Discover the rich flavors of Sour Cream Apple Pie with Brown Sugar Streusel, a heavenly blend of tangy sour cream, sweet apples, and a buttery, crunchy streusel topping. This delightful dessert perfectly balances sweetness and a hint of tartness, making it an irresistible treat to bake at home any time of the year. Combining classic comfort with a fresh twist, this pie will quickly become your new favorite for family gatherings, cozy evenings, or celebrations.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect balance of flavors: Tart sour cream blends seamlessly with sweet apples and brown sugar for a rich, nuanced taste.
Simple but impressive: Uses everyday ingredients to create a stunning dessert that looks and tastes like it’s from a bakery.
Crunchy streusel topping: The brown sugar streusel adds a buttery crisp texture that complements the soft apple filling beautifully.
Versatile for occasions: Great as a cozy family dessert or an elegant addition to holiday menus.
Easy to customize: Adapt the recipe with your favorite apple varieties or spices to make it uniquely yours.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients for this Sour Cream Apple Pie with Brown Sugar Streusel are straightforward and essential for achieving that perfect harmony of flavor and texture. Each component plays a vital role, from the creamy filling to the crisp, sweet topping.

Apples: Choose a mix of tart and sweet varieties like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for balanced flavor and texture.
Sour cream: Adds a rich creaminess and slight tang that sets this pie apart from traditional apple pies.
Brown sugar: Key for both the filling and the streusel, bringing warm caramel notes and sweetness.
Butter: Use cold, unsalted butter to create a crumbly streusel topping and a flaky pie crust.
Flour: Supports the structure of both the crust and the streusel, ensuring the perfect consistency.
Cinnamon and spices: A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice enhances the apple’s natural flavors with cozy, warming notes.
Lemon juice: Prevents apples from browning and adds a flash of brightness to the filling.
Pie crust: Use homemade or store-bought for quick convenience, but a flaky crust is a must for a great pie.

Variations for Sour Cream Apple Pie with Brown Sugar Streusel

Feel free to get creative and tailor this recipe to your preferences or dietary needs. Whether you want to amp up the flavor or adjust for tricky diets, there are plenty of easy swaps and ideas to try.

Gluten-free option: Use a gluten-free pie crust and substitute the streusel flour with almond flour for a nutty twist.
Spice it up: Add a dash of ginger or cardamom to the filling to give your pie a warm, exotic flavor.
Nutty streusel: Mix chopped pecans or walnuts into the brown sugar streusel for extra crunch and depth.
Vegan adaptation: Swap butter with coconut oil and use a dairy-free sour cream alternative without sacrificing texture.
Seasonal twists: Incorporate pears or cranberries alongside the apples for a unique fall or winter variation.

How to Make Sour Cream Apple Pie with Brown Sugar Streusel

Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust

Start by chilling your pie crust to make it easier to handle; roll it out to fit your pie dish. Press it gently but firmly into place and trim any excess edges to create a neat foundation for the filling.

Step 2: Make the Apple Filling

Peel and slice your apples evenly, then toss them in a bowl with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a dollop of sour cream. The sour cream will add a subtle tang and luxurious creaminess, perfectly coating every slice.

Step 3: Assemble the Pie

Pour the apple mixture into your prepared pie crust, spreading it out evenly. This ensures each slice will have the perfect amount of sweet and tangy filling.

Step 4: Prepare the Brown Sugar Streusel

Combine cold butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour in a bowl and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to form crumbs. This crumbly topping will bake to a golden, crunchy finish—the perfect contrast to your filling.

Step 5: Add Streusel and Bake

Sprinkle the streusel evenly over the apple filling. Bake your pie at 375°F (190°C) for about 50 to 60 minutes, until the streusel is golden brown and the filling is bubbling through.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Allow your pie to cool completely so the filling sets well. This step is crucial for clean, beautiful slices that hold their shape.

Pro Tips for Making Sour Cream Apple Pie with Brown Sugar Streusel

Use firm apples: Choose apples that hold their shape well when baked to avoid a mushy filling.
Chill your ingredients: Cold butter and sour cream help maintain a flaky texture in both filling and streusel.
Don’t skip the lemon juice: It prevents the apples from turning brown and balances the sweetness perfectly.
Cover edges if needed: Protect pie crust edges with foil halfway through baking to prevent over-browning.
Let it cool fully: A hot pie will be too soft to slice neatly, so patience really pays off.

How to Serve Sour Cream Apple Pie with Brown Sugar Streusel

Garnishes

Top your pie slices with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for added indulgence. A dusting of powdered sugar can also add a delicate touch of sweetness and visual appeal.

Side Dishes

Pair this pie with a warm cup of spiced cider or freshly brewed coffee to complement the warm spices and buttery richness of the pie beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve individual mini pies or tartlets with the same filling and streusel topping for a charming dessert presentation. You could also offer slices with dollops of whipped cream infused with cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flair.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once cooled, cover your pie tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store in the refrigerator. It will keep well for up to 4 days, retaining moistness and flavor.

Freezing

You can freeze the unbaked pie after assembling, wrapped securely in plastic and foil for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

Warm leftover slices in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 10-15 minutes to regain that fresh-baked taste and crisp texture. Avoid microwaving to keep the streusel crunchy.

FAQs

Can I use canned apples instead of fresh?

Fresh apples are best because they hold their texture and flavor better during baking, but in a pinch, well-drained canned apples can work if you adjust the sugar content.

Is it necessary to use sour cream in the recipe?

Sour cream adds a unique tang and creamy texture that sets this pie apart, but you can substitute with Greek yogurt if preferred, keeping the taste slightly different but still delicious.

How do I prevent the crust from getting soggy?

Chilling the pie crust before baking and avoiding overloading the filling helps. You can also brush the crust with egg wash or melted butter to create a moisture barrier.

Can I make the streusel topping ahead of time?

Yes, prepare the streusel a day in advance and keep it refrigerated to save time on baking day. Just sprinkle it on the pie before baking.

What type of apples works best for this pie?

Use a mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith paired with Fuji or Honeycrisp for the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Final Thoughts

This Sour Cream Apple Pie with Brown Sugar Streusel is a wonderful twist on a classic favorite, packed with a harmony of rich, tangy, and sweet flavors that will win over any dessert lover. It’s inviting, comforting, and surprisingly simple to make at home. Go ahead and give this recipe a try—you might just find your new signature pie to cherish forever.

Sour Cream Apple Pie with Brown Sugar Streusel

Print Recipe

Sour Cream Apple Pie with Brown Sugar Streusel is a comforting and flavorful dessert featuring a perfectly balanced blend of tangy sour cream, sweet and tart apples, and a rich, buttery brown sugar streusel topping. This easy-to-make pie combines classic apple pie elements with a creamy twist, topped with a crunchy, golden streusel that adds texture and warmth. Ideal for family gatherings, cozy evenings, or holiday celebrations.

Author: Nina
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 55 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Pie Crust

1 pie crust (homemade or store-bought, enough for a 9-inch pie)

Apple Filling

6 cups mixed apples (such as Granny Smith and Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and sliced evenly
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg or allspice (optional)
1/2 cup sour cream

Brown Sugar Streusel Topping

1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, diced
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

Prepare the Pie Crust: Chill your pie crust until firm to make it easier to handle. Roll it out to fit your 9-inch pie dish, pressing gently but firmly into the dish. Trim any excess dough to create a neat edge.
Make the Apple Filling: Peel, core, and slice the apples evenly. In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with lemon juice, brown sugar, cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg or allspice if desired, and sour cream. Mix until all slices are coated evenly with the creamy, tangy mixture.
Assemble the Pie: Pour the apple mixture into the prepared pie crust, spreading it out evenly to ensure consistent filling in every slice.
Prepare the Brown Sugar Streusel: In a medium bowl, combine cold diced butter, brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the dry ingredients, forming crumbly streusel topping with small clumps.
Add Streusel and Bake: Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apple filling. Bake the pie in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 50 to 60 minutes, or until the streusel is golden brown and the filling is bubbling through.
Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool completely on a wire rack so the filling sets properly. This ensures clean, well-formed slices ready to enjoy.

Notes

Use firm apples that hold their shape when baked to avoid a mushy filling.
Chill ingredients like butter and sour cream to maintain a flaky and crisp texture in the crust and streusel.
Do not skip the lemon juice as it prevents browning and balances sweetness.
Cover pie crust edges with foil halfway through baking if they brown too quickly.
Allow the pie to cool fully before slicing for best results.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of pie)
Calories: 350 kcal
Sugar: 25 g
Sodium: 150 mg
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 9 g
Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 50 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 3 g
Cholesterol: 40 mg

Keywords: apple pie, sour cream apple pie, brown sugar streusel, dessert, fall dessert, homemade pie, easy apple pie