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 of 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.
Table of Contents
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 crumbled brown sugar crust for the topping.
Here’s why I prefer Dutch apples 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 well 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.
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What Are the Best Apples for Dutch Apple Pie
For a Dutch apple, you want a tart but sweet apple that bakes well under high temperatures. 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 are 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 lightly 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 the crust is golden brown and the filling is just beginning to bubble. If the crumble topping is browning too much, cover it 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
Ingredients
Homemade Apple Pie Filling
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 6 cups apples peeled and thinly sliced
Homemade Dutch Apple Crumble Topping
- ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1/3 cup salted 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 a pie crust shield and bake 20-25 minutes longer or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Cool on a wire rack.
Comments & Reviews
Julie Rohde says
perfect crumble
Lynette Rice says
Thank you!
Nancy says
Can I freeze before baking? Would I leave off the topping or freeze with it on?
Lynette Rice says
This recipe is so easy to make, that when I make ahead I freeze the pie dough only shaped in the pie plate. Then when ready to make you can easily whip up the apple filling and bake. I set the frozen pie crust on the counter while I make the filling to let it warm up a bit, and then fill and bake – it works out great every time. I’ve not testing it where I make the pie completely and then freeze.
Kathy M says
“The VERY BEST apple pie I have ever eaten!!” My husband after eating this pie. I agree!! We had picked some apples off of an old apple tree on a friend’s property. They didn’t know what kind of apples they were but they looked like Jonagold. I baked one using Betty Crockers recipe & it wasn’t anywhere close to this good. Sorry Betty!! Thank you for this amazing recipe. It’s my new go to for apple pie.
Lynette Rice says
Yay! Thanks for sharing!
Susan McInturff says
Pie is in the oven. Can’t wait to try.
Lynette says
Yay! Hope you enjoy it!
Darrell says
Can you advise any reheating instructions for the next day after keeping the pie at room temperature?
Lynette says
It’s not glamorous but we heat up each individual slice in the microwave for 15-20 seconds. I have not tested heating up the whole pie at once. The microwave works especially because you don’t end up reheating what you don’t use – and can save for leftovers later.
Darrell says
How long can this pie stay out without being cut into? I want to make today to eat tomorrow for thanksgiving.
Linsey says
It was so delicious & easy!! Made it with my dad who loves all things apple. We made 2 & froze the ingredients pre mixed for a 3rd all ready to go for a later date!
Lynette says
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed it!
Karen says
Best apple pie ever. I continue to make this and have a piece a day warmed as my breakfast! Apples are healthy! 😁
Lynette says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Danielle says
I’ve been using this pie recipe for a couple years now and every time, I am so happy with the results! Thank you so much for making me look like an all-star baker haha!
Kelly says
This pie was a BIG hit at work..it is definitely a 5 star pie
Lynette says
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it!