How to Keep the Topping Crisp

The secret ingredient in making the topping oh-so-perfectly crumbly is the cold butter, right out of the fridge. Soft butter is great for making smooth batter and dough, but here, it’s all about the crunch. So start with cold butter, cut into cubes, and combine well using a fork until you see nice, solid crumbles start to form. When it’s time to top your Dutch Apple Pie, keep the topping from incorporating with the apples. An apple crisp pie recipe—a close cousin to Dutch Apple Pie—will have you combining the apples and the crumbles together into a single mix. But if you want the topping to be as crispy & crunchy as can be, cover the apple filling mixture with a generous mound of crumbles, and sprinkle it on thick. The more distance you get between the apples and the tippy-top of the topping, the crisper the shell on top will be. And don’t forget to let the pie cool down fully before you serve it. This will allow the filling to set—and keep over-eager eaters from burning their tongue. Ouch!

What Are Some Dutch Apple Pie Variations?

Now that you know how to bake the perfect Dutch Apple Pie recipe—try one with a slight twist. By substituting brown sugar for the granulated sugar, you’ll get a more robust flavor. Try using more or different spices. Something as simple as just increasing the amount of cinnamon, or adding in cardamom, can intensify the flavor. Original Dutch Apple Pie recipes simply used crumbled leftover sugar cookies. Try topping your pie with rolled out cookie dough and watch the excitement of your guests as it’s served. Many of the variations of Dutch Apple Pie use nuts in the topping for an extra dimension of flavor and a whole lot more crunch. Coarsely chopped pecans or walnuts are a great place to start. Feel free to customize the toppings of this easy dutch pie for sweet & spiciness levels. So step up the savory, or bring on the sugar, as you like!

How to Reheat Your Apple Crumble Pie

Dutch Apple Pie can be stored, covered, in a fridge for about 2-4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. A rich, sugary dessert like apple crisp pie really demands being kept in an airtight container, to ensure it doesn’t lose its gooey goodness. You can maintain the crispy topping by simply scooping off the crumbles and storing them separately. If using the separate-storage method, reheat the apple pie on its own at 350°F until heated through, then replace the topping and switch on the broiler for a few minutes to perfectly re-crisp the topping, giving your dessert an oven-fresh feel even days after. If you freeze your leftovers, allow them to come to room temperature before placing in the oven.

Kitchen Tested

Easy Dutch Apple Pie

Name: Easy Dutch Apple Pie
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 4 h 20 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 1 crust from 1 box (14.1 oz) refrigerated Pillsbury™ Pie Crusts (2 Count), softened as directed on box; 6 cups sliced peeled apples; 1/3 cup granulated sugar; 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1/3 cup cold butter; 3/4 cup all-purpose flour; 3/4 cup packed brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

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By Pillsbury Kitchens

Updated Jun 27, 2024

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