There’s something so comforting about a warm apple dessert, and that’s exactly why I adore this Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe. It’s beautifully simple, skipping the fuss of a traditional crust but still delivering that cozy, cinnamon-spiced apple goodness that feels like a big hug on a chilly day. Perfect for when you want a homey dessert without spending ages in the kitchen.
I first tried this recipe on a whim one fall afternoon, and it quickly became a family favorite. What makes this Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe stand out is its effortless layering of tender spiced apples with a rich, buttery cake-like topping—no crust needed! If you’re looking for an easy dessert that feels homemade and impressive, you’re going to love this.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Crust, No Fuss: You skip making a pie crust but still get that delicious apple pie feeling every time.
- Flavorful Spiced Apples: The blend of cinnamon and cardamom adds a cozy twist you won’t forget.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a casual family dessert or a weekend treat, it comes together quickly and satisfies big crowds.
- Easy to Customize: You can swap apple varieties or add a drizzle of vanilla sauce for an extra-special touch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe plays a part in creating that perfect balance between sweet apples and a tender, spiced topping. When shopping, I always go for fresh apples and quality vanilla extract to make sure those flavors shine.
- Apples: I usually use Granny Smith for their tartness and firm texture, but any baking apple will do.
- Sugar: Basic granulated sugar helps sweeten the apples just right without overpowering.
- Lemon juice: This brightens and balances the sweetness while preventing browning.
- Cinnamon: A key warm spice that pairs perfectly with apples.
- Cardamom: Adds an unexpected aromatic layer that makes this pie feel truly special.
- Flour: Helps create that cakey topping that’s light but sturdy enough to hold everything together.
- Brown sugar: Gives a deep, caramel-like sweetness to the batter.
- Salt: Just a pinch to enhance all the flavors.
- Baking powder: Gives the topping lift so it bakes up soft and fluffy.
- Egg: Binds the batter for a moist texture.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor with a subtle sweetness.
- Unsalted butter: Melted for richness and that buttery warmth.
- Turbinado sugar: Sprinkled on top for a pleasant crunch and sparkle as it bakes.
Variations
This Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe is wonderfully flexible. I love to tweak it every now and then depending on the season or what I have on hand, and I encourage you to do the same!
- Apple Variety Swap: I once tried it with a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples—it gave the pie a great balance of tart and sweet that my family loved.
- Gluten-Free Version: Swap the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free blend if you’re catering to dietary needs—just make sure it includes xanthan gum.
- Spice it Up: For a holiday twist, I add a pinch of nutmeg or ground cloves for extra warmth.
- With Nuts: Chopped toasted walnuts or pecans sprinkled on top add a delightful crunch.
How to Make Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Apples with Love
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and greasing your 9-inch deep dish pie plate with butter—this step ensures your pie won’t stick and helps add richness. While the oven warms up, peel, core, and slice your apples into half-inch thick pieces. Toss those apple slices with sugar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, cinnamon, cardamom, and a tiny pinch of salt to bring out their flavor and create that magical spiced base. Then spread them evenly in your prepared pie plate.
Step 2: Whisk Up the Tender Topping
In one bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder—this dry mixture is the backbone of your topping. In another large bowl, combine the melted butter with light brown sugar, the egg, and vanilla extract; whisk until everything’s smooth and glossy. Now, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet with a rubber spatula, mixing just until combined to keep the topping tender.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake to Perfection
Spread the luscious batter evenly over your spiced apples in the pie plate. Sprinkle turbinado sugar over the top for that sparkling, crunchy finish. Bake your pie for about 50 minutes, until the top is a beautiful golden brown and you see the apples bubbling around the edges—a telltale sign it’s perfectly baked. Let it cool before slicing; I learned the hard way that cutting too soon results in a gooey filling that’s hard to serve neatly.
Pro Tips for Making Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe
- Use Firm Apples: I learned that tart, crisp apples hold up best during baking without turning mushy.
- Don’t Overmix Batter: Mixing until just combined keeps your topping light instead of dense.
- Let It Cool Completely: Waiting allows the filling to set, making clean slices easier—and prettier!
- Watch Baking Time Closely: Ovens vary, so check the pie around 45 minutes to avoid overbaking and drying out the topping.
How to Serve Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe
Garnishes
I love serving this pie with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream—the cold creaminess contrasts beautifully with the warm spices and soft apples. A dollop of whipped cream or a drizzle of easy vanilla sauce (recipe link included in notes!) are also fantastic garnishes that add extra indulgence.
Side Dishes
Though this pie is a dessert star on its own, I sometimes pair it with a simple cup of coffee or hot apple cider to enhance that cozy, fall feeling. It’s also lovely alongside a cheese board for brunch or afternoon tea.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve baked this Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe in individual ramekins for a charming personal touch. You can also sprinkle some toasted nuts or a handful of fresh berries on top before serving to wow your guests visually and flavor-wise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I cover leftover pie tightly with plastic wrap or transfer any slices to an airtight container before refrigerating. It keeps well for 3-4 days, although I’ve rarely had leftovers that long because my family devours it quickly!
Freezing
I’ve frozen this pie a couple of times by wrapping it securely in foil and placing it in a freezer-safe bag. When thawed overnight in the fridge, it reheats nicely in the oven without losing its texture much.
Reheating
To warm leftovers, I pop slices in a 325°F oven for about 10-15 minutes. This revives the buttery topping’s crispness and gently heats the apples without drying out the dessert.
FAQs
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Can I use other fruits besides apples in this recipe?
Absolutely! While this recipe is traditional with apples, you can swap in pears, peaches, or even a mixed berry combo. Just keep in mind the baking time might vary slightly depending on the fruit’s moisture level and firmness.
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Why is this pie crustless?
This Swedish Apple Pie is designed without a crust for simplicity and faster prep. The cakey batter topping bakes over the spiced apples creating a deliciously different texture and flavor that still delivers all the pie comfort without the extra work of rolling dough.
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Can I prepare this pie ahead of time?
Yes! You can assemble it ahead and refrigerate it covered for up to a day before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time if it goes in cold from the fridge.
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Does the apple variety affect the taste?
Definitely. Tart apples like Granny Smith bring a nice tang to balance the sweet topping, while sweeter apples make the dessert more mellow. Mixing varieties can give you a great flavor complexity.
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Is this recipe suitable for beginners?
Yes, it’s an excellent choice if you’re new to baking. The steps are straightforward, and there’s no tricky crust involved, which often intimidates first-timers.
Final Thoughts
This Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe has become a staple in my home, especially when I crave something nostalgic yet simple to whip up. I hope you’ll enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do—there’s something truly special about serving a warm slice of effortless comfort. Give it a try the next time you want a crowd-pleasing, homey dessert that speaks to the heart and the taste buds alike.
Print
Swedish Apple Pie (Easy Crustless Apple Pie) Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 4 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Swedish
Description
This Swedish Apple Pie is a cozy, crustless dessert featuring tender cinnamon and cardamom-spiced apples beneath a lightly sweetened, soft cake-like topping. Easy to make and perfect for fall, it requires simple ingredients and bakes to a golden, bubbling perfection.
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and cut into ½ inch thick slices
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- Pinch of salt
Topping
- 1 cup flour
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- Turbinado sugar for sprinkling
- Butter for greasing the pie plate
Instructions
- Prepare the oven and pie plate: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-inch deep dish pie plate with butter and set aside.
- Mix the apple filling: In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, cardamom, and a pinch of salt until evenly coated. Transfer the mixture into the prepared pie plate.
- Prepare the dry ingredients: Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Set aside.
- Make the wet batter: In a large bowl, whisk melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract together until well combined.
- Combine to form batter: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients with a rubber spatula until just combined to form the topping batter.
- Assemble the pie: Spread the batter evenly over the apples in the pie plate. Sprinkle turbinado sugar on top for a crunchy finish.
- Bake the pie: Place in the oven and bake for about 50 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apples are bubbling around the edges.
- Cool and serve: Allow the pie to cool before slicing so the filling sets properly. Serve plain or with easy vanilla sauce for a traditional complement.
Notes
- Granny Smith apples are preferred for their tartness, but any apple variety can be used.
- Cooling the pie before cutting is important to get clean slices, as warm filling will be soft and runny.
- Serving with a simple vanilla sauce enhances the flavor and provides a classic touch.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of pie)
- Calories: 221
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 126mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.4g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 34mg
