Apple Crumb Pie

The other week I spotted a recipe that immediately called to me. Okay, it didn’t just call to me. It screamed at me… ‘make me!’ And that’s just what I did. How often does that happen to you? It’s rare that I spot a recipe that calls to me so strongly I make it within the week. I have to admit, it’s probably only because it’s an apple pie and that is hands down my absolute favorite kind of pie. Usually I bookmark recipes for sometime down the road figuring I’ll eventually get to it when the time is right or the mood strikes me. I had to wait until it was grocery shopping day to pick up the apples. I wasn’t about to drag the kiddos out just to get apples when we clearly didn’t need them.

This recipe is super easy. You could of course make it even easier by using premade pie crust. I won’t fault you at all for doing that. I know many people fear making pie simply because of the crust. Crust can definitely be hit or miss. There are so many recipes and probably just as many methods of making crust. In the future I’ll probably opt to use a different crust recipe for this pie. It tasted good especially with the added cinnamon but was just a little off texture wise.

The apples didn’t disappoint. I was slightly fearful that they wouldn’t turn out based on what I’m used to with apple pies. So far I’d only made pies that call for cooking the apples prior to baking or baked with liquid within the pie. The method used for this particular pie is beyond easy. Basically you peel and chop up the apples, then toss in a cinnamon mixture. Because this is a crumb pie, it’s not meant to look perfect. Get the kids involved! They’ll love tossing the apples and adding them to the crust.

Overall I’m happy I tried this recipe. It was super easy to make and the filling was extremely tasty. For a quick fix, I’ll definitely use the general idea of this in the future.

Apple Crumb Pie

An all butter crust apple pie with a crisp crumb topping! A fun twist on a classic seasonal dessert!
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time55 minutes
Total Time1 hour 25 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Pie
Servings: 8

Ingredients

Crust ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 C all purpose flour
  • 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 6 Tbsp unsalted butter cold
  • 4-6 Tbsp ice water

Filling ingredients:

  • 6 C apple chunks
  • 1/2 C light brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp all purpose flour
  • 1 3/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp allspice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 tsp lemon juice optional

Topping ingredients:

  • 1 1/4 C all purpose flour
  • 1/2 C light brown sugar
  • 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 C unsalted butter melted

Instructions

  • In a food processor blend flour, sugar, salt and cold butter chunks. Blend until butter chunks are pea size or smaller. Begin adding 1 tbsp ice water at a time until dough pulls together. Form dough into a ball, wrap in plastic and chill for at least one hour. *Alternately you can mix everything together by hand with forks or a pastry blender.
  • Preheat oven to 425°F. Prepare dry ingredients in a large bowl, set aside. Peel and roughly chop up apples into nice sized chunks. Transfer apple chunks into large bowl with dry ingredients. Top off with vanilla and lemon juice. Toss to coat apples well. Set aside for 10-15 minutes while you prep the dough.
  • Roll out dough accordingly to fit your desired pie dish. My personal preference for rolling out pie dough is between two sheets of plastic wrap - no flour needed and no sticking to the counter! Easily peel off one side of the plastic wrap, flip into the pie dish, press and remove remaining plastic. Trim edges as needed.
  • Fill pie crust with prepared apple chunks.
  • In a medium bowl, combine dry ingredients. Pour cooled melted butter into bowl. Toss and cut until small to medium sized chunks form. Break up large chunks as needed. Using a spoon, sprinkle crumb topping over entire pie.
  • Cover pie loosely with foil. Bake at 425°F for 20 minutes, then reduce heat to 375°F and continue baking for an additional 35 minutes. Cool and enjoy.

Notes

An original recipe from Baked by Rachel
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56 Responses to “Apple Crumb Pie”

  1. #
    1
    Jonna — April 20, 2011 at 2:28 pm

    I have started making an apple/walnut pie that is similar to this—no crust though- but the way the apples are done and the topping are similar. We LOVE it, and it is SO EASY! It NEVER lasts around here…lol…

    I could eat just the topping… :D

  2. #
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    Julia — April 20, 2011 at 2:32 pm

    Your pictures are great!!!! And um, I love me some apple crumb pie!

  3. #
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    Alison @ Ingredients, Inc. — April 20, 2011 at 2:44 pm

    looks fabulous! I would like a bite right now!

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    marla — April 20, 2011 at 3:22 pm

    Love apple crumb pie, yours looks delish!

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    Maria — April 20, 2011 at 3:49 pm

    I love the crumb topping!

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    Lynn @ I'll Have What She's Having — April 20, 2011 at 4:39 pm

    Apple pie is my favourite too. Now I want one!

  7. #
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    Orly @yumivore — April 20, 2011 at 6:10 pm

    I am now officially craving a slice. Beautfiul photos!

  8. #
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    Lucy @ The Sweet Touch — April 20, 2011 at 6:10 pm

    Ohhh, I love apple pie, and the crumble topping. This looks delicious!

  9. #
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    Feast on the Cheap — April 20, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    Every. Single. Pie should be made with crumble topping. Yum.

  10. #
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    Lauren at Keep It Sweet — April 20, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    I love apple crumb pie and I REALLY want a piece of this now!

  11. #
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    Aimee — April 20, 2011 at 9:59 pm

    Oh my goodness apple pie is my favorite, and this looks amazing!

  12. #
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    Kate@Diethood — April 20, 2011 at 11:13 pm

    mmmm! That crumb topping would have screamed at me, too! Beautiful!!

  13. #
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    Kat @ Cupcake Kat — April 20, 2011 at 11:33 pm

    This is a very beautiful and delicious looking pie!

  14. #
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    Angela@RecipesFromMyMom — April 21, 2011 at 7:36 am

    Streusel toppings are so good on pie and your pie turned out so beautiful. Really nice photos.

  15. #
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    Maris (In Good Taste) — April 21, 2011 at 10:25 am

    OMG It is screaming to me too! That topping alone is scrumptious!

  16. #
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    natalie (the sweets life) — April 21, 2011 at 11:01 am

    my husband LOVES apple pie…I should make this for him! :) ps. love that polka dot plate!

    • #
      16.1
      Rachel — April 21, 2011 at 11:03 am

      You really should! It’s so easy. I couldn’t resist the plate (bowl and crock lol) when I saw them on clearance at Pier1!

  17. #
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    briarrose — April 21, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    Fabulous! All that beautiful apple and a crumb topping I cannot resist.

  18. #
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    Deborah — April 21, 2011 at 3:01 pm

    I have thousands of recipes bookmarked, so to find one that I have to make “right now” is pretty rare. I can totally see why you were so drawn to this recipe – I LOVE apple pie!!

  19. #
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    Kristen — April 21, 2011 at 3:16 pm

    Crumb topped apple pie is my family’s favorite way to eat apples. Yours looks delicious. I love the cinnamon in the crust.

    Next time you make a recipe from another blog, I would love for you to come over and link it up on my Monday blog party, “Your recipe, My kitchen” where I am slowly making my way through my own list of “to try” recipes.

  20. #
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    Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen — April 21, 2011 at 4:08 pm

    You and Amanda and your crumb recipes – you’re killing me you know?! I can’t resist a nice thick crumb coating. I just can’t. :)

  21. #
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    elisabeth@foodandthriftfinds — April 21, 2011 at 4:24 pm

    Rachel-Your apple crumb pie is so inviting, and droolworthy. Love the step-by-step photo direction, and the fabulous recipe as well. I buzzed you, on foodbuzz!
    Thanks for sharing:D
    xo

  22. #
    22
    Aggie — April 22, 2011 at 7:54 am

    Oh, I can see why this was screaming at you. What a delicious looking pie. I’m a sucker for apple pie too. The crumb topping looks awesome.
    I’m a premade crust girl (for now)…is there one that is better than others?

  23. #
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    Happy When Not Hungry — April 22, 2011 at 3:29 pm

    This looks delicious!!! What a great post!

  24. #
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    The Farmers Wife — April 22, 2011 at 6:10 pm

    Now it’s screaming at me!! haha! Seriously, maybe once my mouth stops watering I will go make this… Yum!

  25. #
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    JulieD — April 25, 2011 at 2:57 pm

    I love apple crumb pie. Thanks for posting this!

  26. #
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    ASHLEA — April 26, 2011 at 11:28 pm

    mmm… this look so scrumptious. If only I could reach through the computer screen… :)

  27. #
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    Deanna — April 27, 2011 at 8:58 pm

    My mouth is wtering like Pavlov’s dog – I know this is good – can’t wait to try it

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    Kim Beaulieu — June 24, 2011 at 10:21 pm

    This really looks so amazing. I think this would make a lovely dessert for a family dinner. You take great photos.

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    kiana — October 1, 2011 at 8:33 pm

    wow!!!!!! rachel that looks delicious i am definatly going to try that next time :)

  30. #
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    kiana — October 1, 2011 at 8:35 pm

    i just made some great apple pie thanks for the recipe going to you from now on i now know you have great recipes , out of all the apple pie recipes i’ve tried yours is the best Thank You :)

    • #
      30.1
      Rachel — October 2, 2011 at 7:42 pm

      Thanks for stopping by to tell me! So glad to hear you liked it :)

  31. #
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    katie — October 11, 2011 at 1:26 pm

    Made this pie twice now and it is not only easy but delicious. Used my own Pippin apples. No need to change a thing!!! Perfect!!!

    • #
      31.1
      Rachel — October 11, 2011 at 1:28 pm

      Glad to hear you liked it! :)

  32. #
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    Marrybelle — October 13, 2011 at 6:12 am

    Hey Rachel all the way from the kingdom of bahrain must say i love the combinitation of ur recipe … Just wondering allspices can u be more specific with the name of spices youve been using for ur pie … Highly appreciate ur help thank u

    • #
      32.1
      Rachel — October 13, 2011 at 7:15 pm

      Hi! Allspice is actually a spice of it’s own but if you’re unable to obtain it where you live, you could easily substitute a mixture of cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg in it’s place. Typically the recommendation is 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp cloves and 1/4 tsp nutmeg in place of 1 tsp allspice. Because this recipe already calls for cinnamon, I’d recommend a pinch to 1/8 tsp of each cloves and nutmeg. If interested, here is a bit more info on allspice: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allspice. I hope that helps!

  33. #
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    Catherine — October 20, 2011 at 12:04 pm

    Hey, my crumble never comes out the way your picture has it. I have tried like 3 different types of butter. It’s too soft. Is my butter too hot?

    • #
      33.1
      Rachel — October 20, 2011 at 12:47 pm

      I don’t think temperature would be an issue. Usually with any crumble type topping that requires melted butter I find I need to let it sit for a bit after intitially working the ingredients together. It’ll harden up a bit and then it’s much easier to break up into chunks. I always use forks to help blend and mash it up. I hope that helps – good luck! :)

  34. #
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    Erin — October 27, 2011 at 5:21 pm

    OOO That looks so good! I love apple pie!

  35. #
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    nancy — October 31, 2011 at 10:02 pm

    Hi there..I put the allspice, flour (not as much), sugar etc…except I put a bit of tapioca )instant) in it to thicken the juices. A nice pinche of salt is great

  36. #
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    Roxanne Wymer — November 23, 2011 at 3:56 pm

    Thanks for the apple crumb pie. Just like mom used to make!! Made it for Thanksgiving. YUMMO!!!

  37. #
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    Natalie — February 8, 2012 at 11:44 am

    Hi Rachel!
    Your apple crumb pie looks delicious! I’m not sure which apples to use… will the filling come out soft with any apple brand? Im afraid to bake the pie and find out that is isnt moist as it should be…
    Hope to get an answer :)

    thanks you so much!!!

    • #
      37.1
      Rachel — February 8, 2012 at 12:13 pm

      I’m a fan of using Cortland apples mostly, but just because that’s my taste preference. They’re similar to Macs but hold up better for pies. There is a wide range of what you could use for baking. Typically you want an apple that isn’t too soft and has a strong flavor that will hold up during the baking process. Here is a link you can check out for recommendations: http://www.orangepippin.com/varietyindex.aspx

  38. #
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    Missy — May 22, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    Making it right now!! YUM!

  39. #
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    Natalie — May 26, 2012 at 12:26 pm

    Is it OK if I prepare everything a day before? Can I make the crust and filling and leave it in the fridge until tomorrow morning?
    Or will the apples become too soggy?

    yummy yum yum!!!

    • #
      39.1
      Rachel — May 26, 2012 at 5:58 pm

      I’d be more concerned about the crust getting too soggy vs the apples. Personally, I’d bake the same day and just reheat slices if people prefer them hot. Some may like them cool so if you were to bake tonight that would allow for both options. I hope you enjoy it. :)

  40. #
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    Nina Elisabeth — August 19, 2012 at 5:40 am

    Hi.

    Found your recipe while i was searching the net for something to make for our guests.
    It tasted delicious, and everyone loved it. I shared the recipe whit my readers, translated into norwegian. I refered to your blog, so I hope you don’t mind :-)

    • #
      40.1
      Rachel — August 19, 2012 at 9:23 am

      So glad to hear that you liked it! Thanks for linking back as well. :)

  41. #
    41
    Bonnie — September 10, 2012 at 1:49 pm

    Rachel. I have been making Apple Crunch pie for some time now and my family loves it. I tried your recipe and found that yours is a bit better than mine. Thanks to you, my pie is a great hit all family gatherings.

  42. #
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    Leah — October 12, 2012 at 10:56 am

    It wasn’t clear in the directions on whether to leave the foil on while baking at 375. I left it on and I think that was a mistake. Just an FYI

  43. #
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    Angela — December 24, 2012 at 1:25 pm

    Making 2 of them now!!! THEY Smell AWESOME!!! :-) Thanks!

  44. #
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    Anonymous — October 17, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    Wow! I am going to make one right now!=) Thanls!

    • #
      44.1
      Rachel — October 17, 2014 at 2:38 pm

      Enjoy!

  45. #
    45
    Chantelle — February 4, 2017 at 6:02 pm

    Does only make one pie?

    • #
      45.1
      Rachel — February 5, 2017 at 8:23 am

      Yes, one pie.

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