Dutch Apple Pie

Everyone once in awhile over here, we need to deliver on our name. Well, here is my latest attempt. This dutch apple pie is a slight adaptation of my grandma’s family favorite. As a kid (and who am I kidding, also as an adult), I always requested her apple pie. After eating this last night, I truly know why. While I enjoy a crust topped pie, this crumbly streusel topping wins my heart every time.

This year’s apple season produced quite a bounty. I used fresh picked apples from Barthel Fruit Farm in Mequon, WI. And for all of you scared of homemade pie crust, don’t be! It is really, very easy and there really is no comparison to pre-made or frozen pie dough. (*Note: only half the pie is shown because we couldn’t wait to dig in!)

Without further ado, here is the latest Haute Apple Pie, known as by my pie tasters as the “best pie ever.”

Dutch Apple Pie

Pie Crust
1 1/4 C all-purpose flour
1/2 TBSP sugar
1/2 tsp salt
8 TBSP or 1 stick of unsalted butter, cold
1/2 C ice water

Mix flour, sugar and salt together. Cut the butter into small, 1/2 inch pieces. Keep your hands off the butter as much as possible to keep it cold. Using a pastry blender, cut the butter into the flour mixture. Scoop and mix as you go, until the butter crumbly and to the size of a tiny pea.

Remove ice cubes from water. Begin to drizzle about 1/4 C of water into the mixture and mix with a rubber spatula. Continue to drizzle water until the dough begins to stick together. You may not use all the water. Gently work with hands to mold the dough. Refrigerate for 2 or more hours.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

After the dough is chilled, flour your rolling surface and gently roll out the dough into one large circle. Trim the edges off the dough to make a perfect circle and gently press into pie pan. Add apple filling and crumb topping (see below). Evenly and gently spread crumb topping to cover all the apples. Bake at 400 degrees for 45-55 minutes, until golden brown and bubbly.

Apple Filling
6-8 medium sized apples, peeled and thinly sliced
1/2 C sugar
1 TBSP cinnamon

Add apples, sugar cinnamon. Mix and set aside.

Crumb Topping
1/3 C sugar
3/4 C all-purpose flour
1 tsp cinnamon
6 TBSP unsalted butter, cold

Mix sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut butter into 1/2 pieces. Add to mixture and cut in using a pastry blender until the mixture is crumbly.