Golden Sweet & Salty Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe

Sweet autumn winds whisper promises of comfort and warmth, bringing with them the irresistible aroma of a homemade salted caramel apple pie that dances through kitchen windows.

Crisp apples meet rich, buttery caramel in a dessert that speaks directly to your soul’s deepest cravings.

Each golden slice tells a story of carefully selected ingredients and time-honored baking techniques.

Layers of tender apples nestle between flaky, golden crust, generously drizzled with a decadent salted caramel sauce that adds a perfect balance of sweet and salty.

The contrast of textures and flavors creates a symphony that transforms an ordinary dessert into an extraordinary experience.

Bakers of all skill levels can confidently create this stunning pie that promises to become an instant family favorite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 60 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 300 kcal

Servings: 9

What Goes into Salted Caramel Apple Pie

• Flaky Pie Crusts: Pre-made crusts ensure a perfect, crisp base without the hassle of making dough from scratch; look for all-butter varieties for richer flavor.
• Egg Yolk, Water: Creates a golden, glossy egg wash that gives the crust a beautiful sheen and helps seal the edges.

• Dark Brown Sugar: Adds deep, molasses-like sweetness and helps create a luscious caramel undertone; choose fresh, soft sugar with no hard lumps.
• All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the apple filling and prevents a soggy bottom; opt for unbleached flour for better texture.
• Ground Cinnamon: Brings warm, aromatic depth that complements the apples perfectly; fresh, high-quality cinnamon makes a significant difference.
• Kosher Salt: Balances and enhances the overall sweetness, creating a more complex flavor profile.
• Ground Nutmeg: Provides a subtle, slightly woody warmth that elevates the apple and caramel notes.
• Turbinado or Coarse Sugar: Optional sparkling topping that adds delightful crunch and rustic appearance.

• Granny Smith or Pink Lady Apples: Tart, firm apples that hold their shape and provide perfect balance to the sweet caramel; choose crisp, unblemished fruits with vibrant color and no soft spots.

Essential Tools for Pie Prep and Caramel Drizzle

• Pie dish: 9-inch deep-dish pan for perfect apple pie structure.
• Rolling pin: Essential for rolling out pie crust and creating lattice strips.
• Sharp knife: Needed for peeling and slicing apples precisely.
• Large mixing bowl: Used for combining sugar mixture and tossing apple slices.
• Whisk: Perfect for creating smooth egg wash.
• Pastry brush: Helps apply egg wash and create golden, glossy crust.
• Cutting board: Provides stable surface for preparing apples.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Foil: Optional for covering pie if crust browns too quickly during baking.

Step-by-Step to Bake a Gooey Apple Pie with a Twist

• Egg Wash Prep

Whisk together golden egg yolk with cool water, creating a silky glaze that will make your pie crust shine like a sun-kissed morning.

• Spice Symphony

Mix fragrant sugar with delicate flour, warming cinnamon, gentle salt, and whispers of nutmeg in a cozy bowl, blending flavors that dance together.

• Apple Adventure

Gently transform crisp apples into delicate crescents, lovingly coating each slice with the spice mixture until they glisten with sweet potential.

• Caramel Canvas

Nestle the apple slices into a welcoming pie crust, then drizzle rivers of rich caramel sauce that weave through the fruit like liquid gold.

• Lattice Love

Craft a beautiful woven top using tender pie dough strips, trimming edges with care and brushing the surface with egg wash. Sprinkle a shower of sparkling sugar across the top.

• Oven Magic

Bake the pie in a warm 375°F embrace, watching carefully as it transforms into a golden masterpiece. Cover with a gentle foil shield if the crust begins to tan too quickly.

• Patient Perfection

Allow the pie to rest and settle for two luxurious hours, letting flavors meld and develop before serving with an extra cascade of caramel sauce.

Tips to Balance Salt, Sweetness, and Apple Flavor

• Mastering Salted Caramel Apple Perfection
• Choose firm, tart varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold their shape during baking and provide perfect tang against sweet caramel.
• Warm caramel slightly before pouring to ensure smooth, even distribution throughout pie filling, creating delectable pockets of gooey goodness.
• Pre-bake bottom crust for 10 minutes to prevent soggy bottom and seal in delicious apple juices, ensuring a golden, flaky texture.
• Assemble pie one day ahead and refrigerate overnight, allowing flavors to meld and develop deeper, more complex taste profiles.
• Serve slightly warm with vanilla bean ice cream or freshly whipped cream to elevate each slice into a decadent dessert experience.

Serving Apple Pie That Looks as Good as It Tastes

• Sweet Caramel Companion: Serve warm slices with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, letting the creamy coldness contrast with the pie's warm, spiced apples.
• Elegant Dessert Presentation: Drizzle additional salted caramel sauce around the plate's edge, creating a beautiful design that invites guests to dive into each delectable slice.
• Beverage Pairing Delight: Complement the pie's rich flavors with a steaming mug of cinnamon-spiced chai tea or a smooth caramel macchiato, enhancing the dessert's warm, comforting notes.
• Brunch Showstopper: Cut into smaller portions and arrange on a rustic wooden board with fresh cinnamon sticks and whole nutmegs for a stunning weekend brunch centerpiece that celebrates seasonal baking.

Best Practices to Keep Your Pie Slice-Ready for Days

• Slice and Savor Strategy: Cut pie when completely cooled to prevent runny filling and maintain beautiful slice presentation. Refrigerate leftover pieces in airtight container for optimal texture and flavor retention.
• Chill and Store Wisdom: Store pie at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days. Cover loosely with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to protect delicate crust from drying out.
• Freeze for Future Delight: Wrap unbaked pie tightly in plastic and aluminum foil. Freeze up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 15-20 minutes to original baking time for perfect golden crust.
• Caramel Sauce Longevity: Keep extra caramel sauce in sealed glass jar inside refrigerator. Stays fresh for 2 weeks. Gently reheat in microwave or warm water bath before drizzling over pie slices for refreshed, silky texture.

Irresistible Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe

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4.7 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Homemade salted caramel apple pie combines sweet and tangy flavors with a golden, flaky crust. Seasonal apples and rich caramel create a delightful dessert that will satisfy cravings for comforting, classic American baking.

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Ingredients

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• 2.5 pounds (1.13 kg) Granny Smith or Pink Lady apples (about 6 large or 7 medium), or a mix
• 2 (8 to 10 oz/226 to 283 g) flaky pie crusts, thawed if frozen
• ½ cup (100 g) packed dark brown sugar
• ¼ cup (30 g) all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp turbinado or coarse sugar (optional)

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Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly blend granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, kosher salt, and nutmeg into a uniform spice mixture that will infuse the apple filling with rich, aromatic flavors.
2. Apple Transformation: Meticulously peel, halve, and core fresh apples, then slice into uniform 1/4-inch wedges, ensuring consistent thickness for optimal texture and even cooking throughout the pie.
3. Flavor Infusion: Gently fold sliced apples into the prepared spice mixture, coating each piece completely to guarantee a harmonious blend of sweet and warm seasonings.
4. Pie Assembly: Carefully layer the seasoned apple slices into the prepared pie crust, creating a compact and neatly arranged filling that will provide structural integrity and maximum flavor concentration.
5. Caramel Enhancement: Generously drizzle caramel sauce over the apple layers, allowing it to cascade between the fruit, creating pockets of rich, buttery sweetness throughout the pie.
6. Lattice Crafting: Skillfully weave pie dough strips into an intricate lattice top, trimming excess edges and crimping the border to create a decorative and secure seal that will showcase the pie’s rustic elegance.
7. Finishing Touches: Brush the entire lattice surface with egg wash and sprinkle coarse sugar crystals, providing a glistening, crisp exterior that will add textural contrast and visual appeal.
8. Baking Process: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and bake for 50-60 minutes, monitoring crust color and protecting with aluminum foil if browning occurs too rapidly to ensure a perfectly golden finish.
9. Cooling and Serving: Allow the pie to cool completely for approximately 2 hours, enabling the filling to set and flavors to meld, then slice and serve with an additional caramel sauce drizzle for an indulgent dessert experience.

Notes

• Choose Ripe Apples: Select firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best balance of sweetness and texture in your pie.
• Prevent Apple Browning: Toss sliced apples with a splash of lemon juice to maintain their fresh color and prevent oxidation during preparation.
• Master Lattice Technique: Chill pie dough strips before weaving to ensure clean, crisp lattice edges and prevent stretching or tearing.
• Control Caramel Distribution: Allow caramel sauce to cool slightly before drizzling to prevent excessive liquid and maintain pie structure.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg