Dutch Apple Pie Recipe Easy Made By Grandma 🍏

There’s something magical about recipes passed down through family. For us, it’s my Dutch mother-in-law’s Dutch Apple Pie Recipe Easy that brings everyone together. Every slice feels like a hug from grandma — warm, sweet, and sprinkled with love.

Living as a digital nomad family of four, between the Netherlands and sunny southern Europe, we’ve gathered countless food memories. But nothing beats the cozy tradition of Dutch apple pie at grandma’s table. The cinnamon-spiced aroma fills the kitchen, little hands sneak apple slices, and before you know it, the golden crumble is ready to share.

Today, I’m excited to share this Traditional Dutch Apple Pie Recipe made simple, so you can bake it in your own kitchen. It’s a homemade apple pie recipe that looks impressive but is secretly very easy — the kind you’ll want to make for holidays, cozy weekends, or anytime you crave sweet comfort.

Dutch Apple Pie Recipe Easy

A Dutch apple pie stands out because of its deep filling, spiced apples, and lattice crust. Instead of a quick crumble topping, this version uses the same dough for the base, sides, and that lovely woven top. It’s hearty, rustic, and made to be shared.

What I love about this recipe is how forgiving it is. Even if your lattice strips aren’t perfectly straight, it still looks charming. That’s the magic of a traditional Dutch apple pie recipe — it’s not about perfection, but about love baked into every bite.

If you want to make baking even more joyful, a springform pan helps you get that tall pie shape, while a pastry cutter makes the dough come together quickly. And if you want to speed things up, a good apple peeler/corer is a lifesaver.

Ingredients

For the crust & lattice topping

2 ½ cups (300 g) all-purpose flour
1 cup (200 g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
¾ cup (150 g) brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 pinch of salt
1 large egg

For the apple pie filling

6–7 medium apples (Granny Smith or Jonagold)
½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
Zest of 1 lemon
2 tbsp lemon juice
½ cup (75 g) raisins (optional)
¼ cup (30 g) chopped walnuts (optional)
2 tbsp cornstarch

Essentials

Baking a Dutch apple pie recipe easy is much more joyful when you have the right tools. These are the basics that make the process smoother from start to finish:

Springform pan – gives your pie its tall, traditional Dutch shape
Pastry cutter – helps blend butter into the flour quickly
Rolling pin – for rolling the crust and lattice strips
Apple peeler/corer – saves time and keeps slices even
Mixing bowls – for preparing dough and tossing apple filling
Parchment paper – prevents sticking and makes pie removal easy
Cooling rack – lets the pie rest and set before slicing

With these essentials, even a beginner baker can create a homemade apple pie recipe that looks impressive and tastes like it came straight from grandma’s kitchen.

How To Make An Apple Pie Easy

Making a Dutch Apple Pie Recipe Easy at home doesn’t need to be complicated. With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a pie that looks impressive but is secretly very beginner-friendly. Here’s exactly how to do it:

Step 1: Make the dough

Start by mixing flour, brown sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Cut cold butter into cubes and rub it into the flour until the mix looks crumbly. Add the egg and vanilla extract, then knead gently into a smooth dough. Divide the dough into two parts: ⅔ for the crust and ⅓ for the lattice topping. Wrap both pieces in plastic wrap and chill them for at least 30 minutes. Chilling keeps the dough easy to roll and gives it that flaky, buttery bite.

Step 2: Prepare the apple pie filling

Peel, core, and slice your apples into thin wedges. Granny Smith or Jonagold are best because they stay firm while baking. Toss the slices with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Add raisins and walnuts if you like extra texture. Finally, stir in cornstarch, which helps thicken the juices so your pie slices beautifully. Let the mixture rest while you prepare the crust—this allows the flavors to blend.

Step 3: Build the crust base

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan and line the bottom with parchment paper for easy removal. Roll out the larger portion of dough on a lightly floured surface, then carefully press it into the pan, covering the bottom and sides. Patch any cracks with spare dough. The tall edges are what give this Apple Pie Dutch its deep, rustic look.

Step 4: Fill and top with lattice

Spoon the apple mixture into the crust, pressing it down lightly so it sits snug. Roll the smaller dough portion into thin strips. Lay half the strips across the pie, then weave the others over and under to form the classic lattice. Don’t worry if it isn’t perfect—this pie is meant to look homemade and full of love. For a golden shine, brush the lattice with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar.

Step 5: Bake and serve

Bake the pie for 55–65 minutes until the top is golden and the filling is bubbling at the edges. If the top browns too quickly, cover loosely with foil. Let the pie cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing to allow the filling to set. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream, and you’ll understand why this traditional Dutch apple pie recipe has been passed down through generations.

Apple Pie Filling

The secret to a truly delicious Dutch apple pie recipe easy lies in the filling. It’s not just apples and sugar — it’s the perfect mix of fruit, spices, and little touches that turn it into comfort food baked with love. Here’s how to make your filling shine:

Choose the right apples
Not all apples bake the same. For a homemade apple pie recipe, you want firm, slightly tart apples that hold their shape. In the Netherlands, Jonagold and Elstar are favorites. If you’re in the US, Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn work wonderfully. Mixing two types (one tart, one sweet) adds extra depth of flavor.

Peel, core, and slice evenly
Thin, even slices bake more evenly and give your pie a neat texture. A good apple peeler/corer saves time and keeps slices uniform. Too thick, and the apples may stay crunchy; too thin, and they can turn mushy. Aim for about ¼-inch slices.

Add the spice blend
Cinnamon is essential, but nutmeg adds warmth, and a pinch of cloves can give depth. This spice mix is what makes your kitchen smell irresistible. Grandma always said the pie should smell like autumn long before it’s ready to eat.

Brighten with lemon
A little zest and juice of fresh lemon lift the flavor and stop the apples from browning. It balances the sweetness and keeps the filling fresh. This is a step many skip, but it makes a big difference in achieving that fresh apple pie recipe easy taste.

Grandma’s Dutch twist
Many traditional Dutch apple pie recipes include raisins or walnuts for extra texture. Soak the raisins in warm water (or even a splash of rum) before mixing them in — they plump up beautifully and add bursts of sweetness. Walnuts give a gentle crunch that contrasts the soft apples.

Thicken the filling
As the pie bakes, the apples release juice. Without a thickener, your pie can turn watery. A couple of tablespoons of cornstarch mixed into the apples makes sure your filling sets, giving you clean slices instead of a runny pie.

When you put it all together, your apple pie filling should look glossy, smell like cinnamon spice, and feel just moist enough to mound easily into the crust. That’s when you know it’s ready to bake into a true Apple Pie Dutch masterpiece.

🍏 Pro Tips & Troubleshooting for Apple Pie Filling

Too watery after baking?
This usually means the apples were extra juicy or not enough cornstarch was added. Next time, sprinkle an extra tablespoon of cornstarch or a spoonful of flour into the apple mix.

Too sweet or too tart?
Apples vary in sweetness. If yours are very tart, add an extra 1–2 tablespoons of sugar. If they’re very sweet, reduce sugar slightly and add a touch more lemon juice to balance.

Apples stayed crunchy?
Slices may have been too thick. Aim for thin, even slices so they soften perfectly during baking. If your oven runs cool, bake an extra 5–10 minutes.

Want more flavor depth?
Mix apple varieties! A tart apple (like Granny Smith) with a sweeter one (like Honeycrisp or Jonagold) makes the filling more complex.

Want it extra special?
Try soaking raisins in warm water, tea, or even a splash of rum before adding. This keeps them plump and juicy instead of chewy.

Spices falling flat?
Always use fresh cinnamon and nutmeg. Old spices lose their punch. A dash of ground cloves or cardamom adds a unique twist.

Apple Pie Toppings

A warm slice of Dutch apple pie is already heavenly on its own, but the right topping can take it to the next level. Grandma always kept it simple, yet over the years we’ve found so many ways to dress up this homemade apple pie recipe. Here are some of the best ideas to try:

Classic whipped cream
Light and fluffy whipped cream is the most traditional choice. A spoonful melts beautifully over warm apple pie filling, balancing the spices with a creamy sweetness. For a festive touch, whip in a little vanilla or cinnamon sugar.

Vanilla ice cream
Nothing says comfort like a slice of pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The cold creaminess against the warm apples creates that perfect hot-and-cold contrast. This is the topping Dutch cafés almost always serve with a slice of apple pie Dutch.

Caramel drizzle
Turn your pie into a cozy fall dessert by drizzling warm caramel sauce over the top. It pairs perfectly with the tart apples and buttery crust. Sprinkle with sea salt for a salted caramel twist.

Powdered sugar dusting
For an easy, elegant look, dust the cooled lattice top with powdered sugar. It makes your pie look bakery-worthy with almost no effort.

Yogurt or crème fraîche
For a lighter topping, try a dollop of thick Greek yogurt or crème fraîche. Both add a tangy note that balances the sweetness of the filling.

Spiced nuts or granola
Add crunch by sprinkling candied pecans, toasted almonds, or even homemade granola over your slice. It’s a playful twist that keeps the fresh apple pie recipe easy but exciting.

No matter which topping you choose, the goal is the same: to highlight the warm, spiced comfort of the pie itself. Our kids love it with a scoop of ice cream (or as they call it, “applie pie à la mode”), while we often go for the classic whipped cream.

Enjoy…

And there you have it — grandma’s Dutch apple pie recipe easy, filled with love, spiced apples, and that beautiful lattice top. It’s more than just dessert; it’s a tradition that warms the heart and fills the kitchen with joy. Whether you bake it for Sunday family time, a holiday gathering, or simply because you crave comfort, every slice tells a story.

If you loved this recipe, you might also enjoy these cozy ideas from Inspire With Joy:

✨ Save this pin now so you can bake this pie anytime you want to bring a little Dutch tradition and grandma’s magic into your home.

Dutch Apple Pie Recipe Easy Made By Grandma 🍏