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    Home » Recipes » Tart and Galette Recipes

    Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie)

    Published: Sep 19, 2022 · Modified: Oct 16, 2023 by Kristi · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Say hello to your new favorite apple dessert! This Swedish Apple Pie (or crustless apple pie) is part cake and part pie and 100% delicious and easy!

    Peeled and sliced apples are tossed with sugar and spices and topped with a batter that creates a cake-like crust over the top when baked. That's right....no fussy pastry or rolling pin required! And quite honestly, it's every bit as delicious (or maybe even more so) than traditional apple pie.

    You are going to LOVE this homey, cozy dessert! I can't wait for you to try it at home. Ready to get started? Keep reading for step-by-step instructions for baking an irresistible Swedish Apple Pie in your own kitchen.

    Slice of Swedish Apple Pie on a plate next to a fork and a glass of milk.

    Why This Recipe Works

    • It has a short list of easy-to-find ingredients and comes together in a snap.
    • It has all of the flavor of an apple pie but without all of the work.
    • The texture of the top crust is tender and cake-like with crisp exterior making it the perfect compliment to the warm apple filling.

    What Are the Origins of This Recipe?

    Swedish Apple Pie is really a variation of an apple crisp or crumble but with a cake-like topping. Known as smulpaj (or crumb pie) in Swedish, versions of this dish vary widely, some having more of a crisp or crumble like topping containing rolled oats and/or chopped nuts. My take on Swedish Apple Pie which has a more cake-like topping is adapted from a couple of recipes I found in my mom's collection of vintage Scandinavian-American cookbooks.

    Ingredients

    Labeled ingredients for Swedish Apple Pie.
    • The star of the show here is obviously the apples. I like the Granny Smith variety because of their tart-sweet flavor and their ability to hold their shape after baking, but any apple you happen to have on hand will be just fine.
    • Cinnamon, cardamom, lemon juice and sugar are tossed with the apples to give them that cozy fall spice, sweetness and a welcome bit of acidity from the lemon juice.
    • The easy topping is made with flour, baking powder, salt, an egg, brown sugar and vanilla. It's a simple but perfect way to encase the apples.
    • Finally, a bit or turbinado or raw sugar is sprinkled over the top for a bit of crunch on top of the tender cake-like crust.

    Special Equipment Needed

    • A deep dish pie plate

    How to Make This Recipe

    • Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees and buttering a deep dish pie plate.
    • Peel and core about 2 pounds of apples. Slice into ½ inch slices.
    Sliced apples and a peeled apple on a wooden cutting board.
    • Toss the apples with the sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, lemon juice and just a pinch of salt. Transfer to the prepared pie plate.
    Apples tossed with spices in a pie plate.
    • Melt the butter in a medium bowl and cool to room temperature. Whisk the flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl and set aside. Add the egg, brown sugar and vanilla to the cooled butter and whisk until fully incorporated. Fold in the dry ingredients until just combined.
    Flour mixture in a bowl with a whisk.
    Swedish Apple Pie batter in a glass bowl with a spatula.
    • Spoon the batter over the top of the apples and spread to cover as evenly as possible. Don't worry if it's not perfect. This is intended to be a rustic dessert.
    • Sprinkle the turbinado sugar over the top. Bake until the crust is golden brown and the apples are bubbly, about 50 minutes.
    Unbaked Swedish Apple Pie in a white pie plate next to apples.
    Baked Swedish Apple Pie in a white pie plate.
    • Cool to room temperature and enjoy!
    Side view of a slice of Swedish Apple pie.

    Expert Tips

    • Be sure to cool the dessert before slicing. If you cut into it while it is too warm, the filling won't have a chance to set up. It will still be delicious but you won't get clean slices.
    • Serve with this easy vanilla sauce recipe! It is a traditional and super delicious compliment to this cozy dessert.
    Slice of Swedish Apple Pie topped with Vanilla Sauce next to a fork and apples.

    FAQs

    Can I make this Swedish Apple Pie in advance?

    Yes! If you plan to enjoy it in a few hours, leave it on the counter at room temperature and cover with plastic wrap once it has cooled completely. For longer storage, transfer to the refrigerator tightly covered with plastic wrap. Slice and serve, warming individual pieces in the microwave if desired. This dessert keeps well in the refrigerator for about 3 days.

    What should I serve with Swedish Apple Pie?

    Creamy Vanilla Sauce (pictured below) is a traditional (and super delicious) choice, but ice cream and/or a drizzle of caramel sauce would certainly be welcome as well!

    Close up of Swedish Apple Pie on a fork topped with vanilla sauce.

    Related Recipes

    Looking for more Scandinavian-inspired apple recipes? I've some delicious choices below:

    • Close up of a slice of Swedish Apple Cake.
      Swedish Apple Cake (Äppelkaka)
    • Gingerbread cobbler with apples and pears in a baking dish
      Gingerbread Cobbler with Apples and Pears
    • Close up of stack of three apple donuts next to a cup of coffee and apples
      Easy Baked Apple Donuts
    • Oatmeal in bowl topped with apple, sliced almonds and caramel sauce with a spoon
      Salted Caramel Apple Oat Porridge

    Recipe

    Swedish Apple Pie on a plate with a fork.

    Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie)

    This Swedish Apple Pie (Crustless Apple Pie) is the easiest and most delicious apple dessert you'll ever make! Spiced apples are topped with an easy cake-like batter that creates a topping that is part cake, part pie once baked. 100% delicious!
    5 from 9 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: bake, desserts, fall, Fika
    Cuisine: Nordic, Scandinavian, Swedish
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 4 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12
    Calories: 221kcal
    Author: Kristi

    Ingredients

    • 2 pounds apples peeled, cored and cut into ½ inch thick slices
    • ¼ cup sugar
    • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
    • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
    • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
    • 1 cup flour
    • ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled + more for greasing the pie plate
    • Turbinado sugar for sprinkling

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 inch deep dish pie plate with butter and set aside.
    • In a large bowl, toss the apples with the sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, cardamom and a pinch of salt. Transfer to the prepared pie plate.
    • Whisk the flour, salt and baking powder together in a medium bowl. Set aside. Combine the melted butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla together in a large bowl. Whisk until well combined. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a rubber spatula.
    • Spread the batter evenly over the top of the apples and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
    • Bake for about 50 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the apples are bubbling around the edges. Cool before serving.

    Notes

    • I like Granny Smith apples in this recipe, but any apple you have on hand will be just fine.
    • Be sure to cool the dessert before slicing. If you cut into it while it is too warm, the filling won't have a chance to set up. It will still be delicious but you won't get clean slices.
    • Serve with this easy vanilla sauce recipe! It is a traditional and super delicious compliment to this cozy dessert.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 221kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 126mg | Potassium: 122mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 25g | Vitamin A: 298IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Tag me Today!Mention @TrueNorthKitchen or tag #truenorthkitchen!

    If you loved this recipe, give it a star review! Also, snap a picture of your Swedish Apple Pie and share it with me on Instagram using the hashtag #truenorthkitchen and tagging me @true_north_kitchen.

    More Nordic/Scandinavian Tart & Galette Recipes

    • Mandelmusslor on a marble surface next to a cup of coffee.
      Mandelmusslor (Swedish Almond Tart Cookies)
    • Close up of Swedish Cheese Pie (Västerbottenpaj) with a salad and fork.
      Swedish Cheese Pie (Västerbottenpaj)
    • Brown Sugar Skyr Tart on a plate next to a cup of coffee.
      The Ultimate Guide to Swedish Fika (with Recipes)
    • Close up of Swedish Custard Hearts broken in half.
      Buttery Swedish Custard Hearts (Vaniljhjärtan)

    Comments

    1. Beachhouse3 says

      April 12, 2025 at 1:03 pm

      5 stars
      More focus on the apples than with traditional pies

      Reply
    2. Leslie says

      March 16, 2025 at 7:21 pm

      5 stars
      I made the Swedish Apple Pie recipe and served it with the Creamy Vanilla Sauce for a gathering to discuss a book by a Swedish author. It was loved by all! My husband made me promise to save him a piece after he saw the recipe and loved it as well. Thank you!! I'm looking forward to trying your Swedish Pea Soup with Ham next!

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        March 19, 2025 at 5:19 pm

        That's fantastic, Leslie! So glad your book group and hubby enjoyed it! Let me know what you think of the soup if you have a chance. Thanks again for your feedback!

        Kristi

        Reply
    3. Jolee says

      December 25, 2024 at 8:20 am

      5 stars
      Hubby was looking for a recipe similar to something his mom made from apples grown in thier yard. He googled and thought your recipe was closest to what he remembered so we gave it a try. Using a mix of apples, I doubled and made in a 9 by 13 dish. I did not peel the apples as hubs mom didn't in hers. With the peels left on, the apples pieces are more separate and the slices are not as neat but apples were still perfectly tender. The buttery sweet cake/crust topping with slight crunch goes wonderfully with the not too sweet and perfectly spiced apples. Hubs was happy. And given how easy to make, he will get apple 'pie' more often.

      Reply
    4. Helen says

      December 07, 2024 at 6:29 am

      Hi Kristi I love all your recipes. Would it be possible to convert the measurements into metric please? Thank you.

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        December 09, 2024 at 10:34 am

        Hi Helen,
        Thanks for your request! I have a lot of people mention this so it is definitely on my to do list.

        Kristi

        Reply
      • Sandra Lopez says

        December 22, 2024 at 9:01 am

        Copy/ Paste recipe into ChatGPT and ask it to convert!

        Reply
    5. Diane says

      October 10, 2024 at 3:42 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you! This is very yummy. I used both honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples. The flavor was wonderful! It turned into our entire lunch, we kept going back for more.

      Reply
      • Rennae says

        November 30, 2024 at 1:47 pm

        5 stars
        I've tried several swedish apple pies, and this is the best!! I made with 6 Granny Smith apples. So delicious everyone wanted more at Thanksgiving, there were no leftovers and I will just have to make another one soon!

        Reply
        • Kristi says

          December 04, 2024 at 1:54 pm

          Thanks for the comment, Rennae!

          Reply
    6. Sharon Selby says

      October 05, 2024 at 8:31 pm

      This turned out delicious I will be adding it to my favorites.

      Reply
      • Charlotte Powers says

        April 15, 2025 at 3:53 am

        5 stars
        Apple Cake Crustless Apple Pie will, now, be our Easter desert. Wonderful & good for us. What a nice way to have our "Apple-a-Day."

        Reply
        • Kristi says

          April 15, 2025 at 5:36 pm

          I love that, Charlotte! Thanks so much for your comment!
          Kristi

          Reply
    7. Candee says

      December 15, 2023 at 4:11 pm

      Definitely thinking about trying this for Christmas dessert. It looks and sounds delicious. My daughter-in-law is allergic to cinnamon, any tips on a substitute? I was thinking nutmeg but thought I would ask.

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        December 19, 2023 at 7:53 am

        Absolutely! You could also do cardamom or ginger or allspice. Any of the warm spices would work well here. Please let me know how it turns out!
        Kristi

        Reply
    8. Melissa says

      October 17, 2023 at 1:38 pm

      5 stars
      Used gala apples, maple for vanilla, added chopped walnuts before turbinado sugar. Will be making it again!

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        October 18, 2023 at 6:23 pm

        Hi Melissa,
        Thanks so much for your comment! Love the idea of maple and walnuts in this recipe. Yum!
        Kristi

        Reply
        • Gayle F says

          November 12, 2024 at 5:49 pm

          Has anyone tried a gluten free version of this?

          Reply
    9. P. Funk says

      October 15, 2023 at 12:39 pm

      I love this pie and was so happy when I found your recipe. I couldn't wait to make it, so I skipped the "demo" part and went right to the recipe. After I put it in the oven and was cleaning up, I realized that I didn't put any vanilla in it. Went back to the recipe and could not find where to put it in.

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        October 16, 2023 at 3:52 pm

        Thanks so much for that catch! I went ahead and edited the recipe. Hope you still enjoyed it!

        Reply
    10. Hannah says

      February 15, 2023 at 7:19 am

      Thank you for the recipe! I made it for the second time today and as I thought I was already a pro I only went with the short recipe summary! Therefore I of course did NOT add in the sugar with the apples! I am stupid I know! It is in the oven right now so we will see hiw it turns out. i am afraid that the apples will stay too hard without the sugar. Just letting you know so you can maybe fix it in the recipe?
      Otherwise love it! Thank you! ❤️

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        February 19, 2023 at 11:44 am

        Sorry about that, Hannah! Recipe is fixed. Thanks so much for letting me know!
        Kristi

        Reply
    11. Marcia says

      January 22, 2023 at 10:23 am

      5 stars
      An excellent alternative to apple pie! No pie crust to deal with and it was ready for the oven in no time! Texture and flavor is excellent.
      Many thanks!

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        January 23, 2023 at 10:36 am

        Thanks, Marcia! I'm so glad you liked it. It's definitely our new favorite apple dessert around here.

        Happy Baking!
        Kristi

        Reply
      • Sharon Selby says

        October 21, 2024 at 1:21 pm

        The ingredient list should show everything in order as it's added to the recipe. Example, the brown sugar should be shown in order with the butter and egg instead of under the flour. It's confusing and easy to miss that it should be added to the butter and egg, not the flour. Otherwise, this is a delicious recipe and added to my favorites

        Reply
        • Kristi says

          October 24, 2024 at 11:12 am

          5 stars
          Thanks for pointing that out, Sharon! I will get it changed. Glad you enjoyed it despite the confusion!

          Kristi

          Reply
    12. Naureen says

      October 07, 2022 at 1:59 pm

      Planning to make this for Thanksgiving! If I pre-mix the apple mixture a bit ahead of time (like a couple of hours) does it draw water from the other ingredients and get soggy and watery in the pie? Or should I try and complete the process as soon as the apple mix is ready?
      Thank you!

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        October 07, 2022 at 8:25 pm

        HI Naureen,

        I haven't tried making it ahead but I think you'll be fine. Since there is lemon in the apple mixture, that will keep the apples from browning (which is my biggest concern). They really shouldn't get watery. Hope this helps!

        Kristi

        Reply
    13. Sue says

      September 20, 2022 at 10:51 am

      It sounds delicious!
      Fyi, the two links mentioned to your easy vanilla sauce are not working. (Yet.)

      Reply
      • Kristi says

        September 20, 2022 at 1:47 pm

        Thanks, Sue! I will get that vanilla sauce up and running by the end of the day today. You've got to try this recipe. It's SO easy and delicious!

        Kristi

        Reply
    5 from 9 votes

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