This holiday apple crumb pie is the perfect balance of sweet and tart, featuring a luscious apple filling topped with a buttery crumb topping. It's an ideal dessert to share with family and friends during festive gatherings, bringing warmth and joy to any holiday table.
Photos of Holiday Apple Crumb Pie Recipe
One of the key ingredients you might not always have at home is nutmeg. This spice adds a distinctive warmth and depth to the pie but is not as commonly used as cinnamon. Make sure to grab this from the supermarket along with brown sugar, which gives the crumb topping its rich sweetness.
Ingredients For Holiday Apple Crumb Pie
pie shell: A premade 9-inch pie crust serves as the base for this dessert.
apples: Fresh apples provide the main filling; choose a mix of sweet and tart varieties for balance.
lemon: Adds a tangy freshness to the apple filling.
sugar: Regular granulated sugar sweetens the apple mixture.
flour: Used to thicken the filling and in the crumb topping.
cinnamon: Ground cinnamon infuses the pie with a warm, spicy flavor.
nutmeg: Adds a subtle, aromatic spice to the filling.
brown sugar: Provides a rich, molasses-like sweetness to the crumb topping.
butter: Unsalted butter is cut into the topping to create a crumbly texture.
One reader, Dewie Ives says:
This holiday apple crumb pie recipe is fantastic! The apples are perfectly spiced, and the crumb topping adds a delightful crunch. It's easy to make and a huge hit with my family. Definitely a new holiday favorite!
Key Techniques for Making Holiday Apple Crumb Pie
How to press pie crust into pie plate: Gently lay the premade pie shell over the pie plate, then press it down into the plate, ensuring it fits snugly against the bottom and sides. Trim any excess dough hanging over the edges.
How to mix ingredients: Combine the specified ingredients in a bowl and stir them together until they are evenly distributed.
How to cut in butter: Use a fork or a pastry cutter to blend the butter into the flour and brown sugar mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
How to cover with foil: Loosely place a piece of aluminum foil over the pie to prevent the top from browning too quickly while baking.
How To Make Holiday Apple Crumb Pie
Sweet and juicy cinnamon-flavored apples topped with a delicious crumb, in this apple crumb pie is a favorite holiday dessert in almost every household.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 19-inch premade pie shell
- 6cupsapples,thinly sliced
- 1lemon,juiced
- ¾cupsugar
- ⅓cupflour
- 1tspground cinnamon
- ⅛tspground nutmeg
- 1cupflour
- 1cupbrown sugar,packed
- ⅓cupbutter
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Press pie crust into pie plate.
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In a large bowl mix the apples, lemon juice, sugar, flour, cinnamon and nutmeg.
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Add the apples to the pie crust.
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In a medium bowl add the 1 cup flour and 1 cup brown sugar together and stir.
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Using a fork or a pastry cutter, cut in butter until mixture is crumbly then pour it over the apples.
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Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes covered very loosely with foil.
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Remove foil and bake an additional 25 to 30 minutes, until the top is crisp and golgen brown.
Nutrition
- Calories: 305.38kcal
- Fat: 10.23g
- Saturated Fat: 5.12g
- Trans Fat: 0.21g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 3.29g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.91g
- Carbohydrates: 52.87g
- Fiber: 2.28g
- Sugar: 30.03g
- Protein: 2.27g
- Cholesterol: 13.56mg
- Sodium: 83.20mg
- Calcium: 22.40mg
- Potassium: 112.63mg
- Iron: 0.56mg
- Vitamin A: 44.85µg
- Vitamin C: 5.08mg
Crucial Technique for Achieving the Perfect Crumb Topping
When preparing the apples, make sure to slice them uniformly. This ensures even cooking and prevents some pieces from being undercooked while others are overcooked. Additionally, using a mix of apple varieties, such as Granny Smith for tartness and Honeycrisp for sweetness, can add depth of flavor to your pie.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Apple Crumb Pie
Use premade pie crust: Save time by using a premade pie shell instead of making one from scratch.
Pre-slice apples: Buy pre-sliced apples or slice them in advance to speed up preparation.
Mix dry ingredients ahead: Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg in advance and store in an airtight container.
Use a food processor: Quickly cut in butter for the crumb topping using a food processor instead of a fork or pastry cutter.
Preheat oven early: Start preheating the oven while you prepare the filling and topping to save time.
Substitute Ingredients For Holiday Apple Crumb Pie Recipe
9-inch premade pie shell - Substitute with homemade pie crust: Making a homemade pie crust allows for better control over ingredients and can enhance the flavor and texture of the pie.
6 cups apples - Substitute with pears: Pears offer a similar texture and sweetness, making them a good alternative for apples in a pie.
lemon - Substitute with lime: Lime provides a similar acidic component that can balance the sweetness of the pie filling.
¾ cup sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey can add a different depth of sweetness and a slight floral note to the pie.
⅓ cup flour - Substitute with cornstarch: Cornstarch can act as a thickening agent similar to flour, ensuring the filling sets properly.
1 tsp ground cinnamon - Substitute with pumpkin pie spice: Pumpkin pie spice includes cinnamon along with other spices like nutmeg and cloves, adding a more complex flavor.
⅛ tsp ground nutmeg - Substitute with allspice: Allspice can provide a similar warm, spicy note to the pie filling.
1 cup flour - Substitute with oat flour: Oat flour can be used to create a crumb topping with a slightly different texture and a hint of oat flavor.
1 cup brown sugar - Substitute with coconut sugar: Coconut sugar offers a similar sweetness with a slight caramel flavor, making it a good alternative to brown sugar.
⅓ cup butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used to create a crumb topping with a different texture and a subtle coconut flavor.
Presentation Tips for a Stunning Apple Crumb Pie
Serve smaller portion sizes: Slice the apple crumb pie into elegant, petite wedges to ensure each serving is refined and manageable.
Use decoration: Garnish each slice with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar and a small sprig of fresh mint for a touch of color and freshness.
Add a sauce: Drizzle a thin line of caramel sauce or vanilla bean custard on the plate beside the pie slice to add a luxurious element and enhance the flavor profile.
Incorporate texture: Place a small quenelle of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream next to the pie slice to provide a creamy contrast to the crumbly topping.
Use elegant plating: Arrange the pie slice slightly off-center on a pristine white plate, allowing space for the garnishes and sauces to shine.
Highlight the ingredients: Place a few thin slices of fresh apple and a twist of lemon zest on the plate to visually represent the key ingredients in the dish.
Create height: Stack a couple of apple slices or a small cinnamon stick vertically against the pie slice to add dimension and visual interest.
Add a touch of gold: For an extra touch of luxury, lightly brush the edges of the pie slice with edible gold dust to make it truly stand out on the plate.
Essential Tools for Baking a Perfect Apple Crumb Pie
Oven: Used to bake the pie at the specified temperature and duration.
Pie plate: Holds the pie crust and filling during baking.
Large bowl: Used to mix the apples, lemon juice, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
Medium bowl: Used to combine the flour and brown sugar for the crumb topping.
Fork: Helps to cut in the butter into the flour and brown sugar mixture until crumbly.
Pastry cutter: An alternative to the fork for cutting in the butter into the crumb mixture.
Measuring cups: Used to measure out the sugar, flour, and brown sugar accurately.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg.
Knife: Used to peel, core, and slice the apples.
Lemon juicer: Extracts juice from the lemon to mix with the apples.
Aluminum foil: Used to cover the pie loosely during the initial baking period.
Cooling rack: Allows the pie to cool evenly after baking.
Storing and Freezing Homemade Apple Crumb Pie
Allow the apple crumb pie to cool completely before storing or freezing. This typically takes about 2-3 hours at room temperature.
To store the pie, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. It can be kept at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
If you want to freeze the pie, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Label the pie with the date and contents, and freeze for up to 3 months.
When ready to serve a frozen pie, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator. If you prefer a warm pie, you can reheat it in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.
If you have leftover pie, you can store individual slices in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat a slice, microwave it for about 30 seconds to 1 minute or until warmed to your liking.
How To Reheat Leftover Apple Crumb Pie
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the leftover apple crumb pie on a baking sheet and cover it loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pie is heated through. This method helps to retain the moisture in the filling and keeps the crust crisp.
If you prefer a quicker method, you can use the microwave. Place a slice of the apple crumb pie on a microwave-safe plate and heat it on high power for 30-45 seconds, or until it reaches your desired temperature. Be careful not to overheat the pie, as it can cause the filling to become runny and the crust to become soggy.
For a crispy top, you can reheat the apple crumb pie under the broiler. Preheat your broiler and place the pie on a baking sheet. Broil for 1-2 minutes, or until the top is crisp and golden brown. Keep a close eye on the pie to prevent burning.
If you have an air fryer, you can use it to reheat your apple crumb pie. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place a slice of the pie in the basket. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the pie is heated through and the top is crisp.
For a more unconventional method, you can reheat your apple crumb pie in a skillet. Place a slice of the pie in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the pie is heated through and the crust is crisp. This method works best for individual slices rather than reheating the entire pie.
Interesting Trivia About Apple Crumb Pie
A fun fact about this holiday apple crumb pie recipe is that the crumb topping, made from brown sugar, flour, and butter, adds a delightful texture contrast to the tender apples beneath. This combination of textures makes the pie a crowd-pleaser during festive gatherings.
Is Making Apple Crumb Pie at Home Cost-Effective?
This holiday apple crumb pie recipe is quite cost-effective for a household. The main ingredients like apples, lemon, sugar, and butter are relatively inexpensive and commonly found in most kitchens. Using a premade pie shell also saves time and effort. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $10-$12 USD. Overall Verdict: 8/10.
Is Holiday Apple Crumb Pie Healthy or Unhealthy?
The holiday apple crumb pie recipe, while undeniably delicious, is not particularly healthy. The main concerns are the high sugar content and the use of a premade pie shell, which often contains unhealthy fats and preservatives. The recipe calls for ¾ cup of sugar and 1 cup of brown sugar, which can contribute to obesity, diabetes, and other health issues when consumed in excess. Additionally, the ⅓ cup of butter in the crumb topping adds saturated fat to the dish.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following suggestions:
- Reduce the amount of sugar in the filling by half and replace some of the brown sugar in the crumb topping with rolled oats for added fiber and texture
- Use a whole wheat pie crust or make your own crust using whole wheat flour and healthy fats like olive oil or coconut oil
- Increase the amount of apples to 8 cups and reduce the flour in the filling to ¼ cup to make the pie more fruit-focused
- Experiment with sugar alternatives like stevia, monk fruit sweetener, or date sugar to reduce the overall sugar content
- Add a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans to the crumb topping for healthy fats and extra crunch
Editor's Opinion: Why This Apple Crumb Pie Recipe Stands Out
This holiday apple crumb pie recipe is a delightful blend of tart apples and warm spices, perfectly complemented by a buttery crumb topping. The use of lemon juice enhances the apple flavor, while the combination of cinnamon and nutmeg adds a festive touch. The crumb topping, made with brown sugar and butter, provides a satisfying contrast in texture. Baking the pie covered initially ensures the apples become tender without over-browning the crust. Overall, this recipe is straightforward yet delivers a comforting and delicious dessert, ideal for holiday gatherings.
Enhance Your Holiday Apple Crumb Pie Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
Delicious Alternatives to Traditional Apple Crumb Pie
Appetizer and Main Course Pairings for Holiday Apple Crumb Pie
Why trust this Holiday Apple Crumb Pie Recipe:
This holiday apple crumb pie recipe is a must-try for any festive gathering. The combination of tart apples and a sweet, buttery crumb topping creates a delightful contrast in flavors and textures. The use of cinnamon and nutmeg adds a warm, aromatic touch that perfectly complements the apples. With clear, easy-to-follow instructions, even novice bakers can achieve a delicious, golden-brown pie. Trust this recipe to bring a comforting, homemade touch to your holiday table.
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