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Caramel Apple Pie

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This caramel apple pie features an ultra-flaky pie crust, a sweet-tart apple filling, and a chewy crumble topping, and it’s finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce.

drizzling caramel sauce onto an apple crumble pie

In Ree Drummonds’s signature style, The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays: 140 Step-by-Step Recipes for Simple, Scrumptious Celebrations replicates the recipe style that’s made legions of The Pioneer Woman fans melt with each blog post.

Plus it features this recipe for Caramel Apple Pie. I mean, what’s not to like?

If you’re looking for a cookbook that introduces fancy cooking techniques and intricate recipe stylings, keep on looking through those bookshelves, because this is NOT that book. And that’s exactly why it’s so good, because it’s a treasure trove of family favorites and other scrumptious excuses to gather around the table for a year of holiday celebrating.

With regular appearances by her basset hounds Charlie and Walter, plus photos and stories featuring life on the ranch with her two-legged family members, A Year of Holidays features real-life food for the family with hundreds of step-by-step photos. There’s so much in there it’s sure to turn even the most novice chef into a confident cook in the kitchen.

And as with everything Ree does, it’s delivered with a humorous twist.

Along with holiday do-ahead game-plans—what to do the day before, and the day of the big day to make your celebrating easy for even the hostess— here’s why, in Ree’s words, you need to make the recipes in this book:

For New Years Day, Ree says her Coconut Ginger Baked French Toast is, “So wonderfully tropical you’ll be struck with the sudden urge to rub zinc oxide all over your nose.”

Huevo In the Heart is a tex-mex version of Frog In the Hole using tortillas and salsa to create a bleeding heart, which Ree says, “May not be terribly romantic at all. But at least it tastes good.”

Peach Cobbler heads up the summertime cookouts where Ree declares cobbler to be a very controversial subject. “I don’t care which cobbler is the correct version! I’ll eat it however I can get it!”

slice of caramel apple pie on plate

She just might be my soul sister. And I like a sister who will feed me good food and make me laugh all at the same time.

A Year of Holidays is sure to become a go-to resource for every home cook, sharing the basic building blocks to create many new recipes and family memories.

When deciding what I might make from her book, I had plenty of choices thanks to the 140 recipes packed into 400 pages. Then I flipped to Caramel Apple Pie, a standard at Ree’s Thanksgiving Feast. I was a goner when I read her words, “This apple pie will make you cry. But in a good, cleanse-your-soul way.”

Who couldn’t use a good cry thanks to pie? Especially when it’s with tears of joy while savoring a mix of oatmeal crumble, creamy caramel and classic apple pie.

Thank you Ree, for helping my soul become pure once again with your Caramel Apple Pie.

making apple pie filling and crumble topping for caramel apple pie

What’s in This Caramel Apple Pie?

This caramel apple pie is essentially an apple pie with crumble topping that’s been drizzled with caramel sauce. It requires a little more prep work than your average apple pie recipe from scratch, but I pinky promise the few extra minutes in the kitchen are worth it.

Here’s what you’ll need to make this caramel apple crumble pie:

  • Single pie crust
  • Apples
  • Lemon juice
  • Granulated sugar
  • All-purpose flour
  • Salt
  • Butter
  • Brown sugar
  • Quick oats
  • Chopped pecans
  • Jarred caramel topping

What Are the Best Apples for Apple Pie?

It’s taken me years to figure out which apples are best for pies. Granny Smith, with their firm texture and tart punch, are the classic filler. I found Braeburn and Pink Ladies are a great combo too thanks to this guide.

apple pie with crumb topping ready to be baked

How to Make Caramel Apple Pie

You’ll first need to prep and roll out your pie crust, then place it in the pie dish and crimp it. I’ve linked my go-to butter pie crust recipe in the recipe card below, but you’re welcome to use your favorite store-bought pie crust too.

Once the pie crust has been prepped, you can move onto the apple pie filling. Peel and thinly slice the apples, then toss them with a little lemon juice, sugar, flour and salt.

Next, prep the apple crumble pie topping. It’s essentially an apple crisp topping that’s made with quick oats instead of the usual rolled oats.

Mound the apples in the pie crust, then sprinkle the crumble topping over them. Bake the apple pie with crumb topping until it’s golden brown. You’ll need to let it cool before drizzling with caramel sauce and serving.

Pioneer Woman cookbook

How to Store Apple Pie

This caramel apple pie can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you plan on making this pie in advance, I recommend waiting to drizzle the caramel sauce over top until you’re ready to slice and serve it. This will prevent the crust from becoming soggy as the apple crumble pie sits on your counter.

Can You Freeze Apple Pie?

Yes, this apple pie with crumb topping freezes incredibly well. Again, you’ll want to freeze it without the caramel sauce, if possible. You can freeze the pie whole in its pie plate, or wrap slices in plastic wrap and freeze them individually.

Pioneer Woman cookbook laying open on counter

Tips for Making Caramel Apple Pie

When you first assemble the pie, the mound of apples looks massive. Don’t worry, the apple pie filling cooks down a lot in the oven and flattens out by itself.

This pie cuts best when it has cooled completely and firmed up, so allow yourself at least several hours of resting time before cutting and serving. Then if you’re dying for a piece as a warmed up base for cold ice cream, just pop it in the microwave for a few minutes.

The pilgrims planted the first United States apple trees in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Okay, not necessarily a recipe note, but throw that apple fact out at the Thanksgiving dinner and you’re sure to impress.

caramel apple pie with slice lying on plate next to it

More Pie Recipes to Whip Up for the Holidays

If you make this recipe, please let me know! Leave a comment below or take a photo and tag me on Instagram or Twitter with #foodiecrusheats.

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5 from 16 votes

Pioneeer Woman's Caramel Apple Pie

This caramel apple pie features an ultra flaky pie crust, a sweet-tart apple filling, a chewy crumble topping, and it's finished with a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword apple pie, pie
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
Servings 8 - 10
Calories 603kcal

Ingredients

Apple Pie

  • 1 unbaked pie crust
  • 7-8 cups peeled and sliced Granny Smith apples
  • juice of half of a lemon
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Crumble Topping

  • ¾ cup butter (or 1 ½ sticks)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup quick oats
  • ½ cup finely chopped pecans
  • ½ cup jarred caramel topping

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Roll the pie crust on a lightly floured surface until about 1 inch larger in diameter than the top of a 9-inch pie pan. Fold the crust in half and transfer it to the pie pan and unfold it.
  • Carefully cut the edges of the pan so it hangs just below the lip and then tuck the edges underneath to form a neat crust rim then crimp the edges of the crust.
  • Toss the apples with the lemon juice, sugar, flour and salt in a large bowl and set aside.
  • In another large bowl, combine the butter, flour, brown sugar and salt and blend with a pastry blender into pea size pieces.
  • Add the oats and pecans and combine.
  • Mound the apples into the pie crust then sprinkle with the oat topping.
  • Lightly cover the edges of the pie crust with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Cover the entire pie with aluminum foil if it seems to be baking too quickly.
  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Drizzle with caramel sauce, slice and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 603kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 46mg | Sodium: 515mg | Potassium: 245mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 51g | Vitamin A: 604IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 53mg | Iron: 2mg

More Apple Desserts to Make This Fall

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  1. Shannon Owen

    Happy Thanksgiving! I made this pie today and it was the best pie I have ever made. I make pies regularly and it is by far my favorite! I did substitute the flour in the filling with arrow root and added an extra heaping tablespoon and the consistency was perfect.

    Reply

  3. Tressie

    I haven’t baked in a while (life as a mom gets hectic) but cant wait to dive back in with this recipe from Ree. I’m loving it, even thought it doesn’t really follow my new healthy eating habits…. I’ve learned that sweets are great in moderation and with portion control. Yum-o! Excited!

    Reply

  4. Judy Kinch

    Any holiday is wonderful if it includes food, especially recipes from Ree Drummond. I love her recipes and her love for family.

    Reply

  5. Kristen Cantella

    Eater is my favorite holiday! I love all the fresh ingredients and I can lighten up some of the dishes and I love all the light, pastel colors to decorate my table with! My husband makes an amazing garlic rosemary lamb and I do some pretty cool things with asparagus!
    This cookbook looks really fun!

    Reply

  6. Janice Koselowski

    What ever would we do without blogs and cooking shows! I follow Ree as well as yours and find recipes that inspire me. Thanks to both of you for sharing!

    Reply

  7. Wendy

    I love Thanksgiving with it’s yummy smells coming from the kitchen and leftovers!
    This pie looks scrumptious…love Ree Drummond!

    Reply

  9. Jessica

    I absolutely love pioneer woman. I watch her everytime she is on because everything she fixes is just so good and I have even made a few of the things she has shown and they were delicious. I can not wait to try this apple pie recipe….

    Reply

  10. Pat R

    We have a small orchard w/apple trees so a new pie recipe is always worth the time…this one looks scrumptious.
    My favorite holiday is Easter because of the Risen Savior. Celebrating with family and friends just adds to the blessing.

    Reply

  11. Susan Davis - Bailey

    I love all holidays! The more chances I have for a special meal with the special people in my life the better. And that pie looks amazing!!!

    Reply

  13. Marie

    Christmas is my favorite holiday. My favorite food during this holiday is my mom’s roasted chicken stuffed with glutinous rice.

    Reply

  16. Mari

    Loved this pie! It was fabulous!! I however must say though….if I’m going to the trouble of making something from scratch that taste so wonderful, I would not use a store bought jar of caramel on it. I make my own Carmel sauce and keep it in a 1/2 pint or 1 pint glass pouring pitcher in the refrigerator. Just heat it up and pour. Not knocking store bought….I have a couple of favorites….but once I found a couple recipes for it I’ve been hooked!

    Reply

  18. MaryBeth

    My favorite holiday is Christmas and I so look forward to eating my favorite cookies – chocolate crinkles. Only have them at Christmas.

    Reply

  39. paula

    My favorite Holiday is Christmas. And my favorite dish is all our breakfast dishes we have Christmas morning. We all gather at my parent’s home & have breakfast together. The food is wonderful but not near as wonderful as having my whole extended family together!

    Reply

  45. Cheryl W.

    My favorite holiday is Independence day. My favorite dish for that holiday is grilled corn on the cob with cilantro butter.

    Reply

  47. Katie B

    My favorite holiday would have to be Christmas! I just love seeing everyone’s trees and how they decorate them! I may love Christmas a little more because my birthday is a few days after and its really the holiday I look forward to all year long!! My favorite food to go along with Christmas (and Thanksgiving) would be my grandma’s homemade noodles! Every Christmas she makes a big ol’ pot of noodles and we (yep 7 granddaughters can chow down!) sit and eat all day long! They are absolutely delicious! I definitely need to learn how to make them! I believe Grandma told us this past week that she’s going to have a noodle making lesson for all of us girls!

    Reply

  48. Trina H

    My favourite holiday is Christmas and in Australia most people eat lots of prawns on this day. So my favourite dish is just a plate full of nice fresh prawns.

    Reply

  49. Anastacia

    My favorite holiday is Christmas but it doesn’t coincide with my favorite holiday food. The crown would go to Corned Beef and Cabbage from St. Patrick’s Day. I happen to really love that dish. I wait all year for it.

    Reply

  50. Charlene

    My only regret is that it is just after midnight on Thanksgiving. And all of my pies are made and I can’t stand the thought of one more trip to my local grocery store. The good news is that Christmas is a great excuse to try this pie!!

    Reply

  51. Tracey C.

    This pie is my favorite, with my Mom’s sausage stuffing a close second. I’ve been making this pie for YEARS, and everyone who tries it, their eyes go wide, and when they finish their bite, say “OH my goodness, this is SO GOOD!” so yeah – mmmmm.

    Reply

  54. Janice

    The pictures look so scrumptious, can’t wait to try this recipe! Thanksgiving is definitely one of my favorites because of all the food! I love stuffing and gravy best.

    Reply

  57. Maryz

    Thanksgiving is my favorite! Family and friends all together and no gifts! I happen to love all the sides that go with the turkey…sweet potato casserole, stuffing and cranberry sauce!

    Reply

  62. Maureen

    I love Christmas and I love the eggnog related items that go along with the holiday. I make eggnog bread and I make eggnog cheesecake bars.

    Reply

  69. jen

    I absolutely love turkey and stuffing. Something about that homemade recipe….. really brings back great holiday memories every year.

    Reply

  70. Christine

    Oh my, this pie looks crazy-good and not that hard to make! I can almost taste it now. Have 2 pie recipes marked for baking this week but am adding this to the following week when I have to bring dessert to a dinner party. Oh, and I’d love to win Ree’s book! :)

    Reply

  85. Abby

    It’s always a toss up between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but I absolutely love the chance to bake rolls from scratch eat a big meal with my family on both occasions.

    Reply