Get ready to transform your ordinary apple pie into a dessert masterpiece that will have everyone begging for seconds! This crumb topping is the magical touch that turns a simple pie into a show-stopping dessert that's crispy, sweet, and absolutely mouthwatering. With just five simple ingredients and a few easy steps, you'll create a golden, buttery crumb topping that adds the perfect texture and flavor to your classic apple pie.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 10 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: Enough for 1 pie
Ingredients
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients and ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Mix these dry ingredients thoroughly with a whisk or fork to ensure even distribution.
- Add the softened unsalted butter to the dry ingredient mixture. Using a pastry cutter, fork, or your fingertips, work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture becomes crumbly and resembles coarse sand or large breadcrumbs.
- Continue mixing and pressing the ingredients together until you have a consistent texture with small, pea-sized crumbs that will hold together when lightly pressed.
- If the mixture seems too soft, place it in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to firm up the butter, which will help create a more defined crumb texture.
- When ready to use, sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the prepared apple pie filling before baking, covering the entire surface with a generous layer.
- Bake the pie according to your apple pie recipe, typically at 375°F (190°C) for 45-50 minutes, or until the crumb topping is golden brown and the pie filling is bubbling.
Tips
- • Temperature matters! Ensure your butter is softened but not melted for the ideal crumbly texture. • Use your fingertips or a pastry cutter to mix the ingredients - this helps create those signature pea-sized crumbs. • If the mixture feels too soft, a quick 10-15 minute chill in the refrigerator will help firm it up. • Don't overmix - you want a loose, sandy texture that will crisp up beautifully when baked. • For extra flavor, try adding a pinch of nutmeg or a handful of chopped nuts to the crumb mixture. • Make sure to cover the entire surface of the pie filling for maximum crunch and coverage. • If the topping browns too quickly, tent the pie with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 160kcal
Carbohydrates: 18g
Protein: 1g
Fat: 10g
Saturated Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: 25mg
