One slice of Brown Sugar Caramel Apple Pie & you will fall in love. Caramel and apples can get even sweeter and crave-worthy when you add ribbons of buttery brown sugar and make it all into one to-die-for pie. There is so much to love about this pie.
It is perfect for holidays and special occasions. Plus it combines the flavors of an apple streusel with that of caramel apples into one amazing pie. And if you have a favorite apple or grow apples, whichever kind that is, they will likely work in this pie.
This is also what I call a "half scratch" recipe. That means there are a few store-bought items that help make this recipe a bit less labor-intensive. This recipe includes premade pie crusts and Kraft caramels.
Of course, you can make your pie crusts and make homemade caramels or caramel sauce but this is the method I have used for years. I do not want to mess with perfection as this is my most requested pie, especially during the holidays.
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Best Apples for Caramel Apple Pie
I would like to say you can use just about any apple for this pie. But I will admit some varieties make for a better pie. Some apples come out too mushy. Also, some may make this too sweet.
So for my favorite combination, I use a combination of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp. Both bake up beautifully and hold their shape. The tart and sweet combination also balances out the brown sugar and caramel for a foolproof flavor punch.
Here is how different apples may make your pie. I suggest using one from each category. I use a combination in my Apple Hand Pies recipe too. All of those I list below are firm apples that are ideal for baking:
- For tartness - Granny Smith, Braeburn, McIntosh, Pink Lady, Empire, Jonathan, Cortland
- For sweetness - Gala, Fuji, Honeycrisp, Golden Delicious, Gravenstein, Jonagold, Winesap
How to Make Brown Sugar Caramel Apple Pie
Here are the step-by-step instructions to make this caramel apple pie recipe. There are layers to this pie so make sure you follow along. It will be worth the little extra effort.
First, make the brown sugar mixture. In a small microwave-safe bowl melt the butter. Next mix in the brown sugar and ⅓ C of the flour. Set the bowl to the side to use later when assembling the pie.
Peel and core apples. Then thinly slice the apples into evenly sized pieces as shown below.
Add cinnamon, sugar, and flour to the thinly sliced apples. Mix to combine the apple pie filling.
For this caramel apple pie, unwrap 20 Kraft caramel squares and cut each in half. If using the caramel bits or a combination, measure those out. Gather all pie ingredients to assemble. In a 9" deep-dish pie pan, line the bottom with one of the pastry crusts.
Top the bottom crust with half the apple mixture, half the brown sugar mixture, and half the caramel.
the first layer of apples, brown sugar, and caramels
Repeat with the remaining ingredients to have two layers. The pie will be slightly mounded higher than the pie crust. I push down slightly to have the apple slices and other ingredients in the crust evenly and to make sure the pie doesn't have any voids.
The filling will shrink as it cooks so if there are voids plus a size reduction, the pie will have a low filling and empty space between the filling and the top crust. This will result in the top crust caving in or difficulty keeping the slices together as you cut them.
Place the top pastry crust on the filling and crimp the edges. Be sure to seal the bottom crust with the top crust to ensure there is no filling that leaks out. Cut 3 or 4 small slits in the middle of the top crust for venting.
How Long to Bake Caramel Apple Pie
Bake in the preheated oven covered with foil for 35 minutes. Then remove the foil and cook another 45 minutes. See the recipe card below for checking for doneness.
Let the pie rest before serving. Serve warm!
Storing & Reheating Caramel Apple Pie
This apple pie lasts for days. You can bake it ahead of time which is great for busy holidays. The pie can rest on the counter covered for 24 hours. If you bake it more than a day ahead of time, place it in the refrigerator and store for up to 3 days covered.
To reheat, slice and warm in the microwave. Or serve it at room temperature by removing it from the refrigerator 4 hours before you want to slice and enjoy.
Other Apple Desserts
Try these other related recipes for homemade desserts with apples:
Product Recommendations for this Recipe:
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Brown Sugar Caramel Apple Pie
Ingredients
- 2 9-inch premade store-bought pie crusts like Pillsbury brand or your favorite homemade recipe
- ½ C brown sugar
- ¼ C butter melted
- ⅓ C all-purpose flour
- 7 C apples (recommend Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- ⅔ C sugar
- 3 TB all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 20 Kraft Caramels unwrapped & cut in half OR ½ C Kraft Caramel Bits
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°
- For Brown Sugar mix: In a small bowl combine brown sugar and flour into the melted butter. Mix well, set aside.½ C brown sugar, ¼ C butter, ⅓ C all-purpose flour
- For Pie Filling: In a large mixing bowl combine apple slices, sugar, flour, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Toss together to combine. Your hands are the best for this.7 C apples (recommend Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), ⅔ C sugar, 3 TB all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- To Assemble the Pie: In a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan, line the pan with one of the pastry crusts. Spoon half of the apple pie filling into the pastry crust. Top with half the caramels and half of the brown sugar mix. Repeat process with remaining ingredients. Place top pastry crust on top of the mound of filling. Seal the edges to ensure the filling does not bubble out and spill. You want all the caramel and pie juices to remain in the crusts. Cut 3 or 4 vent slices into the top of the crust.2 9-inch premade store-bought pie crusts like Pillsbury brand
- Place pie on a baking sheet and cover loosely with foil. Next place into the center of the preheated oven. Bake for 35 minutes.20 Kraft Caramels unwrapped & cut in half
- Remove foil and bake an additional 45 minutes. The pie will be slightly brown and the filling hot and bubbling. You can slide a butter knife down through one of the vent slits and then gently touch the knife to test for doneness. The pie filling should make the knife hot to the touch. (be careful)
- Let rest at least 20 minutes so the juices and caramel can set so ensure easy slicing. Serve warm. Keeps up to 4 days in the refrigerator after slicing. The pie can be kept on your countertop overnight if unsliced. (easy to make ahead before a holiday)
Nutrition
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Carlee says
Apple pie is one of my favorites anyway, but adding brown sugar and caramel is bound to make it even better. Yum!
Charlene says
I'm kind of an apple pie snob. But I think even I would like this one!
Angela says
This cracks me up. Ian and I often call ourselves "pizza snobs" so I can relate. I am pretty confident you will like this is you love apple pie and anything caramel. Go for it!
Lora says
That looks and sounds so good! I pinned it in the hopes of one day making it. I used to make apple pie every year but the addition of caramel sounds fabulous.
Lisa says
Oh my goodness this sounds and looks amazing! We love caramel and never thought to put it in a pie.
D'Ann says
Love the half-scratch aspect of this recipe! Keep 'em coming!
Angela says
Half-scratch really can be a time saver and a great way to get kids started with cooking / building confidence.
Lisa Manderino says
I may try this on our next pie contest! It looks amazing!
Angela says
Great and good luck!
Holly Bird says
Angela, you have the most amazing and unique recipes! I can't wait to try this one! Thank you!
Angela says
Thank you Holly, it means a lot to hear that.
Chrissy Gates says
I think I gained five pounds just reading that recipe. It sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing!
Robin says
There really isn't a better combination than caramel and apples. Thanks for sharing your recipe with us at the Creative Muster. Looking forward to seeing what you’ll be sharing next week. Pinned!
Robin 🎄
Angela says
Thank you and always happy to visit your site and share.
Lisa says
I never thought to add caramel... such a great idea!!
Kristen says
I've never heard of Kraft caramel bits. Yum!
Maria Gustafsson says
Angela, I absolutely love apple pie! And this week alone I've gained at least 5lbs looking at this recipe!
Michelle says
I love how easy this is to make!!! Looks delicious!
Eva says
This looks DELICIOUS! And I love that it's not a requirement to spend all day in the kitchen making it.
Haley Kelley says
This would have been great to make for Thanksgiving
Caitlin Westwood says
Oh my goodness my mouth is watering! This looks so good!
Cindy says
This pie looks delicious! And it’s beautiful too.
Kay says
Apple Pie is my other half's favourite dessert, I love the addition of caramel!! Need to give this a go! x
Raquel says
I love caramel apple everything (especially cider!) and this sounds right up my alley (:
Angela says
You must make it - guaranteed caramel apple love!
Erika says
Adding caramel to an apple pie is genius. Yum!
Genevieve says
Isn't apple pie such a delicious classic? This recipe looks so good and perfect for Christmas!
Lisa Ho says
I love Love love apple pie.
Definitely book marking this recipe for my dessert to try 🙂
Angela says
Great, thanks for saving to make later.
Gari says
The other day I was thinking about what pie to make at some potluck.....n this surely looks like a treat!
Angela says
I hope you make this for the potluck and be prepared to get rave reviews, everyone loves this pie.
Aimee DiPasquale says
I love that you use granny smith. Apple pie needs some tartness in my opinion. It can be too sweet.
Angela says
Thanks, Aimee, the tart-sweet balance sure does make the best pie.
Simone says
I love that you used Granny Smith apples and the addition of caramel sounds outstanding! I'm not a big desserts person, but this sounds like a "must try".
Angela says
I am not a big dessert person either but I love this one. The tart and sweet ratios are perfect.
Jacqueline Debono says
Love that you used caramels in this apple pie. Such a scrumptious combination!
Beth says
Bookmarking this for the next time I buy apples at the farmer's market - if I can wait that long. I love caramel and look forward to this treat.
Angela says
Great I hope you love it - I highly recommend using some tart apples to pair with the caramel and brown sugar.
Michele says
Apple pie is my favorite dessert but I have never tried it with caramel! No you have me craving one! Do you ship : )
Angela says
I wish Michele and you would be first to get one. You have GOT TO TRY caramel in an apple pie - I warn you, dangerous!
SOTERIA Loadedpenvibes says
nice website and awesome recipes
Angela says
I appreciate that, thanks for saying so!
Nisha says
What a lovely recipe , the caramel in it must give a nice flavor to the apples .
Angela says
Caramels with apples in this homemade pie recipe is a great flavor boost.
Cadi says
This pie was so amazing and had the best caramel apple flavor. It is a sweet pie and just how I like it.
Angela says
I am so glad you liked this caramel apple pie recipe and I hope you share this recipe with others.
Ashley Zimmerman says
Can I make this with one crust? Would it affect how the caramel melts and the doneness of the apples? I really want to make this pie with a dutch ''crumble" topping. Please let me know what you think!
Angela says
Wow, Ashley, we think alike! I have not personally made it yet that way but literally just bought all the ingredients to try and make it as a dutch caramel apple pie version. I absolutely think it will work. I won't be making it until probably Christmas so give it a try and I would love to hear how it turns out for you. Even share on Facebook and tag me so I can see a photo of your beautiful pie! Tag @theshortordercookblog (Instagram & Facebook) Good luck and enjoy!
Molly says
So many apples this year off our tree. This is the 3rd pie I have made this month and it is the winner. It is so rich and amazing. The caramels and whatever the brown sugar is doing is seriously amazing. I will make this probably 100 more times for sure and saved it to pinterest.
Angela says
I could make this 100x a year myself, it is that good. Thanks for the message.
Lisa says
Ok, saving this recipe and going to make for Christmas with my own homemade Carmel's. Don't know if I'm reading wrong or what.. but I'm not getting the brown sugar mix... Combine brown sugar a flour and meix into the melted sugar? Is it possible you melt the granulated sugar in the butter first? Because I don't see where butter is in the recipe? Otherwise, I can't wait to try this! 😋
Angela says
Thanks for the comment. I see there was a typo, in step 2 it is melted butter not sugar! I have made the change in the recipe card and I hope that helps. My daughter and I just made this recipe again for Thanksgiving and still didn't catch that. We have made it so many times we almost know it by heart and didn't realize. Happy Holidays!
Jess says
Can this pie be assembled and frozen (unbaked) and then fully baked at a later time? I am unsure if you have tried this. I want to test it out, but I'm not sure how it would affect the crust or the consistency of the filling if it's not baked right away.
Thank you!
Angela says
Good question. I have not tried assembling it and then baking it later. I have prepared the filling for fruit pies many times and frozen the just the filling before. Then later defrosting it to scooping it into pie crusts. That is a shortcut & timesaver.