Swedish Apple Pie

Swedish apple pie may be a bit more cakelike than the all-American apple pie we first picture, but it’s an exceptional fall dessert all the same. Baked in a 9-inch pie plate, Swedish apple pie has a tender, cakey crumb with warm cinnamon in every bite and tart apples studded throughout.

This pie is just sweet enough, meaning a slice is just as welcome at breakfast as it is after dinner, without any overpowering, cloying sweetness. Serve a slice with a cup of coffee or a glass of Riesling (depending on the time of day), but always make sure each slice has a little cloud of whipped cream, a scoop of ice cream or a drizzle of honey.

What is a Swedish apple pie?

In a more traditional Swedish apple pie recipe, chopped apples are lined on the bottom of a pie plate and a cinnamon, cakelike dough is baked on top. While most people call this a “crustless” pie, others see the cakelike topping as the “crust” or equate this dessert to an apple crumble.

Ingredients for Swedish Apple Pie

• Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the pie. Feel free to use light brown sugar if that’s all you have in the cabinet.
• Flours: Our Swedish apple pie recipe is made with both all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour. The latter provides more nutrients to the pie, while the all-purpose flour adds a bit of softness back for a tender bite.
• Baking powder: A little bit of baking powder helps the dough rise. Test your baking powder if it’s been in the cabinet for a while.
• Cinnamon: All the best apple desserts have warm, sweet cinnamon to make them especially cozy.
• Egg: You’ll need only one egg to bind the dough ingredients together.
• Apples: Chop up two medium-sized tart apples. Keep the apples from browning by tossing them with fresh lemon juice.
• Nuts: Chop walnuts or pecans (or a mixture of both) and toast the nuts to bring out their natural sweetness and nutty flavor.
• Confectioners’ sugar: To add a little more sweetness, dust the top of the cake with confectioners’ sugar.

Directions

Step 1: Make the batter

Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and vanilla extract. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients just until moistened.

Editor’s Tip: Keep in mind the batter will be very thick!

Step 2: Add the apples and nuts

Switch to a rubber spatula and fold in the chopped apples and toasted walnuts or pecans.

Step 3: Bake and decorate

Pour the batter into a 9-inch pie plate that’s coated with cooking spray. Bake the Swedish apple pie until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.

Take the pie out of the oven and let it cool at room temperature until it’s warm, not hot, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with confectioners’ sugar if desired and serve warm.

Recipe Variations

• Go the batter-topped route: In a typical Swedish apple pie, the apples are lined on the bottom of the pie plate and then the batter is poured on top. Feel free to go that route if you prefer!
• Add more baking spices: Wherever cinnamon is present, there’s always room for a few more fall spices. Try nutmeg, ginger, cardamom or cloves in very small amounts.
• Swap in pears for apples: Prefer pears over apples? Make the swap! The best types of pears for baking are Anjou, Bosc and Concorde.

How to Store Swedish Apple Pie

Once it has cooled to room temperature, store Swedish apple pie tightly covered at room temperature for up to three days. Or, store the pie in the fridge to extend its life a few days longer.

Can you make Swedish apple pie ahead of time?

Yes, you can make this Swedish apple pie recipe ahead of time. Bake the pie the day before serving and allow it to cool to room temperature. Cover the pie tightly with storage wrap and keep it at room temperature so it’s ready to go when you are.

Swedish Apple Pie Tips

What kind of apples should you use to make a Swedish apple pie recipe?

The best apples for pie are Granny Smith, Pink Lady, Cortland, Crispin and Braeburn because they’re firm, tart and crisp, and they hold up well when baked. Avoid mealy, soft apples like McIntosh.

What can you serve with Swedish apple pie?

A little dollop of homemade whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream is a great way to amp up this light dessert. Cinnamon and confectioners’ sugar add pretty accents too.

Can you bake Swedish apple pie in a different-sized pan?

Yes, you can bake Swedish apple pie with walnuts in a different-sized pan. Instead of a 9-inch pie plate, bake the pie in a greased and parchment-lined 8-inch square pan or 9-inch round cake pan.