Don's Crumbly Top Apple Pie recipe is a family favorite at our house. Some people call this a Dutch Apple Pie. What's more American than Apple Pie? Almost every holiday brings a request for this deliciously easy recipe. Now that I'm gluten free, Don makes it with a gluten-free pie crust.
Don's Crumbly Top Apple Pie is so easy it almost makes itself.
Don's Crumbly Top Apple Pie Recipe
Hi. It's Lois. May 13 is National Apple Pie Day so I'm reposting Don's Crumbly Top Apple Pie Recipe (AKA Dutch Apple Pie). One of these pies graces our table just about any season since Granny Smith apples are available year round where we live. Don doesn't know where the original recipe for his Crumbly Top Apple Pie came from, but he has experimented with the types of apples and seasonings over the years. This is our favorite combination; trust me, the best apples to use are Granny Smith Apples.
This pie is always requested for Thanksgiving. So Don (our pie maker) makes one of these, at least one Pecan Pie, a couple of Pumpkin Pies, and usually one other variety, such as Chocolate Pecan Pie. I like the topping on this Crumbly Top Apple Pie so much that I use the topping on my Blueberry Pie.
What's your favorite pie? What apples do you like to use in your Apple Pie? Do you experiment with apples and spices? We would be interested in trying yours, too. Let us know what you think of ours.
What You Need
You will need measuring cups and spoons, a paring knife, a bowl, and a pie plate. An apple corer is helpful, as is a Kitchen Aid stand mixer with the slicing attachment. We love ours because it can slice apples and make zoodles (zucchini noodles). Do yourself a favor and buy the best kitchen tools you can afford. You'll never be sorry.
Don's Crumbly Top Apple Pie Recipe
Don's Crumbly Top Apple Pie Recipe
Don's Crumbly Top Apple Pie Recipe
Ingredients
Bottom Crust
- 1 Pie Crust Pillsbury brand found in the dairy case is the best premade or make your own for gluten free
Filling
- ¼ cup granulated white sugar
- ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¾ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ⅙ teaspoon salt
- 4 teaspoons corn starch
- 4 cups Granny Smith apples cored and sliced thin
Top Crust
- ¾ cup light brown sugar or natural sugar
- ¾ cup flour use gluten free for GF pie
- ½ cup butter use coconut oil for dairy free
Instructions
Bottom Crust
- Use a 9" pie plate for this pie.
- Either use a purchased pie crust or make your favorite. You can even make this with no bottom crust in a flat casserole dish.
- Put the pie crust directly on the pie plate (no need to grease it).
- Pat the pie crust into place on the pie plate. There will likely be some extra crust along the rim. Cut this off so it meets the edge of the pie plate.
- You can leave the crust as is or crimp the edges of the pie crust to make it pretty by pinching the crust between two fingers all along the rim. Now you should have a nice, wavy pie crust rim.
Filling
- Core and slice the apples; thinner slices tend to make a better pie. You can peel the apples, too, but I prefer the peels left on.
- If you notice the apple slices are starting to turn brown while you are coring and slicing, toss them with a little lemon juice to keep their color.
- Toss the apples with the rest of the filling dry ingredients, being careful that the slices are coated on both sides.
- Place apple slices in a 9-inch pie pan on the uncooked crust.
Top "Crust" (Crumbly Top)
- Mix the sugar and flour for the top crust (the crumbly top).
- Cut the butter into small bits and toss with the dry ingredients. It's easier to spread the crust if each bit of butter is coated with dry ingredients so they don't stick together.
- Spread the crumbly top mixture over the apples.
Bake
- Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 30 to 35 minutes. (Put the pie on an aluminum foil covered cookie sheet in the oven just in case it overflows.)
- The pie is done when the apple juice is thickened and bubbles up through the topping in several places.
To Serve
- Serve either warm or at room temperature.
- Slice the pie and arrange on dessert plates with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, if desired. Some people like it in a bowl with a little half and half poured on it, especially if there is no bottom crust.
Recipe Nutrition Information
This recipe is GF (use GF flour), DF (use coconut oil), NF, SF, EF, V*
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Crumbly Top Apple Pie Recipe Nutrition Label. Each serving is ⅛ pie.
Nourish Your Body & Soul
I encourage you to care of yourself by eating satisfying, nourishing food that is good for your body and makes you feel healthy. Protect your spirit by living authentically, moving your body, and taking time to replenish and rest. I think you might also like these recipes & posts from Recipe Idea Shop:
- Libby's Pumpkin Pie
- Roasted Pumpkin Pie
- Don's Blueberry Pie
- Crumbly Top Blueberry Pie
- Molasses Pumpkin Pecan Ginger Pie
- Don's Famous Favorite Pecan Pie
- Chocolate Pecan Pie
- Traditional Pie Crust
- Sweet Gluten Free Pie Crust
- Gluten Free Shortbread Crust
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Crumbly Top (Dutch) Apple Pie. Single crust. Easy recipe.
Dutch Apple Pie or Crumbly Top Apple Pie is a single-crust pie with a crunchy top. SO good.
*Allergen Key
GF = Gluten free | DF = Dairy free | NF = Nut free | SF = Soy free | EF = Egg free | CF = Corn free | V = Vegetarian | VG = Vegan
Note: If you have serious allergies or sensitivities, to be considered free of these allergens, you need to use products specifically marked "gluten free," etc. There can be cross-contamination in facilities.
This recipe was originally posted on Recipe Idea Shop Nov. 7, 2018 and updated May 13, 2021.
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