Caramel Apple Crumble Pie

Here’s a recipe for a Caramel Apple Crumble Pie that combines the warmth of spiced apples with a sweet, crunchy crumble topping and rich caramel flavor:

Ingredients:

For the Apple Filling:

• 6-8 medium apples (a mix of tart and sweet apples like Granny Smith and Honeycrisp is ideal)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour (helps thicken the filling)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Crumble Topping:

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cut into small cubes)

For the Caramel Sauce:

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup brown sugar (packed)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

For the Pie Crust:

• 1 pre-made pie crust (or homemade if preferred)

Directions:

1. Prepare the Caramel Sauce:

• In a saucepan, combine the heavy cream, butter, and brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture is smooth and the sugar has dissolved. Bring it to a simmer and cook for 3-5 minutes until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and a pinch of salt. Let it cool slightly while you assemble the pie.

2. Prepare the Apple Filling:

• Peel, core, and slice the apples into thin slices.
• In a large bowl, toss the apple slices with granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until evenly coated.

3. Make the Crumble Topping:

• In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
• Add the cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

4. Assemble the Pie:

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• Roll out the pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch pie pan. Trim and crimp the edges.
• Layer the apple filling evenly into the pie crust.
• Drizzle about 1/4 cup of the caramel sauce over the apples.
• Sprinkle the crumble topping over the apples.

5. Bake the Pie:

• Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any drips) and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown. If the crust or topping starts to brown too quickly, cover with foil and continue baking.

6. Finish and Serve:

• Allow the pie to cool for at least 30 minutes to set.
• Drizzle with additional caramel sauce before serving, if desired.

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra treat! Enjoy!