Cinnamon Sugar Apple Butter Pie Recipe

Quick & Sweet Cinnamon Sugar Apple Butter Pie Recipe

Cinnamon sugar apple butter pie combines classic autumn flavors in a delightful dessert that refines ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Warm spices and rich, caramelized fruit create a memorable culinary experience that lingers on the palate.

Sweet, velvety apple butter provides a luxurious depth to this traditional pie, elevating its taste profile beyond standard recipes.

The harmonious blend of seasonal ingredients promises a comforting and indulgent treat that feels like a warm embrace.

Subtle nuances of cinnamon and sugar intertwine with the smooth, concentrated fruit spread, generating complex layers of flavor.

Delicate pastry cradles the luscious filling, offering a perfect balance between crisp crust and silky interior.

Home bakers and dessert enthusiasts will appreciate the simplicity and elegance of this remarkable pie.

Why Cinnamon Sugar Apple Butter Pie Is Full of Cozy Flavor

  • Craft Gluten-Free Comfort: This recipe transforms traditional pie-making into a delightful gluten-free experience, ensuring everyone can savor a slice of sweet happiness without dietary restrictions holding them back.
  • Elevate Texture Perfection: The carefully crafted pie crust creates a delicate, flaky base that perfectly complements the smooth, rich apple butter filling, delivering a mouthwatering contrast of crisp and creamy textures.
  • Decorate with Festive Flair: Handmade cinnamon-sugar leaf decorations add a stunning visual touch and extra burst of warmth, turning an ordinary dessert into a show-stopping centerpiece that wows family and friends at any gathering.

Ingredients for This Spiced and Buttery Apple Pie

Pie Crust Ingredients:
  • Gluten-Free Flour: Provides the base for a tender, delicate pie crust with gluten-free requirements.
  • Sugar: Adds a hint of sweetness and helps with crust browning.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
  • Butter: Creates flaky, rich texture with deep buttery notes.
  • Sour Cream: Adds moisture and tenderness to the pie crust.
  • Ice Water: Helps bind the dough and create a smooth consistency.
Filling Ingredients:
  • Apple Butter: Serves as the primary flavor base with concentrated apple essence.
  • Eggs: Provide structure and richness to the filling.
  • Brown Sugar: Offers deep caramel-like sweetness.
  • Flour: Helps thicken and stabilize the filling.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Adds warm, aromatic spice to the pie.
  • Salt: Balances and enhances other flavor profiles.
  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creates creamy, smooth texture.
  • Vanilla: Adds complex, sweet background flavor.
Topping and Decoration Ingredients:
  • Granulated Sugar: Creates crisp, sweet cinnamon topping.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Provides warm, spicy coating for pie leaves.
  • Whipped Cream: Optional garnish for serving, adds light creamy finish.

How to Assemble and Bake This Sweet Pie Recipe

Step 1: Create Pie Dough Base

Cube cold butter and toss into flour mixture. Use fingertips or pastry cutter to blend until mixture resembles small pebbles. If butter becomes warm, refrigerate briefly. Slowly add ice water and sour cream, mixing until dough forms a cohesive ball.

Step 2: Chill Dough

Divide dough into two portions- one larger for bottom crust, one smaller for decorative leaves. Wrap each section in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for minimum one hour to firm up ingredients.

Step 3: Prepare Pie Shell

Roll larger dough portion on floured surface. Carefully transfer to pie dish, gently pressing into sides. Trim excess edges and create decorative crimped border. Brush with egg white to prevent soggy bottom.

Step 4: Create Decorative Leaves

Roll remaining dough and cut leaf shapes using cookie cutters. Refrigerate leaves until needed.

Step 5: Blind Bake Crust

Cover pie shell with parchment paper. Fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake at 400°F for 15 minutes. Remove weights and continue baking 5-8 minutes until lightly golden.

Step 6: Prepare Cinnamon Sugar Coating

Mix granulated sugar and ground cinnamon in small bowl. Set aside for leaf decoration.

Step 7: Mix Apple Butter Filling

Whisk together in large bowl:
  • Apple butter
  • Eggs
  • Brown sugar
  • Flour
  • Cinnamon
  • Salt
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • Vanilla

Blend until completely smooth.

Step 8: Assemble and Bake Pie

Pour filling into prepared crust. Sprinkle reserved cinnamon sugar on top. Bake at 400°F for initial 10 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350°F. Continue baking 30-40 minutes until filling sets.

Step 9: Cool and Garnish

Allow pie to cool at room temperature for 30 minutes. Refrigerate minimum two hours. Before serving, top with fresh whipped cream. Dust decorated leaves with cinnamon sugar and arrange on pie.

Enjoy your delightful apple butter pie!

Tips for Flaky Crust and Smooth Apple Filling

  • Chill the Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate pie dough for at least 1 hour to ensure a flaky, tender crust that won't shrink during baking.
  • Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Brush the pie shell with egg white before blind baking to create a protective barrier that keeps the crust crisp and prevents liquid from seeping in.
  • Master the Blind Bake: Use pie weights or dry beans to help the crust maintain its shape and prevent bubbling during the initial baking stage.
  • Control Baking Temperature: Start with a high temperature to set the crust, then lower the heat to ensure even cooking and prevent over-browning.
  • Achieve Perfect Chilling: Allow the pie to cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to help the filling set and develop deeper flavors.

Storing and Reheating Pie for Best Results

  • Refrigerate: Store leftover apple butter pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out.
  • Freeze: Wrap the entire pie or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
  • Reheat: Warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or in a preheated oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes. Add a fresh dollop of whipped cream after reheating to restore the pie's creamy texture and enhance its flavor.

What Complements the Apple Butter Flavor Best

  • Pair with Caramel Bourbon Punch: A warming bourbon-based cocktail that complements the rich apple butter and cinnamon notes, enhancing the pie's deep autumn flavors.
  • Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Creamy, cold vanilla ice cream provides a perfect contrast to the warm, spiced pie, creating a delightful temperature and texture balance.
  • Serve alongside Spiced Chai Latte: The aromatic chai spices like cardamom and ginger beautifully echo the cinnamon undertones in the pie, creating a harmonious flavor experience.
  • Complement with Aged Cheddar Cheese: A sharp, aged cheddar's tangy profile cuts through the pie's sweetness, offering a sophisticated savory counterpoint to the dessert.

Simple Variations for Fall or Holiday Twists

  • Spiced Pumpkin Swap: Replace apple butter with pumpkin puree and add nutmeg and ginger for a seasonal autumn pie.
  • Caramel Drizzle Edition: Pour warm caramel sauce over each slice and sprinkle extra cinnamon sugar on top for added richness.
  • Berry Burst Alternative: Blend in mixed berry preserves with the apple butter and top with fresh berries for a fruity transformation.
  • Maple Pecan Fusion: Mix chopped pecans into the filling and drizzle pure maple syrup over the completed pie for a nutty, sweet version.
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Cinnamon Sugar Apple Butter Pie Recipe

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Butter Pie Recipe


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4.9 from 31 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Homemade cinnamon sugar apple butter pie delivers pure autumn comfort with silky spiced filling nestled in a flaky golden crust. Sweet orchards and warm kitchen memories merge in each delectable slice, inviting you to savor seasonal bliss.


Ingredients

Scale

Pie Ingredients:

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (270g) apple butter
  • 3 large eggs
  • 14 ounces (397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 cup (220 grams) unsalted butter, cold and cubed (European style preferred)
  • 2 ½ cups (345 grams) Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Baking Flour

Sweeteners and Spices:

  • ¼ cup (50 grams) dark brown sugar, packed
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Additional Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup ice water
  • ¼ cup (60 grams) sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 Gluten Free Baking Flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Homemade or store-bought whipped cream

Instructions

  1. Mix gluten-free flour, sugar, and salt in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry foundation for the delicate pastry.
  2. Incorporate cold butter cubes into the flour mixture, gently breaking them down until resembling small pebbles. Refrigerate briefly if butter becomes too warm.
  3. Introduce ice water and sour cream to the flour blend, carefully combining until a cohesive dough emerges. Add minimal extra water if necessary to achieve proper consistency.
  4. Divide the dough into two portions – one larger for the primary crust and a smaller section for decorative leaves. Wrap separately and chill thoroughly.
  5. On a generously floured surface, roll out the primary dough portion to fit a pie dish. Carefully transfer and press into the dish, sealing any potential cracks.
  6. Trim excess dough around the edges, creating an elegant crimped border using fingertips.
  7. Separate an egg, reserving the yolk for later use. Brush the pie shell interior with egg white to create a protective barrier against moisture.
  8. Temporarily freeze the prepared pie shell to maintain its structural integrity.
  9. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Roll out the secondary dough portion and cut decorative leaf shapes using appropriate cutters.
  10. Blind bake the pie shell by covering with parchment paper and filling with ceramic weights. Bake initially for 15 minutes, then remove weights and continue baking until lightly golden.
  11. Create a cinnamon sugar mixture by combining granulated sugar and ground cinnamon. Coat the baked pastry leaves in this fragrant blend.
  12. Whisk apple butter, eggs, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, salt, sweetened condensed milk, and vanilla until achieving a silky, uniform filling.
  13. Pour the prepared filling into the pre-baked shell, sprinkling reserved cinnamon sugar across the surface.
  14. Bake initially at 400°F for 10 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350°F. Continue baking until the filling sets completely.
  15. Allow the pie to cool at room temperature for half an hour, then refrigerate for several hours to achieve optimal texture.
  16. Before serving, garnish with delicate whipped cream and arrange the cinnamon-coated pastry leaves as a decorative topping.

Notes

  • Make the pie crust ahead of time, allowing at least 1 hour for chilling to ensure a flaky, tender texture.
  • Blind baking prevents a soggy bottom, creating a crisp crust that holds up beautifully against the creamy apple butter filling.
  • Egg white wash helps create a protective barrier, keeping the crust crisp and preventing moisture from seeping in.
  • Decorative pie leaves add a charming, rustic touch and provide an extra layer of cinnamon-sugar crunch.
  • Chilling the pie allows the filling to set completely, enhancing the flavor and making it easier to slice cleanly.
  • Serve chilled with a dollop of whipped cream to complement the rich, spiced apple butter filling.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 465
  • Sugar: 27 g
  • Sodium: 250 mg
  • Fat: 30 g
  • Saturated Fat: 18 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 46 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg
David Bennett

David Bennett

Founder & Head Recipe Developer

Expertise

Culinary Nutrition​, Recipe Development​, Nutritional Counseling​, Food Science​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Nutrition
  • Focus: Blending culinary arts with nutritional science to create health-focused cuisine.

Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS®)

  • Credential: Advanced certification in personalized nutrition therapy. ​

David Bennett is the lead recipe creator and nutrition expert at HealthyChoices.org, your friendly space for tasty meals that nourish body and mind. 

With a Culinary Nutrition degree from Johnson & Wales University and a Certified Nutrition Specialist® credential, David pairs practical nutrition with delicious cooking, creating recipes you’ll crave daily. 

At Healthy Choices, David shares easy, nutritious dishes and smart cooking tips to make healthy eating something everyone can enjoy, with no complicated diets needed.

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