Heavenly Caramel Apple Pie Recipe

Divine Caramel Apple Pie Recipe: Sweet Autumn Magic in Every Bite

Sweet autumn breezes carry the nostalgic aromas of a classic caramel apple pie that captures comfort in every delectable slice.

Warm spices dance through a buttery crust, highlighting caramel apple pie perfection with remarkable depth and richness.

Crisp orchard apples blend seamlessly with golden caramel notes, creating a dessert that promises pure indulgence.

Layers of tender fruit nestled beneath a flaky, golden-brown top crust invite eager forks to break through its delicate surface.

Each bite promises a symphony of sweet and tangy flavors that connect us to cherished culinary traditions.

This recipe transforms simple ingredients into an extraordinary dessert that will become a treasured family favorite.

Prepare to savor a slice of pure autumn bliss that celebrates the magic of seasonal baking.

Bake a Caramel Apple Pie That Shines

  • Create Magical Dough

Blend flour, salt, and sugar in a mixing bowl. Crumble cold butter into the mix using your fingertips until it looks like sandy texture. Work quickly to keep everything chilled.

  • Bind the Dough

Splash in icy water gradually, mixing until the dough just holds together. Split dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, and chill in the refrigerator for half an hour.

  • Awaken the Apple Magic

Slice apples and toss them with sugars, warming spices, flour, and a splash of lemon juice. Pour golden caramel sauce over the fruit and gently fold everything together.

  • Shape the Pie

Heat the oven to a toasty 400F. Roll out first dough disc and nestle it into a pie dish. Pour the spiced apple mixture inside. Cover with the second dough disc, crimping edges and cutting decorative steam vents.

  • Bake to Perfection

Brush the top with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar crystals. Bake until the crust turns a gorgeous golden brown and the filling bubbles with delight. Shield edges with foil if they start browning too quickly.

  • Indulge and Celebrate

Allow the pie to rest and cool for an hour. Drizzle extra caramel over each slice before serving. Enjoy the sweet, spicy symphony of flavors!

Flavor Boosts for Classic Apple Pie Fans

  • Slice apples uniformly to ensure even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the filling.
  • Freeze butter for 15 minutes before cutting into the flour for extra flaky, tender crust that melts in your mouth.
  • Opt for homemade caramel sauce or high-quality store-bought version to elevate the pie's rich, complex flavor profile.
  • Transform this classic into a gluten-free delight by swapping regular flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free blend and using dairy-free butter alternatives for those with dietary restrictions.
  • Prepare the pie crust and apple filling a day ahead, storing them separately in the refrigerator to save time and intensify flavors before final assembly and baking.

Serve Caramel Apple Pie With Confidence

  • Sweet Companion Delights: Vanilla ice cream perfectly balances the warm pie, creating a heavenly contrast between hot and cold textures.
  • Festive Garnish Glory: Sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or walnuts on top for a delightful crunch and nutty flavor enhancement.
  • Beverage Bliss Pairing: Enjoy alongside a steaming mug of spiced chai tea or rich black coffee to complement the caramel apple's rich flavors.
  • Presentation Perfection: Serve slices on decorative dessert plates with an extra drizzle of caramel sauce and a light dusting of ground cinnamon for an elegant touch.

Storage Tips for Caramel Apple Pie Done Right

  • Refrigerate the pie in an airtight container for up to 3 days to maintain freshness and flavor intensity. Keep the pie away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
  • Wrap the cooled pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then store in the freezer for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to preserve texture and taste.
  • Place parchment paper between individual slices when storing multiple pieces to prevent sticking and maintain the pie's delicate caramel-apple structure.
  • Always store the caramel apple pie at room temperature for initial cooling, then transfer to the refrigerator to extend its shelf life and keep the caramel sauce from becoming too runny.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 8

What You’ll Need for a Sweet Caramel Apple Pie

For Pie Crust:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and base for the buttery, flaky crust.
  • Salt: Enhances flavor and balances sweetness in the dough.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness and helps with crust browning.
  • Cold Butter: Creates layers and flakiness when worked into the dough, best when very cold.
  • Ice Water: Helps bind ingredients without warming the butter, ensuring a tender crust.
For Apple Filling:
  • Apples: Choose firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for balanced flavor and texture.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps draw out apple juices.
  • Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and moisture to the filling.
  • Cinnamon: Provides warm, classic apple pie spice.
  • Nutmeg: Contributes subtle, earthy warmth to the spice blend.
  • Allspice: Offers complex, slightly peppery undertones.
  • Flour: Thickens the filling and prevents excessive liquid.
  • Lemon Juice: Prevents apple browning and adds bright acidity.
  • Caramel Sauce: Creates rich, indulgent sweetness throughout the filling.
For Finishing:
  • Egg: Creates golden, glossy crust when brushed on top.
  • Coarse Sugar: Adds sparkly, crunchy texture to crust.
  • Extra Caramel Sauce: Provides additional drizzling for serving.

Tools for Baking Apple Pie With Caramel Touch

  • Large bowl: Essential for mixing pie dough and apple filling.
  • Pastry cutter: Perfect for cutting cold butter into flour for flaky crust.
  • Rolling pin: Key for rolling out pie dough evenly.
  • 9-inch pie dish: Necessary for forming and baking the pie.
  • Knife: Used for slicing apples and trimming pie crust edges.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Critical for accurate ingredient proportions.
  • Whisk: Helpful for beating egg wash.
  • Cooling rack: Allows pie to cool evenly and prevents soggy bottom.
  • Foil: Optional for protecting crust edges during baking.
Print
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Heavenly Caramel Apple Pie Recipe

Heavenly Caramel Apple Pie Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 17 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Warm autumn memories dance through Grandma’s legendary Caramel Apple Pie, blending sweet nostalgia with rich, buttery layers. Crisp orchard apples nestled in flaky pastry promise a delectable journey that invites you to savor summer’s final, golden embrace.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups sliced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (50 g) brown sugar, packed
  • 1 package (14 oz) refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts)
  • 3 tbsps unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • 2 tbsps all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
  • ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ¼ tsp ground allspice (optional)
  • ¼ tsp salt

Instructions

  1. Dough Preparation: Blend flour, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Incorporate cold butter until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. Gradually introduce ice water, mixing until the dough coheres. Divide into two disks, encase in plastic wrap, and chill for 30 minutes.
  2. Apple Mixture: Combine sliced apples with sugars, spices, salt, flour, and lemon juice. Gently fold until apples are thoroughly coated. Drizzle caramel sauce and blend softly.
  3. Pie Construction: Warm the oven to 400F (200C). Flatten one dough disk on a floured surface and nestle into a 9-inch pie dish. Transfer apple mixture into the crust. Stretch the second dough disk over the apples, trimming and sealing edges. Carve steam vents across the top.
  4. Finishing Touches: Brush the crust with beaten egg and dust with coarse sugar if desired. Bake for 45-50 minutes until the crust transforms to a rich golden hue and filling bubbles enthusiastically. Shield edges with foil if browning occurs too rapidly.
  5. Serving Presentation: Allow pie to rest and settle for one hour before slicing. Embellish with an additional caramel sauce drizzle just before serving.

Notes

  • Use extremely cold butter when making the pie crust to ensure a flaky, tender texture that creates beautiful layers in your pastry.
  • Toss apple slices with lemon juice immediately after cutting to prevent oxidation and maintain a fresh, vibrant appearance in the filling.
  • Gently fold caramel sauce into apple mixture to avoid breaking down the fruit and maintain distinct caramel pockets throughout the pie.
  • Cover pie crust edges with aluminum foil if they brown too quickly during baking, ensuring an evenly golden and perfectly cooked crust without burning.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 50 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 150 mg
  • Fat: 14 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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