Vegan Apple Pie with Streusel Topping

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

I really like pie. It’s undoubtedly certainly one of 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 troublesome and time-consuming?

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

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

Increase. 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 creating the filling, and also you’re already forward of the sport.

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

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 publish the place I shared my 5-minute vegan streusel topping.

To sum it up, reaching good, massive crumbs in a streusel topping could be tough, as a result of vegan butter has a special butterfat share and melting level than dairy butter.

Just a few changes might help to appropriate for this. One is discovering a superb ratio of flour, sugar, and butter. It took me some time, however I discovered one which resulted in massive, crumbly (however not crunchy), crumbs.

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

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

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

After a whole lot of tinkering, I made streusel that I really like.

I like it a lot, actually, 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, reasonably than a layer of pie crust.

What’s a crumb pie?

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

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

You might hear apple crumb pie known as Dutch apple pie as a substitute. They imply the identical factor: an apple pie with crumbs on prime.

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 traditional pie, with both a lattice or a coated prime.

I don’t thoughts making pie crust, and a prime crust actually doesn’t must 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 prime.

Suggestions for an ideal pie

In case you are somebody who finds pie-making a bit scary, then relaxation assured that it might truly be a lot of enjoyable.

I’ve discovered just a few issues by way of trial and error. Listed here are my ideas for achievement with do-it-yourself vegan pies:

Tip #1: Make a bit of extra crust than you want

Time and time once more, I’ve discovered that the quantities known 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 at all times 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 modify my crust with out worrying about dropping a bit of. I don’t must 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 generally known as “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 inside 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.

When you 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 in case you’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 need to spotlight par-baking as an vital and infrequently helpful step in making a stellar pie.

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

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

It will probably additionally occur when juicy fruit fillings soak the underside crust as its baking. Fairly than turning into crisp, the underside crust stays pale and tender.

Par-baking, which is the method of baking the pie crust for 10-Quarter-hour earlier than filling it, normally with pie weights, might help to dry out the crust a bit. In some circumstances, 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 truly 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 an extended baking time, which is a hazard within the recipe to start with.

So, I don’t suppose you need to par-bake for this specific pie; it’s only a useful approach to concentrate on for different recipes, like my traditional 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 could not cook dinner right down to the purpose the place they’re actually juicy and tender.

That is very true of apple. Leaving apple in items which might be too massive 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, minimize it into quarters, then slice these quarters.

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

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

When you actually desire chopped apples to sliced, then that’s OK. Pie is a country dessert, which could be made in many various methods. Every thing I’m saying is a suggestion, reasonably than a rule.

Tip #5: Peel your apples

That is additionally a suggestion, not a rule, however…think about 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 stands out as the most time-consuming step on this recipe.

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

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

How you can make vegan apple pie with streusel topping

With these ideas said, right here’s methods to 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 identical 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 meals processor to make pie crust, however I’ve included directions for each meals processors and hand mixing the crust.

Remember to 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 relax earlier than you roll and use it. I like to recommend wrapping it after making it and chilling it for at the very least 2 hours within the fridge.

You possibly can 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

Remember to roll your pie crust out on a frivolously 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 relax the crust once more. Switch it again to the fridge and chill it for at the very least 1 hour earlier than making the pie.

You can even 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 believe that lemon is very vital 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 believe it’s an incredible addition.

Step 6: Refill your pie

Notice: this pie accommodates a whole lot 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 truly the correct quantity of fruit right here. The apples will soften and cut back in quantity as they cook dinner, so by the point the pie emerges from the oven, all the things shall be proportionate.

Step 7: Organize 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. Remember to use the entire 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 protect, when you’ve got one. It would forestall the sides of the pie from darkening too rapidly.

When you don’t have a pie crust protect, you may at all times create one utilizing foil.

After half-hour of baking, you’ll cut back the oven temperature to 375°F / 190°C. Take away the pie protect 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 shall be bubbly and cooked down. The sides of the pie shall 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 minimize and served. I like to recommend giving this pie at the very least 1 hour to chill earlier than slicing. Just a few hours is right.

Just a few 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.

Over time, 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.

When you want a substitute, you should utilize 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 truthfully, 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 Girl, and Honeycrisp apples. Golden Scrumptious apples could be good in baking, too.

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

Sugars

You’ll see each cane and light-weight 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.

When you like a much less refined sugar, coconut sugar will work within the vegan apple pie recipe, too.

Flour

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

Entire grain flour could be a little too grainy and dry for delicate and exact outcomes with baking. If utilizing a complete grain flour is your desire, then I like to recommend complete wheat pastry flour.

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

The Vegan Week

Embrace the enjoyment of consuming do-it-yourself meals day by day with the hearty and healthful recipes in The Vegan Week.

Whether or not you have got three, two, and even only one hour of time to spare, The Vegan Week will present you methods to batch cook dinner assorted, colourful, and comforting dishes over the weekend.

Nevertheless, whipped cream can be a pleasant addition. I’ve a recipe for tofu whipped cream with cashews, and I even have one which’s cashews solely.

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

Vegan Apple Pie with Streusel Topping

Writer – Gena Hamshaw

Prep Time: 40 minutes minutes

Cook dinner Time: 55 minutes minutes

Dough chilling time 2 hours hours

Whole Time: 3 hours hours 35 minutes minutes

Yields: 10 servings

Pie crust

• 1 1/2 cups unbleached, all-purpose flour (180g)
• 1 tablespoon cane sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 tablespoons chilly vegan butter, minimize into cubes (112g / 1 stick)
• 1 teaspoon distilled white vinegar (non-compulsory, for pastry texture)
• 3-5 tablespoons ice water

Apple pie with streusel topping

Put together and chill the pie crust

• To make the crust, combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a big mixing bowl. Add the butter and use a pastry cutter or two knives to chop the butter into the flour, till the items of butter are concerning the dimension of peas. Alternately, you may put the flours, salt, and sugar right into a meals processor, add the butter, and pulse till the components are mixed and the butter is the scale of peas.

• Combine the ice water and vinegar. Add the water into the flour combination in a skinny stream, utilizing a spatula to combine as you go. As quickly because the dough holds collectively with out being moist, and it simply sticks collectively once you squeeze a small quantity in your hand, it is prepared. In case your dough is simply too crumbly and is not holding collectively, add extra ice water by the tablespoon till it does. Switch the dough to a floured work floor and form it right into a disk. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at the very least 2 hours. At this level, you may maintain the dough within the fridge for as much as 2 days or freeze it for as much as 6 weeks.

Roll and form the pie crust

• On the floured work floor, roll the dough right into a circle about 1/4 inch thick and about 12 inches in diameter. Gently switch this circle of dough to a pie dish. Trim and crimp the sides, then use a fork to prick the underside of the crust. Switch this crust again to the fridge and permit it to relax for at the very least 1 hour earlier than making your pie. Alternatively, gently wrap the crust in Saran Wrap and retailer it within the fridge for as much as 2 days or freeze for as much as 4 weeks.

Assemble the pie

• Preheat the oven to 400°F / 200°C.

• Put together the streusel topping as directed in the recipe. Pop the streusel into the fridge whilst you put together the apple pie filling.

• Switch the apple slices to a mixing bowl. Add the sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon zest and juice, and vanilla extract. Gently fold the entire components collectively.

• Spoon the apples into the pie crust; will probably be full! Organize the crumb topping over the apples. In case you have one, use a pie crust protect for the sides of the pie crust; you’ll depart this on the pie for the primary thirty minutes of baking.

Bake

• Switch the pie to the oven. Bake for half-hour, then cut back the oven warmth to 375°F / 190°C. Take away the pie crust protect. Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes, or till the sides of the pie are a deep golden brown and the highest is popping golden as properly. Permit the pie to set for at the very least 1 hour earlier than slicing and having fun with.

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

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

xo