A classic Dutch Apple Pie Recipe with a flaky, buttery homemade pie crust, a perfect homemade apple pie filling with a touch of cinnamon, loads of crumb topping, and just the right balance of tartness and sweetness. This pie always gets rave reviews from friends and family. With just a few easy steps and some helpful tips, you too can serve this apple pie at your next holiday celebration, dinner party, or family feast.
We just love fresh homemade pie, just like Grandma used to fix. It brings back such wonderful memories of past holidays and festive times. This pie, Blueberry Pie, Sweet Potato Pie, and Easy Southern Pecan Pie are just a few of our favorites.
What is different about a Dutch Apple Pie
The difference between a Dutch apple pie (aka apple crumble pie) and a classic apple pie recipe is the topping. A Dutch Apple Pie has a delicious crumble streusel topping made of butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour. While a traditional pie has a flaky pastry crust for both the bottom and the top. It is a nice change of pace and one of our favorite apple pies.
How to make a Dutch Apple Pie
Start with the pie dough
Start by freezing your butter and chilling the water. Then whisk together the flour and salt in a large bowl. Now shred the frozen butter right into the bowl with the flour and stir to coat as you go so the butter does not clump together. Next, stir the water and cider vinegar together. Now add the water mixture a tablespoon at a time mixing with a fork just until the dough starts to clump and pull together. Use your hands to finish mixing it. Next, form into a disk and wrap it in plastic. Then chill for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
After the dough has thoroughly chilled, gently roll out the disk to a 12-inch circle on a floured surface. Then fold the piecrust or roll it around your rolling pin to move it to the pie plate. Next, gently tuck it into the pie pan, trim the edge about an inch over the side, tuck it in along the edge, and flute it or crimp it. Next, carefully and gently tuck an aluminum foil overhang into the pie crust. Fill with sugar, dried beans, or pie weights. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the pie weights and foil. Then prick the bottom of the crust with the tines of a fork and bake for another 15-20 minutes.
Make the crumble topping
In a medium bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Using a fork, add the flour stirring just until mixed. Then place the bowl in the fridge for a few minutes while you make the pie filling.
Make the apple filling and finish the pie
Now in a small saucepan, combine the butter, water, flour, sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook over medium low heat bringing the mixture to a boil while stirring frequently. Then simmer for 3 minutes. Pour over the sliced apples and toss to coat. Now spoon the apple mixture into the pie crust, laying the apples flat as you go. Then, remove the crumb topping from the fridge and use a fork to break it up. Sprinkle the crumb mixture in an even layer over the apples and place the pie dish on a baking sheet. Bake uncovered in a preheated oven for about 50-55 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for several hours before slicing. Serve with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream.
Recipe notes and helpful tips
- Pro-tip – make the piecrust the night before, shape it into a disk, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate it. It gives the gluten strands in the dough time to relax, makes it so much easier to roll out, and limits quite a bit of shrinkage. It also helps make pie day a little less stressful with one task already being completed.
- Work on a well yet evenly floured surface so your crust does not stick. You can always use a fine, dry pastry brush to remove excess flour.
- Peel, core, and slice the apples about 1/4 inch thick.
- Spritz your sliced apples with a little lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.
- Layer the apple pie filling as best you can into the pie crust with the apple pieces lying down.
- For a change of pace, add finely chopped walnuts or pecans to the crumb topping.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and take this recipe over the top.
- Fruit pies are best baked on a baking sheet since the pie filling needs to bubble for 6-10 minutes in order to set properly.
- If the pie browns too fast, cover loosely with a piece of aluminum foil.
- It is best to refrigerate the crumb topping for 15 minutes so the mixture forms into crumbs more easily and spreads over the top with little effort.
- For an extra special treat, drizzle with salted caramel sauce.
- Serve this pie chilled or at room temperature.
- Cover with plastic wrap or foil and store on the counter for 2 days. Then refrigerate for up to 2 more days. Or freeze for up to 3 months.
What can you use for pie weights?
Pie weights keep the crust from puffing, shrinking, and slumping. Granulated sugar makes the best pie weight because it is already in your kitchen, it is heavy, and it fills all those little nooks and crannies. First, use aluminum foil to cover the crust. Then, gently press the aluminum foil into the corners and let it overhang over both ends of the pie plate. Then, simply fill it with sugar and bake according to recipe directions. Once baked, let it cool a bit, then scoop the sugar out using a measuring cup or large spoon and place the sugar in a large zipper bag. Once there is enough weight removed, maneuver the aluminum foil like a funnel and pour the sugar into the bag. Do it over the sink to keep messes to a minimum.
For an added bonus, keep the sugar in the pantry for the next pie or use it in another baking recipe in which you would enjoy a little more complexity from lightly toasted sugar. Of course, you could also use dried beans, popcorn kernels, or rice. However, they will be too dry to use in a future recipe, but you can use them again as pie weights.
Best apples for baking
My go-to apples for baking are crisp tart apples like Granny Smith Apples or Honey Crisp Apples. Other good choices are Braeburn Apples or Pink Lady Apples (also known as Cripps Pink). You can also do a mixture of all of these or any of these for more texture and flavor. Cut your apples into chunks or slices that are at least 1/4-inch thick to help keep a little bit of firmness through the baking process. For best results, stir them with a little lemon juice to keep them from browning while you are making your way through the recipe.
Other apple recipes you will love
Print
Best Dutch Apple Pie Recipe
A homemade Dutch Apple Pie with a fresh flaky crust, tender granny smith and pink lady apples, and oodles of butter crumb topping.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: dessert
- Method: bake
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Pie Crust Recipe
- 1 ¼ cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter frozen
- 4–5 tablespoons chilled water
- ½ teaspoon cider vinegar
Crumble Topping
- 7 tablespoons butter melted
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 cup flour
Apple Pie Filling
- ½ cup butter
- ¼ cup water
- 3 tablespoons flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 ½ lbs. granny smith and pink lady apples cored, peeled, and cut in 1/4 inch slices (or honeycrisp)
Instructions
- Whisk together the flour and salt in a large bowl. Shred the frozen butter right into the bowl with the flour and stir to coat as you go so the butter does not clump together. Stir the water and cider vinegar together. Add the water mixture 1 tablespoon at a time mixing with a fork just until the dough starts to clump and pull together. Use your hands to finish mixing it. Form it into a disk and wrap it in plastic. Chill for at least 2 hours or up to overnight.
- After the dough has thoroughly chilled, preheat oven to 375 degrees. Gently roll out the disk to a 12-inch circle on a well-floured surface. Fold the pie crust or roll it around your rolling pin to move it to the pie plate. Gently tuck it into the pie pan, trim the edge about an inch over the side, tuck it in along the edge, and flute it.
- Carefully and gently tuck an aluminum foil overhang into the piecrust. Fill with pie weights. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the pie weights and foil. Using a fork prick the bottom of the pie crust about 10-15 times. Bake for another 10-15 minutes or until lightly browned.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the melted butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Using a fork, add the flour stirring just until mixed. Cover and place in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
- In a small saucepan, combine the butter, water, flour, sugar, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cook over medium-low heat. Bring the mixture to a boil stirring frequently. Simmer for 3 minutes. Pour over the sliced apples and toss to coat.
- Spoon into the pie crust, laying the apples flat as you go. Remove the crumb topping from the fridge and use a fork to break it up. Spoon the mixture evenly over the apples and place the pie on a baking sheet. Bake uncovered in a 375 oven for 50-55 minutes. Cool on a rack for several hours before slicing.
Notes
- Pro-tip – make the piecrust the night before, shape it into a disk, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate it. It gives the gluten strands in the dough time to relax, makes it so much easier to roll out, and limits quite a bit of shrinkage. It also helps make pie day a little less stressful with one task already being completed.
- Work on a well yet evenly floured surface so your crust does not stick. You can always use a fine, dry pastry brush to remove excess flour.
- Peel, core, and slice the apples about 1/4 inch thick.
- Spritz your sliced apples with a little lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.
- Layer the apple pie filling as best you can into the pie crust with the apple pieces lying down.
- For a change of pace, add finely chopped walnuts or pecans to the crumb topping.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and take this recipe over the top.
- Fruit pies are best baked on a baking sheet since the pie filling needs to bubble for 6-10 minutes in order to set properly.
- If the pie browns too fast, cover loosely with a piece of aluminum foil.
- It is best to refrigerate the crumb topping for 15 minutes so the mixture forms into crumbs more easily and spreads over the top with little effort.
- For an extra special treat, drizzle with salted caramel sauce.
- Serve this pie chilled or at room temperature.
- Cover with plastic wrap or foil and store on the counter for 2 days. Then refrigerate for up to 2 more days. Or freeze for up to 3 months.
Keywords: Dutch apple pie recipe, Dutch apple pie topping, Dutch crumb apple pie, what is Dutch apple pie
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Julia
Can you use whiite vinegar instead of the apple vinegar?
Beth Pierce
yes
Katie
I had to use sugar in the raw instead of granulated for the filling. Unfortunately, after about a minute of simmering there was a separation between the butter and the other ingredients. Is this because of the kind of sugar I used? Will the filling still be good?
Beth Pierce
I am not sure, Katie. I have not worked with sugar in the rzw. How was it after you baked it?
Elise
I am making this the day before for thanksgiving. How should I store the pie over night? Counter or fridge?
Beth Pierce
As long as you are not using any sugar substitutes you can store this pie at room temperature for 2 days.
Justine
Looking forward to making this for the holidays! I plan to make this ahead, how long do you bake after taking out of the freezer? Do you recommend fully preparing, baking then freezing or preparing and freezing before baking? Thanks!
Beth Pierce
Sorry about the delay. There are just not enough hours in a day. I would prepare, freeze, and bake later. Bake from frozen. 375 degrees for about 1 hour
Mandy
Impressive! This is so good. I cheated and used the frozen store-bought crust, but only had one. This recipe looked like a good fit for the missing top crust. Missing no more! The crumb topping is much better.
Next time I have a ton of apples, I might just might try to make the crust as well.
Thank you for the recipe 🌷
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
My pleasure Mandy! So glad that you liked the Dutch apple pie. It is one of my favorites!!
Jennifer Prince
That topping looks so sinfully delicious! We go apple picking in the fall, and this is the perfect recipe.
Tweenselmom
Delicious recipe. I have made this several times and it is always a hit with my family.
Fransic verso
This was so yummy! I love this apple pie. It’s my favorite and I could eat it for a month every morning haha.
knycx journeying
Wow this was a delicious apple crumble pie. I love this recipe. It is easy to make a family favorite.
★★★★
Marysa
Everyone loved this pie. It was so easy to make and tasted so yummy! Thanks for the great recipe.
Patricia Chamberlain
This was amazing! I had never made a Dutch apple pie before and this one turned great. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
★★★★★
briannemanzb
This Dutch Apple Pie is my all-time favorite apple pie! Pie doesn’t get any better than this!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
So true Brianne!
Nyxie
This was scrumptious. I loved the combination of sweet and tart apples with a crumb topping. I could go for another slice right now.
Gervin Khan
Wow! This apple pie recipe was absolutely delicious and yummy! The crumb topping was my favorite! Loved it and will definitely make it again for the family! Thanks!
★★★★★
abzstylz
Thanks for the great recipe. My whole family enjoyed it. We are putting it on our Thanksgiving menu!
Erin
Hello. Do I need to pre-bake the crust if I’m using store bought? That’s not a step in used to. Thank you!
Beth Pierce
Sorry! Somehow I missed this question. Yes I would prebake a store bought crust for 10 minutes or so.
Tori J
Should I use salted or unsalted butter?
Beth Pierce
Unsalted butter
Jupiter Hadley
I have only ever had default apple pie, with a pie top, but this crunchy top looks so fancy and fun! Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Yeah Lifestyle
This Dutch Apple Pie was delish. I love that it can be frozen for up to three months, since it is just me I can’t eat a whole apple pie at once. Or at least I shouldn’t!
★★★★★
Lavanda Michelle
This was so delicious, I love pie and I think this is my new favorite pie!
★★★★★
Talya Stone
I love how this is a fusion between good old apple pie and apple crumble. I am more of a crumble girl really so this my kind of pie.
★★★★★
Melanie E
This sounds amazing. I make a Dutch apple cake that’s delicious. I bet this is just as good. I need to try it for myself.
★★★★★
Risa Lopez
I love apple pie. This was so good! Thanks for sharing! My family loved it.
★★★★★
Lisa
This apple pie looks so good. It’s really my favorite pie.
Samantha Donnelly
You can not beat an apple pie, I have made different varieties but never made this before. Definitely a recipe to try once the apples are ready in the garden
★★★★★
Rhian Westbury
This looks so yummy. I’m not usually a fruit pie fan, but apple pie is in it’s own league and is really making me crave it x
Mosaic Art
omg I love apple pies but I never had dutch apple pie, I can’t wait to try out your recipe, it is very easy to follow. Thank you so much…
Neely Moldovan
Big apple pie fan! This recipe was simply delicious and easy.
Anosa Malanga
Haven’t tried this yet so I guess it’s a good time to try making it over the weekend. I will try out your recipe soon. Thank you for sharing!
Ramil Hinolan
The crumb topping looks inviting. I guess, it is time to buy ingredients for this great apple pie recipe.
Beth Pierce
Thanks! I sure hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Cinny
I love a good apple pie. This one was very easy and did not disappoint. Thanks for the great recipe.
RomyRaves
Yum, this is 100% up my son and husband’s alley.. I need to make this
briannemanzb
I love it. I made it with the apples my sister sent me the other day. Thanks for sharing this lovely recipe.
★★★★★
Archana Singh
I love apple pies. And, this one was absolutely delicious. Thanks for sharing the recipe. My whole family enjoyed it!
Kat
this is the kind of pie that i would not say no to! looks so creamy and delicious 🙂 yum!
Tweenselmom
This apple pie was so good. I really loved the crumble topping. I will make this again!
★★★★★
Christine
I LOVE apple pie! This was absolutely delicious and I just loved the crumb topping. I can’t wait to make it again. Thank you!
★★★★★
Stephanie
Apple pie is my favorite, but this crumble topping just takes it to another level of amazing! I don’t know why I have not tried it before. Absolutely delicious.
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Stephanie! So glad that you liked it!
Cristina Petrini
I love apple pie and I must say that this variant really intrigued me, I make the classic Italian which is different, I’ll try!
★★★★★
Midwife 360
This recipe is just the right amount of tart and sweet that I enjoy. The crumb topping and whip cream are my favorite little additions too. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
★★★★★
Marysa
I have never had Dutch Apple Pie. Sounds like a nice twist on apple pie. We pick so many apples in the fall, and it is nice to have a variety of recipes on hand to use up the apples!
Abids
I never thought that such an amazing recipe can be made fom spple. Thanks for sharing it
Beth Pierce
You are most welcome. Happy that you liked it!
Swathi
This Dutch apple pie is delicious. The whole family enjoyed it. I will make it again.
★★★★★
Melissa Cushing
I totally just pinned this as I am going to make this recipe tonight for my husband 😉 He loves Apple Pie and this looks amazing and delicious!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Melissa! Enjoy!!
Catalina
I am drooling over this pie. I love when the apple pie is creamy like this one!
★★★★★
Ruth I
This recipe was so yummy! I had been craving apple pie and this one hit the spot just right!
★★★★★
Rose Ann Sales
Wow! That looks absolutely delicious and tasty! I would really love to try this recipe!
Richelle Milar
Oh my! This is such a really amazing recipe! It was so good! My husband loved this so much!
Kathy
Dutch apple pie is so good. It has been awhile since I’ve had it though. Now I need to make it. Yum!
Alita
The delicious flavor is all in the delicious crumb topping. I love it
★★★★★
Terri Steffes
My mom likes it cold, but I like it a tiny bit warm, with a bit of cream.
Tara Pittman
This is a recipe that I need to make. I even have the apple pie filling in my freezer.
Beth Pierce
You should try it. It is absolutely amazing!!
Amber Myers
Yum. I usually cheat and buy this already made. But I should try and make it on my own.
Tammy
This looks so good! Mr. G would love this pie. Especially if it had some ice cream on top.
★★★★★
Sabina Hebblethwaite
What an amazing recipe!! Loved it!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
So glad that you loved it! 😉
Myla
Is the pie filling supposed to be thick?
Beth Pierce
yes
Emily
What does “shred the butter” mean? Should I use food processor?
Beth Pierce
Shred it through a box grater like you would cheese.
Sara Welch
A Thanksgiving staple on my table every year at Thanksgiving! Excited to give your recipe a try; adding it to my holiday line up as we speak!
★★★★★
MJ
I love how the yummy topping on this pie turned out! This recipe was a hit!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks MJ! So glad that you liked it!
Biana
This apple pie looks great! Perfect dessert for Thanksgiving.
★★★★★
Jill
This pie was absolutely delicious. Thanks for the recipe!
★★★★★
Dana Sandonato
This was absolutely perfect in every way! Honestly, I’m skipping the pumpkin pie this year and making this for dessert 😉 SO GOOD.
★★★★★
Jessica
I missed the instructions for the crumble topping!
Beth Pierce
It is down at the bottom of the post. Crumb topping and step #4.
Lori Henderson
These recipes look really good, can’t wait to try them!
Beth Pierce
Thanks Lori! Enjoy!!
Alisa Infanti
I made this to bring to my sister in laws birthday and it was gone in minutes!
★★★★★
Jill
This pie looks perfect! I love streussel topping so much. Excited to try this!
★★★★★
Jyoti Behrani
This was delicious! I made this last week for Friendsgiving and it was a huge hit. I will be making this again. Thanks for an amazing recipe!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
The pleasure is all mine!
Katherine
I love this version of apple pie! So delicious and a family favorite!
★★★★★
Michele
MMM!! This was delicious! This is my absolute favorite type of apple pie! Thank you for the recipe. We will be making this every Thanksgiving!
★★★★★
Shashi
I LOVE Dutch apple pie – and boy-o-boy does yours look mouthwatering. That crumb topping is simply divine!
★★★★★
Tavo
The recipe was super yummy. I will make it again, it instantly became a family favorite! Thank you!
★★★★★
Dannii
I adore apple pie and this looks amazing. Total comfort food.
★★★★★
Cathleen
My husband ALWAYS requests apple pie, so I am definitely going to make this over the holidays! Thank you for such a great recipe 🙂
★★★★★
Mirlene
Love dutch apple pies with ice cream on top! Better to bake these fresh than buy the storebought kind.
★★★★★
Ntensibe Edgar
Nnnniiiccceeeeee….I am even hungrier now! Pies and apples are both very good friends of mine. Thanks for sharing the recipe.
Kat
oh wow! this recipe is truly mouth watering. 🎔 I don’t think I will be able to re-create this. Looks too complex for me
Thena Franssen
Holy moly – I’m loving this recipe! I think that this is going to be added to my holiday menu as I’m wanting to serve an apple dessert.
Veronika Sykorova
I love pie but I’ve never tried dutch apple pie! The crumble looks amazing!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks Veronica!
Gladys Nava
My son really loves pies. I always make a pie every weekend and this recipe is perfect for us. Can’t wait to try this!
★★★★★
Beth Pierce
Thanks so much Gladys! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Elise Ho
Would it be wrong if I ate all of the crumble off of the top? Seriously, the whole thing looks wonderful …but I do have an affinity to the crunch.
★★★★★
Autumn Murray
I love apple pie! I haven’t actually made one as I am not a big baker. I am saving your recipe to make with my daughter as she LOVEs to bake and apple pie is literally her favorite.
Clarice
Wow! This looks absolutely delicious. I am actually planning to prepare apple pie for Thanksgiving and I think this is perfect. Thank you for sharing the recipe. Appreciate the helpful tips.
Gervin Khan
I love apple pie so much, and seeing this one is making my mouth-watering. So delicious and easy. Thank you!
★★★★★
Eileen M Loya
The recipe looks easy enough to follow. I haven’t made apple pie in a while so I am sure to try this new recipe this weekend.
★★★★★
briannemanz
This dutch apple pie recipe looks delish. I love trying out new recipes!
★★★★★
Colleen
This looks soo good. I cant to try it. I hope I can follow the instructions well
★★★★★
Sienna
That crumb topping! What!??! How much better does this look than a boring pie crust- I NEED TO MAKE THIS~!
Toni
It was a huge hit at my house at my house! A must-make for the apple season!
★★★★★
Mahy
This apple pie is fantastic! Exactly how I LOVE mine to be 🙂
★★★★★
Kristen
This pie was delicious! It reminded me of a cross between a pie and a crumble. So yummy!
★★★★★
Sarah James
Your apple pie looks delicious especially with the crumble topping. Thanks fr the tips on hw to make the pastry, looking forward to trying your recipe.
★★★★★
Janeane M Davis
This pie looks so delicious. I wish my computer had taste-o-vision. I guess I will have to settle for making this for my family.
Stefani Tolson
That pie looks absolutely delicious. I have never made a dutch apple pie, just the store bought kind!
★★★★★
Monica
Dutch apple is my favorite because of that topping! I really want to try and make this with some of the apples we picked over em the weekend!
Kathy
This looks so amazing. Dutch apple pie is one of my favorites. I’m not the biggest fan of pie, but this is one I do love.
Jamie
Yum, this looks amazing!! Pinning this to try for the holidays. 🙂
★★★★★
Tara Pittman
The crumb topping is the best part of this pie. II need to make this pie soon.
Scarlet Paolicchi
I love the topping on this dutch apple pie. It was so delicious!
★★★★★
Kelli
Can you freeze the pie filing?
Beth Pierce
Yes you can
Sandra
This is such an amazing dessert!! Everyone at my house was really impressed!
★★★★★
Catalina
This apple pie looks so creamy and inviting! I can’t resist it!
★★★★★
Erin | Dinners, Dishes and Dessert
ThisDutch Apple Pie looks incredibly delicious!
★★★★★
April
This is my favorite pie. The cider vinegar in the crust was super unique!
★★★★★
Natalie
Yay, for apple pie!! Love the crumb topping & the smell it fills my kitchen with! We love this!
★★★★★
Krystle
The crumb topping is amazing, the best apple pie I’ve ever had! I make this for Thanksgiving every year!
★★★★★