Washington Apple Praline Pie with Pecans
Golden Delicious apples layered with a buttery pecan-brown sugar crumble in a 9-inch pie shell. Tapioca thickens the filling while lemon juice brightens the flavor. Baked in two stages for a tender apple interior and crisp topping, then finished with whipped cream.
Ingredients
- 1 9-inch unbaked pie shell
- ¼ cup brown sugar, firmly packed
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup pecans, chopped
- whipped topping, dairy
- 4 large Golden Delicious apples, peeled and choppedGranny Smith or Braeburn apples1:1similar-acidity
all-purpose apples work; adjust sugar if sweeter variety used
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapiocacornstarch1:1thickener-swap
reduces standing time; adjust baking time slightly
Instructions
- 1
Combine apples, granulated sugar, tapioca, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Let stand 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 2
Preheat oven to 450°F.
- 3
Combine flour and brown sugar in a medium bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender or two knives until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in pecans.
- 4
Sprinkle one-third of the crumb mixture onto the bottom of the pie shell. Top with the apple mixture.
- 5
Sprinkle the remaining crumb mixture evenly over the apples.
- 6
Bake for 10 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F and bake for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.
- 7
Cool slightly. Cut into 8 slices.
- 8
Top each slice with whipped topping just before serving.
Tips
Letting the apple mixture stand allows tapioca to absorb juices and thicken the filling during baking.
Cut butter into flour mixture until coarse crumbs form for the best texture in the praline topping.
Add whipped topping immediately before serving to prevent it from melting.
Good to Know
Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Store whipped topping separately.
Prepare and assemble pie up to 4 hours before baking. Bake as directed; cool and refrigerate. Top with whipped topping before serving.
Serve slightly warm or at room temperature with whipped topping on the side for guests to add as preferred.
Common Mistakes
Do not skip the 20-minute standing time for apples to avoid a watery filling.
Do not over-bake after the temperature reduction to avoid a dry apple filling.
Cut butter into flour mixture thoroughly to avoid dense, heavy crumbles.
Substitutions
Dairy-Free Swaps
General Alternatives
all-purpose apples work; adjust sugar if sweeter variety used