Marie Callender’s Dutch Apple Pie Recipe

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I find Marie Callender’s Dutch Apple Pie to be a delightful blend of homemade charm and convenience. This journey began on a breezy autumn afternoon when I yearned for a dessert that was both comforting and impressive enough to share with loved ones.

How to make Marie Callender’s Dutch Apple Pie

Marie Callender’s Dutch Apple Pie is a frozen ready-to-bake pie made with sweet cinnamon-spiced apples inside a flaky pastry crust, topped with a brown-sugar crumb (streusel) topping.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you will need to make your own Marie Callender’s Dutch Apple Pie:

For the Pie Filling:

• 6–7 medium-sized apples (preferably a mix of tart and sweet varieties, such as Granny Smith and Fuji apples)
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (to prevent apples from browning and add brightness to the flavor)

For the Streusel Topping:

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

For the Pie Crust:

While you can make your own pie crust, using a store-bought crust (similar to Marie Callender’s) will save time. If you want to go fully homemade:

• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3–4 tablespoons ice water

Instructions

Follow these steps for a perfectly baked Dutch Apple Pie:

1. Prepare the Pie Crust

If making the crust from scratch:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Add cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or fork to blend the mixture until it resembles coarse sand.
2. Slowly add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. Form it into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Once chilled, roll out the dough on a floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie pan. Place the dough in the pie pan, trim excess edges, and crimp or pinch the crust neatly.

If using store-bought crust: Simply place it in your pie pan and press it evenly to fit.

2. Make the Filling

1. Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin wedges.
2. In a bowl, combine the apples, sugars (granulated and brown), flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Mix until the apple slices are thoroughly coated.
3. Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust, spreading it evenly.

3. Prepare the Streusel Topping

1. In a separate bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
2. Add cubed butter, using your fingers or a pastry cutter to crumble it into the mixture. Keep blending until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Sprinkle the streusel topping generously over the apples, covering them completely.

4. Bake the Pie

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Place the pie on the middle rack and bake for 45–55 minutes, or until the filling is bubbling and the streusel topping is golden brown.
3. TIP: Cover the edges of the pie crust with aluminum foil during the last 15 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning.

5. Cool and Serve

1. Allow the pie to cool for at least 2 hours before serving. This will ensure the filling sets and slices neatly.
2. Serve as-is, or pair with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for added decadence.

Tips for Baking the Perfect Dutch Apple Pie

• Apple Selection: Avoid overly soft apples like Red Delicious. Opt for firm varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn for the best flavor and texture.
• Prevent a Soggy Crust: To avoid a soggy crust, sprinkle a thin layer of crushed graham crackers or a touch of flour over the pie crust before adding the apple filling.
• Cold Butter for Streusel: For a flaky and crumbly streusel topping, ensure the butter stays cold while preparing the crumble.
• Make Ahead Option: You can prepare the pie a day in advance and reheat slices gently in the oven or microwave before serving.
• Freeze-Friendly: To freeze, let the baked pie cool completely. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze. When ready to serve, bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes to refresh the crust and topping.

What to serve with

Marie Callender’s Dutch Apple Pie is a dessert that can stand wonderfully on its own, but pairing it with the right accompaniments can elevate the experience to an entirely new level.

1. Classic Vanilla Ice Cream

One of the most beloved pairings for apple pie is a scoop of classic vanilla ice cream. The creamy, cold texture of the ice cream perfectly complements the warm, cinnamon-spiced apples and the crunchy streusel topping.

How to Serve: Place a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of or beside a slice of the pie. Make sure the pie is warm so the ice cream melts slightly, creating a luscious, creamy sauce.

2. Fresh Whipped Cream

Light and airy whipped cream adds a rich yet balanced touch to your pie, enhancing its flavors without overpowering them.

How to Serve: Whip up heavy cream with a bit of powdered sugar and a dash of vanilla extract until soft peaks form. Dollop a heaping spoonful of whipped cream onto each slice of warm pie.

3. Caramel Sauce

Drizzling caramel sauce over the pie adds a decadent layer of sweetness and a beautiful presentation.

How to Serve: Warm the caramel sauce slightly to make it pourable. Drizzle it over the pie just before serving, or let guests add it to their taste.

Ingredients Substitutes

When making Marie Callender’s Dutch Apple Pie, you may need to substitute certain ingredients due to dietary restrictions, availability, or personal preferences.

Pie Filling Substitutes

Apples

Substitution Options: Pears or firm peaches

Why & How: Use these fruits sliced similarly to apples to replicate the texture and flavor, but note that this will give the pie a different but delightful twist.

Sugar (Granulated & Brown)

Substitution Options: Coconut sugar, maple syrup, or honey

Why & How: Coconut sugar offers a flavor similar to brown sugar. For liquid sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, use 3/4 cup for every 1 cup of sugar, and reduce other liquid ingredients slightly.

All-Purpose Flour

Substitution Options: Gluten-free flour blend, almond flour, or cornstarch

Why & How: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for those with gluten intolerance. For almond flour, use slightly less and combine with another binder. Cornstarch can be used to thicken the filling; replace 2 tablespoons with 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.

Ground Cinnamon & Nutmeg

Substitution Options: Pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice blends

Why & How: These spice blends can substitute in equal amounts as they contain cinnamon and nutmeg. Adjust quantity according to taste preferences.

Lemon Juice

Substitution Options: Lime juice or apple cider vinegar

Why & How: Both options help prevent browning and balance sweetness; use the same amount as lemon juice.

Streusel Topping Substitutes

All-Purpose Flour

Substitution Options: Use the same substitutes as for the filling’s flour (e.g., gluten-free flour blend).

Brown Sugar

Substitution Options: Coconut sugar or white sugar with a bit of molasses

Why & How: For a similar flavor, mix white sugar with molasses at a proportion of 1 cup of sugar to 1 tablespoon of molasses.

Butter

Substitution Options: Coconut oil, vegan butter, or margarine

Why & How: Substitute equal amounts; note that coconut oil will impart a slight coconut flavor. Ensure it is cold and solid before use.

Pie Crust Substitutes

All-Purpose Flour

Substitution Options: Same substitutes as listed for filling.

Butter

Substitution Options: Same substitutes as listed for streusel topping.

Ice Water

Substitution Options: Chilled milk or plant-based milk (e.g., almond or soy)

Why & How: Use an equal amount to maintain moisture; some non-dairy milks add a slight flavor, so select according to preference.

Salt

Substitution Options: Kosher or sea salt

Why & How: Use in equal amounts; these salts can slightly enhance flavors differently, so adjust according to taste.

Final Thoughts

Marie Callender’s Dutch Apple Pie is a dessert that captures the essence of comfort food. By following this recipe, you’ll bring the sweet warmth of cinnamon-spiced apples and buttery streusel topping into your home kitchen.

More Pie Recipes:

• Whole Foods Pumpkin Pie Recipe
• Sam’s Club Pumpkin Pie Recipe
• Homemade Costco Pecan Pie Recipe
• Copycat 7 Brew Pecan Pie Breve Recipe