Our apple crumble pie is made with chopped tart apples in a spiced mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar. The apple filling cooks into a cozy, caramel-y dream, while a thick crumble topping adds a hearty texture and bite. Serve with a scoop of ice cream or alongside other gorgeous Labor Day desserts for the ultimate late summer spread.
Ingredients for Apple Crumble Pie
- Single-crust pie dough: Only a single-crust pie dough is needed for our apple crumb pie recipe thanks to the gorgeous crumble topping.
- All-purpose flour: All-purpose flour gives the crumble topping its structure and thickens the apple filling.
- Cold butter: Cold butter is cut into the crumble topping to keep it nice and flaky.
- Cinnamon: Sweet cinnamon imparts a warm, cozy flavor throughout the pie. Give your Cassia cinnamon a break, and try out other types of cinnamon like floral Ceylon or spicy Saigon.
- Nutmeg: Pre-ground nutmeg is great, but have you ever tasted freshly grated nutmeg in baked goods? Buy a whole nutmeg, and grate it across a Microplane for knockout, robust nutmeg flavor.
- Apples: Cut your apples into uniform pieces so they’ll bake evenly in the oven.
Directions
Step 1: Roll out the crust
Preheat the oven to 400°F. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to an 1/8-inch-thick circle.
Step 2: Trim and flute the crust
Transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie plate. Trim the dough to 1/2 inch beyond the rim of the pie plate, and flute the edge. Refrigerate the pie crust while preparing the topping and filling.
Editor’s Tip: If you want to get fancy with your fluting, learn how to make decorative pie crusts.
Step 3: Make the crumb topping
In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar and flour. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture is crumbly.
Step 4: Make the apple filling
In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg. Add the apples, and gently toss to coat.
Step 5: Assemble the pie
Spread the apple mixture into the pie crust. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apples.
Editor’s Tip: Don’t be afraid to pile the apples on high! They’ll shrink down as they bake.
Step 6: Bake the pie
Bake the pie for 10 minutes. Reduce the oven setting to 375° (do not take the pie out of the oven). Continue baking the pie until the topping is browned and the apples are tender, 40 to 45 minutes. Cover the edge loosely with aluminum foil during the final 15 minutes if needed to prevent overbrowning. Let the pie cool at room temperature on a wire rack.
Editor’s Tip: Set the pie on a baking sheet in the oven to catch anything that may boil over.
Apple Crumble Pie Variations
- Sprinkle in other spices: To bump up the pie’s cozy factor, sprinkle in other fall spices like aromatic cardamom or warming allspice.
- Throw in some ginger: For a zippy flavor, add some fresh gingerroot or ground ginger to the filling. You could also dice up crystalized ginger for a sweet, bright bite.
- Add dried fruit or nuts: Chopped pecans, walnuts or dates or dried currants would be outstanding bites of nuttiness or bursts of sweetness in the filling.
- Use sliced pears: Try a fun new spin, and use pears in this pie. You can swap in the pears for half of the apples, or omit the apples completely.
How to Store Apple Crumble Pie
To store, allow the apple crumble pie to cool completely to room temperature. Place the pie in an airtight container, or wrap it in a layer of storage wrap. Store the pie in the fridge for up to four days. You can serve the pie cold, or you can reheat the entire pie in a 350° oven until heated through. You can also reheat a slice of pie in the microwave.
Can you freeze apple crumble pie?
Yes, you can freeze apple crumble pie. Allow the pie to cool completely to room temperature, then wrap the pie tightly in two layers of storage wrap, followed by a layer of foil. Store the pie in the freezer for up to two months. To reheat, thaw the pie in the fridge overnight, or reheat in a 350° oven until heated through.
Apple Crumble Pie Tips
Can you use store-bought pie crust to make apple crumble pie?
Yes, you can use store-bought pie crust in this apple crumb pie recipe. According to our Test Kitchen, the best premade pie crust is Pillsbury refrigerated pie crusts based on its appearance, aroma, texture and flavor.
How do I make a single-crust pie dough?
To make a single-crust pie dough, grab a large bowl, and whisk together 1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cut in 1/2 cup cold butter until crumbly. Gradually add 3 to 5 tablespoons ice water, tossing with a fork until the dough holds together when pressed. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap in storage wrap, and refrigerate for one hour.
What are the best apples to use for apple crumble pie?
The best apples to use for an apple pie of any kind are Golden Delicious and Granny Smith apples. Their flesh stays intact even after they are baked, which is exactly what you want. You want an apple that will not turn mushy or break down too much while it cooks.
What do you serve with apple crumble pie?
Additions to serve alongside apple pie include salted caramel sauce, sweetened whipped cream and a large spoonful of ice cream.
