New Jersey Apple Crumble Pie

Ingredients

This adaptation of the traditional Polish Szarlotka incorporates the flavors and ingredients commonly found in New Jersey cuisine. The original recipe typically uses a shortcrust pastry, but in this version, we use a buttery pie crust. Additionally, the crumble topping is a signature element of American apple pies, adding a unique twist to the dish. We alse have the original recipe for Szarlotka (Pie), so you can check it out.

• 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour 2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 6 cups (900g) apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced 6 cups (900g) apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar (for apple filling) 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar (for apple filling)
• 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar (for apple filling) 1/4 cup (50g) brown sugar (for apple filling)
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for apple filling) 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for apple filling)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 11g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 45g, 25g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. 2.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt for the crust. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. 3.
   Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar to the crust mixture and mix until well combined.
4. 4.
   Press two-thirds of the crust mixture into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie dish, forming the pie crust.
5. 5.
   In another bowl, combine the sliced apples, lemon juice, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and flour for the apple filling. Toss until the apples are evenly coated.
6. 6.
   Pour the apple filling into the prepared pie crust.
7. 7.
   Sprinkle the remaining crust mixture evenly over the top of the apple filling, creating the crumble topping.
8. 8.
   Place the pie dish on a baking sheet to catch any drips and bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender.
9. 9.
   Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for at least 30 minutes before serving.
10. 10.
    Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Apples — Choose firm and tart apples such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor and texture in the pie.
• Lemon juice — The lemon juice helps prevent the apples from browning and adds a subtle tanginess to the filling.
• Butter — Make sure the butter is cold and cubed to achieve a flaky and tender crust.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra flavor boost, add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the apple filling.
• If the crust starts to brown too quickly, cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
• Serve the pie warm for the best taste and texture.
• Experiment with different apple varieties to find your favorite combination.
• Leftover pie can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Serving advice

Serve the New Jersey Apple Crumble Pie warm, either on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The combination of the buttery crust, tender apple filling, and crunchy crumble topping is irresistible.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, dust the top of the pie with a sprinkle of powdered sugar before serving. You can also garnish each slice with a small apple slice or a sprig of fresh mint.