Embark on a culinary journey with the Best Dutch Apple Pie, a recipe designed to deliver ultimate comfort and irresistible flavor. This recipe provides a straightforward guide to creating a truly remarkable apple pie, perfect for bakers of all levels seeking a delicious homemade dessert.
Key Ingredients for The Best Dutch Apple Pie
For the Filling:
- 6-8 medium apples (a mix of tart and sweet varieties like Granny Smith, Fuji, Honeycrisp, or Gala), peeled, cored, and sliced about 1/4-inch thick
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust to apple sweetness)
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour (or cornstarch for a clearer filling)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
For the Streusel Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
For the Pie Crust:
- 1 double-crust pie dough (use your favorite homemade recipe or a store-bought one)
How to Make The Best Dutch Apple Pie
This Best Dutch Apple Pie is surprisingly simple to assemble, promising a rich, saucy apple filling nestled beneath a buttery, cinnamon-spiced crumb topping. Its satisfying texture and comforting aroma make it a perfect dessert for any occasion. The entire process, from prep to baking, takes approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Pie Crust: If using a homemade pie crust, prepare it according to your recipe. If using store-bought, allow it to come to room temperature slightly so it’s pliable. Gently press one pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate. Crimp the edges as desired. Set aside.
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Make the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, combine the prepared apple slices, granulated sugar, flour (or cornstarch), cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat all the apple slices evenly. Let this mixture sit for about 10-15 minutes to allow the juices to start releasing.
- Assemble the Filling in the Pie Crust: Pour the apple filling into the prepared pie crust, distributing the apples and any accumulated juices evenly. Dot the top of the apple filling with the small pieces of unsalted butter.
- Prepare the Streusel Topping: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg for the streusel topping. Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, your fingertips, or two forks, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.
- Top the Pie: Evenly sprinkle the prepared streusel topping over the apple filling, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
- Bake the Pie: Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any potential drips). Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. You can test the apples for tenderness by carefully inserting a knife through a vent in the topping. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the pie with aluminum foil.
- Cool the Pie: Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 2-3 hours before slicing and serving. This cooling period is crucial for allowing the filling to set properly.
Why You’ll Love This The Best Dutch Apple Pie
This Best Dutch Apple Pie is a hug in dessert form, boasting an incredibly tender, spiced apple filling that melts in your mouth, all crowned with a delightfully crunchy, cinnamon-kissed streusel topping. Unlike a traditional double-crust apple pie, the crumb topping provides a textural contrast that elevates every comforting bite, making it a truly special treat. Making it at home is not only a rewarding experience but also a fantastic way to save money compared to expensive bakery versions, allowing you to enjoy this classic dessert more often.
The fragrant blend of cinnamon and nutmeg, combined with the natural sweetness of perfectly cooked apples, creates an aroma that will fill your kitchen with pure joy. It’s a testament to simple, wholesome ingredients coming together to create something utterly divine. So, gather your ingredients, embrace the cozy process, and experience the unparalleled satisfaction of your own homemade Best Dutch Apple Pie – your taste buds will thank you!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Proper storage and reheating ensure your Best Dutch Apple Pie remains delicious for days.
- Cool Completely: Always allow the pie to cool completely to room temperature before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the crust soggy.
- Refrigeration: Store leftover pie in an airtight container or loosely tented with plastic wrap or foil in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 3-4 days.
- Reheating:
- Oven Method (Recommended): For best results, reheat individual slices or the whole pie in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10-20 minutes for slices, or 20-30 minutes for a whole pie, until warmed through and the topping is crisp again.
- Microwave Method (Quick but less ideal): Microwave individual slices in short intervals (30-60 seconds) until heated, though this can soften the topping.
- Freezing: Whole, un-sliced Dutch apple pie can be frozen. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. It will keep for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat as directed above to restore crispness.
Final Thoughts
The Best Dutch Apple Pie offers a delightful balance of textures and warm, comforting flavors, making it a truly unforgettable dessert. Don’t hesitate to bake this recipe; it’s a rewarding experience that will bring smiles to everyone’s faces.
The Best Dutch Apple Pie
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- If using a homemade pie crust, prepare it according to your recipe. If using store-bought, allow it to come to room temperature slightly so it’s pliable. Gently press one pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate. Crimp the edges as desired. Set aside.1 double-crust pie dough
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large bowl, combine the prepared apple slices, granulated sugar, flour (or cornstarch), cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat all the apple slices evenly. Let this mixture sit for about 10-15 minutes to allow the juices to start releasing.6-8 medium apples, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- Pour the apple filling into the prepared pie crust, distributing the apples and any accumulated juices evenly. Dot the top of the apple filling with the small pieces of unsalted butter.2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg for the streusel topping. Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry blender, your fingertips, or two forks, cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining.1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
- Evenly sprinkle the prepared streusel topping over the apple filling, ensuring it covers the entire surface.
- Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any potential drips). Bake for 45-60 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. You can test the apples for tenderness by carefully inserting a knife through a vent in the topping. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the pie with aluminum foil.
- Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack for at least 2-3 hours before slicing and serving. This cooling period is crucial for allowing the filling to set properly.