Apple Butter Spiced Pie

This Apple Butter Pie offers a creamy, spiced filling full of rich apple flavor wrapped in a flaky crust. It is a comforting and straightforward dessert that highlights all the cozy, warm spices of fall, enhanced by the deep sweetness of apple butter. This pie makes a perfect centerpiece for holiday gatherings or a simple weekend treat when you want an easy but impressive dessert.

I first made this pie last autumn when I wanted something different from pumpkin or regular apple pie. Now it's a favorite in our house and guests always ask for the recipe after tasting it.

Ingredients

• Refrigerated pie crust: convenient and yields a flaky crust, feel free to swap with ginger snap or gingerbread crust for more seasonal flavor
• Apple butter: the star ingredient that adds a deep, warm sweetness look for quality brands with natural spices or make your own at home
• Large eggs: bind the filling and provide structure, room temperature eggs mix more smoothly
• Sweetened condensed milk: adds creamy richness and sweetness if unavailable, evaporated milk plus sugar can be used though texture will be softer
• Vanilla extract: rounds out the flavor with warm sweetness, choose pure vanilla for best aroma
• All purpose flour: helps thicken the filling for a custard like set, use fresh flour stored in a cool, dry place

Instructions

Prepare the Pie Crust:

Line a 9inch pie pan with the refrigerated pie crust. Crimp the edges as you like, creating an even rim. Prick the bottom with a fork to prevent bubbling during baking.

Toast the Crust Base:

Line the crust with parchment paper or foil and fill with pie weights, dry beans, or uncooked rice. Bake on the middle rack at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 to 12 minutes to parbake.

Remove Weights and Finish Parbaking:

Carefully take out the parchment and weights. Return the crust to the oven for 5 to 7 more minutes until the bottom is dry and lightly golden. This step ensures the crust does not get soggy once filled.

Mix the Filling:

In a large bowl, whisk together the apple butter, eggs, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract, and flour. Beat until the mixture is smooth and well combined, with no lumps. Using room temperature eggs will help achieve this consistency.

Fill and Bake the Pie:

Pour the filling evenly into the cooled pie crust and smooth the top. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit on the middle rack for 35 to 40 minutes. The pie should be set around the edges but still have a slight jiggle in the center.

Cool Before Serving:

Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack. This allows the filling to finish setting and makes slicing neat and easy.

Apple butter is my favorite ingredient because it combines the fruity sweetness of apples with spices like cinnamon and clove, delivering a complexity that elevates this pie above the typical fall desserts. I remember making this pie for my family last Thanksgiving and seeing their amazed faces when they tasted the creamy, spiced filling was truly special.

Storage Tips

Keep leftover pie covered in an airtight container or wrapped well in plastic wrap and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for four to five days. To reheat, warm slices gently in a microwave or oven until just heated through. For longer storage, wrap tightly with cling film and foil before freezing. Thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.

Ingredient Substitutions

If you do not have apple butter, pumpkin butter or pear butter make excellent alternatives adding their own unique twist. Sweetened condensed milk can be replaced by combining evaporated milk with half a cup of sugar, though expect a softer texture. For the crust, refrigerated pie crust is simplest but homemade or frozen pie crusts can be parbaked following the instructions above.

Serving Suggestions

This pie is delicious served chilled or at room temperature. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of cinnamon spiced whipped cream for extra indulgence. A drizzle of caramel sauce on top complements the warm flavors beautifully.

This apple butter pie is an easy yet impressive dessert that brings warm fall flavors to the table. Serve chilled or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for best results.

Common Questions About Recipes

→ Why is my filling lumpy?

Using ingredients at room temperature helps blend the filling smoothly and prevents lumps from forming.

→ How do I know when my pie is done?

Look for a slight jiggle in the center; the pie will set further as it cools, avoiding overbaking.

→ What if my crust browns too fast?

Cover the edges with foil or use a pie shield to prevent excessive browning during baking.

→ How can I get clean slices?

Let the pie cool completely to allow it to set fully before slicing for neat, clean cuts.

→ What are serving suggestions?

Serve this spiced pie chilled or at room temperature, topped with whipped cream or a drizzle of caramel.