Swedish apple pie recipe for an Independence Day celebration

Published 5:30 pm Monday, June 29, 2026

By Biz and Lloyd Gilman

It used to be said, “Knee-high by the fourth of July.” That was a good forecast for the corn farmer. Now, it’s an apt reminder for an Independence Day celebration.

For an outdoor meal with family and friends on a warm afternoon, some common servings come to mind. Hot dogs, apple pie, home-made potato salad, corn on the cob (not locally sourced) and apple pie.

Here is a Swedish apple pie recipe — Swedish is not local, except medically.

Ingredients

FILLING

8 to 10 apples (Granny Smith apples are a favorite)

1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoons cinnamon

CRUST (top only)

3/4 cup butter softened

1 cup sugar

1 cup flour (I’ve even made this with whole wheat flour)

1 egg

3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Cinnamon and sugar to sprinkle on crust before baking

Directions

Apple pie filling

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Press the sliced apples into a greased 9-inch pie plate/pan. Sprinkle the sugar and cinnamon over the apples.

Apple pie crust (top only)

Combine the ingredients with a dough blender and finish mixing with your hands. Fold in chopped nuts, if using. Scoop the crust with a spoon and evenly mound it on top of the apples. Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on top of the crust before baking. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden brown on a cookie sheet or the juices may drip on the bottom of your oven. Serve with ice cream on the side. Enjoy.

For 50 years, Biz and Lloyd Gilman have lived on Mercer Island, where they have raised three daughters, had two cats, a dog and boarded several horses (mostly daughters friends’ horses). Biz has taught school in California and here, is a member of Fran Call’s (and Mercer Island’s) Solemates walking group and Trailmates hiking group. Biz is a good cook. Lloyd is a retired weatherman and Boeing engineer and likes to eat meals well cooked.