French Apple Pie has a buttery, flaky crust with a sweet, cinnamon apple filling and, unlike a traditional apple pie, is topped with a crumb topping rather a second crust. This apple pie is a comforting and delicious dessert that is perfect for any occasion!
This year we are skipping the Marie Callender's pie from the freezer section at the grocery store in favor of dishing up this tasty French Apple Pie. The flaky homemade crust, which you can swap out for a premade pie crust if you want to make it even easier, the spiced apple filling, and the crumbly cinnamon topping will have everyone asking for your recipe! If you want a simpler but equally as show stopping dessert you will love my Hot Cocoa Cookies.
If you're looking for more delicious pie recipes check out my Turtle Pie, Chocolate Brownie Pie, or Pumpkin Meringue Pie.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- The contrast of the flaky pie crust, the tender apples, and the crumble topping is so appealing. Much like the contrast in my Apple Crumble Bars.
- The warm, cozy flavors of this pie make it the perfect dessert for fall, winter, and all of your holiday get togethers! My Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake gives the same cozy vibes.
- The crumble topping is a fun, and a bit easier, twist on the classic double crust that we are used to seeing. These Pumpkin Pie Spice Cookies are another fun twist on classic cookies.
- It can be served in a variety of ways to enhance the flavor. Like a dollop of whipped cream, a scoop of ice cream, or a drizzle of caramel over the top. My Peach Cobbler with Cake Mix can be served in a variety of ways as well.
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
- Measuring the all-purpose flour correctly is very important. I suggest weighing your flour out. If you want to use a measuring cup, make sure you spoon the flour into the cup and level it off with a knife. Don’t use the cup to scoop directly from the flour.
- The water needs to be cold. Add ice cubes until you are ready to add the water to the dry ingredients.
- I used Granny Smith apples, but you can use whatever you like the best. I also use apples in my Apple Pop Tarts.
- You can use cinnamon or apple pie spice. Whichever you have on hand will work and the flavors will still be similar. You can also make homemade apple pie spice.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Variations
- You can use store bought pie dough or puff pastry in place of making your own.
- Add chopped nuts to the crumble topping for extra crunch. I use pecans in my Pecan and Chocolate Chip Cookies.
- If you're looking for more spice in your pie filling you can add nutmeg, ginger, allspice, or clove. I use nutmeg and cinnamon in my Eggnog Mini Cheesecakes.
- Add a drizzle of caramel sauce over the top of the pie for some added sweetness. I drizzle caramel over the top of my Pumpkin Cake.
- Rather than one large pie you could make several mini pies. Like my Mini Pecan Pies.
- If you're looking for some extra sweetness or just an added twist to your slice of pie you can add a simple icing drizzle or frosting on top. Like the icing I use on my Apple Pop Tarts.
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions or variations. If you replace or add any ingredients, please let us know how it turned out in the comments below!
Step-By-Step Instructions
STEP 1: In a medium bowl combine the flour and salt.
STEP 2: Add the cold butter. Using clean hands work it into the flour until the texture is like breadcrumbs. There can be a few large chunks left.
STEP 3: Slowly drizzle the cold water in a little at a time, working it into the dough. When the dough begins to clump together stop adding water.
STEP 4: Turn the dough out onto a clean and floured surface and bring the dough together until the dry ingredients are fully incorporated.
STEP 5: Form the dough into a disc shape and cover. Chill for at least 2 hours.
STEP 6: Spray a pie dish with non-stick spray. Set aside.
STEP 7: Place the dough on a clean and floured surface and begin to roll it out. The dough should be about ⅛ inch thick.
STEP 8: Pick the dough up by rolling it around the rolling pin and then unrolling it over the pie dish. Adjust the dough so that it lays flat against the pie dish. You can cut off or crimp the edges to your liking. Use any excess pie dough to make these Pie Crust Cookies! Place the dish in the fridge while you make the filling.
STEP 9: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees (F).
STEP 10: In a large bowl add the diced apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon or apple pie spice, and lemon juice. Toss until the apples are fully coated. Allow to sit for five minutes.
STEP 11: In a small bowl, combine sugar, flour, butter, and cinnamon or apple pie spice. Use clean hands or a fork to mix together until the butter is broken up and the mixture has a coarse texture.
STEP 12: Pour the apples in the cold pie crust and spread out evenly.
STEP 13: Pour the crumble over the top of the apples and spread out evenly. Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes then turn the oven down to 350 degrees (F) and bake for another 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before serving.
Expert Tips
- Use an oven thermometer. Most ovens run either hot or cold. Using an oven thermometer ensures that you are baking your brownies at the perfect temperature.
- Weigh your ingredients. One of the most common baking mistakes that I see is measuring incorrectly, especially with flour. The best way to get accurate measurements every time is to weigh them with a kitchen scale.
- Keep the pie dough cold. You want the pie dough to be as cold as possible right up until you put it in the oven, otherwise there could be a lot of leakage of butter or the pie dough could shrink up too much.
Recipe FAQ's
You sure can!
Room Temperature: The pie can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days.
Refrigerator: If stored correctly in an airtight container the French Apple Pie will last up to 1 week in the fridge.
Freezer: If stored correctly in an airtight container they will last up to 2 months in the freezer.
An American apple typically has a crust on the top and the bottom. A French Apple Pie only has a crust on the bottom and has either an exposed fruit topping or a crumble topping.
French and Dutch apple pie have almost become interchangeable. Both are often seen served with a crumble topping, as this recipe is, but the French Apple Pie is sometimes made with no topping at all.
More Recipes You'll Love
If you tried this French Apple Pie or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I so appreciate hearing from you!
Recipe
French Apple Pie
Ingredients
For Pie Crust:
- 1 ¼ cups (158 grams) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 9 tablespoons (127 grams) unsalted butter cold and cubed
- ¼ cup ice water
For Pie Filling:
- 6 apples diced or sliced
- ¾ cup (160 grams) light brown sugar packed
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon or apple pie spice
- juice of ½ lemon
For Crumble Topping:
- ½ cup (106 grams) light brown sugar packed
- ⅓ cup (40 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon or apple pie spice
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter softened
Instructions
For Pie Crust:
- In a medium bowl combine the flour and salt.
- Add the cold butter. Using clean hands work it into the flour until it is a coarse texture with a few larger chunks.
- Slowly drizzle the cold water in a little bit at a time, working it into the dough. When the dough begins to clump together stop adding water.
- Form the dough into a disc shape and cover. Chill for at least 2 hours.
- Spray a pie dish with non-stick spray. Set aside.
- Place the dough on a clean and floured surface and begin to roll it out. The dough should be about ⅛ of an inch thick.
- Pick the dough up by rolling it around your rolling pin and then unrolling it over the pie dish. Adjust the dough so that it lays flat against the pie dish. You can cut off or crimp the edges to your liking.
- Place the crust in the fridge until ready to use.
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees (F)
For Pie Filling:
- In a large bowl add the diced apples, brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon or apple pie spice, and lemon juice. Toss until the apples are fully coated. Allow to sit for five minutes.
For Crumble Topping:
- In a small bowl, combine sugar, flour, butter, and cinnamon or apple pie spice. Use clean hands or a fork to mix together until the butter is broken up and the mixture has a coarse texture.
For Assembly:
- Pour the pie filling into the cold crust and spread out evenly.
- Pour the crumble over the top of the apples and spread out evenly. Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes then turn the oven down to 350 degrees (F) and bake for another 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool before serving.
Notes
- Keep the pie dough cold. You want the pie dough to be as cold as possible right up until you put it in the oven, otherwise there could be a lot of leakage of butter or the pie dough could shrink up too much.
- The provided nutrition information is an estimate. The calorie accuracy is not guaranteed.
Diane says
This looks like Dutch apple pie. I was looking for French apple pie that had raisins in it with icing on top. Your recipe sounds delicious though.