Mix some apples, a pie crust, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and butter, and you get a great tasting basic apple crumb pie. Just follow these easy step by step photo instructions.

Editor’s Note: Originally Published May 18, 2012. Updated with expanded discussion and updated photos.

I seem to use the terms simple and easy a lot, naming my recipes, but I do mean it. I like simple and easy since I rarely do a recipe that takes a lot of time, is complex, or takes too much of my time for too little return.

When I decided to do this recipe, I wanted an everyday basic apple pie — something most people can do if they just look at the steps and love.

I’m not making the pie crust. I have made pie crusts before, and it falls in the too much time for the return category here. The premade ones are what most of use everyday cooks use.

The filling is simple and very good, and I topped with a very nice but again easy crumb topping.

My Rating:

A solid lower 5. There are better apple pies but not by much and not this simple. I see no need to add complexity to a recipe that produces this great of results.

Pro Tips: Recipe Notes for Easy Apple Crumb Pie

Inspired by southerncooking.about.com. I change up a few things and expanded the instruction details.

What Apples to use?

Some good choices are Cortland, Honeycrisp, Northern Spy, Pink Lady, Fuji, Granny Smith, or Ida Red. But I’m not very picky about my apples.

There are many good apples for cooking and a few not so good, but I believe you use what you have. Delicious Apples are probably the only common poor choice.

Pie Pan Size

Standard pie pans are 9 inches in diameter and 1-1/4 inches deep. There are larger 9-1/2- and 10-inch pans, and I have seen bigger, but here I suggest the standard size here.

The Pie Crust

I have made pie crust and consider it a bit too much work for everyday cooking. If you want to make your own, fine, but the premade work fine for a great everyday pie.

Apple Pie Storage

Keep your apple pie covered loosely with foil or plastic wrap. You can generally keep baked apple pie at room temperature for up to two days. If refrigerated, your pie will keep 3-4 days. I do not suggest freezing pie.

Other Pie Suggestions

Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie

Everyday Blueberry Crumb Pie

Or try this easy quick bread: Apple Pie Bread

Preheat oven to 375 and place a cookie sheet on the bottom rack for any overflow.

Start with one cup of AP flour in a large mixing bowl. Add 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Mix this well. Microwave 1 stick (4oz) of butter in a bowl for 20 seconds on high. It will be partially melted. Stir with a fork and then dribble into the flour mixture.

Mix with a fork until well blended. Set aside.

Peel and slice apples. I used four good size Granny Smiths. You need 5-6 cups of apple.

Mix 1/2 cup granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon together then sprinkle over the apple slices. Mix well to coat.

Prepare a pie crust. Either make one or use a Pillsbury refrigerated one and crimp the edges.

Pour apple into a 9-inch uncooked pie crust.

Top with the crumb mix.

Bake on the middle rack. About 20 minutes into baking, check the pie. You may need to protect the edges of the crust, either with aluminum foil or with a fancy-dancy pie crust protector thingy.

Bake a total time of about 50 minutes until golden brown. Allow to cool completely before cutting. 3-4 hours.

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