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5 from 2 votes

Salted Caramel Apple Pie

A classic apple pie with a twist. Add gooey salted caramel to those delicate thinly sliced apples and flakey American pie crust and you have yourself a show stopper apple pie. 
Prep Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Servings: 1 9" - 10" pie
Author: Lori Vaughn

Ingredients

Pie Crust (if doing a lattice crust or similar, double this recipe)

  • 2 ¼ cups flour + more for working
  • 1 cup shortening
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp vinegar
  • About 4-6 TB ice cold water
  • coarse sugar to top (optional)

Pie Filling

  • 6-8 medium apples, mix of granny smith and another variety (pink lady, honey crisp, etc.)
  • 2 TB lemon juice
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 1 cup (whole recipe) salted caramel sauce or store bought caramel sauce

Instructions

Pie Filling

  • Peel 6-8 medium apples of 2-3 varieties (not mandatory, but will add a depth of flavor). If you only choose one, choose Granny Smith so it's not overly sweet. Slice the apples as thin as possible.
  • Place sliced apples in a large bowl. Pour lemon juice on top and toss the apples.
  • Add the remaining filling ingredients and toss again, trying to evenly coat the apples. Set in the fridge while you make your crust.

Pie Crust

  • Note: This will make a bottom crust and basic fully covered top crust. If you intend to do a lattice crust or similar design that will require extra dough, double the recipe. You may end up with a few extra small pieces, but just pop those in the oven with cinnamon and sugar for a yummy treat!
  • Fill a glass with ice water. Set aside.
  • Combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the shortening. Using a pastry cutter or fork, cut the shortening into the flour. You should be left with small clumps of shortening in the mixture. (See picture above)
  • Add vinegar and then add the ice cold water, one tablespoon at a time. Mix it in with a fork. The mixture should resemble something similar to biscuit dough. It will be somewhat sticky and hold its shape.
  • Divide the ball into 2 even piles. Gently wrap your balls of dough in plastic wrap and let it rest in the fridge for 30-60 minutes.** This will make it easier to roll out.

Assembly & Baking

  • Assembly: Preheat oven to 400°F.
    When the dough is chilled, pull out one ball and gently roll it out on a floured work surface. I love using a silicone mat for this for easy transfer to the pie dish. Roll it out until the dough is about 1" larger than your pie dish. (Flip your pie dish over for easy measurement against the dough)
  • Transfer (see pie transfer tips in notes above) to your pie dish. Pour the filling over the pie dough in the dish. Generously drizzle about half of the salted caramel on top of the apples. Set in the fridge while you prepare the top portion of the dough.
  • Pull out the other chilled ball of dough and place it on a floured work surface and roll out into desired design:
    -Simple fully covered crust: Roll out into a circle similar to the bottom crust. Use a rolling pin, or flip over your silicone working mat, to transfer the dough in gently place it over the filling. Crimp the edges to seal. Cut a couple slits in the top to allow air to vent during baking.
    Lattice crust and/or braid: See my notes and tips above in the recipe to achieve this look.
  • Brush an egg wash (whisked egg and milk) over the top of the crust prior to baking. Sprinkle coarse sugar over the top (optional).
  • Bake: Bake at 400°F for about 20 minutes on the lower oven rack, then turn down the heat to 375°F and bake for an additional 50-60 minutes. About ½ - ⅔ way through baking, check on the crust. If it's browning too quickly, place a sheet of tinfoil over the top to slow down the browning.
  • After baking, let it rest and cool for at least a couple hours before serving. It's best served same day, but it'll stay fresh in the fridge for a few days.
    Prior to serving you can reheat it in the oven on 325° with foil on top. Pour extra caramel sauce on top of the crust, and serve with ice cream for the full experience.

Notes

Pie crust can be made in advance and frozen. Let it thaw in the fridge for a few hours prior to rolling out.
The leaves were made using a small leaf cookie cutter, and a knife was used to make the inner strokes of the leaf. 
For additional visuals on crust designs, check out YouTube! There are a lot of great resources out there on lattice crusts and braids. My recipe can be applied to any of those techniques.