Apple Crumble Caramel Pie was the first fruit pie I ever made by myself. The first batch was born when I was 14 years old and has morphed into several different recipes through the years, mainly for lack of recording the ingredients. After several tweaks, I can safely say it is no doubt at it’s BEST right now. There are a few things that have stayed constant: I always dice the apples very small, use lemon, and let the sugared apples sit for at least 20 minutes until they create their own sauce, which will bake into the most amazing caramel-like filling! I thought about competing with the recipe for several years and finally got up enough courage to enter it into the 2017 Volusia County fair pie contest. I got all the paperwork together and logged down the recipe – by hand. I made the most beautiful, golden crumble topped apple pie with the caramel sauce peeking through the edges. It was nothing less than perfection in a pie pan. Smiling and excited to finally be entering the contest, I drove to the fair. After walking around the fairground 3 times, I finally made my way to the exhibit hall, presenting my stunning pie to the entry table like a proud mama showing off her child. It was at that moment I realized the entry date for the paperwork was different than the entry day for turn in. I had missed the cutoff. The lady looked at me with pity, but there were no exceptions and I was turned away.
Meh.
While it was a bummer that I would have to wait another year to enter the contest, my husband was super excited that we now had a pie to eat that night. Annnnnd…even though I missed the cutoff for this contest, I am not going to miss the cutoff to share this awesome recipe with y’all before another big day…Thanksgiving!! This pie is a hit every year and plays so nicely with all the other pies on the dessert buffet table. I am pretty sure she and pecan are besties. Yes, it’s totally a she!
The shining star in this recipe is the amazing apples that are perfect during the fall season. However, meyer lemons are also starting to become ripe this time of year. While any lemon works for the recipe, meyer lemons have a slightly sweeter flavor and are such a perfect addition. I hope you all love this recipe as much as I do. I look forward to adding AWARD WINNING to the title next year ;)
*UPDATE: I finally got my ducks in row and in 2019, I was awarded 1st place for my pie at the Volusia County Fair Pie Contest in my division for fruit pies. Now I can really say it is without a doubt the BEST apple crumble caramel pie!
Looking for other fun Thanksgiving recipes? Don’t forget to try these amazing SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE BITES and the famous BACON, LEEK AND GRUYERE POTATO BREAD STUFFING!
And we can’t forget about the dessert buffet (because you always need more than one)! Check out these PUMPKIN PIE FLANS WITH COCONUT WHIPPED CREAM or this amazing PUMPKIN GANACHE CAKE WITH MAPLE BUTTERCREAM FROSTING!!
With much love from my table to yours,
xoxo, Tiffany
Apple Crumble Caramel Pie
Ingredients
Apples
- 5 large golden delicious apples
- 1/2 meyer lemon
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup white cane sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Crust
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp cane sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup cold salted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
- 1/3 cup palm shortening
- 8-10 tbsp cold water
Crumble Topping
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup white cane sugar
- 1/4 cup cold salted butter, cut into 1/2 inch cubes I use Kerrygold
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
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To make apples: Peel, core and dice apples into small 1/2-1 inch pieces. Squeeze lemon over apples to prevent browning. Add sugar and cinnamon, stirring well. Set aside for at least 20 min, stirring occasionally, until apples release juice and a sauce is created at the bottom of bowl.
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To make crust: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar and salt. Cut in butter with clean hands or a pastry blender until fine crumbs are formed and butter is pea sized or smaller. Add 8-10 tbsp water or just enough until dough comes together, but isn't too sticky or runny. Roll out dough on a saran wrap covered surface, using more flour if necessary to keep from sticking to rolling pin. Roll dough out to approx 1/2 inch thickness, making sure dough circle is large enough to fit into a 9 inch pie pan with room to fall over the edges. Pick up saran wrap and flip dough into pie pan. Press dough gently into pan and then slowly remove saran wrap. Trim edges of dough to sides of pan and use clean fingers or a fork to lightly press edge of dough to the pan to seal it. Save any leftover dough to make pie garnish leaves if desired.
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To make crumble topping: Mix flour, sugar and salt together. Cut in butter with clean hands or a pastry blender until fine crumbs are formed and butter is pea sized or smaller.
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Pie assembly: Pour apples and sauce into non-baked crust. Top with crumble. Bake for 50-60 minutes, uncovered, or until crust and crumble topping is golden brown. Garnish with leaves (see note) if desired. Is wonderful served hot, cold or topped with ice cream!
Recipe Notes
Leftover crust Leaf garnish - Roll out any remaining dough and cut into shapes with small leaf shaped cookie cutters. Press indents for leaf veins and bake on parchment paper for 12-15 min at 350 degrees or until golden brown. Once cool, place on top of pie. These are also fun to brush with edible color dust in red, orange, yellow and gold for a fun fall pie!
Pastry blenders are awesome for cutting butter for pie dough and crumble, but I HIGHLY recommend using clean hands if you can. The crumble turns out much better as the butter is distributed a little more evenly.
LOVE PINTEREST? ME TOO! LET’S BE FRIENDS SO YOU CAN SEE MY YUMMY RECIPES :)
WANT TO MAKE THIS LATER? PIN A PICTURE BELOW TO SAVE TO YOUR THANKSGIVING RECIPES, DESSERTS OR FALL FOOD PINTEREST BOARD.
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