There’s something truly magical about homemade desserts that feel like a warm hug from the inside, and this Dutch Apple Crumble Pie Recipe is exactly that kind of treat. Imagine perfectly tender, cinnamon-spiced apples nestled beneath a buttery, crisp crumble topping, all embraced by a flaky, golden pie crust. It’s a dessert that marries texture and flavor beautifully, offering the comforting familiarity of classic apple pie with the irresistible crunch of a crumble. Whether you’re serving it for a holiday feast or a cozy night in, this pie will quickly become one of your cherished favorites.

A round pie with a golden, crumbly topping fills a white ceramic pie dish. The crust is thick and wavy around the edges with a light golden-brown color. One large slice is missing from the pie, showing an inside layer of cooked apple pieces that are soft and light brown. Around the dish, several brown cinnamon sticks are placed on a white marbled surface. Two apples, one red and one green, sit near the top right of the pie. Two silver forks lie near the bottom right of the pie, adding a touch of shine to the scene. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients are simple yet essential, each playing a vital role in crafting the perfect balance of taste, texture, and aroma. From the tartness of fresh apples to the rich, buttery crumble and the warm spices that tie it all together, every element counts for that ultimate cozy pie experience.

Homemade single pie crust (1 sheet of pie dough): The foundation for your pie, delivering a flaky, buttery base that supports all the deliciousness inside.
Lemon zest (1/4 teaspoon) and lemon juice (2 tablespoons): Brighten the apples and prevent browning without overpowering the natural fruity flavors.
5 pounds apples: Using a mix of Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Golden Delicious brings a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.
Brown sugar (1 1/4 cups total): Adds rich caramel notes and moisture to both the filling and crumble.
Granulated sugar (2/3 cup total): Sweetens the pie subtly while balancing flavor complexity.
All-purpose flour (1 7/8 cups total): Thickens the filling and creates the base for the crumble topping.
Kosher salt (1 1/2 teaspoons): Enhances flavor throughout the pie, making every bite pop.
Spices – cinnamon (1 1/2 teaspoons), nutmeg (3/4 teaspoon), and cardamom (1/2 teaspoon, optional): Warm the filling with cozy spices, leaving a comforting aroma.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds depth and rounds out the flavor profile.
Butter (3/4 cup melted): The secret to a rich, tender crumble topping and flaky crust edges.

How to Make Dutch Apple Crumble Pie Recipe

Step 1: Choose and Prepare Your Apples

Start by selecting 5 pounds of apples—about 11 large ones. Mixing Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, and Golden Delicious gives this pie a brilliant blend of tart and sweet flavors. Peel and slice each apple thinly, about 1/8 inch thick. One apple at a time is key to preventing browning, so peel, slice, and add each piece to a skillet with lemon juice and zest immediately.

Step 2: Cook the Apple Filling

Next, gently combine the apples in a skillet with brown and granulated sugars, flour, salt, and those warm spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, and optional cardamom. Cook covered over medium heat for 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes to keep everything coated and tender but still holding shape. This stovetop step infuses the apples with flavor and ensures your filling won’t be runny once baked.

Step 3: Chill the Filling

Once the apples are cooked, stir in vanilla and transfer the mixture to a shallow pan to cool completely in the fridge or freezer. Cooling the filling well is crucial to prevent the pie crust from becoming soggy.

Step 4: Prepare the Pie Crust

Roll out your pie dough into a 9-inch pie dish, fold and crimp the edges for that classic look, then chill it in the fridge or freezer. A cold crust bakes up extra flaky and golden, which sets the perfect stage for the filling.

Step 5: Make the Sugar Crumble Topping

In a bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, and salt, then stir in melted butter gently until clumpy with a sandy texture. Chill this crumble topping to keep it firm for assembly.

Step 6: Assemble the Pie

Take the chilled pie crust and cooled apple filling from the freezer. Spoon all the gooey filling into the pie shell, spreading it edge to edge. Then top with about a cup or two of the crumble topping – just enough to cover without piling on. Save the rest of the crumble for later baking.

Step 7: Bake the Pie

Place the pie on a preheated baking sheet or pizza stone at 425°F and bake for 15 minutes until the crust starts lightly browning. Lower the oven to 350°F and bake another 10 minutes. Next, sprinkle the remaining crumble on top, shield the crust edges with foil, and bake for an additional 25 to 35 minutes until golden and bubbling. Patience here yields that perfect golden crumble and fully baked filling without burnt edges.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

This part is tough but necessary—let your Dutch Apple Crumble Pie cool completely for about 4 hours. This cooling time allows the filling to set just right so the slices hold beautifully without runny juices. Once cooled, slice, serve, and enjoy!

How to Serve Dutch Apple Crumble Pie Recipe

The image shows a close-up of a slice of apple pie on a white plate with a white marbled background. The pie has three visible layers: the bottom layer is golden-brown crust with a firm texture, the middle layer is filled with soft, warm apple pieces coated in a shiny, cinnamon-spiced sauce with a caramel color, and the top layer is a crumbly, light tan streusel topping with small clusters scattered unevenly. The edges of the pie crust are crimped and slightly browned, giving a homemade look. The whole slice looks moist and rich, with pieces of apple and sauce slightly oozing out from the middle. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

Nothing elevates this pie quite like a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream melting over the warm, spiced apples. A drizzle of salted caramel sauce adds a decadent touch that’s pure indulgence. Fresh whipped cream can also complement the crumble’s buttery crispness, making every forkful a dreamy bite.

Side Dishes

For a full dessert experience, pair your pie with a hot cup of coffee or spiced tea. If serving during the holidays, a warming mulled cider or a glass of dessert wine can beautifully complement the pie’s rich flavors, rounding out an unforgettable meal.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving individual portions in pretty ramekins topped with crumble and a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar for a charming single-serve twist. Or, for a brunch, slice the pie and layer pieces with yogurt and granola to turn it into a unique, sweet parfait no one will forget.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep your leftover Dutch Apple Crumble Pie at room temperature, covered loosely with foil or plastic wrap, for up to two days. Beyond that, store it in the fridge to maintain freshness without drying it out.

Freezing

This pie freezes beautifully! Wrap cooled, unbaked or baked pies tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. It can be stored in the freezer for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking or reheating.

Reheating

To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven feeling, reheat slices gently in the oven at 325°F for about 15 minutes. This preserves the crumble topping’s crispness and warms the filling evenly without turning soggy.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought pie crust for this Dutch Apple Crumble Pie Recipe?

Absolutely! While homemade dough adds a special touch, a good-quality store-bought crust works well and cuts down prep time without sacrificing flavor.

What apples are best to use for this pie?

A mix is key to balance sweetness and tartness. Granny Smith adds tang, Honeycrisp offers sweetness and crunch, and Golden Delicious brings a mellow flavor, creating a perfectly complex filling.

Can I make this Dutch Apple Crumble Pie Recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend in both the filling and crumble. Make sure your pie crust is gluten-free as well for the complete adaptation.

Why do I need to cook the filling before baking?

Pre-cooking the filling softens the apples and prevents a runny pie, ensuring the filling is perfectly tender while maintaining good texture once baked.

How long should I cool the pie before slicing?

Cooling for about four hours is ideal to let the filling set firmly and keep your slices neat with the crumble crisp and intact.

Final Thoughts

Making this Dutch Apple Crumble Pie Recipe is a delightful journey that rewards you with a truly comforting and decadent dessert. The blend of spices, the tender apples, flaky crust, and irresistible crumble topping create a classic that feels timeless and inviting. So go ahead, gather those apples, get baking, and share this warm, delicious pie with the people you love. I promise you’ll want to make it again and again!