I have been searching my kitchen high and low for this recipe for the past three years, only to be disappointed. Finally my mom dug up the original copy that she had and shared with me about 5 years ago! A crumb topping is my favorite way to make (and eat) an apple pie – I could probably eat a whole pie plate full of crumb topping actually. I have no idea where this recipe came from, but it is the best I’ve found yet. I’ve spiced it up a little bit, and it is now perfection. I think I’ll go have another piece now…
Crunchy Crumb Apple Pie
1 refrigerated pie crust or enough dough for a 9 inch pie pan
For the topping:
½ cup plus 2 T all-purpose flour
½ cup packed light-brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 stick (1/2 cup) cold butter, cut in small pieces
For the filling:
7 medium to large tart apples (about 3 ¼ lb)
1 T lemon juice
½ cup granulated sugar
3 T all-purpose flour
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp ground ginger
1/8 tsp allspice
Have ready a 9-inch pie plate and a baking sheet. Place oven rack in lowest position in oven. Heat oven to 450 degrees F. I use Emile Henry pie pans – they’re also THE BEST.
Line pie plate with pie crust, flute or crimp edges.
Topping: mix flour, sugars and cinnamon in a medium bowl. Cut in butter, or rub in with fingertips, until mixture forms moist, coarse crumbs that clump together easily.
Filling: peel, half and core apples. Cut in 1/8 inch thick slices. Place in a large bowl, add lemon juice and toss to coat. Mix remaining ingredients in a small bowl, sprinkle over apple slices and toss to coat.
Layer apple slices in pie shell, mounding them higher in center. Pat topping evenly over apples to form a top crust. Place pie on the baking sheet to catch any drips.
Bake 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and bake 45 minutes longer or until a skewer meets some resistance when center of pie is pierced and topping is golden brown. If topping browns too quickly, loosely cover the pie with a piece of foil.
This is great right out of the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or some whipped cream. Enjoy!
