Perfect apple crumble pie, 100% joy

There’s just something magical about a perfect apple crumble pie, isn’t there? Especially when those crisp autumn days start rolling in. For me, baking used to feel like just another chore, a leftover stress from my old corporate gig. Honestly, I thought I was the least “kitchen person” you could find! But then I baked my first loaf of bread, and that moment – the smell, the warmth, the sheer satisfaction of creating something so good with my own hands – it totally changed everything. It was pure joy! That’s exactly what I want to share with you here at Pure Cooking Joy. This apple crumble pie recipe is all about bringing that same feeling to your kitchen, no matter your experience level. We’re talking about a sweet, tender apple filling nestled under the most delicious, buttery streusel topping, all designed to give you that perfect pie without the soggy bottom fear. It’s approachable, incredibly flavorful, and just begging to be shared.

Why You’ll Love This Apple Crumble Pie

It’s super easy to whip up, perfect for those busy weeknights or when you just need a little comfort!

You get that amazing tender apple filling paired with a fantastic, buttery streusel topping that tastes amazing.

We’ve included our best tips to help you avoid that dreaded soggy bottom crust.

It’s the ultimate fall dessert pie, bringing that cozy, homemade goodness to any gathering.

Ingredients for Your Perfect Apple Crumble Pie

Okay, let’s get down to the good stuff – the ingredients! This is where the magic really starts for our apple crumble pie. You’ll want to have everything prepped and ready to go. You’ve got your trusty pie crust, a mountain of beautiful apples, cozy spices, and of course, plenty of butter and brown sugar for that irresistible topping. Trust me, using the right stuff makes all the difference!

For the Apple Filling:

• 1 recipe for a 9-inch pie crust (homemade or good quality store-bought works!)
• About 6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (around 6 cups worth – Gala, Honeycrisp, or a mix are fantastic!)
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

For the Crumble Topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

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Crafting the Best Crumble Pie: Step-by-Step

Alright, it’s time to get our hands into this amazing apple crumble pie! First things first, let’s get that oven humming. Preheat it to 375°F (190°C). While that’s warming up, grab your pie crust and fit it into your 9-inch pie plate. Crimp those edges however you like – it just adds to that homemade charm!

Now, for the star of the show: the apples! In a big bowl, toss your sliced apples with that packed brown sugar, 1/4 cup of flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Give it a good mix until the apples are nicely coated. Pour this glorious apple mixture right into your prepared pie crust. Then, drizzle that melted butter all over the top of the apples. It sounds simple, but this extra bit of butter makes such a difference!

Next up, let’s make that irresistible crumble topping. Grab another bowl and combine the puffier flour, the remaining brown sugar, that bit more cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Now, here’s where the real magic happens for our crumb topping pie: add the cold butter pieces. You want to use your fingertips or a pastry blender to cut that butter into the dry ingredients until it looks like coarse crumbs. Don’t overmix it; we want those little pockets of butter!

Sprinkle this beautiful crumble topping evenly over your apples. And here’s a little trick I learned to help prevent a soggy bottom crust – pop your pie onto a baking sheet before it goes into the oven. This catches any drips and helps the bottom get nice and crisp. Bake for about 45-55 minutes. You’re looking for a golden-brown crust and bubbly filling. If the edges start getting too dark, you can always loosely tent the pie with some foil.

Once it’s out, resist the urge to dive right in! Let it cool on a wire rack for at least 2-3 hours. This is super important so the filling can set properly. Trust me, the wait is totally worth it for the perfect slice!

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Tips for a Perfect Apple Crumble Pie Every Time

You know, making a truly fantastic apple crumble pie isn’t complicated, but a few little tricks can really elevate it from good to absolutely outstanding. First off, the apples! I love using a mix – something like Honeycrisp for sweetness and a bit of tartness from Granny Smith. It gives the filling so much more depth.

Now, about that crumble topping – the secret to that lovely, crumbly texture (and avoiding a doughy mess) is to make sure your butter is super cold. Really cold! And don’t overwork the mixture when you’re cutting it in. We want those little pockets of butter to create that perfect, crisp topping.

And for that dreaded soggy bottom? My go-to is definitely the baking sheet trick I mentioned earlier. It’s a lifesaver! Also, make sure your apples aren’t *too* juicy when you toss them with everything – a little bit of flour in the filling mixture will help thicken things up.

Oh, and if you like a little extra crunch, totally throw in about half a cup of chopped pecans or walnuts into that crumble topping. It adds another layer of flavor that’s just divine, especially with the cinnamon and brown sugar!

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Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions for Your Apple Crumble Pie

One of the best things about this apple crumble pie is that you can totally get a head start! If you want to make it ahead, go ahead and assemble the whole pie – crust, filling, crumble topping, the whole shebang. Just skip the baking part, obviously!

Once it’s all put together, wrap it super tightly in a couple of layers of plastic wrap, then add a layer of aluminum foil. Pop it into the freezer, and it’ll keep beautifully for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to bake it, don’t even thaw it first! Just take off the wrapping, put it on a baking sheet (remember our soggy bottom trick!), and bake it from frozen. You’ll just need to add an extra 15-20 minutes to the baking time. Isn’t that convenient? It means you can have amazing homemade fall dessert pie ready whenever that craving strikes!

Frequently Asked Questions about Apple Crumble Pie

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Serving Suggestions for Your Fall Dessert Pie

Now that you’ve got this incredible apple crumble pie cooling, you’re probably wondering the best way to serve it. Honestly, it’s pretty divine on its own, with that warm spice and sweet apple filling singing! But if you want to take it up a notch, a simple scoop of vanilla bean ice cream that slowly melts into the warm pie is pure perfection. A dollop of freshly whipped cream is also lovely and light. For an extra touch of decadence, try drizzling a little caramel sauce over the top – it pairs beautifully with the apples and cinnamon. This fall dessert pie just screams cozy evenings, maybe with a warm drink and good company!

Understanding the Nutrition of Our Apple Crumble Pie

Just a friendly reminder that any nutritional information you see for this apple crumble pie is an estimate, of course. It can vary a bit depending on the specific ingredients and brands you use in your kitchen!

Share Your Pure Cooking Joy!

I just love hearing about your baking adventures! If you’ve made this amazing apple crumble pie, please tell me all about it! Did you try adding nuts to the topping? How’d it turn out? Leave a comment below, or even better, share a photo of your creation over on social media. Tag us so I can see your beautiful streusel apple pie!

Apple Crumble Pie

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A classic apple crumble pie with a buttery streusel topping and tender apple filling. This easy recipe is perfect for fall and makes a delicious comfort food dessert.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 30 min
• Cook Time: 55 min
• Total Time: 85 min
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 recipe for 9-inch pie crust
• 6 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (about 6 cups)
• 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the pie crust and place it in a 9-inch pie plate. Crimp the edges as desired.
3. In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with 3/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
4. Pour the apple mixture into the prepared pie crust. Drizzle the melted butter over the apples.
5. In a separate medium bowl, combine 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
6. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
7. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple filling.
8. To prevent a soggy bottom crust, you can place the pie on a baking sheet.
9. Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely tent the pie with aluminum foil.
10. Let the pie cool on a wire rack for at least 2-3 hours before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set.
11. For make-ahead convenience, you can assemble the pie completely, cover it tightly, and freeze it for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding an additional 15-20 minutes to the baking time.

Notes

• For a crispier crumble, you can add 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or walnuts to the topping mixture.
• If your apples are very tart, you may want to increase the sugar slightly.
• Ensure your butter for the crumble topping is cold for the best texture.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 35g
• Sodium: 200mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 55g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 60mg