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A crumb topping makes this Dutch Apple Pie so easy to make. Full of sweet, autumnal spiced apples, this Homemade Apple Pie is destined to become a favorite!

Though the focus on apple desserts tends to be in autumn, they’re magnificent all year long! And who doesn’t love a slice of warm apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream? This streusel topping on this Apple Crumb Pie makes this a must-make treat for any season!

Slice of Dutch Apple Pie topped with a scoop of ice cream on a white dessert plate
Table of Contents hide
1 Why You’ll Love this Pie
2 What is a Dutch Apple Pie?
3 Apple Crumb Pie
4 Frequently Asked Questions:
5 What Apples Are Best for Apple Pie?
6 How Long to Bake an Apple Pie?
7 How Do You Store an Apple Pie?
8 More Apple (and Fall) Desserts:
9 Dutch Apple Pie Recipe

Why You’ll Love this Pie

  • There’s no top pastry crust to roll and crimp!
  • The crumb topping is simple to make and delicious.
  • It’s the perfect way to celebrate apple season!

What is a Dutch Apple Pie?

A Dutch Apple Pie recipe typically refers to an apple pie topped with a crumble topping. I found no history of this dessert having a connection to the Netherlands, though. Instead, it looks like the Pennsylvania Dutch settlers were influenced by both German and French, not the Dutch. Flaky crusted pies were topped with crumbles, which often contained walnuts.

But a kind reader of my blog,  who lives in Amsterdam, brought this perspective: In Holland, we have “Appel Kruimel Taart”, which translates to “Apple Crumb Pie”. He said it’s been around for hundreds of years. I stand corrected!

For me, it’s a delight not to fiddle with a top crust. Though I’ve finally gotten to where my crusts are consistently flaky and tasty, they’re not always so pretty once they get transferred to the top of a pie.

Apple Crumb Pie

This homemade apple pie’s streusel topping, AKA crumble or crumb topping, solves that problem. I’d recommend covering the surface with foil about halfway through the baking time as this recipe requires a longer stint in the oven in order to cook the apples to perfection.

The last thing you want is a charred crust or topping. For another “easier than pie” recipe, this fabulous Maple Glazed Apple Galette is a terrific apple dessert that doesn’t need a top crust. And I make a Classic Apple Crisp at least once in the fall.

So if you have top crust phobia as I do, an apple crumble pie is a delicious solution. You’ll love it!

Partial overhead view of Dutch Apple Pie

Frequently Asked Questions:

What Apples Are Best for Apple Pie?

I find the tastiest apple pies are made with a variety of baking apples. This ensures that your homemade apple pie has a depth of flavor, a combination of textures and a balance of sweetness and tartness. My go-to selection is a couple each of Granny Smiths, golden delicious and Jonathans. Honeycrisp apples work well, too. Though, when I got a shipment of Northern Spys from Michigan, those alone made the best tasting pie ever---so if you have access to a spectacular pie apple, it's just fine to go for a solo variety. Otherwise, a nice mixture is your best bet.

How Long to Bake an Apple Pie?

Different apples soften at different rates in the oven. I will use a sharp knife to check 3 or 4 apples to make sure they're soft before pulling the pie out of the oven. If you need to add more time and are worried about your crust getting too dark, just cover the perimeter with aluminum foil or a pie crust shield. If the streusel topping of this apple crumb pie is browning too fast, cover the whole top of the pie with foil.

How Do You Store an Apple Pie?

You can store an apple pie at room temperature for up to 2 days. In a humid climate, you must watch the crumb topping for signs of spoiling.  After two days, you can store your homemade apple pie in the refrigerator for up to 2 more days, lightly covered. If you still have leftovers after 4 days, consider freezing the rest. Wrap well in plastic, then aluminum foil and freeze up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator, then reheat slices in a 300º oven until warm.

Dutch Apple Pie slice on a white plate with a red handled fork

More Apple (and Fall) Desserts:

Pumpkin and apple are my go-to flavors once autumn rolls around. Besides this apple crumb pie, here are a few more of my favorite fall dessert recipes.

This recipe was first shared in September 2015. Photos and text were updated in 2020.

Slice of Dutch Apple Pie topped with a scoop of ice cream on a white dessert plate
The Recipe:

Dutch Apple Pie Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield 8 servings

A delectable apple pie topped with streusel

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds baking apples (use different types like Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, Jonathon), peeled and cut into slices
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • A few gratings of fresh nutmeg
  • Pastry dough for 1 layer pie crust (your favorite recipe or pre-made crust)
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 6 tablespoons butter, cool, not cold

Instructions

  1. Roll out pie dough and fit into a 9-inch pie plate. Place in refrigerator while preparing the filling. Preheat oven to 400º.
  2. Toss apple slices with sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Set aside, stirring once or twice to help dissolve sugar.
  3. In a medium bowl, using two knives or pastry blender, cut butter into flour and sugars. Then pinch with fingers till large crumbs form.
  4. Take crust out of the refrigerator and fill with apples. Sprinkle topping over top of apples. Bake for 40 minutes then reduce to 350º for 50 minutes or till filling is bubbling and apples are tender. Cover crust with foil if browning too quickly.
  5. Cool before slicing. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1 slice
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 629Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 316mgCarbohydrates: 102gFiber: 6gSugar: 57gProtein: 5g

HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?

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© Liz Berg
Cuisine: American / Category: Pies