Picture this: a golden-brown, bubbling apple pie with crumb topping that fills your kitchen with the delightful aroma of cinnamon and sweet apples. The crunchy topping contrasts perfectly with the soft, tender fruit beneath, creating a symphony of flavors that dances on your taste buds. Just thinking about it makes you want to dive in face-first, right?
Now, let me take you back to my childhood kitchen, where my grandmother used to make this apple pie for our family gatherings. Every holiday felt incomplete without her famous dessert gracing the table. The warmth and love she poured into each pie made every bite feel like a hug from the inside. Can you smell that warm cinnamon wafting through the air? Trust me; once you try making this apple pie with crumb topping, you’ll never want to stop!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- This apple pie with crumb topping is incredibly easy to prepare, perfect for both novice and experienced bakers
- The flavor profile combines sweet apples and buttery crumbs for heavenly bites
- Its golden crust and crumbly topping make it visually irresistible at any gathering
- Enjoy it warm or cold, making it versatile for any occasion!
I still remember the first time I made this pie for my friends; their eyes lit up as they took their first bites, and the compliments flowed like a river.

Essential Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this delicious dish:
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All-Purpose Flour: Essential for your crust; choose unbleached flour for better flavor and texture.
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Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the filling beautifully; adjust according to the tartness of your apples.
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Unsalted Butter: Use cold butter for flaky crust perfection; it’s essential in both filling and crumb topping.
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Baking Powder: A little leavening agent here helps create a lighter crumb topping.
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Ground Cinnamon: This spice adds warmth to your filling; don’t skimp on it!
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Apples: Go for Granny Smith or Honeycrisp varieties for the best balance of sweetness and tartness.
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Lemon Juice: A splash brightens up your apple filling and prevents browning.
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Brown Sugar: For that rich flavor in your crumb topping; light or dark works well!
The full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card directly below.
Let’s Make it together
Prepare Your Ingredients: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it warms up, peel and slice your apples into thin wedges, then toss them with lemon juice and cinnamon.
Make the Crust: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add cold butter cubes and mix until it resembles coarse crumbs—your fingers are great tools here.
Create the Filling: Add those lovely apple slices into another bowl along with sugar and cinnamon. Toss until everything is coated evenly—this means more flavor in every bite!
Assemble Your Pie: Roll out half of your dough into a circle and place it gently into a pie dish. Pour in your apple mixture before rolling out the remaining dough for the top.
Create That Crumb Topping: Combine flour, brown sugar, oats (if using), cinnamon, and softened butter in a bowl until crumbly. Sprinkle generously over the assembled pie.
Bake It Up: Place your masterpiece in the preheated oven and bake for about 45-50 minutes or until golden brown. Your kitchen will smell heavenly!
Enjoy this delicious treat warm or chilled—either way, it’s sure to be a showstopper at any gathering!
You Must Know
- This delightful apple pie with crumb topping brings warmth and comfort
- The sweet aroma wafts through the kitchen, making it a favorite for gatherings
- With the right balance of tart apples and crunchy topping, it’s a dessert that never disappoints
Perfecting the Cooking Process
Start by preparing the crust and chilling it while you mix the filling. Bake the pie at 375°F for about 50 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.

Add Your Touch
Feel free to swap in different apples or add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor. A splash of vanilla can also heighten the sweetness.
Storing & Reheating
Store leftover pie in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat slices in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes for best results.
Chef's Helpful Tips
- When making your crust, keep the butter cold to ensure flakiness
- Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender texture
- Test apples for tartness; a mix of sweet and tart varieties elevates flavor
Baking this apple pie with crumb topping always brings back fond memories of family gatherings, where everyone would gather around for seconds (or thirds) before I even got a slice myself.

FAQ
What type of apples are best for apple pie with crumb topping?
Use a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples for balanced sweetness and tartness.
Can I make the pie crust ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the crust a day in advance; just wrap it tightly and refrigerate.
How do I prevent my crumb topping from burning?
Cover the pie loosely with foil if it’s browning too quickly during baking.
Apple Pie with Crumb Topping
Indulge in the warm, nostalgic flavors of this apple pie with crumb topping, a perfect blend of sweet and tart apples enveloped in a flaky crust and crowned with a crunchy, buttery topping. This dessert is sure to evoke fond memories while becoming a favorite at your own family gatherings. From the delightful cinnamon aroma that fills your kitchen to each heavenly bite, this pie is both simple to make and irresistibly delicious.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ tsp baking powder
- ½ cup unsalted cold butter, cubed
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 4 cups Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples, peeled and sliced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- ½ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Toss apple slices with lemon juice and cinnamon in a bowl.
- In another bowl, mix flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt; cut in cold butter until crumbly.
- Combine apple mixture with remaining sugar and cinnamon.
- Roll out half of the dough into a pie dish; add apple filling.
- Create crumb topping by mixing flour, brown sugar, oats (if using), cinnamon, and softened butter until crumbly; sprinkle over filling.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (120g)
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg


