If you’re craving a dessert that perfectly balances cozy warmth and luxurious creaminess, this Apple Butter Pie Recipe is your new best friend. Imagine the deep, spiced sweetness of apple butter merged with a velvety custard, all nestled inside a tender, flaky spelt crust. It’s like autumn wrapped up in a slice, offering rich flavors that feel both indulgent and nostalgic. Trust me, once you try this pie, it will quickly become a staple for holiday gatherings or any time you want to treat yourself with something truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Apple Butter Pie Recipe comes to life with a handful of simple, yet essential ingredients that each play a starring role in creating the perfect texture and flavor. From the wholesome spelt pie crust to the warm spices, each component brings something wonderful to the table.
- Spelt pie crust: A lovely alternative to traditional flour crusts that adds a subtle nutty undertone and sturdy base for the filling.
- Prepared apple butter: The heart of the pie, infusing it with deep, concentrated apple flavor and warm spices.
- Heavy cream: Brings richness and creaminess that balances the natural sweetness of the apple butter.
- Large eggs: Serve as the binding agent, ensuring the filling sets perfectly with a custardy texture.
- Brown sugar: Adds a touch of molasses sweetness that complements the spiced apple butter beautifully.
- Ground cinnamon: The classic warm spice that enhances the autumnal vibe of the pie.
- Freshly grated nutmeg: Provides a subtle, nutty warmth that lifts the flavors.
- Coarse kosher salt: Balances and brightens the sweetness so every bite is perfectly seasoned.
- Ground cloves: Just a pinch gives a subtle depth of spice without overwhelming the other flavors.
How to Make Apple Butter Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust
Start by rolling out your spelt dough into an 11-inch circle, then carefully fit it into a 9-inch pie plate. Make sure to press it firmly so it holds its shape and crimp the edges for a charming finish. Don’t forget to prick the bottom with a fork to prevent any bubbling while baking. Pop it into the freezer to chill for 15 minutes—this step helps achieve that perfectly flaky crust we’re aiming for.
Step 2: Preheat Your Oven
Set your oven to 375ºF and adjust the racks to the middle and lower positions. This setup helps to bake the crust evenly, so it holds up beautifully under the luscious filling.
Step 3: Blind Bake the Pie Shell
Once chilled, line the pie crust with parchment and add weighted items like dry rice or beans to keep the dough from puffing up. Bake on the lower rack for 20 minutes—this is called blind baking, and it’s essential for preventing a soggy bottom.
Step 4: Continue Blind Baking
After 20 minutes, remove the weights and parchment carefully, then bake the crust for another 5 minutes. This step further sets the shell and ensures a crisp, golden base for your pie filling. Let it rest while you lower the oven temperature to 325ºF.
Step 5: Mix the Filling
In a large bowl, whisk together the prepared apple butter, heavy cream, eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and cloves until the mixture is smooth and perfectly blended. This creamy concoction is where the magic begins, combining all those spices with the rich apple flavor to create a luscious filling.
Step 6: Fill and Bake the Pie
Pour your filling evenly into the pre-baked crust, smoothing the top with a spatula. Place it on the middle rack and bake for 45-55 minutes until the edges puff up and the center still jiggles slightly. The internal temperature should be above 180ºF to ensure the custard is set just right, offering that dreamy texture we all love.
Step 7: Cool and Chill
Once out of the oven, transfer the pie to a wire rack and let it cool to room temperature. Then, refrigerate it for at least 6 hours—this chilling time is crucial to let the filling fully firm up so every slice is neat and creamy.
How to Serve Apple Butter Pie Recipe
Garnishes
Serving this pie with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream takes it to another level. A light sprinkle of cinnamon on top enhances the warm spice flavors and adds a pretty finish that’s super inviting.
Side Dishes
This dessert pairs beautifully with a simple cup of hot tea or coffee, creating a cozy pairing for chilly evenings. For a more festive touch, serve alongside spiced cider or warm mulled wine to really bring out the pie’s autumnal charm.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, cut the pie into mini tartlets using the same filling and crust recipe. They make adorable individual servings for parties or gifts! You can also layer thin apple slices on top before baking for a rustic lattice effect that’s as delicious as it is beautiful.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Apple Butter Pie Recipe leftovers keep well in the fridge, tightly wrapped or in an airtight container for up to 4 days. The flavors deepen with time, so you might find that the next-day slice tastes even better than fresh.
Freezing
If you want to save a slice or two for later, this pie freezes nicely. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn, and it will keep for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge for best results.
Reheating
To enjoy your leftovers warm, gently reheat a slice in a low oven (about 300ºF) for 10-15 minutes. Avoid the microwave if you want to preserve the custard’s smooth texture and the crunch of the crust.
FAQs
Can I use regular flour instead of spelt for the crust?
Absolutely! While spelt adds a nice nutty flavor and texture, you can use all-purpose flour if that’s what you have on hand. Just expect a slightly different, but still delicious, crust.
Is apple butter the same as apple sauce?
Not quite. Apple butter is cooked longer until it becomes thick and caramelized, with a more intense flavor, whereas apple sauce is usually thinner and less spiced. Using apple butter is key to getting that rich depth in this pie.
Can I make this pie gluten-free?
Yes, by substituting the spelt crust with a gluten-free pie crust recipe, you can make this dessert friendly for gluten-sensitive eaters. Make sure to check that your pie crust holds up well for blind baking.
What if I don’t have pie weights for blind baking?
You can use dry beans, uncooked rice, or even lentils as pie weights. Just be sure to reserve them in a container for future use, as they can’t be cooked after baking the crust.
How can I tell when the pie is done baking?
Look for puffed edges and a center that still jiggles slightly when you gently shake the pie. Using a kitchen thermometer helps—aim for an internal temperature of just above 180ºF for the perfect set custard.
Final Thoughts
This Apple Butter Pie Recipe is a joyous way to celebrate the beautiful flavors of fall wrapped inside a rich, smooth custard and a tender crust. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just because you deserve a moment of indulgence, this pie shines as a comforting and memorable dessert. Give it a try and watch it become your new favorite go-to for every special occasion and cozy night in!
Print
Apple Butter Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 7 hours 35 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Apple Butter Pie features a spelt pie crust filled with a smooth, spiced apple butter custard. Its creamy texture combined with warm cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves makes it a perfect dessert for fall and holiday seasons. Baked to set and chilled for a firm finish, this pie is both comforting and elegant.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 1 (9-inch) spelt pie crust
Filling
- 1–¾ cups (470 grams/17 ounces) prepared apple butter
- 1 cup (226 grams) heavy cream
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup packed (110 grams) brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
- Pinch ground cloves
Instructions
- Prepare the Pie Crust: Roll out the pie dough to an 11-inch circle. Fit the pastry into a 9-inch pie plate, pressing it firmly into the sides and bottom. Crimp the edges as desired and prick the bottom all over with a fork to release steam during baking. Place the pie in the freezer for 15 minutes to chill the dough.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375ºF and position the racks in the middle and lower slots for even baking.
- Blind Bake the Pie Shell: Remove the pie shell from the freezer. Line it with a round piece of parchment paper, then add pie weights (such as dry rice, beans, or lentils), pushing them toward the edges to prevent puffing. Bake on the lower rack for 20 minutes.
- Continue Blind Baking: Remove the pie from the oven, carefully lift out the parchment and weights, and bake for an additional 5 minutes to set the crust. Set aside to cool while lowering the oven temperature to 325ºF.
- Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the prepared apple butter, heavy cream, eggs, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg, coarse kosher salt, and a pinch of ground cloves until smooth and fully combined.
- Fill and Bake the Pie: Pour the filling carefully into the blind-baked pie shell, smoothing it into an even layer. Bake on the middle rack for 45-55 minutes, or until the pie is mostly set—edges puffed up and the center slightly wobbly—and the internal temperature reaches above 180ºF.
- Cool and Chill: Transfer the pie to a wire rack to cool to room temperature. Then refrigerate for at least 6 hours to allow the filling to firm up completely before serving.
Notes
- Using a spelt pie crust adds a nutty flavor and is a lighter alternative to traditional wheat crusts.
- Blind baking the crust prevents it from becoming soggy once the wet filling is added.
- If you don’t have pie weights, dried beans or rice work well as substitutes.
- Allowing the pie to chill overnight ensures the custard sets perfectly for clean slices.
- Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
