This Apple Pie with Crumble Topping features layers of perfectly baked apples. The apples offer a slight crispiness that gives way to a subtle softness with each bite. The buttery, slightly sweet crumble topping provides the perfect crunchy finish. A flaky, buttery crust infused with cinnamon complements the ideal topping ratio of sugar, flour, and butter. The irresistible aroma of this comforting dessert will have you drooling, making it perfect for any occasion
What’s the Difference Between Apple Pie and Apple Crumble?
In short, apple pie features a pastry crust on both the top and bottom, filled with a thick, often smooth apple filling. Apple crumble, on the other hand, is topped with a crumbly, buttery streusel and has a looser, juicier apple filling. Apple pie can feel more formal and fancy, with intricate patterns made from the crust, while apple crumble offers a more rustic vibe. Both are delicious, but the textures and overall feel of these two desserts are quite different!
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- All Purpose Flour
- Shortening: Make sure this shortening is COLD! Shortening is a fat, therefore it is going to be very soft to begin with and will melt rather fast which will affect how your pie crust bakes. Placing it in the fridge for at least 1 hour (overnight preferred if you’re a planner like me), will help keep the fat from fully mixing in the flour mixture and will help create a flaky texture.
- Cold Water: So important that the water is cold! Warm water will make the shortening and the butter break down quicker which will affect your pie dough crust. When measuring the water into a graduated cylinder, it doesn’t have to be a specific measurement because you’re going to be adding ice cubes and measuring your desired amount from there.
- Unsalted Butter
- Apples: I like to use Gala Apples or Honey Crisp. Granny Smith apples will work just as well! The key thing to remember – is how the apples will bake (texture and how well they will hold their shape) and the flavor.
- Light Brown Sugar
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the warm spice flavor by adding a rich depth of vanilla flavor, vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste work.
- Lemon Juice: You can use store bought lemon juice, but fresh is always best.
- Cornstarch: This will help thicken the pie filling to help prevent a liquid mess.
- Spices: Warm spices are paired perfectly with the rich vanilla extract to give it the perfect balance
Why You’ll Love this Pie
What more could you ask for? This Apple Pie with Crumble Topping is the ultimate dessert for any special occasion or gathering. It’s a delightful twist on the classic apple pie. The crust is made with the perfect ratio of flour, shortening, and butter, creating a buttery and firm foundation for the apples. To enhance the warm, comforting flavor, the apples are tossed with sugar, spices, and a touch of lemon juice, which brightens the natural sweetness of the fruit. The real star, is the crumble topping. This adds a contrast of flavors and textures, introducing a satisfying crunch that perfectly complements the softness of the apples and the cinnamon-spiced crust.
Let’s Start Baking!
Apple Pie with Crumble Topping
Ingredients
Pie Crust:
- 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour, 150g, cold (see note)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 28g, cold and cubed
- 1/3 cup shortening, 65g, cold
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp white sugar, 5g
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup cold water, 60ml (see note)
Pie Filling:
- 6-8 honey crisp or gala apples, peeled and thinly sliced (see note)
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar 54g
- 1/4 cup granulated white sugar 50g
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour 30g
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tbsp lemon juice, 7ml
- 1 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp all spice
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp cloves
Crumble Topping:
- 1 1/4 cup all purpose flour, 150g, spooned and leveled
- 3/4 cup light or dark brown sugar, 165g, packed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 113g, melted and slightly cooled
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
Pie Crust:
- Place the flour, salt, white sugar, and cinnamon in a large bowl and mix until combined. Add the cubed unsalted butter and shorting. Using either a pastry cutter or a fork, cut the butter and shortening into dry ingredients until you have small pea size pieces. You don't want to completely break up the butter and shortening so some bigger pieces behind are okay.
- Add the 1/4 cup of cold water into the mixture. Use a spoon or a spatula to combined the ingredients together. If there are still dry pieces in the dough, add more cold water 1 teaspoon at a time.
- Once dough is mostly combined, lightly flour your hands and work the dough together in the bowl until you have a nice round ball. Lay a piece of cling wrap on the counter and transfer your pie dough onto the cling wrap and gently press down to form a small disk. Wrap completely. Place in fridge for at least two hours or up to 5 days.
Crumble Topping:
- In a microwave safe dish, melt unsalted butter in microwave until just melted. Set aside and allow it to slightly cool.
- In a medium bowl, combined the all purpose flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Pour the melted and slightly cooled butter and stir using a spatula or spoon. The topping should be thick and crumbly with, if the mixture appeals to be a little "wet", add in an extra tablespoon for all purpose flour. Set aside.
Pie Filling:
- In a large bowl using a mixing spoon or a spatula, stir together ALL the ingredients and gently toss until evenly coated. Set aside while the oven continues to preheat to let the juices to start forming.
Assemble the Pie:
- Once the oven is preheated to 450℉, remove your pie dough from the refrigerator. Lightly flour your surface and roll out the pie crust to form a circle using light pressure, keeping it about 1/2 inch thick. If your edges start to come apart, dip your fingers in cold and gently press the dough back together. Place rolled out pie dough crust in 9 inch pie dish. You may crimp the pie dough crust if desired, or use whatever styling technique you want.
- Pour apple pie filling into unbaked pie crust and use your hands or a spoon to even out this layer.
- Use your hands or a spoon to evenly coat the crumble topping over the entire apple pie filling.
- Place the pie in oven and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 375℉, cover with tin foil to prevent the crumble topping from browning too much, and bake for another 40-45 minutes.
- Remove the pie from the oven and place on a cooling rack. Let the pie cool at room temperature for at least 4 hours before slicing.
Notes
Did you make these?
If you tested out this recipe make sure to leave a comment below letting me know what you think! And as always, make sure you tag me on Instagram @bakedby_brittney