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.
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
- 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.
- Toss the apples with the sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, lemon juice and just a pinch of salt. Transfer to the prepared 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.
- 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.
- Cool to room temperature and enjoy!
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.
FAQs
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.
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!
Related Recipes
Looking for more Scandinavian-inspired apple recipes? I've some delicious choices below:
Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie)
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 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 and eggs 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
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.
Sue
It sounds delicious!
Fyi, the two links mentioned to your easy vanilla sauce are not working. (Yet.)
Kristi
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