Delicious Caramel Apple Pie – Thanksgiving Dessert Recipe

A classic apple pie is always at the top of our fall baking list, but this year we are deciding to step it up. Caramel brings out the sweetness of apples and makes it taste even MORE like fall. It goes perfectly with a cup of coffee and a giant scoop of vanilla ice cream. Be sure to let the pie cool before serving. This will allow a lot of the juices to be absorbed and will help with a cleaner slice, but any extra liquid is delicious spooned over the pie! You can use this homemade pie crust for a tender and flaky crust that’s perfect for this pie! Make your crust ahead of time to save yourself a lot time! You can make the crust and store it in the refrigerator for up to the 3 days or in the freezer for 1 month.

 

Delicious Caramel Apple Pie

Ingredients:

FOR THE CRUST

• 3 c. all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
• 1 c. (2 sticks) butter, cut into ½” pieces
• 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 6 tbsp. ice water (or more, if needed)

FOR THE FILLING

• 3 1/2 lb. assorted apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala) cored, peeled, and thinly sliced (about 7 apples)
• 1/4 c. packed dark brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 tsp. cornstarch
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 c. caramel, plus more for serving
• 1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp. water (egg wash)
• Coarse sugar, for sprinkling
• Ice cream, for serving

Directions:

Make crust: Place flour and butter into freezer for 30 minutes before starting crust process.

In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add butter and using your hands or a pastry cutter, cut butter into flour mixture until pea-sized and some slightly larger pieces form. Add vinegar and ice water 1 tablespoon at a time, until dough starts to come together and is moist but not wet and sticky (test by squeezing some with your fingers). Mixture will be crumbly.

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface, form into 2 equal size balls, and flatten into disks (making sure there are no/minimal cracks).

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until dough is very cold, at least 2 hours or up to overnight.

Preheat oven to 400° with a large baking sheet on the middle rack.

In a large skillet over medium heat, add apples, brown sugar, lemon juice, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt. Cook until liquid has thickened and apples are tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Let cool while rolling out dough.

On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough into a 12” circle. Transfer crust to 9” pie plate and gently press to fit. Trim edge to a 1” overhang, then tuck under itself and crimp edges.

Layer apples on top of crust, then pour caramel over apples.

Roll out second disc of dough into a 12” circle. Cut into 10 strips. Lay 4 strips over apples. Fold back the first and third strip and place a fifth slice over apples in the opposite direction and lay folded-back slices over the fifth slice. Fold back the second and fourth strip and repeat lattice top with remaining crust. Trim strips and press into crimped crust. Freeze for 15 minutes or until crust is well chilled.

Brush chilled crust with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Place pie plate onto preheated baking sheet and bake until crust is very golden and filling is bubbling, about 50 minutes. If crust starts to darken too quickly, cover loosely with foil. Let cool on a wire rack at least 2 hours before serving.

Serve topped with more caramel and ice cream, if desired.

 

 

 

 

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