Cristi Dozier and her husband, Ben Dozier, build, design and renovate properties in the dreamy small town of Pagosa Springs, Colorado. In the same way their HGTV show Building Roots pays homage to the stunning natural landscapes of southern Colorado, Cristi actively appreciates and spreads around the beauty of the outdoors — through her designs, her business and even her cooking. Hang around Root Design Firm or visit Root House Coffee + Shop and you’re bound to get a taste of Cristi's famous apple pie.

Better yet: Bake your own! Whether you get your apples from your own orchard like Cristi, your local u-pick farm or your neighborhood farmer’s market, this wholesome dessert with its thick crumb topping is sure to help you build your own core memories.

Ingredients

• Store-bought or Homemade Pie Crust
• Egg (optional)

Apple Filling

• 8 cups peeled, cored, sliced Granny Smith apples (or other firm, crisp, tart apples)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Crumb Topping

• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup cold butter, cut in small cubes
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Directions

In a medium bowl, peel, core and slice apples.

Add lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg to the apple slices and mix well until the apples are evenly coated.

In a separate bowl, make the crumb topping. Add flour, granulated and brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Stir to combine the dry ingredients, then add the cold butter cubes and mix together to coat. Use a pastry cutter to combine well until the butter turns to crumbs.

Line a pie plate or tart dish with the pie crust. Pile the apple mixture high in the center, then top it with the crumble.

If you're feeling ambitious, cut leaf shapes out of extra pie crust and use them to decorate the top of the pie crumble. Brush the leaves with egg white to give them a golden color when baked.

Bake at 375 degrees for 45-50 minutes.

Allow to cool for 30 minutes, then serve.