Swedish Apple Pie

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven and pan
   Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Generously butter a 9-inch pie plate or deep-dish pie pan.
2. Prepare the apple filling
   In a large bowl, toss the sliced apples with lemon juice. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup sugar with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom. Sprinkle this mixture over the apples and toss until evenly coated. Arrange the seasoned apples in the buttered pie plate.
3. Make the topping batter
   In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, and salt. Add the beaten egg, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined. If using nuts, fold them into the batter.
4. Add the topping
   Pour or spoon the batter evenly over the apples, covering them completely. The batter will be thick, so you may need to spread it with a spatula. Make sure all the apples are covered as this forms the 'crust' of the pie.
5. Bake the pie
   Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the topping comes out clean. The filling should be bubbling around the edges.
6. Cool and serve
   Allow the pie to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set properly. Serve warm or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream if desired.