Homestyle Apple Crisp Pie: Golden Crumb Topping Recipe (Print Version)

Homestyle Apple Crisp Pie delivers warm, spiced apples under a buttery, golden crumb topping. A simple, comforting dessert perfect for any occasion.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 25 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 50 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 75 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Vegetarian

# Ingredients:

→ Apple Filling Stars

01 - 4 large Granny Smith apples (about 2 lbs), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/2-inch thick
02 - 2 large Honeycrisp apples (about 1 lb), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/2-inch thick
03 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
04 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
05 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
07 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

→ Crisp Topping Essentials

08 - 1 cup all-purpose flour
09 - 1 cup rolled oats (not instant)
10 - 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
11 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
12 - 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes

→ Flavor Boosters

13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Make It Special

14 - Pinch of salt (for both filling and topping)

# Instructions:

01 - Okay, first things first, let's get those apples ready. Peel 'em, core 'em, and slice 'em up into roughly half-inch pieces. I usually go for a mix of tart and sweet, so I'm using Granny Smiths and Honeycrisps here. Don't slice them too thin, or they'll turn to applesauce, and we want some bite! In a big bowl, toss them with the sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Give it a good stir until every apple piece is coated. The lemon juice? It stops them from browning, and honestly, it brightens the flavor. You'll smell that amazing spice mix already!
02 - Now for the best part – the crisp topping! In a separate, medium-sized bowl, whisk together the flour, rolled oats, both sugars, and that tiny pinch of salt. See, easy peasy. Next, grab your super cold butter and cut it into small cubes. Use your fingers, a pastry blender, or even two knives to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until it looks like coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized pieces remaining. This is where the magic happens for that crunchy texture. Don't overmix, or it’ll get too warm and lose its crisp potential. I totally used to just melt the butter, and boy, was that a mistake for a crisp!
03 - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grab a 9-inch pie dish – no need to grease it, the apples won't stick. Pour that glorious apple mixture evenly into the pie dish. Spread it out so you have a nice, even layer. Then, sprinkle your crumbly, buttery crisp topping all over the apples. Make sure it's distributed nicely so every bite gets some of that golden goodness. This is where you can see it all coming together; it already looks amazing, honestly!
04 - Pop that pie dish into your preheated oven. Bake for about 45-55 minutes. You're looking for a few things: the topping should be a beautiful golden brown, and when you peek, the apple filling should be bubbling around the edges. That bubbling means the apples are tender and the juices are thickening up. If your topping starts to get too dark too quickly, just loosely tent it with a piece of foil. I once forgot to check and had a slightly charred topping, which was a bummer.
05 - This is the hardest part, I swear! Once your Homestyle Apple Crisp Pie comes out of the oven, it's going to smell absolutely irresistible. But please, please, let it cool for at least 15-20 minutes before you dig in. This cooling time is crucial because it allows the apple juices to set up and thicken properly. If you cut into it too soon, it'll be a runny mess, and nobody wants that, right? I've been impatient more times than I can count, and the results were always a bit sad looking, even if still tasty.
06 - Once it's had a good rest, it's ready! Serve your warm apple crisp pie. It's truly amazing on its own, but if you want to take it to the next level (and honestly, why wouldn't you?), a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream melting over the warm apples is non-negotiable in my kitchen. Or maybe a dollop of fresh whipped cream! The contrast of warm apples and cold cream? Oh my goodness, it’s just the best. Enjoy every single bite of this comforting dessert!

# Notes:

01 - Don't overmix the crisp topping; those little lumps of butter are what make it wonderfully crunchy.
02 - For the best texture, always reheat individual servings of Apple Crisp Pie in the oven or toaster oven, not the microwave.
03 - Try adding a splash of bourbon or apple brandy to the apple filling for a grown-up twist, it's surprisingly good!
04 - This Homestyle Apple Crisp Pie is truly incomplete without a generous scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top, trust me on this one!

# Equipment Needed:

01 - 9-inch pie dish
02 - large mixing bowls
03 - whisk
04 - pastry blender (optional)
05 - sharp knife
06 - cutting board

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 400-450
Total Fat: 20-25g
Total Carbohydrate: 55-65g
Protein: 3-5g

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