🍎🥧 Dutch Apple Pie
A warm, old-fashioned Dutch Apple Pie with tender cinnamon-spiced apples beneath a buttery, crumbly brown sugar topping.
This classic apple pie is wonderfully simple and comforting. Fresh apples are tossed with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted butter, then baked beneath a golden streusel topping until the apples are tender and bubbling.
Serve it warm with vanilla ice cream for the ultimate homemade dessert.
⏱️ Recipe Information
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 45–55 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings: 8
Difficulty: Easy
Method: Oven-Baked
Pan: 9-inch pie plate
🛒 Ingredients
For the Pie
- 1 quart apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
(about 4–5 medium apples) - ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 tablespoons (42 g) butter, melted
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
For the Dutch Crumb Topping
- ¾ cup (95 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup (67 g) packed brown sugar
- ⅓ cup (75 g) butter, softened or melted
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Place the oven rack in the center position.
2. Prepare the Apples
Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin, fairly even slices.
Place them in a large mixing bowl.
Add the granulated sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, and melted butter.
Toss gently until all the apple slices are evenly coated.
Tip: Use a mixture of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor. Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Golden Delicious all work well.
3. Fill the Pie Crust
Place the unbaked pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate if it isn’t already prepared.
Pour the seasoned apples into the crust.
Arrange them evenly and gently press them down to remove large gaps.
The apples can mound slightly because they will shrink as they bake.
🍎 Make the Dutch Crumb Topping
4. Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, and brown sugar.
Stir until evenly mixed.
5. Add the Butter
Add the softened or melted butter.
Use a fork, pastry cutter, or your fingertips to mix until coarse crumbs form.
The topping should be crumbly rather than completely smooth.
If it seems too wet, add a tablespoon or two of flour.
6. Top the Pie
Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apples.
Cover the surface from edge to edge.
Don’t pack the crumbs down too firmly—the loose crumbs create that classic crisp Dutch apple topping.
7. Bake
Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any bubbling juices.
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 minutes.
Then reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for another 25–35 minutes.
The pie is ready when:
- The topping is golden brown.
- The apples are tender when pierced with a knife.
- The filling is bubbling around the edges.
If the topping begins browning too quickly, loosely cover the pie with aluminum foil for the remainder of baking.
8. Cool Before Slicing
Remove the pie from the oven and place it on a wire rack.
Allow it to cool for at least 1–2 hours before slicing.
This gives the apple juices time to thicken so the filling doesn’t run everywhere when cut.
🍨 Serving
Serve the Dutch Apple Pie slightly warm or at room temperature.
For the classic finishing touch, add a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream.
You can also serve it with:
- Whipped cream
- Caramel sauce
- Powdered sugar
- Cinnamon whipped cream
- A drizzle of warm vanilla custard
⭐ Chef’s Tips
Choose firm apples: Apples that hold their shape during baking give the pie a much better texture.
Slice evenly: Consistent slices help the apples cook at the same rate.
Don’t skip the cooling time: The filling thickens as the pie cools.
For extra crunch: Add ¼ cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the crumb topping.
Watch the topping: If it becomes dark before the apples are tender, loosely cover the pie with foil.
For deeper flavor: Add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract to the apple mixture.
🍏 Easy Variations
Caramel Dutch Apple Pie
Drizzle ¼ cup caramel sauce over the apples before adding the crumb topping.
Pecan Streusel Apple Pie
Add ¼ cup chopped pecans to the topping mixture.
Apple Cranberry Pie
Add ½ cup dried cranberries to the apple mixture for a sweet-tart twist.
Extra-Cinnamon Apple Pie
Increase the cinnamon in the apple filling to ½ teaspoon and add another pinch to the topping.
🧊 Storage
Cover the cooled pie loosely with foil or plastic wrap.
Store at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
For the best texture, allow refrigerated slices to come closer to room temperature or warm them gently before serving.
🔥 Reheating
To warm individual slices, microwave for 20–30 seconds.
For a crispier topping, place slices in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 8–12 minutes.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
❄️ Freezing
The fully baked pie can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Cool completely, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil.
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
🍎🥧 Final Result
This Dutch Apple Pie delivers everything you want from a classic homemade apple dessert: tender cinnamon-spiced apples, warm nutmeg, buttery richness, and a golden brown crumb topping.
It’s simple, nostalgic, and especially delicious served warm with a scoop of melting vanilla ice cream. 🍎🍨✨