Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

There’s almost no question that pies are the ultimate fall dessert and I think Apple Pies have a special place in the crisp New England autumns. Every family has there own traditional Apple Pie recipe but I’m here to bring you one that’s just a little different. Definitely indulgent, this Caramel Apple Pie is buttery, sweet, cinnamony, and filled with apple flavor all topped with a crisp, flaky, caramelized dough . You’ll definitely be back for seconds with this pie. Now, let’s get started with the recipe, shall we?

Ingredients:

For Pie Crust:

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 6 tablespoons ice cold water

For Apple Filling:

  • 2 pounds apples, peeled, cored, and diced
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch

For Quick Caramel:

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup packed, brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • pinch of salt

Directions:

The first step of every pie is always making the dough. So, that’s why I’m here to tell you how to first make the filling! What a rebel! A revolutionary! Absolutely changing the game! Okay, I’m just kidding, I’m actually starting with the dough because some things are just not meant to be changed 😬.

This is just a standard pie crust and I use it for most pies and/or tarts. You can also find it being used here in my Rustic Apple Pie and Blueberry Galette. It’s a really simple and versatile recipe. In a food processor add in 1 cup flour, cubed chilled unsalted butter, remaining 1 cup flour, sugar and salt. Give it a quick pulse to combine everything until you have a fine crumb. After this, add in the ice cold water a tablespoon at a time and pulse a few times until you have a coarse crumb that stays together when pressed in your hand. You may not use all the water, so add slowly. Dough should be relatively dry. Turn the mixture out onto a piece of cling film and press together into a disc. Wrap it up and put in the fridge for at least an hour before using it.

Once the dough is done it’s time to turn your attention to this filling. And oh my goodness, this is an amazing filling! It really just changes the game in the apple pie world. First off, you want to prepare your apples. I used Empires because they’re firm and have a good balance of sweetness and tartness but you can use a different apple, if you prefer. A lot of people like using Granny Smith or Honeycrisp and I think those would work great! To prepare your apples, peel them, core them, and then dice into small pieces. Some people like larger slices of apple in their pie so that’s totally up to you. I personally prefer having smaller pieces of apple.

Add in all the filling ingredients which include sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch to your apples and mix thoroughly making sure the apples are fully coated. Set your apples aside and now you can make the quick caramel. I wouldn’t call it a real caramel but it has all the sweetness and richness of a real caramel and once it bakes in the pie with the apples it becomes an apple caramel. Which is….a great thing! It’s super simple to make. In a pot on medium heat melt together the butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and water. Once everything is melted let it come to a boil to fully combine and thicken (3-5 minutes) then turn off the heat and set it aside.

Now you can put everything together. But first, preheat your oven to 425F! Take your chilled dough out of the fridge and remove 1/3 of the dough from disc. This 1/3 will be for the top and the rest will be rolled out to make the base of the pie. Take the bottom part and roll it out into a circle, large enough to fit the bottom and sides of your pie dish. This is enough dough for a standard 9 or 9.5 inch pie dish. Place the rolled out dough into pie dish making sure to press up the edges. Put in the apples (leave any excess moisture from the apples in the bowl) and flatten evenly. Roll out the top dough into a rough circle and using a pizza cutter or knife cut out even strips to form a lattice (9-10 strips).

Place the lattice on top of apples. Then it’s time to pour the caramel on top. If your caramel has cooled and seems a little too thick to pour you can quickly warm it on the stove until it is runny enough to pour. When it’s ready, pour on top of the pie, over the latticed dough and any remaining into the crevices. I know it seems like a big mess and you are probably questioning if you did it right, but trust me! The sugar will melt and crystallize on the crust making the most delicious pie crust you have ever had!

Put the pie in the oven at 425F for 15 minutes and then reduce the heat to 350F and bake for 35-40 minutes until the crust is golden brown and apple filling is bubbling. Once it’s done take it out of the oven and let it cool *completely* before eating. You have to wait and I know it’ll be hard because it smells so good but it’s not worth burning your mouth over. Let it cool and then serve it up on its own (perfectly delicious on its own) or if you really need it, some ice cream. But, I personally think this pie is so cozy and delicious it really doesn’t need a side, at all.

Caramel Apple Pie

Sana Gilani
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

For Pie Crust:

  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • 8 tablespoons chilled, unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 6 tablespoons ice cold water

For Apple Filling:

  • 2 pounds apples, peeled, cored, diced
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoon s cornstarch

For Quick Caramel:

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ¼ cup water
  • pinch of salt

Instructions
 

For Pie Crust:

  • To make crust start by placing 1 cup flour in food processor, top with cubed, chilled unsalted butter, then remaining 1 cup flour, salt, and sugar.
  • Process at a low speed for a minute or so until it is a fine crumb.
  • Add in chilled water, one tablespoon at a time, and pulse until mixture is a fine crumb that comes together when pressed. (You may not use all the water, it will depend on the mixture). Mixture shouldn't feel wet.
  • Tip out mixture onto cling film and press together into disc. Wrap it up and place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour before use.

For Filling and Assembly:

  • Peel, core and dice your apples and place into a large bowl.
  • Add in the sugar, cinnamon, and cornstarch and mix thoroughly to coat apples completely. Set it aside.
  • In a pot add in caramel ingredients; butter, both sugars, water, and pinch of salt.
  • Melt everything down on a medium heat and bring to a boil (3-5 minutes) to fully melt and thicken slightly. Then turn off the heat and set aside.
  • Preheat oven to 425°F.
  • Start to assemble pie. First take out dough and separate ⅓ of dough for the top of pie and roll out the remaining ⅔ into a circle big enough to fill pie dish. This much dough should fit standard 9-9.5 inch pie dish. Roll out dough and place in pan and press flat and onto the sides.
  • Put apple filling into pie dish. Some excess moisture may come out of apples while they are sitting aside and this should not be put into pie. Flatten down the apple filling to make it even.
  • Roll out the remaining dough into a rough circle and using a pizza cutter or sharp knife cut into even strips for lattice (about 9-10 strips)
  • Make a lattice on top of apple filling. Pour caramel mixture on top of lattice and into crevices of pie. If the caramel seems too thick to pour warm on stove to make it runny and then pour.
  • Place pie into 425°F oven for 15 minutes and then reduce heat to 350°F and bake for another 35-40 minutes until pie is golden brown and apples are bubbling.
  • Allow pie to cool *completely* before eating! It tastes absolutely delicious on its own.
  • Enjoy!
Keyword apple pie, caramel apple pie

If you want to stay up-to-date on all Mostly Masala recipes then sign up for the newsletters below! Recipes will be sent straight to your inbox 📩

If you tried out a recipe and enjoyed feel free to leave a review and comment down below. I would love to hear what you thought ✨

  3