Ok, this is an apple pie, but not the apple pie you usually think of when you think of an apple pie. Let me explain. I wanted something different but just as decadent. I came up with this Apple Chess Pie with Streusel Top. The inside is creamy and rich, much the same texture as a chess pie, if you’re familiar with them. I didn’t want to stop there, I wanted this apple pie to be over the top. I added a crunchy streusel topping to offset the creamy layer. Adding the streusel was the right decision.
Apple Chess Pie with Streusel Top
Big Daddy just isn’t a big dessert eater. He asked for a piece before I photographed this pie. I typically don’t like to cut (or eat) a dish until I’m ready to photograph it and know I have the pictures I need for the post. I reluctantly said yes replying, “You’re not going to like it. I’ll just tell you now, you’re not going to like it.” Well, maybe he raved about it to prove me wrong, but he loved it. {Remember that commercial with Mikey and the cereal? “He liked it, He really liked it!” I love commercials} I heard that ringing through my head and he was going on and on about how it was the perfect dessert. {Just when you think you know someone, boom! they go and change!}
Serve this with a big scoop of really good vanilla ice cream!
While you’re here, check out these recipes
- Small Batch Blueberry Muffin
- Angel Food Fat-Free Blueberry Cake
- Streusel Topped Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
- 19 Scrumptious Blueberry Recipes
- Best Apple Streusel Pie
- Apple Sauce Truffles

Apple Chess Pie with Streusel Top
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Save To Your Recipe BoxIngredients
Pie
- 2/3 cup butter room temperature
- 2 cups packed brown sugar
- 1 and 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoons cinnamon
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1 large apple diced small. I use a Gala apple
- 1 pie crust homemade or store-bought
Streusel
- 1/2 cup butter cold and cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake crust 5 minutes.
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream butte and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs to butter mixture one at a time, beating until combined. Scrap down sides of bowl.
- Add vanilla, mix until conbined.
- With mixer turned to low, mix in flour mixture. Beat on low until just combined.
- Fold in apples by hand. Batter will be thick, much like cookie dough.
- Pour dough into prepared crust and spread evenly.
- Mix streusel: Combine sugars with cinnamon, salt and flour. Cut in butter and mix until pea-sized. I find it easier to combine using my hands to mix.
- Sprinkle streusel over pie and place in oven.
- Bake 50 to 60 minutes until brown on top and center is set.
- Good served warm or cold.
Nutrition
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Carol says
10/10/22
Absolutely delicious! I did however have a problem because filling & streusel did not fit into a regular size pie pan. I didn’t see any instructions stating a deep dish pan was required so I will try that next time.
Tara says
Paula, I made this last night! Was excellent. I also decided to have it as my breakfast! 🙂 Thanks, Tara
Paula says
I love a dessert for breakfast, I’m so happy you liked it.
Linda says
This sounds amazing, Paula. Thanks for linking to What’d You Do This Weekend.
Linda
Diane Balch says
I’m all about streusel I like this more than traditional apple pie. Thanks for sharing your recipe with us on foodie friday.
Paula says
Me tooooooooo, Diane! If I could just have streusel and crust, it would be a perfect world!! 🙂
tanya says
Paula I’m so glad you shared this with Saturday Night Fever! It is such a delicious looking pie! So happy to be pinning this!
Paula says
Thanks so much for the party, Tanya. Thanks for pinning.
Deb@CookingOnTheFrontBurner says
Looks wonderful Paula! Our apple tree is about ready to pick and I’m looking for some recipes – pinned!
Lauren says
Apple pie and chess pie together?! Love it! Can’t wait to try it once our apples are ready!
I’m swinging by from the Strut Your Stuff Saturday link party {#473}. I’m over at http://fromgatetoplate.com if you’d like to come visit! Hope to see you there.
Lauren — @ From Gate to Plate
Akaleistar says
The pie looks delicious!
Paula says
Thanks for much, Akaleistar!
Cindy Eikenberg says
Paula, this pie just looks amazing! I wish I could grab that piece off the screen right now! Thank you so much for sharing at Best of the Weekend – pinning of course! Have a wonderful Saturday!
Paula says
Thank you, Cindy. Love your party!
Aida @ TheCraftingFoodie says
Hi Paula,
This pie looks delicious! It would be a nice change from the usual apple pie (although I have no complaints about traditional apple pie 🙂 I have to give it a try!
Paula says
I like traditional apple pie as well, I really don’t know why, I just wanted to try something different. My husband is really picky about desserts and he liked it better. Thanks for stopping by, Aida.
Laura Dembowski says
Such a yummy looking pie! Great for fall!
Paula says
Thank you, Laura. It had been a while since I’d made any kind of apple pie. We really enjoyed this one. Thanks for stopping by.
Ruth Ventrello says
The pie recipe looks delicious! Thank you for posting this.
Paula says
Thank you, Ruth!
Danni@SiloHillFarm says
I pinned this one Paula! It looks awesome and Chess Pie is one of Sam’s favorites!
Paula says
Thank you, Danni. Use a deeeeeeep dish, ’cause mine boiled over and the topping is de-lish!!
tanya says
Sounds like a winning recipe then Paula! If Big Daddy likes it then how could I refuse?
Paula says
Exactly, if Big Daddy likes it, it’s good! 😉 I actually wish he would critique the food sometimes…