Salted Caramel Apple Pie Perfect for Fall

Salted Caramel Apple Pie

Imagine a warm, golden pastry layered with sweet-tart apples, perfectly caramelized, and finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt. That, my friends, is the magic of this Salted Caramel Apple Pie. It’s the apple pie of your dreams—sweet, crunchy, buttery, and with just the right amount of salty kick to balance all the flavors. Perfect for the fall, but honestly, who would say no to this cozy treat any time of year?

If you’re ready for a slice (or two!) of comfort, this pie is calling your name—spiced apples meet gooey caramel, and it’s bound to be a crowd-pleaser at the table.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Perfect Balance: Sweet from the caramel, tart from the apples, with just enough salt to cut through the richness.
Not Too Complicated: You can use store-bought pie dough, saving time and effort, while still enjoying flavors that taste homemade.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep it the day before or freeze it for later, making it ideal for holiday meals or weekend baking projects!

Ingredients Breakdown

Pie Dough: You can make your own favorite pie dough or grab a good-quality store-bought one—no judgment here!
Apples: I like using a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for a balance of tart and sweet. Feel free to use your favorite apple varieties.
Cream: Heavy cream gives the salted caramel its luxurious, silky texture.
Sea Salt: Go for flaky sea salt to sprinkle on top of the pie for that satisfying crunch with every bite—pure heaven!
Brown Sugar: This provides the base for the caramel and adds depth with its molasses richness.
Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Allspice: These warming spices tie the whole pie together and elevate the flavor of the apples.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s break it down, step by step:

Prepare the Pie Crust: Roll out your dough and fit it into your pie dish. Trim the edges and place it in the fridge to chill while you work on the filling.
Make the Caramel: Melt butter and brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat. Once it’s bubbly and thick, stir in the heavy cream. Reduce the heat and keep stirring until the caramel is smooth and glossy. Turn off the heat and stir in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt for flavor. Set this aside to cool slightly.
Prepare the Apples: While the dough chills, peel, core, and slice your apples. Toss them in a bowl with a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and a bit of sugar.
Assemble the Pie: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Take the chilled pie crust and arrange the apple slices inside. Drizzle half of the salted caramel over the apples.
Top with a Crust: Either lay another pie crust over the top or get creative with a lattice design (whatever you fancy!). Seal the edges, and don’t forget to vent the dough for steam to escape.
Bake: Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the crust is golden and the caramel bubbles through the top. If the edges of the crust start browning too fast, cover them with foil.
Finish: Once the pie comes out of the oven, drizzle the remaining salted caramel over the top. Then sprinkle some flaky sea salt for that extra balance of flavor.

Chef’s Tips and Tricks

No watery apples: Don’t forget to toss them in a colander for a bit after cutting. This helps release some of their juice and prevents a soggy pie bottom.
Get ahead of the game: You can make the caramel sauce in advance and keep it in an airtight jar in your fridge for up to two weeks.
Crust Tip: Use a pie shield or foil around the pie edges to prevent over-browning while the apples cook.

Recipe Variations and Serving Suggestions

Add Pecans: Sprinkle chopped pecans onto the apples for a bit of extra crunch and nuttiness.
Make it Boozy: Stir a tablespoon of bourbon or whiskey into the caramel before drizzling it over the apples for a grown-up kick!
Serving Suggestions: This pie is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side—it’s what dreams are made of!

FAQs

Can I freeze this pie? Absolutely! Assemble the pie (but don’t bake it) and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, just pop it into the oven straight from the freezer—just note that you may need to add 10-15 minutes to the baking time.
How should I store leftovers? If you happen to have leftovers (unlikely, but possible!), store them covered in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Can I use a different fruit? While apples are the classic choice here, pears or peaches also work beautifully with salted caramel.

Salted Caramel Apple Pie Recipe Card

Ingredients	Instructions
2 pie crusts (store-bought or homemade) 6 apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or your choice) 1 cup brown sugar 4 tbsp butter 1/4 cup heavy cream 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1/4 tsp allspice Flaky sea salt	Roll out the pie dough and place it in the pie dish. Chill while preparing the filling. In a saucepan, make the caramel by melting butter and brown sugar, then stirring in the cream and vanilla. Set aside. Peel, core, and slice the apples. Toss with spices and sugar. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange apples in the crust and drizzle with half the caramel. Top with the second crust or lattice. Seal the edges and vent the top for steam. Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden. Add remaining caramel and sea salt. Cool before serving.

Ingredients

Instructions

2 pie crusts (store-bought or homemade)
6 apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or your choice)
1 cup brown sugar
4 tbsp butter
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp allspice
Flaky sea salt

Roll out the pie dough and place it in the pie dish. Chill while preparing the filling.
In a saucepan, make the caramel by melting butter and brown sugar, then stirring in the cream and vanilla. Set aside.
Peel, core, and slice the apples. Toss with spices and sugar.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange apples in the crust and drizzle with half the caramel.
Top with the second crust or lattice. Seal the edges and vent the top for steam.
Bake for 45-50 minutes until golden. Add remaining caramel and sea salt. Cool before serving.

Conclusion

This Salted Caramel Apple Pie is exactly the kind of dessert that brings everyone to the table with big smiles. Tart apples, gooey caramel, and that salty-sweet balance make it an absolute showstopper. I’m so excited to hear about how you made it yours—don’t forget to leave a comment or take a picture and tag me on social media!