10 Minute Crumb Topping for Pie

November 25, 2025 Erin Clarkson

My Crumb topping for pie is super versatile and can be used to top a pie instead of a lattice top for a delicious twist. It takes 10 minutes to throw together and adds a buttery crunch to the top of your pies! If you love Dutch Apple Pie, this is the perfect crumb topping for apple pie!

slice of dutch apple pie

Hi hi! I am just popping in to share this recipe for a crumb topping for pie with you! A crumble pie topping is one of those recipes that is super helpful to have in your back pocket for quickly throwing together and topping a pie with. It is a great way to quickly make a variation on a pie, or to save you the time of making a lattice top (or if you didn't quite make enough pie crust!), not to mention you really can't beat a buttery crunchy pie topping.

This crumb topping for pie works with most fruit pie fillings, and is particularly good on a Dutch Apple Pie. It can easily be made ahead or in bulk and stored in the freezer or fridge until ready to use, making pie assembly time easy and (relatively) stress free.

This pie crumb topping recipe makes enough to generously cover a 9" (23cm) pie with crumble.

dry ingredients crumble topping
add butter to bowl
crumble topping

Ready in 10 minutes and far easier than a lattice top!

Look, I love a good double crusted apple pie, but sometimes it is so nice to switch things up a bit.

This crumb topping doesn't require any softening of butter or extra preparation. You can just throw it together using cold butter from the fridge. It will work with almost any fruit pie that would usually have a top crust on it.

The main important thing to look out for is that you watch the crumb topping carefully as it bakes. If it looks like it is beginning to brown too quickly, tent the top of the pie with foil. Just make sure that you remove it for the last 5 minutes or so of baking to let the crumble topping dry out.

crumb topped apple pie

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slice of dutch apple pie

10 Minute Crumb Topping for Pie

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  • Author: Erin Clarkson
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Pie
  • Method: No-bake
  • Cuisine: American

Description

My Crumb topping for pie is super versatile and can be used to top a pie instead of a lattice top for a delicious twist. It takes 10 minutes to throw together and adds a buttery crunch to the top of your pies! If you love Dutch Apple Pie, this is the perfect crumb topping for apple pie!


Ingredients

  • 180g all-purpose flour
  • ¼ tsp baking powder 
  • 100g brown sugar
  • 50g raw/turbinado/demerara sugar, or use more brown sugar or granulated sugar
  • ¼ tsp apple pie spice or cinnamon (optional)
  • ¼ tsp salt (omit if you are using salted butter)
  • 130g unsalted butter, cold from the fridge, cut into about 1cm cubes


Instructions

  1. Combine the flour and baking powder in a medium bowl. Add the brown sugar, raw sugar,  apple pie spice or cinnamon if using, and salt. 
  2. Add the butter and toss to combine. Using your fingertips, rub the butter into the mixture until combined and crumbly. The mixture should form lumps. Transfer to an airtight container if making ahead and store in the fridge, or cover the bowl and store in the fridge until ready to use. 
  3. The crumble topping will keep in the fridge for a few days or in the freezer for at least a month. Defrost in the fridge overnight until ready to use. 
  4. Always use crumble topping cold from the fridge and soon before the pie is going into the oven as this helps it to hold its shape. If it has formed any extra large clumps in the fridge, break them up with your fingers when adding to the pie. 

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The post 10 Minute Crumb Topping for Pie appeared first on Cloudy Kitchen.

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