Easy Dutch Apple Pie
This recipe for Dutch apple pie with pecans streusel topping is perfect for fall. The combination of apples, cinnamon, and pecans makes for a delicious and comforting dessert. This pie is perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday, and what's better, they're easy to make! So make them for a no-fuss dessert at your next autumn gatherings and family dinners.
Tools
Ingredients
For the Dutch Apple Pie Crust:
- 1-½ cups all-purpose flour , spooned into a measuring cup and leveled with a knife
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter , cut into ½-inch dice
- 3 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening , such as Crisco
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract or ice-cold water
- 3 tablespoons ice-cold water
For the Dutch Apple Pie Filling:
- 2-½ pounds (about 5 -6) Use mixed baking apples such as granny smith and honey crisp or honey crisp and empire. (see note), peeled, cored, sliced ¼-inch thick
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup raisins optional
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg , optional
Streusel Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon , optional
- ⅛ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg , optional
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter , melted
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup toasted pecans or walnuts, chopped optional
Instructions
For the Crust:
- Dice the unsalted butter and shortening and place it in the freezer; while preparing the flour mixture in a food processor fitted with a steel blade, pulse flour, salt, and sugar to combine, about 5 seconds. Add the chilled butter and shortening pieces and pulse until the mixture resembles a coarse crumble with only a few larger pieces, about 10 pulses. In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of ice water and 1 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract.
- With the machine running, pour the ice water mixture down the feed tube and pulse the machine until the mixture forms clumps and no dry flour remains about 12 pulses, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. Don’t let the dough form into a ball in the machine. Turn the pie dough onto a sheet of plastic wrap and form into a 4-inch disk. Wrap tightly in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour, preferably overnight. ( Wrapped dough can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 6 weeks. If frozen, let the dough thaw completely on the counter before rolling.)
For the Filling:
- Toss all ingredients in a large bowl until the apples are evenly coated. Let it sit at room temperature for at least 1 hour or up to 2 hours. Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 350 F degrees. Let the chilled dough sit on the counter to soften slightly, about 10 minutes before rolling—roll dough into a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured counter. Loosely roll the dough around the rolling pin and gently unroll it onto a 9-inch pie plate, letting the excess dough hang over.
- Ease the dough onto the plate by gently lifting the edge of the dough with your hand while pressing into plate bottom with the other hand. Trim the overhang to ½ inch beyond the lip of the plate. Tuck overhang under itself: The folded edge should be flush with the edge of the plate. Crimp dough evenly around the edge of the plate using your finger. Wrap the dough-lined plate loosely in plastic wrap and refrigerate until the dough is firm at least 30 minutes.
For the Topping:
- Stir all the ingredients in a medium bowl until no dry spots remain and the mixture forms clumps. Refrigerate until ready to use.
- Place the dough line plate on a parchment paper lined rimmed baking sheet. Working with 1 large handful at a time, distribute the apple mixture in plate, pressing it into an even layer and filling in gaps before adding more. Take care not to mount the apple mixture in the center of the plate. Pour any remaining liquid from the bowl into the pie. Break the topping( it will harden in the refrigerator) into pea-size crumbs and distribute evenly over the apple mixture. Pat topping highly to adhere.
- Bake pie on the sheet until the top is golden brown, and the paring knife inserted in the center meets no resistance, about 1 hour 10 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through baking. Let pie cool on a wire rack for a least 4 hours or preferably overnight. Serve.
Notes
How to Store & Re-heat
To store: First, ensure it has completely cooled down to room temperature. Then, cover the pie tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. Store it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. Dutch apple pie can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you need to store it for longer, you can freeze it. Wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Frozen Dutch apple pie can be stored for 2-3 months.
To reheat: Dutch apple pie, preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Remove the pie from the refrigerator and uncover it. Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips. Reheat the pie in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until it is heated through. If the crust starts to brown too quickly, you can cover it loosely with aluminum foil. Once heated, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Reheating the pie will help to restore its warm and crisp texture, making it enjoyable to eat again.
Make-Ahead
You can prepare the pie crust, apple filling, and streusel topping in advance. Once you've assembled the pie, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate it until ready to bake. This way, you can make the pie a day or two before serving. When you're ready to bake, preheat the oven, remove the plastic wrap or foil, and bake according to the recipe instructions. Making the pie ahead of time allows you to save time on the day of serving and ensures that you have a freshly baked pie ready to enjoy.
How to Freeze
Assemble and bake the Dutch apple pie as directed in the recipe. Cool completely, and wrap tightly with plastic wrap or foil. Place in a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or reheat in a 350 F preheated oven until heated, about 20 to 30 minutes, or desired temperature.
Notes:
- Use the scraps to patch any thin areas; in case of a tear.
- Be sure you roll out the dough large enough to fit in the dish with a little overhang.
- The pie dough can be made ahead and wrapped in plastic and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 1 month. If you freeze it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator.
- The Dutch Apple Pie can be frozen after baking for up to 1 month after it is completely cooled; double-wrap it securely with plastic freezer wrap. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- If you're omitting the vanilla extract in the pie crust recipe, substitute the same amount the recipe calls for with ice-cold water.
- Choose crisp and tartly-sweet apples such as Empire, Granny Smith, Honey Crisp, Braeburn, or Cortland—as they hold their shape and aren't too juicy.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Dutch Apple Pie
Amount per Serving
Calories
438
% Daily Value*
Fat
26
g
40
%
Saturated Fat
12
g
75
%
Trans Fat
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
3
g
Monounsaturated Fat
9
g
Cholesterol
42
mg
14
%
Sodium
124
mg
5
%
Potassium
149
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
53
g
18
%
Fiber
3
g
13
%
Sugar
38
g
42
%
Protein
2
g
4
%
Vitamin A
536
IU
11
%
Vitamin C
4
mg
5
%
Calcium
33
mg
3
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
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