Caramel Dutch Apple Pie

Salted Caramel Dutch Apple Pie is the ultimate indulgence for apple lovers. Imagine fresh, crisp apples like Granny Smiths, mingling with sweet caramel and a buttery, flaky pie crust. This pie blends the best of classic apple pie flavors with a rich caramel twist, all topped off with a delicious crumb topping.

It’s a pie you’ll be proud to serve at Thanksgiving dinner, holiday parties, or cozy nights in. 

This Dutch Caramel Apple Pie is so much more than a dessert—it’s a way to bring people together. From apple picking to the wafting smell of cinnamon and caramel as it bakes, it’s a dessert that feels like home. Top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you have a showstopper of a dessert that’s perfect for any holiday season gathering.

Whether for Thanksgiving dinner or a cozy weekend treat, this pie is bound to become a tradition in your home.

Ready to dive into this homemade masterpiece? Here’s everything you need to know to bake it right, complete with a few handy tips and tricks along the way.

What Makes Salted Caramel Dutch Apple Pie Special?

This isn’t your everyday apple pie. This caramel apple pie recipe brings together the warm spices of a traditional apple pie, caramel drizzle, and a sweet crumble all in a flaky crust, creating a flavor explosion. Here’s why this pie deserves a spot on your table:

• Unique Flavor Fusion: The combination of tart apples and homemade salted caramel sauce creates a bold, balanced sweetness. It takes apple pie to a whole new level. 
• Crumble Topping: Instead of a top crust, this pie boasts a crumb topping that bakes to golden brown perfection, giving the pie a sweet, crispy texture.
• Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s Thanksgiving dinner, a cozy Sunday supper, or a holiday feast, this pie fits the bill perfectly.

(full list of ingredients are in the recipe card)

While the exact measurements are key, each ingredient here has a specific role to make sure every bite of this pie is packed with flavor. Let’s break down why these ingredients are so important:

• Apples – Using a mix of Honeycrisp and Granny Smith apples balances sweetness and tartness, bringing complexity to the apple pie filling. Crisp apples hold up well during baking, adding texture to each slice.
• Brown Sugar – A touch of brown sugar gives depth to the caramel and the filling, making the pie rich and sweet with that perfect hint of molasses.
• Lemon Juice – This keeps the apple slices from browning and adds a bright contrast to the sweetness, making the apple flavors pop.
• Warm Spices – Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and a touch of cloves provide that warm, cozy essence that makes this pie irresistible.
• Salted Caramel Sauce – This homemade sauce, with its rich caramel flavor and a hint of salt, ties everything together beautifully. You’ll need a mix of sugar, butter, heavy cream, and salt for this. 
• All-Purpose Flour – Used in the pie crust and the crumble topping, it gives the pie structure and creates a perfect flaky base.
• Butter – Essential in the crust and topping for that perfect buttery texture. Cold butter creates those irresistible flaky layers in the crust.

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Salted Caramel Dutch Apple Pie

Make the Homemade Pie Crust and Crumble Topping

Step 1: Start by making the flaky pie crust. Mix flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Cut butter into chunks and add to the flour mixture.

Step 2: Coat the butter in the flour, then begin to pinch the butter and the flour together until it begins to form pea-sized morsels (you can also use a pastry blender or a food processor). Add the sour cream and mix until a shaggy dough forms, be careful not to overwork the dough. 

Step 3: Place the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Shape the dough into a rectangle and cut in half. Place the two pieces on top of each other and press down into a rectangle. Repeat once more, the dough should begin to come together and appear smooth. Cover with plastic wrap. Let the dough rest in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour (up to 3 days).

Step 4: Now, let’s make that crumble topping! In a bowl, combine flour, rolled oats, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Cut in some cold butter until you get a crumbly mixture that’s just begging to be sprinkled on top of the pie.

Salted Caramel Sauce Time

Step 5: (Skip this step if you’re using store bought caramel) While your dough is chilling, let’s whip up that luscious salted caramel sauce. In a medium saucepan, heat up your sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly as it melts into a beautiful amber color. Once melted, carefully add in the butter (it’s gonna bubble like crazy, so watch out!), and stir until combined. Slowly pour in the heavy cream and a sprinkle of sea salt, stirring until it’s all smooth and glorious. Set it aside to cool—trust me, you’ll want to drizzle it all over your pie later.

Preparing the Apple Pie Filling

Step 6: Now, onto the apple filling! Peel, core, and with a sharp knife slice your apples into thin, even pieces. You want them to cook evenly, so take your time. Toss those beauties in a large pan with brown sugar, lemon juice, and your warm spices. Seriously, take a whiff of that mix—it’s like fall in a bowl!

Step 7: Add a splash of apple cider and a sprinkle of cornstarch to help thicken things up. Set this aside while you roll out the dough.

Assembling and Baking the Pie

Step 8: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Now that your dough has chilled and is nice and firm, roll it out on a floured surface to fit your pie dish

Step 9: Carefully place the crust into your dish, trimming any excess hanging over the edges. Freeze the pie for 20 minutes.

Step 10: Place a piece of parchment paper on top of the pie crust and fill with pie weights. Be sure to fill to the top so that the pie crust doesn’t shrink into the pan while baking. Bake for 15-17 minutes, until the crust is golden brown. Remove the pie weights and continue to cook for an addition 10 minutes.

Step 11: Reduce the oven temperature to 375 degrees F. Pour in your spiced apple filling. Drizzle a generous amount of that heavenly salted caramel sauce over the top—it’s going to seep into all those nooks and crannies, and you’re gonna thank yourself later. Spread the crumb topping generously over your apple mixture, covering it completely. Bake for 15-25 minutes, until the crumb topping is golden brown.

Once baked, let your pie cool for at least 30 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set, preferably overnight. I know, it’s tough, but this helps the filling set up nicely.

When you’re finally ready to serve, drizzle a little more salted caramel sauce on top and, if you’re feeling fancy, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Your taste buds will thank you.

Tips for the Perfect Apple Pie 

•  Choose the Right Apples: Opt for a mix of tart and sweet apples, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp. Tart apples balance the sweetness of caramel, and the mix gives the filling complexity and depth.
• Let It Cool before slicing! Let the pie cool for at least an hour before slicing. This step helps the filling set and makes it easier to serve.
• No need to use an egg wash: ​we are prebaking the crust so there’s no need to add an egg wash as it will brown on its own. 
• If the topping starts browning too quickly, feel free to cover it loosely with foil.