Caramel Apple Pie

Apple pie is a classic dessert made primarily of a pastry crust filled with spiced apples. It’s often associated with American cuisine and is a popular dish for holidays and gatherings.

Key Components:

1. Crust: Typically made from flour, butter, salt, and water. It can be either a single crust (bottom only) or a double crust (top and bottom).
2. Filling: The filling usually consists of sliced apples, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sometimes lemon juice to enhance the flavor. Different apple varieties can be used, such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji, depending on the desired sweetness and tartness.
3. Baking: The pie is baked until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender. It can be served warm or at room temperature, often with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Apple pie is known for its comforting flavors and is often referred to as “America’s favorite dessert.” It’s a delicious treat that celebrates the natural sweetness and tartness of apples!

Here’s a recipe for a unique twist on traditional apple pie: Caramel Apple Pie with a Crumble Topping.

Ingredients:

For the Pie:

• 6-8 medium apples (mix of tart and sweet, like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon butter, cut into small pieces

For the Crust:

• 1 recipe for pie crust (store-bought or homemade)

For the Crumble Topping:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Prepare the Apples: Peel, core, and slice the apples. In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with lemon juice, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, caramel sauce, and cornstarch until well coated.
3. Prepare the Pie Crust: Roll out your pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch pie pan. Trim the edges and set aside.
4. Fill the Pie: Pour the apple mixture into the prepared pie crust. Dot the filling with small pieces of butter.
5. Make the Crumble Topping: In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Pour in the melted butter and mix until crumbly.
6. Assemble the Pie: Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apple filling.
7. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 30-35 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.
8. Cool and Serve: Let the pie cool for a bit before serving. It’s delicious on its own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

Enjoy your unique caramel apple pie! It’s a delightful combination of flavors and textures!