You guys, it’s “National Apple Day,” whoah I had no idea! Luckily, I had this apple crumb pie recipe at the ready since my girlfriend and I took our kids apple picking last weekend. It was such a nice thing to do given that so many activities for kids these days are closed because of the pandemic. So, I’ll apologize now for the utter onslaught of apple recipes coming your way in the next few weeks, I can’t help myself, and I hate to waste food.
We took our kids out to Oak Glen and hit Stone Soup Farm which was super adorable! They had U-press and craft stations and areas for you to plop down for a picnic. We got cider and picked apples and they even had plenty of pumpkins which we didn’t go for but you certainly can! If I were to go again next year I might try to hit the season a bit earlier as apples had already been cleaned off a lot of the trees, most likely due to the fact that this is a more popular activity this year given the lack of choices!
We still got plenty of delicious apples and the kids had a great time running around the field and searching for ripe apples. Mom hit the cute little gift shop and grabbed some plushies and condiments as well…
There is something so special about the fall season in my opinion, it signals the holidays are coming and lots of baking and family time. I want to preface that while I developed this site to make over recipes and add nutrition or find creative ways to make healthier foods taste delicious, I wouldn’t be being true to myself if I altered this recipe. Eating a real deal pie or cookie with friends and family a few times a year is something you shouldn’t cut corners with – you should enjoy it in all it’s buttery goodness and have it be the treat that makes you want that green smoothie the next day.
Anyone who knows me well, knows I’ve been making apple pies for quite some time. Apple picking was something I grew up doing every year on the east coast. Maskers is where we’d go and it’s definitely bucket list to take my kids one year! We’d come home with bushels of apples and my mom lived to bake a pie (still does)! I always remember the rave reviews she got from anyone who tasted her pie, basically she was the pie queen on Long Island. I learned from the best and here is my take on this classic holiday dessert.
The Best Classic Apple Crumb Pie
Equipment
- pie plate
- Food Processor
- Sheet pan
Materials
- 8 apples Granny Smith, Rome, Braeburn, Cortland, Honeycrisp or a mix of these
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 lemon juice plus zest (about 2 tbsp juice)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp allspice
- 1.5 tsp vanilla extract love Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla
- 1/2 cup flour
For the Crust
- 2 sticks butter very cold
- 2.5 cups flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
For the Crumb Topping
- 8 tbsp butter
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup flour
- pinch salt
Instructions
- Prepare your pie crust in the bowl of a food processor. Add the flour, sugar and salt to the bowl and pulse to combine, then add in your cold cubed butter and give a few more whirls til you get a consistency like peas. Then, with the motor running stream in 1/4 cup-1/2 cup cold ice water just until the dough pulls away from the edges. Dump the dough into plastic wrap and shape into a disc and refrigerate while you prepare your filling.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees, grease your pie plate
- Peel your apples, then cut into fourths around the core. Slice apples into even slices and add to a large mixing bowl.
- Add the lemon and zest and toss, then add in your sugar, salt, flour, vanilla and spices and mix well to combine.
- In a separate bowl add all your crumb topping ingredients and using a pastry blender or fork incorporate the butter into the sugars and flour and spices, set aside.
- Cut your pastry dough in half, and reserve (freeze) the rest for another pie. Shape the half your using into a disc and roll it out on a well floured work surface and then use your rolling pin to careful lay it into your greased pie dish.
- Transfer your apple mixture to large pan on the stove top and cook your mixture 5-7 mins until the apples just soften and the sugars and flour begin to thicken, then pour into your pie crust and scatter the top with your crumb mixture.
- Place your pie on a sheet pan and cover with foil, Bake in the 400 degree oven 30 mins then reduce the temp to 350 and remove he foil and continue cooking another 25-30 mins.
- Allow the pie to cool slightly, but serve warm with vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
Nutrition
Another holiday baking tip for this pie is to double the filling portion of this recipe and after par cooking it – freeze the extra apple filling! Pull it out the day before and then bake it off the day of your holiday so you’ve got fresh pie and LESS work!
