a cozy evening, this pie delivers bakery-quality results without complicated techniques. Give it a try, and I guarantee it’ll earn a permanent spot in your recipe collection!

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