Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe

The Perfect Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe Everyone Will Love

Salted caramel apple pie revamps ordinary dessert expectations with its mesmerizing flavor profile and unexpected culinary magic.

Sweet-tart apples nestle beneath golden, crisp pastry, creating a canvas for rich caramel complex notes.

Delicate salt crystals dance across the surface, awakening taste buds and challenging traditional pie conventions.

Each forkful promises a sophisticated interplay between sugary warmth and subtle savory undertones.

Seasonal ingredients collaborate to craft a dessert that feels both comforting and adventurous.

Homemade pastry becomes a luxurious vessel for this decadent creation, elevating simple ingredients into a remarkable experience.

Prepare to indulge in a dessert that defies predictable flavor boundaries.

Salted Caramel Apple Pie: A Perfect Fall Dessert

  • Elevate Dessert Experience: This salted caramel apple pie transforms a classic dessert into a luxurious treat that balances sweet and salty flavors with sophisticated layers of complexity.
  • Master Seasonal Comfort: Perfectly captures autumn's warmth through tender spiced apples and rich caramel, creating a nostalgic dessert that feels like a cozy home-baked hug.
  • Craft Impressive Presentation: The lattice crust and caramel drizzle make this pie visually stunning, turning an ordinary dessert into a showstopping centerpiece for gatherings or special occasions.
  • Enjoy Balanced Nutrition: Offers a moderate calorie count with a good balance of fiber and natural fruit sweetness, making it a slightly indulgent yet not overly heavy dessert option.

Must-Have Ingredients for Salted Caramel Apple Pie

Pie Crust and Topping:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Key foundation for a flaky, tender pie crust with buttery texture.
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and creates layers in pie crust.
  • Salt: Enhances overall pie crust flavor and balances sweetness.
  • Egg Yolk, Water: Creates golden, glossy egg wash for beautiful pie crust finish.
  • Coarse Sugar: Adds delightful crunch and sparkle to pie crust top.
Filling and Spices:
  • Apples: Firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold shape during baking.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps caramelize apple filling.
  • Ground Cinnamon, Nutmeg: Classic warm spices that complement apples natural flavor.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Thickens apple filling and prevents excess liquid.
Sauce and Finishing:
  • Caramel Sauce: Adds rich, deep sweetness and luxurious texture to apple pie.
  • Salt: Balances caramels sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Pie

Step 1: Prepare Egg Wash

Whisk egg yolk with water until smooth and well combined.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, blend:
  • Sugar
  • Flour
  • Cinnamon
  • Salt
  • Nutmeg

Step 3: Prepare Apples

Carefully peel, halve, and core apples. Slice into 1/4-inch pieces. Gently toss apple slices in the prepared sugar mixture until evenly coated.

Step 4: Layer Pie Filling

Spread the seasoned apple slices into the prepared pie crust. Drizzle a generous amount of caramel sauce over the apple layer, ensuring even coverage.

Step 5: Create Lattice Crust

Roll out pie dough and cut into strips. Weave the strips to form a beautiful lattice pattern over the apple filling. Trim excess dough from the edges and crimp to seal. Brush the entire lattice surface with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar for a sparkling finish.

Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place pie in a preheated oven at 375°F. Bake for 50-60 minutes, keeping an eye on the crust. If it browns too quickly, cover with aluminum foil to prevent burning.

Step 7: Cool and Serve

Allow pie to cool for 2 hours at room temperature. Slice and serve with an extra drizzle of caramel sauce for an indulgent dessert experience.

Tips for Perfect Salted Caramel Apple Pie

  • Select Crisp Apples: Choose firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of sweetness and texture in your pie.
  • Master Caramel Technique: Watch caramel sauce carefully while cooking to prevent burning, stirring constantly and removing from heat when it reaches a deep amber color.
  • Prevent Soggy Bottom: Sprinkle a thin layer of breadcrumbs or ground almonds on the bottom crust to absorb excess moisture and keep the crust crispy.
  • Achieve Perfectly Latticed Crust: Freeze pie dough strips for 10 minutes before weaving to make them more manageable and prevent stretching.
  • Serve at Optimal Temperature: Let the pie cool completely for at least 2 hours to allow the filling to set and caramel to stabilize, ensuring clean, beautiful slices.

Storing and Reheating Salted Caramel Apple Pie

  • Refrigerate leftover pie in an airtight container to preserve freshness for up to 4 days. Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and protect its delicate flavor.
  • Reheating Method: Warm individual slices in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to restore the crispy crust and bring out the pie's rich caramel and apple flavors. Avoid using the microwave, which can make the crust soggy and compromise the pie's delightful texture.
  • Freezing Option: Wrap the entire pie or individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently in the oven before serving to maintain its original delicious taste and flaky crust.

Pairing Salted Caramel Apple Pie with Whipped Cream

  • Pair with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop creamy vanilla bean ice cream alongside the warm, gooey salted caramel apple pie. The cold, smooth ice cream perfectly balances the pie's warm, crispy crust and rich caramel flavor.
  • Match with Spiced Chai Latte: Brew a comforting chai latte with aromatic spices like cardamom, cinnamon, and ginger. Its warm, complex notes complement the pie's sweet-salty caramel and tender apple filling.
  • Complement with Aged Bourbon: Pour a smooth, amber bourbon with hints of vanilla and oak. Its rich, slightly smoky character enhances the pie's caramel depth and buttery crust, creating a sophisticated dessert experience.
  • Serve with Cinnamon Whipped Cream: Whip heavy cream with a touch of ground cinnamon and powdered sugar. This light, fragrant topping adds an extra layer of warmth and spice to the decadent pie.

Fun Variations of Salted Caramel Apple Pie

  • Nutty Caramel Apple Crunch: Add chopped pecans or walnuts between apple layers for extra texture and nutty flavor. Sprinkle toasted nuts on top before serving for a delightful crunch.
  • Spiced Bourbon Apple Sensation: Infuse caramel sauce with a splash of bourbon and add ground cardamom to the spice mix. Enhanced warmth and depth create a sophisticated dessert experience.
  • Berry Caramel Fusion Pie: Layer thinly sliced strawberries or raspberries between apple slices. The tartness complements the sweet caramel and adds vibrant color to the classic pie.
  • Maple Pecan Caramel Transformation: Replace some sugar with pure maple syrup and incorporate finely ground pecans into the crust. Drizzle additional maple caramel sauce over each slice for decadent richness.
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Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe


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4.7 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Salted caramel apple pie blends classic American dessert traditions with modern culinary artistry. Sweet-tart apples nestled in buttery pastry create a harmonious balance of flavors that will transport you to autumn’s most delightful moments.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 (8 to 10 ounces/226 to 283 grams) flaky pie crusts, thawed if frozen
  • 2.5 pounds (1.13 kilograms) Granny Smith or Pink Lady apples (about 6 large or seven medium), or a mix
  • ½ cup (100 grams) packed dark brown sugar

Spices and Flour:

  • ¼ cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

Egg Wash and Topping:

  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon turbinado or coarse sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the egg wash by whisking 1 egg yolk with of water until smooth and well-combined.
  2. In a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly blend granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, kosher salt, and ground nutmeg to create a uniform seasoning mixture.
  3. Carefully peel, halve, and remove the cores from fresh apples. Slice the apples into uniform 1/4-inch (0.6-centimeter) thick wedges, ensuring consistent thickness for even cooking.
  4. Gently fold the sliced apples into the prepared sugar-spice mixture, ensuring each apple piece is evenly coated and seasoned.
  5. Carefully transfer the seasoned apple slices into a prepared pie crust, arranging them neatly and compactly to maximize filling.
  6. Drizzle homemade or store-bought caramel sauce generously over the apple filling, allowing it to seep between the apple layers.
  7. Craft an intricate lattice top using rolled pie dough strips, weaving them carefully over the caramel-coated apples.
  8. Trim the excess dough from the lattice edges and delicately crimp the border to create a decorative seal.
  9. Brush the entire lattice surface with the prepared egg wash, ensuring complete and even coverage.
  10. Sprinkle coarse sugar crystals over the egg-washed lattice for a sparkling, crisp texture.
  11. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake the pie for 50-60 minutes, monitoring the crust color and covering with aluminum foil if browning occurs too quickly.
  12. Remove from the oven and allow the pie to cool completely for approximately 2 hours, enabling the filling to set and flavors to meld.
  13. Slice and serve the pie, accompanying each piece with an additional drizzle of caramel sauce for enhanced indulgence.

Notes

  • Caramel creation requires patience, whisking sugar until golden amber signals readiness for pie perfection.
  • Apple selection matters most: choose crisp, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for balanced sweetness.
  • Precise slicing ensures uniform cooking, preventing mushy or undercooked fruit textures in your final dessert.
  • Lattice weaving transforms ordinary pie into a stunning centerpiece, showcasing culinary craftsmanship with each interwoven strip.
  • Cooling time allows caramel and filling to set, guaranteeing clean slices and intensified flavor development.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 60 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 250 kcal
  • Sugar: 25g
  • Sodium: 200mg
  • Fat: 10g
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 37g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: <1mg
Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen

Founder, Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Artisanal Bread Making
  • Exquisite Pastry Craftsmanship
  • Creative Dessert Presentation
  • Flavor Profile Development
  • Menu Concept Innovation.

Education

Savannah Technical College

  • Program: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts
  • Focus: A specialized program focusing on baking and pastry fundamentals, including bread making, cake decorating, and advanced pastry techniques. Developed creative presentation skills and an understanding of ingredient functions through lab-based practice.

Mary Ellen is the heart and soul of thatsmyhome.com. As the founder, pastry chef, and recipe developer, she refined her skills at Savannah Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts. 

Mary blends classic techniques with modern twists to make artisanal breads, beautifully crafted pastries, and desserts full of unique flavor. Her passion is evident in every recipe, and she enjoys sharing her expertise through hands-on pastry workshops and insightful articles in local culinary magazines.

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