Homestyle Caramel Apple Pie

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 6-8 tablespoons ice water 6-8 tablespoons ice water
• 6-7 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced 6-7 medium-sized apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup (120ml) caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade) ½ cup (120ml) caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash) 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 380 kcal / 1590 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 18g, 11g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 52g, 32g
• Protein: 3g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.4g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, and granulated sugar. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
2. 2.
   Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and mix until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into two equal portions, shape them into discs, and wrap them in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
3. 3.
   Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). In a separate bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and vanilla extract. Toss until the apples are evenly coated.
4. 4.
   Roll out one disc of dough on a lightly floured surface to fit a 9-inch pie dish. Transfer the rolled-out dough to the pie dish and gently press it into the bottom and sides.
5. 5.
   Pour the caramel sauce over the apple mixture and stir until well combined. Transfer the apple filling into the prepared pie crust.
6. 6.
   Roll out the second disc of dough and cut it into strips to create a lattice pattern on top of the pie. Alternatively, you can cover the pie with the whole rolled-out dough and cut slits for ventilation.
7. 7.
   Brush the top crust with the beaten egg wash. Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any drips and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
8. 8.
   Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for at least 2 hours before serving. This allows the filling to set and ensures easier slicing.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Apples — Choose a mix of tart and sweet apples such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn for a balanced flavor and texture in the pie.
• Caramel sauce — If using store-bought caramel sauce, make sure to choose a high-quality brand with a rich and smooth consistency. Alternatively, you can make your own caramel sauce at home for a homemade touch.

Tips & Tricks

• For a decorative touch, use cookie cutters to create shapes from the excess dough and arrange them on top of the pie before baking.
• Serve the pie warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgence.
• If the edges of the pie crust start to brown too quickly during baking, cover them with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
• To achieve a flaky crust, make sure the butter is cold and handle the dough as little as possible.
• If you prefer a sweeter pie, you can sprinkle some cinnamon sugar on top of the crust before baking.

Serving advice

Serve the Homestyle Caramel Apple Pie warm or at room temperature. It pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Homestyle Caramel Apple Pie, dust the top crust with powdered sugar before serving. You can also garnish each slice with a small apple slice or a sprig of fresh mint.