An easy dutch apple pie recipe made with the best crumble pie topping and homemade pie filling! This is one of the best pie recipes and soon will be your favorite!
In my family there is always the question whether to make dutch apple pie or regular apple pie. It’s most likely a personal preference as to the texture. The crumble topping adds a bit of a crunch in addition to elevating the sweetness level. I personally prefer dutch apple pie. And so today I want to share with you how to make my mom’s dutch apple pie recipe.
Dutch Apple Pie VS Apple Pie
The difference between dutch apple and traditional apple pie is the homemade pie topping. With this recipe you’ll find the same homemade apple filling. Regular apple pie has a top crust. Dutch apple has a crumble brown sugar crust for the topping.
Here’s why I prefer dutch apple over apple pie.
- The crumble topping gives it a bit of a crunch in each and every bite.
- With tart apples, the extra sweetness of the pie topping brings one amazing combination.
- It’s easy to make when you layer the apples with the crumble topping. No top crust to worry about.
But before we start making this recipe I do think it’s important to talk about apples. Not any apple variety goes good in a pie. What am I saying? It’s pie. It’s all good. But some apples are better than other apples to bring out the best flavor in your homemade apple pie.
What Are the Best Apples for Dutch Apple Pie
For dutch apple you want a tart but sweet apple that bakes well under high temperature. Granny Smith apples are the most popular baking apple. However, you may be surprised to know that Jonagold apples are my preference. They bake really well and I might dare say, better than granny smith apples. They still hold the same tartness but are also a bit sweet which helps to balance the sweetness of the pie crust and crumble topping. Jonagold apples can be harder to find in your local grocery store, so here’s a few more ideas for the best apples.
How To Make Homemade Apple Pie Filling
Peel and slice 6 cups of tart apples into a large bowl. Add the sugar, flour, and cinnamon and mix well. Place in a prepared homemade pie crust.
How Do You Make Crumble Topping for Dutch Apple Pie
Combine flour, white sugar, brown sugar and room temperature butter with a pastry blender. Spread on top of the homemade apple pie filling and slightly pat to hold in place.
How Long Do You Bake Dutch Apple Pie
Bake at 375° F for 25 minutes. Add pie crust shield and bake 20-25 minutes longer or until crust is golden brown and filling is just beginning to bubble. If the crumble topping is browning too much, cover with foil. Cool on a wire rack.
As you’ll find with all my pie recipes the pie really holds together well with a thick homemade pie filling and a perfectly baked pie crust. This is the result of much testing in our family kitchen. And I’m happy to share all the details with you!
This dutch apple pie really is so easy to pull together and the combination of flavors is out of this world! While cherry pie is still my all time favorite, this dutch apple pie is a very, very close second. Topped with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream… yum!
I hope you enjoy this dutch apple pie recipe as much as our family does!
More Best Pie Recipes
- Fresh Peach Pie Recipe
- Pear Pie with Almonds and Raspberries
- Old Fashioned Rhubarb Pie
- Pumpkin Pie Recipe From Scratch
- No Bake Peanut Butter Pie Recipe
- The Best Cherry Pie Recipe
Dutch Apple Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Description
A crispy crumble topping on a homemade apple pie filling make this dutch apple pie a family favorite!
Ingredients
Homemade Apple Pie Filling
- ½ cup white sugar plus 2 Tablespoons of brown sugar
- ¼ cup all purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 cups thinly sliced peeled apples
Homemade Dutch Apple Crumble Topping
- ¾ cup of flour
- ¼ cup of white sugar
- ¼ cup of brown sugar
- ⅓ cup of butter, room temperature
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375° F.
- Peel and slice 6 cups of apples into a large bowl. Add sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Mix well and place in prepared pie crust. (See note below.)
- Blend the crumble topping ingredients with a pastry blender is a separate bowl. Spread on top of apples, slightly pat to hold in place.
- Bake at 375° for 25 minutes. Add pie crust shield and bake 20-25 minutes longer or until crust is golden brown and filling is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack.
Notes
Before adding my homemade apple pie filling to the pie crust, I add about 2-3 teaspoons of flour to the bottom. My great-grandma always did and so do I. I believe it helps to take some of the extra juices from the apples and thickens them to allow the bottom crust to cook completely. I do this trick for every single pie I make!
If crust is browning too much, cover with foil during the baking process.
How do you know when your pie is done? Every oven can be a little different. I bake mine for about 5 minutes less than what the directions say. I then check the pie two ways. One, I look for just the slightest little bubble coming from the pie filling. Two, I take my pie and very carefully, lift it up to see the bottom crust. (I use these pot holders for maximum grip.) The bottom crust should be a nice golden brown. If the pie is not met these two goals, then I put it back into the oven for five more minutes and check again. I check every five minutes until the pie is done!
Make sure to let your dutch apple pie cool on a wire rack. It will need to cool about one hour before serving.
Make sure to pick a tart apple for your pie. I prefer Jonagold apples but Granny Smith apples also work well with this recipe.
Keywords: dutch apple pie, best dutch apple pie, dutch apple pie topping
Seriously delicious, I made with a gluten free pre-made frozen crust and added a bit of nutmeg in the filling. Turned out fabulous. And the tip of the flour at bottom of crust – thank you for this recipe that is simple but tastes like it took me all day to make.
★★★★★
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed it!
Ig I made a couple of pies at one time, Could this recipe be prepared and frozen to bake later?
I made this pie yesterday, I have never use brown sugar in a apple pie it was soooooo good my husband loved it as well. I think I cut back on the sugar it was a little sweet. I’ll tell every one about this pie and the flour in the bottom of the pie shell I’ll do this every time thank you for the recipe and the tip.
So glad you enjoyed it! It’s a great fall pie to make!
Can I use a pre made pie crust
Thank you
Absolutely!
Oh my goodness this was delicious! Wonderful recipe- thank you! Made it tonight with Granny Smith apples.
★★★★★
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Oh my goodness! Thank you for this! I made this for our family Christmas Eve dinner and it could not have been a bigger hit! I used a store bought crust and a 4:2.5 ratio of Granny Smith to honey crisp apples. My mother in law literally said she’s going to eat another slice for breakfast. One of the best desserts I’ve made. Love it, thank you.
First pie I ever made and still my favorite recipe
★★★★★
It’s a keeper for sure! 🙂
Love this pie, never made a pie until this one and it was a huge hit! Is this recipe for 1 or 2 pies? I know 1X on your crust is 2 pies, just wanting to clarify, thanks!
★★★★★
This pie was amazing! Our thanksgiving guests also agreed. I made it with a Gluten Free crust and Gluten Free flour for the topping. The non-gluten free guests we had were happy to indulge in this with raving reviews! I am also making this for tomorrows Christmas Eve dessert.
★★★★★
I am curious why no one ever mentions Fuji apples…..perhaps not available is some places but they do work well in both pies and crumbles.
★★★★
Hello! Do you place the filling in a baked pie crust or unbaked?
Hi. You will put the filling in an unbaked pie shell.
Thank you!!
Hi! Fuji is a super sweet apple. And while it can be used for pies and crumbles, I personally believe a more tart baking apple compliments the sweetness of the crumble toppings. We love Fuji to eat on its own but recommend Granny Smith or Jonagold to get a delicious flavor. Of course, do what you love! It’s all a matter of preference. 🙂
Amazing pie!
★★★★★
What size pie pan do you use- 8” or 9”?
I use a 9″ pie plate for this recipe. An 8″ will work as well. You may want to add a bit less of the apple mixture and lessen the baking time if using an 8″ pie plate. Just keep an eye on it in the oven!