Apple Pie Caramel Apple: A Decadent Dessert Recipe

Introduction

If you’re a fan of both apple pie and caramel apples, this recipe will undoubtedly become your new favorite. Combining the comforting flavors of a traditional apple pie with the sweet, buttery richness of caramel, the apple pie caramel apple is an indulgent dessert that’s perfect for fall gatherings, holidays, or anytime you crave something extra special.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of creating this mouthwatering dessert. You’ll learn everything from making the perfect apple pie filling to drizzling it with homemade caramel sauce. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just getting started, this easy-to-follow recipe is sure to impress.

The Magic of Apple Pie Caramel Apple

By fusing apple pie with caramel, you elevate the dessert to a whole new level. The tartness of the apples pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the caramel, creating a balanced and complex flavor profile. Additionally, the contrast of textures—flaky crust, tender apples, and smooth caramel—makes every bite a delightful experience.

Why This Dessert Is a Must-Try

There’s more to this dessert than just its flavor. The apple pie caramel apple is perfect for special occasions when you want to serve something familiar yet extraordinary. Moreover, each bite offers a symphony of flavors and textures, making it a treat for all the senses.

Ingredients for Apple Pie Caramel Apple

To create this delightful dessert, you’ll need a mix of classic apple pie ingredients and rich caramel sauce. Here’s what you’ll need:

For the Apple Pie Filling

Apples: 6-7 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp are ideal)
Choosing the right apples is essential. Granny Smith apples provide a tart flavor that balances the sweetness of the caramel, while Honeycrisp apples add a juicy, sweet contrast.
Sugar: 3/4 cup granulated sugar
Granulated sugar helps to sweeten the filling, ensuring a perfect balance with the tartness of the apples.
Brown Sugar: 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
Brown sugar brings a deep, molasses-like flavor that complements the richness of the caramel sauce.
Cinnamon: 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Cinnamon is the quintessential spice for apple pie, adding warmth and depth to the filling.
Nutmeg: 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Nutmeg adds a subtle spiciness that enhances the overall flavor profile of the pie.
Flour: 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for thickening)
Flour acts as a thickening agent, ensuring that the filling is luscious rather than runny.
Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon (to prevent the apples from browning)
A touch of lemon juice not only prevents the apples from browning but also brightens the overall flavor of the filling.
Butter: 2 tablespoons, cut into small pieces to dot over the filling
Butter adds richness, melting into the apples as they bake and enhancing the overall flavor.

For the Caramel Sauce

Sugar: 1 cup granulated sugar
Caramel begins with sugar. As it melts and caramelizes, it creates the base for the sauce.
Butter: 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes
Butter enriches the caramel sauce, giving it a smooth and creamy texture.
Heavy Cream: 1/2 cup heavy cream
Heavy cream is essential for achieving the perfect consistency in your caramel sauce. It also adds a layer of richness.
Salt: A pinch of salt (optional, for salted caramel)
Adding a pinch of salt turns your caramel sauce into salted caramel, which heightens the flavor and adds complexity.

For the Pie Crust

Pie Crust: 1 double pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
The crust is the foundation of your pie. Whether you make it from scratch or use a store-bought version, it’s important that it’s flaky and flavorful.
Egg Wash: 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon of water (for brushing the top crust)
An egg wash gives the crust a beautiful golden color and a slight sheen.
Sugar: Optional, for sprinkling on top of the crust for added sweetness and texture
Sprinkling sugar on the crust before baking adds a slight crunch and an extra touch of sweetness.

How to Make Apple Pie Caramel Apple

This recipe involves making a classic apple pie and topping it with a rich caramel sauce. Here’s how to create this decadent dessert:

Step 1: Prepare the Apple Pie Filling

First, preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Then, begin by peeling, coring, and slicing the apples into thin, even slices. This ensures that they cook evenly and fully absorb the flavors of the spices and sugars. Next, in a large bowl, combine the apple slices with granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, and lemon juice. Toss the apples until they’re evenly coated.

Once the apples are ready, roll out the bottom pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish. Pour the apple mixture into the prepared crust, spreading it evenly. Finally, dot the top of the apples with small pieces of butter.

Step 2: Add the Top Crust and Bake

Now that the filling is ready, it’s time to add the top crust. Roll out the top crust and carefully place it over the apples. Trim any excess dough, leaving about a 1/2 inch overhang. Tuck the edges under the bottom crust and crimp them together to seal. To finish, brush the top crust with the egg wash and, if desired, sprinkle with a little sugar.

Place the pie on the middle rack of your preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. The pie is done when the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling through the slits in the top crust.

Pro Tip: If the edges of the crust start to brown too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil or a pie shield to prevent burning while the rest of the pie finishes baking.

Step 3: Make the Caramel Sauce

While the pie is baking, take the time to prepare the caramel sauce. Start by heating the granulated sugar over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Stir constantly as the sugar melts and turns a deep amber color. Be careful during this step, as caramel can quickly burn.

Once the sugar has melted, carefully add the butter. The mixture will bubble up, so proceed with caution. Stir until the butter is fully incorporated. Next, slowly pour in the heavy cream while stirring continuously. Allow the mixture to boil for about 1 minute before removing it from the heat.

If you prefer salted caramel, stir in a pinch of salt at this point. Finally, let the caramel sauce cool slightly before drizzling it over the pie.

Step 4: Serve and Enjoy

After the pie has baked, let it cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours. This cooling period is essential as it allows the filling to set, making it easier to slice. Once the pie has cooled, generously drizzle the caramel sauce over the top. You can also serve extra caramel sauce on the side for those who like their pie extra sweet.

Pro Tip: Serve your apple pie caramel apple with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat. The combination of warm pie, cold ice cream, and rich caramel is simply irresistible.

Tips for Perfecting Your Apple Pie Caramel Apple

To ensure your dessert turns out perfectly, here are a few tips:

Choosing the Right Apples

The type of apple you choose can make or break your pie. For this recipe, it’s important to use apples that hold their shape during baking, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. These apples provide the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness, ensuring that the filling is flavorful without being overly sweet.

Achieving the Perfect Crust

The crust is a crucial component of any pie, and there are a few tricks to getting it just right:

Keep Everything Cold: When making pie crust from scratch, it’s important to keep your ingredients cold, especially the butter. Cold butter creates steam pockets as it melts during baking, resulting in a flaky crust.
Don’t Overwork the Dough: Overworking the dough can lead to a tough crust. Handle the dough as little as possible to maintain its tenderness.
Blind Bake if Necessary: If you’re worried about a soggy bottom crust, consider blind baking the bottom crust for 10 minutes before adding the filling. This gives the crust a head start and helps it stay crisp.

Perfecting the Caramel Sauce

Making caramel can be intimidating, but with a few tips, you can achieve a smooth, rich sauce every time:

Watch the Heat: Caramel can burn quickly, so it’s important to keep a close eye on it. Cook the sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly, and remove it from the heat as soon as it reaches the desired color.
Add the Butter Slowly: When adding the butter to the caramelized sugar, do so slowly and carefully. The mixture will bubble up, and adding the butter gradually helps prevent it from overflowing.
Use Room Temperature Cream: For a smooth caramel sauce, use room temperature cream. Cold cream can cause the caramel to seize up and become lumpy.

Variations on the Recipe

This versatile recipe can be adapted in several ways to suit your taste or the occasion:

Salted Caramel Apple Pie

For a sophisticated twist, add a pinch of sea salt to the caramel sauce for a salted caramel version. The salt enhances the sweetness of the caramel and pairs beautifully with the spiced apples.

Nutty Caramel Apple Pie

Add a layer of chopped pecans or walnuts to the top of the pie before drizzling with caramel. The nuts add a delightful crunch and complement the sweet, gooey filling.

Caramel Apple Hand Pies

Turn this recipe into individual hand pies by using small circles of pie crust, filling them with the apple mixture, and sealing them with another circle of dough. Bake as directed, then drizzle with caramel sauce for a portable treat.

Double Caramel Apple Pie

For true caramel lovers, double the caramel sauce recipe and layer some caramel directly over the apples before adding the top crust. Then drizzle more caramel over the baked pie. This creates a pie that’s bursting with caramel flavor in every bite.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best recipes, mistakes can happen. Here’s how to avoid common pitfalls when making this dessert:

Overcooking the Caramel

Caramel can go from perfectly cooked to burnt in a matter of seconds. It’s crucial to keep a close eye on the sugar as it melts and to remove it from the heat as soon as it reaches a deep amber color. If the caramel becomes too dark, it will taste bitter, which can overpower the sweetness of the pie.

Soggy Crust

A soggy bottom crust is a common issue with fruit pies. To avoid this, consider blind baking the bottom crust for a few minutes before adding the filling. You can also sprinkle a bit of flour or cornstarch on the crust before adding the apples, which will absorb excess moisture as the pie bakes.

Not Cooling the Pie

It’s tempting to dive into a freshly baked pie, but cutting into it too soon can cause the filling to spill out, resulting in a messy slice. Allowing the pie to cool for at least 2 hours gives the filling time to set, making it easier to serve clean, beautiful slices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?

Yes, store-bought caramel sauce can be used if you’re short on time. However, homemade caramel sauce provides a richer flavor and is well worth the effort.

What type of apples should I use?

Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples are excellent choices because they hold their shape during baking and offer a balance of tartness and sweetness that complements the caramel.

How do I store leftover pie?

Store leftover pie at room temperature, covered, for up to 2 days. For longer storage, keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat slices in the oven or microwave before serving.

Can I freeze this pie?

Yes, you can freeze the baked pie without the caramel sauce. Wrap the cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven before serving. Add the caramel sauce after reheating.

Can I make this pie ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the pie and caramel sauce a day in advance. Store the pie at room temperature and the caramel sauce in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, reheat the pie in the oven and warm the caramel sauce before drizzling it over the pie.

Nutritional Information

This dessert is indulgent, and here’s what you can expect in terms of nutrition per serving (1/8th of the pie with caramel sauce):

Calories: 520
Total Fat: 24g
Carbohydrates: 75g
Sugars: 45g
Fiber: 4g
Protein: 4g

While this pie is a treat, it does contain some nutrients from the apples, including fiber and vitamin C. The high sugar content and calories make it a dessert to be enjoyed in moderation.

Storing and Reheating

Storing

Room Temperature: Store the pie at room temperature, loosely covered, for up to 2 days.
Refrigeration: For longer storage, keep the pie in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover with plastic wrap or foil to prevent it from drying out.

Reheating

In the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cover the pie loosely with foil and bake for 10-15 minutes to reheat.
In the Microwave: Reheat individual slices in the microwave for 20-30 seconds. Cover them with a damp paper towel to keep the crust from drying out.

Conclusion

The apple pie caramel apple is a dessert that brings together the best of two worlds: the comforting warmth of apple pie and the rich sweetness of caramel. This combination is perfect for those who love classic desserts with a decadent twist. Whether you’re serving it at a family dinner, a holiday gathering, or just treating yourself, this dessert is sure to be a hit.

The process of making this pie is as enjoyable as the final product. From the scent of apples and cinnamon filling your kitchen to the rich, buttery caramel sauce that drips over the edges of each slice, every step is a treat for the senses. And when you finally sit down to enjoy a slice, possibly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side, you’ll understand why this dessert is so special.

So why not give this recipe a try? With its simple ingredients and luxurious flavors, it’s a dessert that’s sure to impress and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Apple Pie Caramel Apple: A Decadent Twist on a Classic Dessert