Vegan Apple Pie with Streusel Topping

This vegan apple pie with streusel topping is full of thinly sliced apples and lined in a cinnamon-spiced layer of massive, buttery crumbs. It’s the right rustic fruit pie, and it’s surprisingly simple to make.

I like pie. It’s surely one in all my all-time favourite desserts, and it’s undoubtedly my favourite fruit dessert.

But I usually discover myself considering, “I don’t have time to make a pie.”

Is that this true? Or have I simply created a narrative in my head about pie being tough and time-consuming?

In actuality, there are literally only a few recipes which might be so labor-intensive and so tough that I should keep away from making them.

Even recipes that require somewhat extra work, like lasagna or Shepherd’s Pie, may be fairly manageable with somewhat planning. Break the method into steps, then execute these steps over the course of some days.

Growth. An concerned recipe turns into a easy one.

Pies and tarts are actually no completely different. Put together the crust a day or two prematurely of constructing the filling, and also you’re already forward of the sport.

Happily, this vegan apple pie with streusel topping is particularly doable, because you don’t have to make two layers of pastry. A crumbly streusel topping is pleasant on high.

All about vegan streusel

My baking obsession this fall has been perfecting vegan streusel.

I wrote about my experimentation and iteration course of within the submit the place I shared my 5-minute vegan streusel topping.

To sum it up, attaining good, huge crumbs in a streusel topping may be difficult, as a result of vegan butter has a distinct butterfat share and melting level than dairy butter.

A couple of changes can assist to appropriate for this. One is discovering an excellent ratio of flour, sugar, and butter. It took me some time, however I discovered one which resulted in huge, crumbly (however not crunchy), crumbs.

One other is utilizing melted butter, slightly than strong butter, within the streusel.

I do know that the majority streusel recipes name for strong butter. Nevertheless, I discover that melted butter way more reliably creates distinctive crumbs.

With strong butter, there’s a threat of the butter melting for the primary time within the oven and making a buttery, sugary glaze, slightly than precise streusel.

After a number of tinkering, I made streusel that I like.

I find it irresistible a lot, in reality, that after I thought of making and sharing an apple pie recipe earlier than the vacations, I knew that I wished the pie topping to be streusel, slightly than a layer of pie crust.

What’s a crumb pie?

I’m calling this apple pie with streusel topping, however I may very nicely name it apple crumb pie.

Crumb pie is a pie—normally a fruit pie—that makes use of crumb or streusel topping, slightly than pastry, as a high layer.

You might hear apple crumb pie referred to as Dutch apple pie as an alternative. They imply the identical factor: an apple pie with crumbs on high.

Crumb pie is an ideal deal with for anybody who loves crumb-themed desserts or sweets, together with crumb muffins, crumb bars, or fruit crisp.

It’s additionally a considerably lower-intensity pie-making expertise than basic pie, with both a lattice or a lined high.

I don’t thoughts making pie crust, and a high crust definitely doesn’t should be ornate. However I nonetheless discover it to be a bit fussier than crumb topping, which is so simple as mixing in a bowl and scattering on high.

Suggestions for an ideal pie

If you’re somebody who finds pie-making a bit scary, then relaxation assured that it could really be a lot of enjoyable.

I’ve discovered a number of issues by way of trial and error. Listed below are my suggestions for fulfillment with selfmade vegan pies:

Tip #1: Make somewhat extra crust than you want

Time and time once more, I’ve discovered that the quantities referred to as for in pie crust recipes yield too little.

I don’t imply that they aren’t theoretically an ideal quantity of crust. They’re.

However in actuality, I all the time find yourself dropping a few of my crust within the rolling, positioning, and trimming course of. If I’ve some overhang, then I can trim and regulate my crust with out worrying about dropping somewhat. I don’t should busy myself re-rolling scraps.

For a single pie shell, I like to recommend a crust that makes use of 1 1/2 cups of flour. It’s a bit greater than the usual 1 cup or 1 1/4 cups, however the wiggle room in yield is a aid.

Tip #2: Prick your backside crust

Earlier than you fill your pie with no matter fillings you’ve received, use a fork to prick the floor of your backside crust.

That is technically often called “docking” the pie crust.

When pie crust bakes, the butter within the crust melts and releases steam. If that steam has no place to go, then it’ll get trapped throughout the crust and trigger the crust to puff up.

When pie crust will get puffy like that, it runs the chance of tearing or splitting. And torn pie crust will lead to leaks.

For those who prick the pie crust, you give that steam a spot to flee by way of, which in flip helps to maintain the pie crust even and consumption throughout baking. It’s particularly helpful to dock the crust for those who’re par-baking.

Tip #3: Par-bake your pie crust—typically!

Sarcastically, this vegan apple pie recipe does not name for par-baked crust.

Nevertheless, I wish to spotlight par-baking as an essential and sometimes helpful step in making a stellar pie.

For those who’ve ever watched an episode of The Nice British Bakeoff, then you definitely’ve doubtless caught on to the truth that a “soggy backside” is among the most dreaded situations in pie-making.

Soggy bottoms can occur if pie-crust dough is just too moist—i.e., an excessive amount of butter, water, or each—earlier than baking.

It could actually additionally occur when juicy fruit fillings soak the underside crust as its baking. Slightly than turning into crisp, the underside crust stays pale and smooth.

Par-baking, which is the method of baking the pie crust for 10-Quarter-hour earlier than filling it, normally with pie weights, can assist to dry out the crust a bit. In some instances, this makes it extra sturdy and proof against turning into soggy because the pie bakes.

I discover that par-baking is superb typically and pointless at different occasions. Once I examined this vegan apple pie, I attempted par-baking it a pair occasions.

It really didn’t make a giant distinction whether or not I par-baked or not. However par-baking did enhance the chance of my crust burning over the course of a protracted baking time, which is a hazard within the recipe to start with.

So, I don’t suppose it’s important to par-bake for this specific pie; it’s only a useful approach to pay attention to for different recipes, like my classic vegan pumpkin pie.

Tip #4: Slice or chop your fruit finely sufficient

I’m not saying it is best to mince your fruit for pie. Biting into a pleasant, juicy piece of fruit is a part of the enjoyment of any fruit dessert, particularly a pie.

But when your items of fruit are too chunky, then they might not cook dinner all the way down to the purpose the place they’re actually juicy and smooth.

That is very true of apple. Leaving apple in items which might be too huge will lead to pale, undercooked fruit in your pie.

For my vegan apple pie, I desire skinny slices to chunks. I core and peel my apple, lower it into quarters, then slice these quarters.

I’ve a stainless steel food slicer that I swear by for this activity and lots of others, however an excellent paring knife will do the trick.

Thinly sliced apples may be piled into pie crust neatly. They slice by way of simply when it’s time to chop your pie, and normally, I feel they’re simply extra nice to eat than apple chunks.

For those who actually desire chopped apples to sliced, then that’s OK. Pie is a country dessert, which may be made in many various methods. All the pieces I’m saying is a suggestion, slightly than a rule.

Tip #5: Peel your apples

That is additionally a suggestion, not a rule, however…take into account peeling your apples.

Oof. I do know. Peeling apples, particularly when a dessert calls for lots of apples, is a critical enterprise.

The truth is, peeling the apples could be the most time-consuming step on this recipe.

Nonetheless, I feel it’s a step with a number of payoff. Peeled apples are inclined to look prettier in desserts, except you’re deliberately going for an ombré or a rose effect.

And, a lot as I do know that the apple skins have plenty of fiber and a few vitamins, I don’t like their texture in pie.

The right way to make vegan apple pie with streusel topping

With these suggestions said, right here’s how you can make the vegan apple pie that I’ve been loving this season.

Step 1: Put together your crust

The crust that I’m sharing for this pie is similar one which I take advantage of for pumpkin pie. I take advantage of it for my vegan cherry pie, too, however in that recipe it’s doubled.

I take advantage of my food processor to make pie crust, however I’ve included directions for each meals processors and hand mixing the crust.

Be sure you use ice-cold water. I like so as to add a contact of distilled vinegar to the chilly water for pie; it helps to create a flakier crust!

Step 2: Chill your crust

Pie crust wants a while to sit back earlier than you roll and use it. I like to recommend wrapping it after making it and chilling it for at the least 2 hours within the fridge.

You’ll be able to maintain it within the fridge for as much as 2 days, or you may freeze it for as much as 4 weeks.

Step 3: Roll your crust

Be sure you roll your pie crust out on a evenly floured, chilly, un-sticky work floor.

I intention to roll pie crust that’s about 1/4 inch / 6mm thick and about 12 inches / 30cm in diameter. When you’ve created this, gently switch the circle of dough to a pie dish.

Trim and crimp the sides of the crust, then dock the underside with a fork.

Now, it’s time to sit back the crust once more. Switch it again to the fridge and chill it for at the least 1 hour earlier than making the pie.

You may as well wrap the crust up tightly at this stage and freeze it for as much as 4 weeks—meal prep fanatics rejoice!

Step 4: Put together the streusel

As soon as your pie crust is able to go, then it’s time to preheat your oven, put together the streusel topping and filling, and assemble your pie.

The streusel is very easy to make. You don’t want to make use of chilly butter, so no want for a pastry cutter or a meals processor. I take advantage of melted butter and two forks for mixing.

As soon as the streusel is prepared, you may pop it into the fridge whilst you make the apple filling.

Step 5: Put together the filling

For this apple pie filling, I toss the thinly sliced apples with a little bit of cane sugar, cinnamon, flour, and vanilla.

I additionally like to make use of lemon juice and zest in my fruit pie fillings, and this recipe is not any exception.

I feel that lemon is particularly essential for brightness and acidity within the case of sweeter fillings, just like the filling for my cherry pie.

Relying on the apples you employ, your filling for this vegan apple pie could also be solely reasonably candy. Nonetheless, lemon will give the filling only a trace of tartness, and I feel it’s a terrific addition.

Step 6: Replenish your pie

Word: this pie incorporates a number of apples! If you first pile the apples into the crust, it might appear that you’ve an excessive amount of fruit.

Belief that there’s really the correct amount of fruit right here. The apples will soften and scale back in quantity as they cook dinner, so by the point the pie emerges from the oven, every part might be proportionate.

Step 7: Prepare the streusel topping over the apples

That is the enjoyable half. Use a giant spoon to cowl these apples evenly together with your buttery, sugary streusel topping. Be sure you use all the crumbs!

Step 8: Bake

The pie will begin by baking in a 400°F / 200°C oven for half-hour.

Throughout this era, I like to recommend utilizing a pie crust shield, you probably have one. It would stop the sides of the pie from darkening too shortly.

For those who don’t have a pie crust defend, you may all the time create one using foil.

After half-hour of baking, you’ll scale back the oven temperature to 375°F / 190°C. Take away the pie defend and return the pie to the oven for an additional 20-25 minutes.

When the pie is able to come out of the oven, the apples might be bubbly and cooked down. The sides of the pie might be a deep golden brown, as will the crumb topping.

Step 9: Be affected person

As robust as it’s to attend, pie wants some resting time earlier than it’s able to be lower and served. I like to recommend giving this pie at the least 1 hour to chill earlier than slicing. A couple of hours is good.

A couple of notes on components

Vegan butter

I take advantage of vegan butter in each my streusel and my crust for authenticity of taste and good outcomes.

Through the years, I’ve experimented with many vegan butter varieties in baking. For this recipe, I’ve had success with just about each vegan butter that I’ve tried.

These are my favorites to work with:

Briefly, use the vegan butter that yow will discover, and which you like.

For those who want a substitute, you need to use equal quantities of strong coconut oil within the crust and melted coconut oil or avocado oil within the streusel topping.

Apples

Granny Smith apples are sometimes stated to be the most effective ones for making pie. I like their texture, however actually, I typically discover them to be aggressively tart; at different occasions, I don’t actually suppose they’ve a lot taste.

As an alternative, I actually like Braeburn, Jonagold, Pink Woman, and Honeycrisp apples. Golden Scrumptious apples may be good in baking, too.

Whereas there are scientific the reason why some apples work better for pie than others, that is to some extent a query of choice. You need to use the apples that you’ve and love.

Sugars

You’ll see each cane and lightweight brown sugars on this recipe. Cane sugar is for the filling, mild brown sugar for the streusel.

They’ve some slight variations—brown sugar has extra moisture than cane. However you may one or the opposite for all parts on this recipe, relying on what you have got.

For those who like a much less refined sugar, coconut sugar will work within the vegan apple pie recipe, too.

Flour

For finest outcomes, I like to recommend utilizing unbleached, all-purpose flour for the pie crust, filling, and streusel.

Complete grain flour generally is a little too grainy and dry for delicate and exact outcomes with baking. If utilizing a complete grain flour is your choice, then I like to recommend entire wheat pastry flour.

And, if you want to make the vegan apple pie gluten-free, then you need to use a dependable, all-purpose gluten-free flour mix. My go-to is the Measure for Measure flour from the King Arthur Baking Firm.

Meal prep and storage

For the fellow meal prep enthusiasts who are reading, this pie is very easy to make in stages.

The streusel can also be stored for up to three days in an airtight container in the fridge or frozen for up to six weeks.

The pie crust can be wrapped before or after rolling and shaping and stored in the fridge or frozen.

The only thing that really needs to be done right before baking is mixing the apple filling.

So, if you’re preparing big meals for holiday celebrations, then it will be easy to fit this vegan apple pie into your overall workflow. I always make mine over the course of a few days.

What to serve with your vegan apple pie

I’m very traditional when it comes to apple pie, and most pie. A scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream is almost always my accompaniment of choice.

However, whipped cream can also be a nice addition. I have a recipe for tofu whipped cream with cashews, and I even have one which’s cashews only.

I like them each. Each could be scrumptious with a slice of this juicy, candy, buttery, basic vegan apple pie.

Right here’s the factor about pie: for each little bit of loving effort it takes to make a pie, there might be double or triple the quantity of consolation and happiness in consuming it.

Pie is a type of uncommon vacation desserts that’s cozy and comforting whereas additionally feeling festive and stylish. I hope you’ll love this vegan apple crumb pie, too!

xo