Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe is the ultimate cozy dessert that blends tart, tender apples with luscious salted caramel and a flaky golden crust. It’s perfect for fall evenings, holiday gatherings, or anytime you want to spoil yourself with a classic pie twist. Friends and family will adore the sweet-salty contrast, and you’ll love how surprisingly easy it is to make this comforting treat at home.
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What Makes This So Good
This Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe combines just the right amount of tart apple slices and a rich, buttery crust with sticky, sweet, and salty caramel ribbons throughout. The magic happens when the sauce melts into the apples, making every forkful a beautifully balanced bite.
- Big Flavor, Minimal Fuss: You get layers of flavor from simple pantry staples without complicated steps or fancy ingredients.
- Family-Friendly: It satisfies kids and adults alike, with its familiar apple pie charm and a fun caramel surprise.
- Simple Ingredients: Most of these you probably already have, including a double pie crust you can buy or make ahead.
- Works Any Night: Whether it’s a weekend gathering or a special holiday dessert, it’s ready to impress with minimal prep.
Ingredient Guide
Choosing the right ingredients really makes a difference in your Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe. Here’s how to get the best flavors and textures without extra fuss.
- Apples: Granny Smith apples are my go-to because their tartness balances the sweetness beautifully and they hold their shape well when baked.
- Sugars: The combo of granulated sugar and brown sugar adds depth—the brown sugar brings a subtle molasses note that complements the caramel perfectly.
- Spices: Just a touch of cinnamon and nutmeg is enough to warm the filling without overpowering the apples or caramel.
- Salted Caramel Sauce: Store-bought works fine if you’re short on time, but homemade caramel brings a fresh buttery richness that’s unbeatable.
- Pie Crust: A double pie crust (homemade or store-bought) ensures a flaky, golden shell that holds all that saucy goodness.
- Butter: A small pat on top helps create those flaky, crispy spots on the crust and enriches the flavor.
Quick Reminder: Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
How to Make Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe
Step 1 — Prep & Ready
Start by preheating your oven to 425°F (220°C). While it warms up, peel and thinly slice about 6 cups of apples—this ensures every bite has tender, evenly cooked fruit. Toss them in a big bowl with your sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice to keep everything bright and prevent browning. You’ll notice the mixture smells like fall in a bowl right now—so cozy!
Step 2 — Cook with Confidence
Next, roll out one half of your double pie crust and press it gently into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim the edges neatly. Pour half of your apple mixture into the crust, then drizzle half of the salted caramel sauce over it. Add the remaining apples and caramel in layers—this way, the caramel weaves through the filling, adding those dreamy pockets of flavor. Dot the top with butter to encourage crisp, golden spots on the crust. Finish with the second crust, trim and crimp the edges tightly to seal, and don’t forget to cut slits in the top for steam to escape—that’s key for avoiding a soggy crust.
Step 3 — Finish & Serve
Bake your pie at 425°F for around 45 to 50 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the crust turns a gorgeous golden brown and you see the filling bubbling at the edges—listen for that gentle sizzle, it’s the sound of caramel magic happening. Once out of the oven, place it on a wire rack to cool; this step lets the filling set up so slices hold nicely. Before serving, sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top—it’s a simple touch that wakes up the caramel’s richness and adds a sophisticated sparkle.
Extra Helpful Tips
I’ve learned a few simple tricks from making this Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe over the years that help ensure you get perfect results every time.
- Watch for This Sign: The filling should bubble gently but not spill over—too much spill means the crust edges might burn before the inside is cooked.
- Temperature Trick: If your crust browns too fast, cover the edges with foil halfway through baking to keep it from burning.
- Prep-Ahead Option: You can prepare the pie completely and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking; just add a few extra minutes to bake time.
- Avoid This Common Mistake: Don’t skip the lemon juice—it brightens the apples and prevents them from turning mushy or brown.
Serve & Enjoy
Easy Enhancements
For an extra layer of indulgence, serve your Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of heavy cream. Sprinkle ground cinnamon or chopped toasted pecans on top for crunch and spice. Want to get creative? Adding a pinch of cardamom or ginger to the filling gives it a subtle punch that pairs beautifully with the caramel.
Tasty Pairings
This pie is a star, but it also plays well with hot drinks like chai tea, spiced cider, or black coffee. Try pairing it with a sharp cheddar cheese slice on the side for an old-fashioned but surprisingly delicious combo. If you want a light contrast, a crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette refreshes the palate between bites.
Quick Plating Tips
Slice with a sharp knife to keep clean edges. Serve on pretty plates and sprinkle flaky sea salt on top just before serving to highlight the salted caramel flavor. A little fresh mint leaf on the side brightens the plate visually and aromatically. Don’t forget a dollop of whipped cream or a small scoop of ice cream to complete the picture.
Store, Freeze & Reheat
Fridge Storage
Store leftover Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe covered tightly in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The crust may soften slightly as it cools, but the flavors deepen and the filling stays luscious. To preserve the flakiness, avoid wrapping while still warm.
Freezer Friendly?
This pie freezes well if wrapped securely in plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze before baking or after completely cooled. When thawing, let it sit in the refrigerator overnight rather than at room temperature to keep the crust from getting soggy.
Reheat Like New
Warm slices in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes to revive the crust’s crispness and soften the filling. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep that flakiness—microwaves tend to make the crust tough or chewy. If you must microwave, do it in short increments and cover loosely to retain moisture.
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! You can prepare the pie completely and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before popping it in the oven. Just add a few extra minutes to the bake time when ready.
Both store-bought and homemade salted caramel sauces work great. Homemade tends to have a richer butter flavor and fresher taste, but a good quality store-bought version is a fine shortcut.
Make sure to cut slits in the top crust for steam to escape and avoid overfilling the pie. Also, using flour in the filling and chilling the pie before baking helps keep the crust crisp.
You can swap apples for pears or a mix of apples and pears for a sweeter, softer filling. Just remember to adjust sugar and spice amounts since pears are milder and sweeter.
Final Flavor Thoughts
I hope this Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe becomes your go-to for cozy occasions! It’s one of those desserts that brings smiles with every bite and makes the kitchen smell like a warm hug. If you try it, I’d love to hear if you added your own twist or which caramel sauce you preferred. Don’t forget to leave a star rating if you enjoyed it—it really helps fellow pie lovers find their next favorite dessert!
Print📖 Recipe
Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe
This Salted Caramel Apple Pie combines tender, thinly sliced apples with a rich, buttery salted caramel sauce encased in a flaky double crust. The warm spices of cinnamon and nutmeg perfectly complement the sweet and salty caramel, creating a delightful dessert that's perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 6 cups thinly sliced, peeled apples (such as Granny Smith)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ cup salted caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 tablespoon butter
For the Crust
- 1 (9-inch) double pie crust
- Sea salt flakes for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it reaches the appropriate temperature for baking the pie.
- Prepare Apple Filling: In a large bowl, combine the thinly sliced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, salt, and lemon juice. Mix everything thoroughly until the apples are evenly coated with the sugar and spice mixture.
- Prepare Pie Crust Base: Roll out one half of the double pie crust and fit it gently into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim the edges to fit snugly within the plate without overhang.
- Layer Filling and Caramel: Pour half of the apple mixture into the prepared pie crust. Drizzle half of the salted caramel sauce evenly over the apples. Add the remaining apple mixture on top, followed by the remaining caramel sauce. Dot the filling with small pieces of butter for richness.
- Add Top Crust: Roll out the second half of the pie crust and place it over the apple and caramel filling. Trim the edges and crimp them to seal the pie securely. Cut several slits into the top crust to allow steam to escape while baking.
- Bake the Pie: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly, indicating it’s fully cooked.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pie from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack. Allow it to cool completely to set the filling. Before serving, sprinkle the top with sea salt flakes to enhance the salted caramel flavor.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith for a balanced sweetness and tartness.
- Make sure to let the pie cool fully before serving to allow the filling to set properly.
- You can use store-bought salted caramel sauce for convenience or make your own for a homemade touch.
- Ensure the slits cut on the top crust are large enough to vent steam and prevent the crust from becoming soggy.
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