This easy Swedish crustless apple pie recipe creates its own golden-brown crust while baking. Bursting with fresh apple and cinnamon flavor, it’s the perfect cozy dessert. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible treat!
Ever thought about making apple pie without the crust? It’s not only possible, but it’s also delicious! This Swedish crustless apple pie is proof.
No need to fuss with rolling out dough—instead, you mix a few simple ingredients and pour them over the apples. As it bakes, it creates its own golden crust on top, while leaving the bottom soft and apple-filled.
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What is Swedish Apple Pie
Swedish apple pie is an American twist on the classic Swedish dessert, “smulpaj,” or crumble pie. Traditionally, smulpaj is a crustless fruit pie made with berries.
Similarly, Swedish apple pie skips the crust but centers on apples and sugar. The apples are topped with a buttery, sugar-rich batter that bakes into a flaky topping—somewhere between a cookie and a cake. It’s tender, lightly crispy, and pairs perfectly with the warm, spiced apple filling underneath.
While I love a classic deep-dish apple piewhen I’m craving something quick and comforting, this crustless version always hits the spot. Swedish apple pie is the ultimate cozy dessert, ready in no time, and a simple yet delicious alternative to traditional apple pie.
Tips for the Perfect No-Crust Apple Pie
Best Apples for Crustless Apple Pie
Use apples that hold their shape and offer balanced flavor. Granny Smith is ideal for its firm texture and tartness. Honeycrisp, Braeburn, or Fuji also work well, offering a mix of sweet and tart. The right apple enhances both texture and taste.
Use Brown Butter
To truly elevate your apple treat for this particular recipe, consider using brown butter in place of regular melted butter. The nutty, caramelized notes of brown butter wonderfully complement the apples and spices, adding an extra layer of complexity to your dessert.
How to make Swedish Crustless Apple pie
To prepare: Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9-inch pie pan. For best results, use a deep dish pie plate.
Apple Mixture: In a large bowl, mix the apple slices with lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and cinnamon. Stir until the apples are evenly coated, then transfer them to the greased 9-inch pie dish.
Brown the Butter: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, watching as it foams and turns golden brown with a nutty aroma. Once browned, remove from heat to avoid burning and let it cool slightly before using.
Prepare the Batter: Pour the browned butter into a large mixing bowl. Add 3/4 cup of sugar and mix—it’s fine if the sugar doesn’t completely dissolve. Then, stir in the eggs.
Add Flour: Sift the flour through a fine mesh sieve and stir it into the batter until fully combined.
Assemble the Pie: Evenly pour the batter over the apples, then sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar on top.
Baking: Bake the pie for 40-50 minutes, or until the top forms cracks. Baking time may vary slightly based on your oven.
Serving Swedish Apple Pie
A scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream can add an extra layer of indulgence. If you prefer something lighter, a drizzle of caramel sauce or even a sprinkle of cinnamon can enhance the flavors.
For a holiday twist, pair it with a mug of warm apple cider or a glass of dessert wine. No matter how you choose to serve it, this pie is sure to be a hit.
Leftover Storage Tips
If you have leftover, make sure it cools down before you store it to avoid sogginess. Place the cooled pie in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
For short-term storage, keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. If you want to store it for longer, you can freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap. To enjoy later, just thaw in the fridge and reheat in the oven or microwave.
More Apple Dessert Recipes
Wanting to try more simple yet delicious apple desserts? Don’t miss out on my apple strudel made with puff pastry, soft apple cookiesor tempting apple brownie bars. They’re the perfect treats to celebrate the fall season!
This recipe was originally published on February 1, 2019. Updated and republished for more information and accuracy.
Swedish Crustless Apple Pie
This easy Swedish crustless apple pie recipe bakes into a golden-brown crust, bursting with fresh apple and cinnamon flavor. Perfect with vanilla ice cream for a cozy, homey dessert!
- 4 medium size Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, & thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Brown butter batter topping
- 3/4 cup butter
- 3/4 cup + 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup all purpose flour, sifted
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Preheat your oven to 375˚F and grease a 9-inch pie pan ( A deep dish pie plate works the best!)
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Combine apple slices, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of sugar, and cinnamon in a large bowl. Toss until apples are well-coated and place them in the greased pie pan.
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To make brown butter: simply melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Keep an eye on it as it starts to foam and eventually turns a golden brown color. You’ll also notice a rich, nutty aroma. Once it reaches this stage, remove it from heat immediately to prevent burning. Let it cool slightly before incorporating it into your pie mixture.
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Transfer the browned butter to a large mixing bowl. Add 3/4 cup of sugar and mix. Don’t worry if the sugar doesn’t fully dissolve. Stir in the eggs.
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Sift flour through a fine mesh sieve and mix into the batter until well combined. Pour the batter over top of the apples, making sure it’s spread evenly. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of sugar over the top.
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Place the pie in the oven and bake for 40-50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the top crust forms cracks, although this can vary depending on your oven.
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Let the pie cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream.
Calories: 239kcal, Carbohydrates: 53g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 2g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 0.004g, Cholesterol: 43mg, Sodium: 41mg, Potassium: 163mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 38g, Vitamin A: 147IU, Vitamin C: 4mg, Calcium: 45mg, Iron: 1mg
