If you have a sweet tooth and an appreciation for classic comfort desserts, this Caramel Apple Pie Recipe is sure to become a cherished favorite. Imagine tender, cinnamon-spiced apple slices nestled in a buttery, flaky crust, all luxuriously elevated with a generous drizzle of smooth caramel sauce. This pie balances traditional apple pie flavors with a rich, indulgent caramel twist, making every bite a cozy and delightful experience that’s perfect for any season or special occasion.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Caramel Apple Pie Recipe keeps things straightforward with staples that you likely have on hand, yet each plays a crucial role. From the flaky all-purpose flour crust to the perfectly spiced apples and the luscious caramel to finish, every ingredient contributes to that perfect harmony of taste, texture, and color.
- 2 cups plain (all-purpose) flour: The base of our flaky, tender pie crust that holds everything together beautifully.
- 1 teaspoon fine salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- 1 tablespoon white sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to the crust.
- 6 oz (175g) very cold butter, diced: Essential for creating that irresistible flakiness in the crust.
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar: Helps tenderize the dough and gives a slight tang that complements the apples.
- 4–5 tablespoons iced water: Brings the dough together without melting the butter.
- 850g apples, peeled, cored, and sliced: The heart of the pie, providing juicy texture and natural sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Perfect spice to warm up the apple filling.
- ½ teaspoon fine salt: Balances the sweetness in the filling.
- 2 tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch): Thickens the filling so it stays luscious and not runny.
- ½ cup soft light brown sugar: Adds depth and molasses notes for a richer apple flavor.
- â…“ cup store-bought caramel sauce: The star ingredient that brings the caramel apple magic to life.
- 1 beaten egg (for sealing and glazing): Gives the crust a beautiful golden sheen and helps seal the edges.
- 1 tablespoon demerara or caster sugar: Sprinkled on top for a delightful crunch and extra sweetness.
- Extra caramel sauce for drizzling (optional): To amplify the caramel goodness when serving.
How to Make Caramel Apple Pie Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Perfect Pie Crust
Start by combining the flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. The dry ingredients create the structure and subtle sweetness of your crust. Next, rub in the very cold, diced butter using your fingertips until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs—this step is crucial for that flaky texture we all crave. Then add the apple cider vinegar and iced water, mixing gently until a rough dough forms. Divide the dough into two halves, wrap them tightly in plastic, and chill for an hour. This resting time helps the gluten relax and the butter firm up, ensuring a crust that’s both tender and crisp.
Step 2: Creating the Apple Filling
While your dough chills, toss the peeled, cored, and sliced apples with cinnamon, salt, cornflour, and soft brown sugar in a separate bowl. Each ingredient enhances the apples—the cinnamon brings warmth, salt balances flavors, cornflour thickens the filling, and brown sugar boosts sweetness and shade. This well-coated mixture is what will burst with flavor in every bite.
Step 3: Assembling Your Pie
Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Roll out one half of your chilled dough and line a 9-inch pie plate, then pop it back in the fridge while you prepare the filling. This keeps the dough firm and prevents shrinkage. Spoon in the apple mixture, then lovingly drizzle the caramel sauce over the apples, making sure the caramel disperses through the filling for magical pockets of gooey sweetness.
Step 4: Sealing and Glazing the Top Crust
Brush the edges of the bottom crust with beaten egg to help seal. Roll out the second piece of dough and gently place it over the filling. Crimp the edges to seal everything in, trim any excess dough for a neat finish, then brush the entire top with more beaten egg. Finally, sprinkle with demerara or caster sugar for that golden sparkle and crunch when baked.
Step 5: Baking to Golden Perfection
Pop your pie in the preheated oven and bake for about 1 hour and 15 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the crust is a gorgeous golden brown and the filling bubbles happily beneath the surface, sending out the most inviting aromas. Let the pie cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing—this resting period helps the filling set, so it’s not runny. For an extra touch, drizzle with some additional caramel sauce right before serving.
How to Serve Caramel Apple Pie Recipe
Garnishes
Serving your pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream is a classic move that never fails to excite. If you want to play up the caramel theme, a light drizzle of warm caramel sauce on top ties everything together beautifully. For a bit of texture contrast, a sprinkle of toasted pecans or walnuts adds an extra nutty crunch that pairs wonderfully with the soft, sweet filling.
Side Dishes
This pie is a treat on its own, but if you want to turn it into a full-fledged dessert experience, consider serving it alongside a warm cup of spiced apple cider or a robust coffee. Both balance the sweetness and refresh the palate between bites. If it’s during a holiday meal, a simple leafy green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can offer a fresh, crisp counterpoint to the richness of the pie.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve individual portions of the Caramel Apple Pie Recipe topped with caramel-drizzled mini meringues, or create a dessert platter featuring mini slices surrounded by fresh apple slices and caramel dipping sauce. Another delightful idea is to turn leftover pie filling into a decadent caramel apple pie parfait layered with whipped cream and crushed graham crackers in clear glasses—visually stunning and delicious!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your pie has completely cooled, loosely cover it with foil or plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. Properly stored, it will stay delicious for up to 4 days. The flavors actually meld beautifully overnight, so leftover slices often taste even better the next day!
Freezing
You can freeze the unbaked pie if you want to prepare in advance. Wrap it tightly in plastic and then in foil to prevent freezer burn. When ready to bake, thaw it overnight in the fridge and then proceed with baking as usual. Alternatively, freeze baked slices in airtight containers for up to 2 months; just thaw them gently before eating.
Reheating
To reheat, place your pie or slice in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 15 to 20 minutes. This helps to warm the filling evenly and crisps up the crust nicely, avoiding the sogginess microwaves often cause. Serve warm for the ultimate comforting bite.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of apple for this Caramel Apple Pie Recipe?
Absolutely! While tart varieties like Granny Smith are ideal for keeping a firm texture, feel free to mix it up with sweeter apples like Honeycrisp or Fuji to adjust the overall sweetness to your liking.
Is it necessary to use store-bought caramel sauce?
Not at all! If you prefer, you can make your own caramel sauce from scratch for a more personalized flavor—it’s surprisingly simple and adds a wonderful homemade touch.
Can I substitute the butter in the crust with shortening or margarine?
Butter is best for flavor and texture, but you can use shortening or margarine in a pinch. Keep in mind that the crust may be less flavorful or flaky depending on the substitute.
What if I don’t have cornflour (cornstarch) for thickening the filling?
You can substitute with an equal amount of flour or arrowroot powder, though cornflour tends to create a clearer, glossy filling.
How can I prevent the pie crust edges from burning?
You can cover the edges with aluminum foil halfway through baking to protect them from over-browning while allowing the rest of the pie to cook fully.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly special about baking a Caramel Apple Pie Recipe that brings warmth, comfort, and a touch of magic to any gathering or quiet evening at home. The blend of sweet, tart, and buttery flavors wrapped in a golden crust is pure joy, and once you try this recipe, it might just become your go-to for festive celebrations or simple family treats. So go ahead, bake this beauty, and savor every delightful bite—you deserve it!
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Caramel Apple Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This classic Caramel Apple Pie combines a flaky homemade crust with a spiced apple filling drizzled with rich caramel sauce. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, it offers a delightful balance of sweet and tart flavors with a crisp, buttery pastry that’s ideal for dessert or special occasions.
Ingredients
For the Pastry:
- 2 cups plain (all-purpose) flour
- 1 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 tablespoon white sugar
- 6 oz (175g) very cold butter, diced
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 4–5 tablespoons iced water
For the Filling:
- 850g apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon fine salt
- 2 tablespoons cornflour (cornstarch)
- ½ cup soft light brown sugar
- â…“ cup store-bought caramel sauce
For Assembly and Glaze:
- 1 beaten egg (for sealing and glazing)
- 1 tablespoon demerara or caster sugar
- Extra caramel sauce for drizzling (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Rub in the very cold diced butter using your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, ensuring cold butter pieces remain for a flaky texture.
- Form the Dough: Add apple cider vinegar and iced water a little at a time, mixing gently until a rough dough forms. Divide the dough in half, wrap each portion in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour to firm up.
- Prepare the Filling: In a separate bowl, toss the peeled, cored, and sliced apples with ground cinnamon, salt, cornflour, and light brown sugar until the slices are evenly coated with the spiced sugar mixture.
- Preheat the Oven and Roll Dough: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Roll out one half of the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie plate. Line the pie plate with the rolled dough and chill it while preparing the filling to keep it firm.
- Assemble the Pie: Add the apple mixture to the prepared crust in the pie plate, spreading it out evenly. Drizzle the â…“ cup of store-bought caramel sauce over the apples to add sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Seal the Pie: Brush the edges of the crust with the beaten egg to act as a glue. Roll out the second dough piece and gently place it over the filling. Seal the edges by pressing down and trim off any excess dough for a neat finish.
- Glaze and Sugar: Brush the top pie crust with the remaining beaten egg and sprinkle with demerara or caster sugar to create a golden, sweet, and slightly crunchy topping.
- Bake the Pie: Bake in the preheated oven for 1 hour 15 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling, indicating the apples are cooked and the pie is set.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool for at least 30 minutes to let the filling thicken and set. Optionally, drizzle extra caramel sauce over the top before slicing and serving for added indulgence.
Notes
- Using very cold butter ensures a flaky pie crust.
- Chilling the dough before rolling helps prevent shrinking during baking.
- The cornstarch in the filling thickens the juices released by the apples.
- If store-bought caramel sauce isn’t available, homemade caramel can be used.
- Letting the pie cool before serving prevents the filling from running.
- Use tart apple varieties like Granny Smith for a balanced sweet-tart flavor.
