Brown Butter Streusel Apple Pie
Apple pie always feels like home to me. But I wanted to make a version that would help make your Thanksgiving feel just a little more special. That’s how this brown butter streusel apple pie came to life. It’s still the warm, spiced pie everyone loves, but the buttery layer of streusel takes it up a notch.
The flavor is everything you want in an apple pie: sweet, spiced, and just a little tangy from the mix of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples. The apples are slightly softened before baking, so they stay tender without turning into mush. The brown butter streusel adds a warm, nutty flavor that pairs perfectly with the buttery crust and cinnamon-spiced filling. It shouts “I did something extra this Thanksgiving because I love you all so much.”
The process isn’t as intimidating as it might sound. Par-baking the crust ensures a crisp base, and precooking the apples helps you avoid that dreaded air gap under the crust. The streusel comes together quickly—just toast the oats, cut in the butter, and you’re good to go. Trust me, if you’ve ever made a crumble topping, you can handle this streusel. I hope it takes your Thanksgiving dessert table to the next level. Happy Baking!
With love,
Your Baker, Hannah
Convinced it’s time for some homemade apple pie? Here’s a grocery list of everything you’re gonna need!
Ingredients for Brown Butter Streusel Apple Pie:
Honeycrisp apples
Granny Smith apples
Granulated sugar
All-purpose flour
Cinnamon
Salted butter
Old-fashioned oats
(To make it even easier, you can hit the “Get Ingredients” button inside the recipe, and these items will be added straight to your shopping cart at the grocery store of your choice.)
Substitute Ingredients:
Apples: If Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples aren’t available, try Fuji or Pink Lady for sweetness and Braeburn for tartness.
All-Butter Crust: Use a store-bought crust or puff pastry if short on time.
Brown Sugar: Substitute coconut sugar for a slight caramel flavor.
Oats: Quick oats can work in place of old-fashioned oats but will be less textured.
What Tools Do You Need for Making Brown Butter Streusel Apple Pie?
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Step-By-Step Summary for Baking Homemade Apple Streusel Pie:
Start by preparing your all-butter pie crust and par-baking it to create a solid base.
For the filling, peel and slice Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples, then briefly cook them on the stovetop to soften and reduce air gaps in the pie. Toss the warm apples with sugar, flour, and cinnamon to create a spiced, slightly thickened filling.
To make the brown butter streusel, toast the oats in browned butter for a warm, nutty flavor.
Combine the toasted oats with flour, sugars, and additional butter, cutting it in until crumbly.
Assemble the pie by layering the apple filling in the crust and topping it with the streusel.
Bake the pie at 375°F until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Allow the pie to cool slightly before slicing. It’s perfect served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
What Apple Should You Use in Apple Pie?
A mix of sweet and tart apples, like Honeycrisp and Granny Smith, creates the perfect balance of flavors.
Can I use all sweet apples?
Yes, but add a bit of lemon juice or zest to balance the sweetness.Do I need to peel the apples?
While peeling isn’t mandatory, it ensures a smoother texture in the filling.
How to Make the Best All-Butter Crust:
Keep everything cold: Use cold butter, water, and even chill your bowl and tools if possible.
Don’t overwork the dough: Mix just until the butter is incorporated into pea-sized lumps.
Chill before rolling: Resting the dough makes it easier to handle and prevents shrinkage.
How to Prevent Your Pie Filling from Overflowing as It Bakes:
Pre-cook your apples: This reduces the volume and prevents gaps under the crust.
Don’t overfill: Leave a little room at the top for bubbling.
Use a baking sheet: Catch any potential spills with a lined baking sheet under the pie pan.
How to Store Your Baked Apple Pie:
At room temperature: Store loosely covered for up to 2 days.
In the fridge: Wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap and store for up to 5 days.
Freezing: Wrap slices or the whole pie in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Recipe for Brown Butter Streusel Apple Pie:
Brown Butter Streusel Apple Pie
Ingredients
Instructions
- Follow the recipe for my all-butter pie crust (recipe here: https://www.dearoldbakehouse.com/pie-101/all-butter-pie-crust)
- Peel and core all apples, and slice into 1/2 in thick slices.
- Place the apple slices into a large pot. Cook the apples on the stovetop over medium heat just until the apples have gotten warm and are beginning to cook down slightly. You do not want to overcook them. You just want them to slightly begin to soften.
- Remove the apples from the heat.
- Into the pot of warm apples, add your sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Stir until well combined.
- Set the filling aside to continue assembling your pie.
- Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
- To make your streusel top, start by melting 2 Tablespoons of your butter in a small skillet on the stove over medium heat.
- Once melted, add in your old-fashioned oats and continue to cook on medium heat, stirring constantly. As the mixture cooks, the butter will begin to brown and the oats will start turning a golden, toasted color. Once the oats have browned, remove them from the heat and place them in a small bowl to cool slightly. (If you are having a hard time knowing when to stop toasting your oats, you will know they are ready when they start smelling similar to popcorn.)
- Next, into a medium mixing bowl, add your flour, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Whisk to combine.
- Once combined, add in your remaining 2 Tablespoons of cold butter, and begin cutting it into your dry ingredients, leaving pea-sized lumps of butter throughout the mixture. (This is simply the process of using your fingers or a fork to work the butter into your dry ingredients.)
- Once your butter has been cut in, add in your brown butter oats, and stir to combine. Set your streusel aside to assemble your pie.
- To assemble your pie, start by placing your apple filling into your par-barked pie crust. Gently press the apples down into a uniform layer to allow the air gaps to escape. (This will keep your pie from sinking as it bakes.)
- Next, gently pour on your streusel topping, spreading it evenly over the top of your pie.
- Once your streusel has been placed and your pie is assembled, place it in the oven to bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour until golden brown and bubbling. (It may be helpful to place your pie on a sheet pan that has been lined with aluminum foil to keep and pie filling from spilling over into the bottom of the oven as it bakes.)
- After it has finished baking, remove it from the oven and allow it to cool for 30 minutes before slicing. Top with vanilla bean ice cream (if desired), serve, and enjoy!
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