Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie)
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.
This Swedish Apple Pie is adapted from a couple of recipes I found in my mom's collection of vintage Scandinavian-American cookbooks. It's a wonderful example of the simple, homey desserts that have been passed down through generations of Scandinavian-American families.
For a similar but more traditionally Swedish apple dessert, check out my Swedish Apple Crumble (Äppelsmulpaj) recipe here. Looking for more Scandinavian-inspired apple treats? Check out this full round up of all of my Nordic apple recipes here. A great bookmark for fall baking!
Ingredients
- The star of the show here is 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.
See recipe card for exact amounts and detailed instructions.
Variations and Substitutions
- Make it gluten-free: A reader reported successfully making this recipe with a gluten-free flour blend. While I haven't tested this substitution myself, it's encouraging to know that it worked well for someone else.
- Try different apples: I love Granny Smith apples here, but other varieties work well, too. Readers have had success with Honeycrisp, Gala and combinations of different apples.
- Add cranberries: For a festive holiday twist, try adding a handful of fresh cranberries to the apple filling. Their tart flavor would be a lovely complement to the sweet apples and buttery topping.
- Add nuts: For a little extra crunch, sprinkle chopped walnuts or sliced almonds over the batter before adding the turbinado sugar.
Special Equipment Needed
- A deep dish pie plate
How to Make Swedish Apple Pie
- Begin by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F 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
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.
Readers have reported having success making this recipe in an 8 inch square baking dish. Others say they have doubled the recipe and baked in a 9 x 13 baking dish with excellent results.
What to Serve with Swedish Apple Pie
As I mentioned above, Swedish Vanilla Sauce is my favorite accompaniment to this recipe. But vanilla or Homemade Cardamom Ice Cream would be lovely with this apple dessert as well. Or a dollop of whipped cream or Whipped Vanilla Skyr Cream.
To really take things over the top, consider a drizzle of store bought or Homemade Salted Caramel Sauce.
More Scandinavian Apple Recipes to Try
Looking for more delicious Scandinavian-inspired apple recipes? Give these a try:
If you tried this Swedish Apple Pie recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
Recipe
Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie)
Ingredients
For the Apple Filling:
- 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
For the Crust Topping:
- 1 cup flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted and cooled + more for greasing the pie plate
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 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, egg 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.
- Storage instructions:Â Transfer to the apple pie or any leftovers 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.
This recipe is a banger! Simple, beautiful, and quick! Thanks!
Thanks, Greg! So glad you enjoyed it!
Kristi
This was out of this world delicious! Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe. I don't have a large round pie dish so I made it in a 8 in. square pyrex and it was great. Also, I added a 1/4 teaspoon of cornstarch to the apples/cinnamon mixture. This is my go-to apple pie forever.
Thank you, Rosie! I'm so glad you enjoyed it and that the square pan worked out just fine. Thanks for taking the time to leave me some feedback! It is much appreciated.
Kristi
I've commented before about this Swedish Apple pie recipe which replaced my former recipe. Somethings bear repeating. I have made Kristi's recipe often; it's the perfect dessert anytime and comes together quickly especially when there isn't time to make a pastry crust. I use pantry-ready ingredients, no substitutions, farm- stand apples are always in my kitchen, and I follow the easy directions. Following a holiday heavy-laden meal--for example--it's perfect when there's still a skosh more room for dessert. This recipe without a double crust fits the bill. While the vanilla sauce is delicious, this recipe stands on its own. I enjoy receiving your recipes, Kristi. Thank you.
Thanks so much for your comment! I completely agree - this is such an easy and delicious recipe that has the feel of a pie without the extra work. I'm so glad you enjoy it!
Kristi
Quick to put together and SO delicious! It's a nice change from the typical apple desserts.
Thanks, Melissa!
Kristi
Recipe says one egg yet when you mix in the ingredient, it says add the eggs so is it egg or eggs?
Good catch, Linda! It should be 1 egg. I will make that edit. Thanks for passing that along!
Kristi
This is one of the best apple cakes I’ve made in a long time!! Kristi, thank you for posting it. It is absolutely decadent. A little crunch on the top but so moist with yummy apples! Serve for company, breakfast, after dinner with tea…It came out better than I expected. I did cut the apples a little smaller, but followed your directions . DEFINITELY A KEEPER!
Thanks for the feedback, Lulu! I'm so glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Kristi
Could maple syrup be used in place of brown sugar?
Hi Bev,
You can use maple syrup in place of the brown sugar, but it will change both the texture and structure of the topping. The brown sugar isn’t just providing sweetness, it also adds moisture, structure, and that slightly chewy, caramelized quality to the topping. Maple syrup is a liquid sweetener, so if you substitute it directly, the batter will be looser and the topping may bake up softer and less crisp. If you want to experiment with it, I would use slightly less maple syrup than the brown sugar that is called for and I would reduce the butter slightly to make up for the extra liquid. Let me know if you try it. I always love hearing how things turn out!
Kristi
Best recipes. Clear, concise, trustworthy. This Swedish Apple Pie has replaced a recipe dating back to the 1960s. True North Kitchen's a better and tastier version. Thank you from an old baker who still enjoys this art form. Mariantonia
Hi Mariantonia,
Thanks so much for your comment! I'm so glad this recipe is an upgrade from the one you were using and that you enjoyed it! It is definitely an old-fashioned recipe. Most of the examples I found were from old church cookbooks which says something. Happy baking to you!
Kristi
This recipe is excellent—the perfect blend of pie/cake/crumble. Probably won't ever go back to "American Apple Pie" 🙂 Looking forward to trying more recipes from your blog and exploring my heritage through cooking and baking.
Thank you, Tracey! I'm so glad you are here and enjoyed the Swedish Apple Pie. Please report back as you try more of the recipes!
Happy Cooking and Baking,
Kristi
Wonderful recipe! Love the simplicity of the recipe. The flavor of the cinnamon and cardamom come through while the pie is not overly sweet. I made with the vanilla sauce recipe listed and served warm.
Hi Barbara,
Thanks so much for the feedback! The vanilla sauce is so great with warm Swedish Apple Pie. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it!
Kristi
We love this recipe. I don’t ever make an apple pie anymore today. I added cranberries to the apples and it’s in the oven as I’m speaking. Can’t wait to taste it. I’ve also used gluten-free flour for my gluten-free people and it turns out beautifully love love love this recipe.
Ooh....what a fantastic idea! I'm so glad you enjoy the recipe.
Kristi