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French apple pie fresh out of the oven on a wooden table.

Perfect French Apple Pie: A Decadent Twist on a Classic Dessert


  • Author: Vera
  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Description

This French Apple Pie is a delightful twist on the classic American version, featuring a buttery, flaky crust and a rich, cinnamon-spiced apple filling. Unlike traditional apple pies, this version is topped with a sweet, crumbly streusel, giving it a deliciously crisp texture. Perfect for fall, holidays, or any time you’re craving a warm, comforting dessert!


Ingredients

Scale

For the Pie Crust:

  • 1 ¼ cups (160g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 34 tablespoons ice water

For the Apple Filling:

  • 56 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Golden Delicious), peeled, cored, and sliced thinly
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (55g) light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted

For the Streusel Topping:

  • ¾ cup (95g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (100g) light brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup (56g) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Prepare the Pie Crust:

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
  2. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough starts to come together.
  4. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
  5. Roll out the dough on a floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie pan. Transfer the crust to the pan and trim any excess dough.

2. Make the Apple Filling:

  1. In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice.
  2. Let the mixture sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the apples to release their juices.
  3. Pour the apple filling into the prepared pie crust and drizzle with melted butter.

3. Prepare the Streusel Topping:

  1. In a medium bowl, mix the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
  2. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture forms crumbs.
  3. Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the apple filling.

4. Bake the Pie:

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Place the pie on the middle rack and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are tender.
  3. If the crust or topping starts to brown too quickly, cover the edges with aluminum foil.
  4. Allow the pie to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • Variations: Try adding ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans to the streusel for extra crunch.
  • Serving Suggestion: Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
  • Make-Ahead Tip: The pie dough can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the fridge.
  • Allergy Notes: Contains gluten and dairy; substitute a gluten-free flour blend and vegan butter for a gluten-free, dairy-free version.
  • Storage: Store leftovers covered at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerate for up to 4 days.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Dessert

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/8 of the pie
  • Calories: ~350 kcal
  • Sugar: ~30g
  • Sodium: ~150mg
  • Fat: ~15g
  • Saturated Fat: ~8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: ~6g
  • Trans Fat: ~0g
  • Carbohydrates: ~55g
  • Fiber: ~3g
  • Protein: ~3g
  • Cholesterol: ~30mg