Name: Apple Butter Pie Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 7 h 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (9-inch) spelt pie crust; 1-¾ cups (470 grams / 17 ounces) prepared apple butter; 1 cup (226 grams) heavy cream; 3 large eggs; ½ cup packed (110 grams) brown sugar; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; ½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg; ¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt; Pinch ground cloves

Jump to Recipe

If you adore flavors that wrap you in a cozy, spiced hug, you are going to absolutely fall in love with this Apple Butter Pie. It’s a luscious, creamy dessert that celebrates the rich depth of apple butter combined with warm spices and a tender spelt crust. This pie is the perfect balance of comfort and elegance, offering a unique twist on traditional apple pie that’s smooth yet packed with apple flavor. It’s one of those recipes that feels like a warm welcome at any gathering or a special treat to brighten an ordinary day.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simple ingredients are the heart of this Apple Butter Pie, and each one plays a vital role in creating that silky texture and layered taste. From the wholesome spelt crust to the fragrant spices, these essentials come together effortlessly to bring out the pie’s rich character.

1 (9-inch) spelt pie crust: Offers a nutty flavor and sturdy base while keeping the pie light and wholesome.
1-¾ cups prepared apple butter: The star ingredient that delivers deep, concentrated apple sweetness and spice.
1 cup heavy cream: Adds luxurious creaminess and balances the spices beautifully.
3 large eggs: Bind the filling together and help create that perfectly set texture.
½ cup packed brown sugar: Enhances the natural sweetness while contributing subtle molasses notes.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Brings warmth and a classic spice that complements the apple flavors.
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg: Adds a hint of earthiness and aromatic complexity.
¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the overall flavor.
Pinch ground cloves: A little goes a long way to add depth and a cozy spice punch.

How to Make Apple Butter Pie

Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust

Begin by rolling out your spelt pie dough to an 11-inch circle to fit your 9-inch pie plate perfectly. Press the dough carefully into the plate, making sure to reach into all corners and sides—it’s important for a sturdy yet flaky crust. Crimp the edges to your liking, then prick the bottom with a fork all over; this sneaky step helps the crust avoid sogginess by letting steam escape during baking. Pop it in the freezer for 15 minutes to chill, which keeps the crust from shrinking while baking.

Step 2: Blind Bake the Crust

Preheat your oven to 375ºF and arrange your racks in the middle and lower positions. Once chilled, line the crust with parchment paper and fill it with pie weights—or handy substitutes like dry rice or lentils. This ensures the crust bakes evenly without bubbling up. Bake on the lower rack for 20 minutes, then carefully remove the weights and parchment. Return the crust to the oven for an additional 5 minutes to dry the base thoroughly. Set aside and lower the oven temperature to 325ºF.

Step 3: Mix the Filling

In a large bowl, whisk together the apple butter, heavy cream, eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, kosher salt, and cloves until everything is completely combined and smooth. This mixture is the heart of your Apple Butter Pie, rich and fragrant with a silky consistency that will bake into the perfect custard-like filling.

Step 4: Bake the Pie

Pour your luscious filling carefully into the pre-baked pie shell, smoothing it out into an even layer. Place the pie on the middle rack of your oven and bake at 325ºF for 45 to 55 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the edges puff up gently but the center still has a slight wobble; an internal temperature just above 180ºF is ideal. This careful balance ensures a creamy texture without being runny, melting perfectly on your tongue.

Step 5: Chill to Set

Once baked, transfer your Apple Butter Pie to a wire rack to cool for a bit. Then, chill it in the refrigerator for at least six hours—or overnight if you can wait—to let the filling fully firm up. This chilling step is crucial because it makes slicing clean and enhances the flavor meld.

How to Serve Apple Butter Pie

Garnishes

Adding a little something extra on top of your Apple Butter Pie can elevate the experience. Think dollops of freshly whipped cream sprinkled with a hint of cinnamon or nutmeg to echo the pie’s spices. A few toasted pecans or thin apple slices arranged on top not only look stunning but add a lovely crunch and fresh note that contrasts the creamy filling.

Side Dishes

This pie pairs beautifully with simple sides that won’t compete but rather complement its rich flavor. Consider serving it alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic touch, or some lightly spiced chai tea to enhance the cozy spices. Even a small green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can be a surprising balance, cutting through the pie’s sweetness perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, place the Apple Butter Pie on a rustic wooden board with a sprinkle of powdered sugar dusted over the top and a sprig of fresh rosemary or thyme for aroma and visual appeal. You can also serve it in individual mini pie tins or ramekins for personal-sized indulgences that feel extra special and make sharing easy.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Apple Butter Pie keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to four days when covered tightly with plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container. This helps maintain its creamy texture and rich flavors, making it just as delicious the next day.

Freezing

You can freeze the pie if you want to save it for later. Wrap it well with plastic wrap followed by aluminum foil to protect it from freezer burn. It’s best to freeze before baking (just the crust and prepared filling separately), but a fully baked pie can be frozen for up to two months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat slices of Apple Butter Pie gently in a low-temperature oven (about 300ºF) for 10 to 15 minutes to bring back the warmth without compromising the creamy filling. Avoid microwaves if you want to keep the texture flawless—ovens do the job more evenly and maintain the integrity of the pie.

FAQs

Can I use a regular pie crust instead of spelt?

Absolutely! While spelt adds a lovely nutty flavor and texture, traditional all-purpose pie crust will work just fine and yield a tender base for the Apple Butter Pie.

Is apple butter the same as applesauce?

Not quite. Apple butter is cooked down much longer than applesauce, resulting in a thicker, more concentrated flavor and darker color with spices added. It’s what gives this pie its rich, intense apple taste.

How can I tell when the pie is done baking?

The edges of the pie filling should puff up slightly, while the center remains a bit jiggly but not liquid. An internal temperature of around 180ºF ensures it’s properly set but still creamy.

Can this pie be made vegan or dairy-free?

With some substitutions like a vegan pie crust, coconut cream, and an egg replacer, this recipe can be adapted, but the texture and richness might be a little different from the original Apple Butter Pie.

What is the best way to serve leftover pie?

Leftover pie is fantastic served slightly chilled or at room temperature with a scoop of ice cream or whipped topping. You can also warm slices gently in the oven if you prefer it warm.

Final Thoughts

This Apple Butter Pie is truly one of those special desserts that feels both comforting and a little indulgent, perfect for cozy nights or celebrations with friends and family. It’s a wonderful way to enjoy autumn flavors any time of year, packed with warmth, spice, and creamy goodness. Trust me, once you try this pie, it will become a cherished favorite you’ll want to make again and again.

Apple Butter Pie Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 29 reviews

Author: lilan
Total Time: 6 hours 80 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Apple Butter Pie is a rich and flavorful dessert featuring a creamy apple butter custard baked in a flaky spelt pie crust. With warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, this pie delivers a cozy autumnal taste perfect for holiday gatherings or a comforting treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Pie Crust

1 (9-inch) spelt pie crust

Filling

1–¾ cups (470 grams / 17 ounces) prepared apple butter
1 cup (226 grams) heavy cream
3 large eggs
½ cup packed (110 grams) brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
¼ teaspoon coarse kosher salt
Pinch ground cloves

Instructions

Prepare the Pie Crust: Roll out the pie dough to an 11-inch circle. Fit the pastry into a 9-inch pie plate, pressing the dough firmly into the sides and bottom. Crimp the edges as desired and prick the bottom all over with a fork to release steam during baking. Place the pie crust in the freezer for 15 minutes to chill.
Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 375ºF (190ºC), placing oven racks in the middle and lower positions for even baking.
Blind Bake the Pie Crust: Remove the chilled pie shell from the freezer and line it with a round piece of parchment paper. Fill the shell with pie weights such as dry rice, beans, or lentils, making sure to push the weights to the edges to prevent the crust from puffing up.
Bake the Crust: Bake on the lower rack for 20 minutes. Then, carefully remove the parchment paper and weights and bake for another 5 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside. Lower the oven temperature to 325ºF (165ºC).
Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the apple butter, heavy cream, eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, kosher salt, and ground cloves until fully combined and smooth.
Fill and Bake the Pie: Pour the filling into the blind-baked pie crust and smooth it out into an even layer. Bake on the middle rack for 45-55 minutes, or until the pie reaches an internal temperature above 180ºF (82ºC) and the outer edges have puffed up while the center remains slightly wobbly.
Cool and Chill: Transfer the pie to a wire rack to cool. Once cooled to room temperature, refrigerate the pie for at least 6 hours to allow the filling to fully firm up before serving.

Notes

Use a spelt pie crust for a nutty flavor and healthier alternative to white flour crusts.
Prepared apple butter can usually be found in grocery stores, or you can make your own at home by slow cooking apples with spices and sugar.
Blind baking ensures the crust stays crisp and doesn’t get soggy from the filling.
The pie filling is custard-like and needs to chill in the refrigerator to fully set before serving.
If you don’t have pie weights, dry rice or dried beans work as effective substitutes during blind baking.
Check pie temperature with a kitchen thermometer to ensure doneness without overbaking.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American