Dutch Apple Pie: Easy Crumb Topped Apple Pie Recipe

Dutch apple pie is the easygoing cousin of classic apple pie. Instead of rolling and weaving a top crust, you pile on a thick, buttery brown sugar crumb that bakes up crunchy and golden over soft, cinnamon-spiced apples.

It is the pie I make when I want something homemade for Thanksgiving without fussing over pastry. Every slice has crumb in every bite, which is exactly how my family likes it.

For more apple desserts, try my old-fashioned apple crisp, or make the filling ahead with this homemade apple pie filling.

JUMP TO

• Why You’ll Love This Dutch Apple Pie
• What Is Dutch Apple Pie?
• Ingredients
• Kitchen Equipment
• Ingredient Tips
• How to Make Dutch Apple Pie
• Expert Tips for Perfect Dutch Apple Pie
• Delicious Variations
• What to Serve with Dutch Apple Pie
• Storage Instructions
• Can You Make It Ahead?
• Common Mistakes to Avoid
• Estimated Nutrition
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Conclusion

Why You’ll Love This Dutch Apple Pie

It is classic, comforting, and easier than a double-crust pie.

Thick Crumb Topping

Crunchy, buttery, and generous.

Only One Crust

No top crust to roll, crimp, or vent.

Juicy but Sliceable

A little cornstarch thickens the apple juices so slices hold.

Perfect Spice Balance

Cinnamon and a hint of nutmeg let the apples shine.

Holiday Classic

It belongs on every Thanksgiving table.

What Is Dutch Apple Pie?

A Dutch apple pie is an apple pie with a single bottom crust and a streusel crumb topping made from flour, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon. Some people call it apple crumb pie or apple streusel pie.

The crumb soaks up a little of the apple juices around the edges and turns crisp on top, so you get soft and crunchy textures in every forkful.

Ingredients

this Idea!

Crust

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Unbaked 9-inch deep-dish pie crust (homemade or store-bought)	1	Flaky base

Apple Filling

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
Apples, peeled and sliced ¼ inch thick (about 6 medium)	7 cups	The star
Granulated sugar	½ cup	Sweetness
Light brown sugar, packed	¼ cup	Caramel notes
Cornstarch	3 tablespoons	Thickens juices
Lemon juice	1 tablespoon	Brightness
Ground cinnamon	1½ teaspoons	Warm spice
Ground nutmeg	¼ teaspoon	Depth
Salt	¼ teaspoon	Balance
Vanilla extract	1 teaspoon	Flavor

Crumb Topping

Ingredient	Amount	Purpose
All-purpose flour	1 cup	Structure
Light brown sugar, packed	½ cup	Sweet crunch
Granulated sugar	¼ cup	Crisp texture
Ground cinnamon	1 teaspoon	Spice
Salt	¼ teaspoon	Balance
Cold unsalted butter, cubed	½ cup	Buttery clumps

Kitchen Equipment

• 9-inch deep-dish pie plate
• Large mixing bowl
• Pastry cutter or fork
• Sharp knife or apple slicer
• Rimmed baking sheet
• Aluminum foil or pie shield

Ingredient Tips

Mix Your Apples

Combine tart Granny Smith with sweet Honeycrisp or Golden Delicious for the best flavor.

Slice Evenly

¼-inch slices cook at the same rate and stack neatly.

Cold Butter for Crumbs

Cold butter makes big, crunchy clumps instead of sand.

Deep-Dish Crust

Seven cups of apples need room; a shallow crust will overflow.

Do Not Skip the Lemon

It keeps apples from browning and balances the sugar.

How to Make Dutch Apple Pie

Step 1: Prep the Crust

Heat the oven to 400°F with a rack in the lower third. Fit the crust into a deep-dish pie plate, crimp the edges, and chill while you make the filling.

Step 2: Make the Crumb Topping

Whisk the flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture forms pea-size and larger clumps. Refrigerate.

Step 3: Toss the Apples

In a large bowl, toss the apples with the sugars, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla until evenly coated.

Step 4: Fill the Pie

Pile the apples into the crust, mounding them slightly in the center, and pour in any juices left in the bowl.

Step 5: Add the Crumb

Squeeze the crumb topping into clumps and scatter it evenly over the apples, pressing gently.

Step 6: Bake

Set the pie on a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, then reduce to 350°F and bake 40 to 45 minutes more, until the juices bubble through the topping. Tent with foil if the crumb browns too fast.

Step 7: Cool

Cool on a rack for at least 3 hours so the filling sets before slicing.

Expert Tips for Perfect Dutch Apple Pie

Look for Bubbles

Thick juices bubbling at the edges mean the cornstarch has activated.

Bake Low in the Oven

The lower rack helps the bottom crust brown.

Use a Baking Sheet

It catches drips and protects your oven.

Shield the Edges

A foil ring keeps the crust edge from burning.

Be Patient

Warm pie runs; cooled pie slices cleanly.

Delicious Variations

Oat Crumb

Replace ¼ cup flour with old-fashioned oats.

Caramel Drizzle

Drizzle salted caramel over each slice.

Pecan Crumb

Add ½ cup chopped pecans to the topping.

Cranberry Apple

Fold 1 cup fresh cranberries into the apples and add 2 tablespoons sugar.

Cheddar Crust

A sharp cheddar crust is a fun old-school New England twist.

What to Serve with Dutch Apple Pie

Serve slices warm with vanilla ice cream, or at room temperature with lightly whipped cream.

For a full Thanksgiving pie lineup, bake it alongside a classic pumpkin pie and a pecan pie.

Storage Instructions

Storage Method	How Long	Best Practice
Room Temperature	2 days	Loosely covered
Refrigerator	5 days	Covered with foil
Freezer	3 months	Baked and cooled, wrapped twice

Re-crisp the crumb by warming slices at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes.

Thaw frozen pie overnight in the fridge before warming.

Can You Make It Ahead?

Bake the pie the day before; it slices even better.

You can also make the crumb topping up to 3 days ahead and keep it in the fridge, or freeze it for a month.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Soupy Filling

Pie was sliced too warm or under-baked.

Sandy Topping

Butter was too soft or over-mixed.

Gap Under the Crumb

Apples shrink; mound them high and slice them thin.

Pale Bottom Crust

Bake on the lower rack.

Mushy Apples

Use firm baking apples, not McIntosh alone.

Estimated Nutrition

Nutrient	Amount Per Serving
Calories	420
Carbohydrates	68g
Protein	3g
Fat	16g
Saturated Fat	9g
Fiber	4g
Sugar	40g
Sodium	230mg
Cholesterol	30mg

Estimate per slice, based on 8 slices without ice cream.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Dutch apple pie gives you everything you love about apple pie plus a crunchy, buttery crumb that is impossible to resist. It is simple, classic, and made for sharing.

Bake it this Thanksgiving and do not forget the ice cream.

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