If you’re looking for a decadent dessert that feels like a warm hug on a plate, this Apple Butter Pie with Quilt Top Crust Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine a tender, flaky crust laced with the cozy spice of apple butter, all topped with a charming quilt-patterned crust that is not only delicious but a true showstopper. This recipe is perfect for family gatherings, autumn celebrations, or any time you crave a slice of comfort crafted with love and care. Each bite offers a beautiful balance of sweet and spice, wrapped in an irresistibly buttery crust that you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Apple Butter Pie starts with a handful of simple ingredients that come together to create something spectacular. Each ingredient plays a key role: the flour and butter make a perfectly flaky crust, the apple butter brings warm, spiced sweetness, and the eggs and half-and-half create a custardy filling that’s silky smooth. Together, they strike the perfect harmony for this pie’s texture and flavor.
- All-purpose flour (3/4 cup): Provides structure for the delicate crust, ensure it’s spooned and leveled for accuracy.
- Kosher salt (1/4 teaspoon): Enhances the flavor, perfectly balancing the sweetness.
- Sugar (1/4 teaspoon): Adds a whisper of sweetness to the crust without overpowering.
- Cold unsalted butter (1/4 cup): Creates that flaky, melt-in-your-mouth texture; keep it chilled for best results.
- Ice water (2 tablespoons): Helps bind the dough together without warming the butter.
- Basic Pie Dough or store-bought crust (1/2 recipe): Acts as the perfect base to hold the luscious filling.
- Sweetened spiced apple butter (1 1/2 cups): The star of the show, packed with rich apple flavor and cozy spices.
- Light brown sugar (1/4 cup, packed): Adds depth and caramel notes to the filling.
- Large eggs (2, lightly beaten): Give the filling its structure and creamy texture.
- Apple pie spice (1/2 teaspoon): Intensifies the warm spiced flavor that makes every bite memorable.
- Pure vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds a lovely sweet aroma that rounds out the filling.
- Kosher salt (1/4 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor.
- Half-and-half (1/3 cup): Creates a rich, custard-like filling that’s silky and smooth.
How to Make Apple Butter Pie with Quilt Top Crust Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Quilt Top Crust
Start by cutting cold butter into the flour, salt, and sugar mixture until it resembles coarse meal with tiny pea-sized lumps. This careful mixing ensures your crust will be delightfully flaky. Then, add ice water little by little, just until the dough clumps together – don’t overwork it! Wrap the dough into a disc and chill for an hour. Patience here means beautiful, tender crust later.
Step 2: Bake the Quilt Top Crust Squares
Roll the chilled dough out thinly on a floured surface. Cut out small squares, then slice each into triangles to form that classic quilt look. Freezing these shapes briefly keeps their form during baking. Bake twice to a golden perfection: first covered with parchment and another pan, then uncovered to get that crisp, golden-brown finish. The result is a set of stunning, delicate crust triangles ready to crown your pie.
Step 3: Prepare the Pie Crust Base
Roll out your half recipe of Basic Pie Dough or an excellent store-bought crust, then chill it again before baking. Blind baking it with weights ensures a crisp, fully cooked base. Once you remove the foil and weights, pricking the bottom prevents bubbles, and finishing the bake brings a perfect golden hue. Cool this base completely before adding your luscious filling.
Step 4: Make the Filling
Mix the sweetened spiced apple butter with brown sugar, eggs, apple pie spice, vanilla, salt, and half-and-half until silky smooth. This filling is where the magic truly happens—it’s rich and creamy with the perfect balance of spice and sweetness, complementing the flaky crust beautifully.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake the Pie
Pour the filling into the cooled pie crust and bake until set and fragrant, then cool thoroughly on a wire rack. Finally, gently arrange the quilt top crust triangles on top to create a stunning lattice that sings fall in every bite. This finishing touch not only looks spectacular but adds an irresistible crisp texture.
How to Serve Apple Butter Pie with Quilt Top Crust Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar over the quilt top crust highlights its beautiful pattern and adds a touch of sweet elegance. For a little extra indulgence, a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of cinnamon ice cream makes the serving experience decadent and cozy.
Side Dishes
This pie pairs wonderfully with warm spiced drinks like chai tea or hot apple cider, enhancing the autumnal vibe. For a lighter contrast, serve it alongside a crisp green salad with a tart vinaigrette to balance the sweetness and provide a refreshing finish.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving individual slices with a drizzle of caramel or a sprinkle of toasted pecans for texture contrast. You can also highlight your quilt top crust by serving mini tartlets using the same technique—perfect for holiday parties or sharing with friends!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Wrap leftover pie tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container to keep it fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors actually deepen after a day, so leftovers can be just as enjoyable as freshly baked.
Freezing
This Apple Butter Pie with Quilt Top Crust Recipe freezes beautifully if you want to prepare in advance. Wrap the cooled pie securely with foil and plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Reheating
To revive that freshly baked warmth, reheat slices gently in a low-temperature oven (about 300°F) for 10-15 minutes. This refreshes that flaky crust and melty filling without drying it out. Avoid microwaving, which can make the crust soggy.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought pie dough for the quilt top crust?
Absolutely! Store-bought dough can save time and still yield a beautiful result. Just be sure it’s well-chilled before cutting and baking your quilt pieces to maintain crispness and neat shapes.
What if I don’t have apple pie spice?
No worries! You can make your own by mixing equal parts cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. This homemade blend will bring the same warm, inviting flavors to your pie filling.
How do I prevent the bottom crust from getting soggy?
Blind baking the crust before adding the filling is crucial. Using pie weights keeps the crust from puffing up, and pricking the bottom allows steam to escape, resulting in a crisp, golden crust that holds up beautifully.
Can I make this pie vegan or dairy-free?
With some tweaks, yes! Use a plant-based butter and substitute the half-and-half with coconut milk or almond milk. Replace the eggs with a vegan egg binder like flaxseed meal mixed with water. The texture will be slightly different, but still delicious.
Why is the quilt top crust cut into triangles?
The triangles form a charming quilt pattern that gives this pie its distinctive look and name. This not only makes the pie visually striking but also ensures the top bakes into crisp, bite-sized pieces that add wonderful texture contrast.
Final Thoughts
There’s something so special about the Apple Butter Pie with Quilt Top Crust Recipe — it’s a comforting blend of nostalgic flavors and stunning presentation that turns any day into a celebration. Whether you’re sharing it with loved ones or indulging solo with a warm beverage, this pie promises to become a cherished favorite. I encourage you to roll up your sleeves and give it a go; it’s a wonderful way to bring a bit of cozy charm into your kitchen.
Print
Apple Butter Pie with Quilt Top Crust Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Apple Butter Pie with Quilt Top Crust is a charming and flavorful fall dessert featuring a sweetened spiced apple butter filling nestled in a flaky homemade pie crust, topped with a decorative quilt-like crust that bakes to golden perfection. This pie offers warm spices, creamy texture, and a visually stunning lattice-inspired top, perfect for seasonal celebrations or cozy gatherings.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 3/4 cup all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled, plus more for the work surface
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon sugar
- 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 2 tablespoons ice water (plus an additional tablespoon if needed)
- 1/2 recipe Basic Pie Dough or store-bought crust
Filling Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups sweetened spiced apple butter
- 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten
- 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/3 cup half-and-half
Instructions
- Prepare the Quilt Top Crust: In a bowl, mix 3/4 cup flour, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon sugar. Cut in 1/4 cup cold butter using a pastry blender or two forks until the mixture resembles coarse meal with pea-sized pieces. Add ice water one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together—add an additional tablespoon if needed. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, press into a disc, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Bake the Quilt Top Crust: Roll chilled dough to 1/8-inch thickness on a floured surface. Cut out six 2×2-inch squares and cut each square diagonally to form 12 triangles. Place triangles on a prepared baking sheet and freeze for 15 minutes. Cover with another sheet of parchment and a second baking sheet. Bake on the middle rack for 10 minutes. Remove the top baking sheet and parchment, then continue baking until golden brown, removing pieces as they brown, about 3–8 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Pie Crust: Freeze the 1/2 recipe Basic Pie Dough or store-bought crust for 20 minutes. Line the crust with foil or parchment and fill with pie weights. Bake on the bottom rack for 25 minutes. Remove foil and weights, prick the bottom with a fork, and bake until golden and dry, about 8–10 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Make the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups sweetened spiced apple butter, 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 2 lightly beaten eggs, 1/2 teaspoon apple pie spice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Gradually whisk in 1/3 cup half-and-half until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Assemble and Bake the Pie: Pour the prepared filling into the cooled pie crust. Arrange the quilt top crust triangles on top as desired. Bake the assembled pie in a preheated oven (temperature typically 350°F/175°C) until the filling is set and crust is golden, approximately 45-55 minutes (estimated based on standard pie baking). Allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack before serving.
- Serve: Slice and enjoy this beautiful, spiced fall dessert that combines the warmth of apple butter with a flaky, decorative quilt crust.
Notes
- Ensure butter is cold when cutting into the flour mixture to achieve a flaky crust.
- Freezing the dough squares before baking helps maintain their shape and crispness.
- Using pie weights when baking the crust prevents sogginess by keeping the crust from puffing up.
- Allow the pie to cool completely to ensure the filling sets properly and slices cleanly.
- This pie can be prepared in advance and refrigerated; serve at room temperature or gently warmed.
