With the holiday season just around the corner, are you looking to revamp your holiday baking repertoire? Well have we got the recipe for you. A classic American dessert gets a make-over in this applie pie with graham crust recipe. This recipe offers a twist on tradition, simplifying the pie-making process while enhancing the aeromatics and flavors of fall.
Whether you a home baker extraordinaire looking for a new take on a classic, or a new baker looking for a way to simplify your holiday baking list, you will love the ease with which you can take an iconic dish like apple pie to the next level. So, put on your aprons, stock your pantry, and get ready to discover how this marriage of tender, spiced apples and a sweet, crumbly graham cracker crust will become your new favorite fall dessert.
Table of Contents
Recipe Video
Why This Recipe Works
This apple pie recipe works so beautifully because it combines the time-tested classic of apple pie with a delightful twist.
The traditional apple pie, adored for its warm, spiced filling, meets the sweet and crunchy graham cracker crust, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors.
What makes this recipe truly special is its ease of preparation; the graham cracker crust simplifies the pie-making process, eliminating the need for the sometimes-tricky traditional pastry crust. The result is a pie that's not only quicker to assemble but also incredibly delicious.
The crust not only simplifies the baking process but also elevates the overall experience, providing a satisfying backdrop for the quintessential fall flavors of tender apples and aromatic spices.
Ingredients
Apples:
When making your apple pie with graham cracker crust, ensure you select apples that are good for baking, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn. These apples are firm and hold their shape when baked.
Walnuts:
Walnuts are an excellent addition to this apple pie because of the crunchy texture it brings. However, if walnuts aren't your thing, you can always substitute them for pecans, almonds, and hazelnuts or omit them completely if you like.
Lemon Juice:
While it might seem counterintuitive at first to add something sour like lemon juice to a sweet pie, the lemon juice serves two purposes in this apple pie with graham crust recipe. First, it prevents the apples from browning. Second, the acidity of the lemon juice cuts some of the sweetness in the pie, allowing the flavor of the apples to shine through.
Vegetable Oil:
To help prevent a graham cracker crust from becoming too soggy, you can brush a thin layer of vegetable oil over the crust to create a barrier between it and the filling. For a tastier alternative, try brushing some melted chocolate or caramel sauce over the crust instead.
Flavors:
Don't be afraid to experiment with spices. Cinnamon is a classic choice, but you can also add nutmeg, allspice, clove, or even a touch of ginger for a unique flavor combination. You can even bring additional fruits into the mix including peaches, raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb, and pears.
How to Make Apple Pie With Graham Cracker Crust
Step One:
Break the graham crackers into pieces and add to your food processor to crush your crackers into crumbs.
Step Two:
Add your graham crumbs to a bowl and stir in the melted butter, ¼ cup of brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
Step Three:
Leaving ¾ cup of the mixture aside, press the graham cracker crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of a parchment-lined pie plate. Brush with oil and set aside.
Step Four:
In a bowl, combine flour, ½ cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and 6 teaspoons of softened butter. Stir to incorporate.
Step Five:
Heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add butter and mix in apples to coat. Toss in 1 cup of brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Stir to combine.
Step Six:
Cover, bring to a simmer, and stir in ¼ cup of flour to thicken.
Step Seven:
Stir in walnuts, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until the apples are soft and the sauce has thickened.
Step Eight:
Spoon the apple mixture on top of the graham cracker crust, sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture on top, and cook for 40-45 minutes at 375F.
Step Nine:
Serve while warm, and enjoy!
Tips
- If your crust seems to be browning too quickly, you can always cover your pie with aluminum foil, removing it at the end for any additional browning.
- Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack after baking. This helps the filling set and ensures a neater slice when serving.
- Peel and thinly slice the apples for even cooking and a more pleasant texture.
- Adjust the amount of sugar and cinnamon to your taste preferences.
What to Serve With Apple Pie With Graham Cracker Crust
This apple pie with graham cracker crust pairs wonderfully with a variety of accompaniments that enhance its flavors and textures. A classic choice is a scoop of creamy ice cream, as the cold sweetness beautifully complements the warm, spiced apple filling. Whipped cream is another delightful option, adding a light and airy contrast to the pie's rich and crunchy profile. For a cozy fall snack, serve your apple pie with graham cracker crust with a warm pumpkin spiced latte or lavender milk tea.
FAQs
Do I need to peel the apples?
Peeling the apples is a matter of personal preference. You may prefer the smooth texture of peeled apples, or you may enjoy the added color, texture, and nutrients in the peel. You can make the choice based on your taste and texture preferences and the desired appearance of the pie.
Can I use a pre-made graham cracker crust?
Yes, you can use a pre-made graham cracker crust to save you time when making an apple pie with graham cracker crust. Simply follow this apple pie with graham cracker crust recipe for the filling, but use the pre-made graham cracker crust as the base.
How long can leftover apple pie with graham cracker crust be kept fresh?
Leftover apple pie with graham cracker crust can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Make sure to cover it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent it from drying out or absorbing other odors in the fridge. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to 2-3 months in an airtight container.
More Apple Recipes
Apple Pie With Graham Cracker Crust
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 graham crackers
- 1 ¾ cup brown sugar divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon divided
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt divided
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- ¾ cup flour divided
- 10 teaspoons softened butter divided
- 48 ounces Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Break the graham crackers into pieces and add to your food processor to crush your crackers into crumbs.
- Add your graham crumbs to a bowl and stir in the melted butter, ¼ cup of brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
- Leaving ¾ cup of the mixture aside, press the graham cracker crumb mixture evenly into the bottom of a parchment-lined pie plate. Brush with oil and set aside.
- In a bowl, combine flour, ½ cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and 6 teaspoons of softened butter. Stir to incorporate.
- Heat a saucepan over medium heat. Add butter and mix in apples to coat. Toss in 1 cup of brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. Stir to combine.
- Cover, bring to a simmer, and stir in ¼ cup of flour to thicken.
- Stir in walnuts, vanilla extract, and lemon juice. Simmer for 3-5 minutes until the apples are soft and the sauce has thickened.
- Spoon the apple mixture on top of the graham cracker crust, sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture on top, and cook for 40-45 minutes at 375F.
- Serve and enjoy 🙂
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- If your crust seems to be browning too quickly, you can always cover your pie with aluminum foil, removing it at the end for any additional browning.
- Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack after baking. This helps the filling set and ensures a neater slice when serving.
The Graham cracker crust sounds very interesting for an apple pie, and I will be trying it. However, the picture accompanying the recipe seems to show a crumble topping, which would probably be good as well, but not included in the recipe?