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.
In This Post
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!”
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
More Pie Recipes to Whip Up for the Holidays
- The Berry Best Four Berry Pie
- Apple and Pear Chocolate Hand Pies
- Key Lime Pie
- Skillet Cherry Pie
- Raspberry Peach Hand Pies
- German Chocolate Brownie Pie
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.
Pioneeer Woman’s Caramel Apple Pie
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
More Apple Desserts to Make This Fall
- Quick and Rustic Apple Tart
- Apple Cherry Strudel
- Caramel Apple Brownies
- Apple Blondies with Cinnamon Almond Streusel
- Apple and Blueberry Crumble
Craving more life balance, less stress, and better health? Check out my Nourished Planner, the daily planner to help create simplicity and under-schedule your life.
We send good emails. Subscribe to FoodieCrush and have each post plus exclusive content only for our subscribers delivered straight to your e-mail box.
Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter for more FoodieCrush inspiration.
As always, thank you for reading and supporting companies I partner with, which allows me to create more unique content and recipes for you. There may be affiliate links in this post of which I receive a small commission. All opinions are always my own.
Emily
We are hosting Christmas for the first time this year with my in-laws and I cannot disappoint… That pie looks amazing.
Rachel
The Fourth of July!! Love our family’s secret baked bean recipe!!
Janet T
My favorite holiday is 4th of July. My favorite dish for that holiday is cowboy beans!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
The close ups in this post are killing me! I just want to go with a spoon at this pie! GORGEOUS!
My favorite holiday is Christmas – the decor, the songs, the movies and of course the food!
Linda L
My favorite holiday is Christmas, I love when my family is all together and we celebrate with our family traditions like Spaghetti with Lobsta Sauce!
Ashley P
My favorite holiday is Christmas, and I love my grandmother’s wedding tea cake cookies that she makes at Christmastime.
Stephanie
My favorite holiday to celebrate is Christmas. I love to Christmas bake. My favorite Christmas goodie is soda cracker crunch – easy & delicious!
karen
I’m a pie baker and this looks delicious!!
Emily
Love 4th of July because it means barbecue and apple pie!
Cheryl
I am making that caramel apple pie…looks fab!
Kelly G
Dressing is my fave
Vicki
I think I have a foodiecrush on that Caramel Apple Pie!
Alison C.
Thanksgiving is my favorite food holiday and my all-time favorite Thanksgiving food is my mom’s stuffing. Nothing beats it!
Lee Ann L.
Thanksgiving and cornbread dressing.
Terri
Pecan pie is super duper amazing and can’t wait for it!!!!
theresa krier
thanksgiving with candied yams
Katya
That pie looks fantastic! And I have been eager to get my hands on this PW cookbook!
Felice/All That's Left Are The Crumbs
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and my favorite dish is my dressing.
Sandy
My favourite holiday is Christmas. I love Christmas cookies, pecan pie, sweet potato casserole and all of the dinner ills too.
Yashica
Favorite holiday is Thanksgiving and favorite dish is peach cobbler
Leslie
Christmas is my favorite holiday. We always start the day with sausage and cheese balls mini biscuits and Monkey Bread!!
KELLY
MY FAVORITE HOLIDAYS ARE THANKSGIVING AND CHRISTMAS – DRESSING AND GRAVY ARE MY FAVORITES :)
Marnie Halliday
I love Thanksgiving and homemade pumpkin pie and homemade cranberry sauce (ok, let’s be realistic, I love the potatoes, gravy, basically everything except stuffing).
Fiona Nguyen
I L O V E the holidays, period! That pie looks soooo gooood!
Fiona Young-Brown
That pie looks fabulous. My favorite holiday dish is actually something for Boxing Day (the day after Christmas). I make a pie using leftover turkey and cranberry sauce. Delicious served cold.
Angelina
Christmas is my favorite time of the year and my grandma’s tamales are the best!
Jenn
Thanksgiving dressing is the best!
victoria Paul
Definitely thanksgiving
hello haha harf
christmas is my favorite holiday and my aunt lois makes a fantastic bacon strata thingy that makes me happy girl wiggle!
christine
i love xmas and roasted pork!
Carol McQuade
My favorite has to be Thanksgiving. Christmas is a close 2nd, we have the same food. But with Thanksgiving you’ve waited a WHOLE YEAR to have that scrumptious meal. Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, cranberry sauce, carrots and boiled onions, stuffing, red/orange/yellow jello, cupcakes, squash pie and Thanksgiving Sugar Cookies. Can’t wait.
Jennifer
Birthdays and anything funfetti
Jeanne G
Thanksgiving is my favorite and Minnesota wild rice casserole is my dish! Love it – better the next day! And then there is creamy chicken wild rice soup with the left overs.
Rena
Hanukkah, and I love donuts!
Katie @ Butterlust Blog
Thanksgiving and Stuffing! I am so freaking excited for Thursday!
Juls @Tribechic
I love Thanksgiving for my mom’s potato dumplings. Second would be the day after any holiday for all the creative things to do with the leftovers…Easter Ham becomes ham and noodles yum
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes
Looks fantastic! I’ll have to try it soon.
Sarah H.P.
My favorite holiday is Christmas and my favorite dish to go with it is Christmas Butter Cookies!
Kristin
It’s tough, but I think my favorite holiday will have to be Thanksgiving with my favorite dish being the stuffing from inside the turkey.
Autumn W.
My favorite holiday is Christmas and growing up my mom made Swedish meatballs and mashed potatoes on Christmas. It’s been a thing ever since !
Kathy
What a yummy pie!!!! Looks amazing ;-) my favorite holiday dish is sugar iced cookies!! What a great cookbook! Thanks for this opportunity ;)
Lynda M.
I love Thanksgiving and my mom’s fabulous stuffing!!
Liz
I love Christmas and all the great turkey stuffing, cranberry, mashed potatoes and gravy, and yams.
Hilary B
I love Christmas and the plum pudding with custard that goes along with it :)
Sydney
My favorite holiday dish is a nice slice of pumpkin pie with a side of dinner. Haha.
Angie
I love Thanksgiving and the dressing that goes along with it.
Deanna
My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving and enjoy any kind of pie!
Annalise @ Completely Delicious
Such a beautiful pie!
Elizabeth
My Mom’s Christmas Tree Rolls at Christmas!
Becky
Christmas is my favorite and I love our family tradition of bringing lots of chips/dips and cheese and sausage balls, along with ham and some other usuals.
Renee
My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, and my favorite dish is my dad’s cornbread dressing–yum!
Lisa
Wow! You had me at caramel. Apple pie seals the deal. What a great book to plan holiday meals from!
Mel
Christmas. All desserts!!
Amy B.
Thanksgiving is the best holiday with the best food for sure. I buy a 14-16 pound turkey for 2 people just in case I wind up having to share. :-)
Yvette N.
The pie recipe looks wonderful!
Michelle Boynton
I teeter on my favorite holidays but I love to make trifles. Making a black forest one at Christmas is always nice.
Yvette N.
Christmas is my favorite holiday because the world suddenly seems more peaceful.
My favorite Christmas dish is the Danish Pastry I make for Christmas breakfast :)
jenna
favorite holiday is july 4th. i love the heat and long summer days of sun and kids running around and playing at the pool. The dish I love for this holiday is gazpacho soup using vine-ripe tomatoes from the garden!
sabrina
I love christmas and I love cookies.
Amy @ The Nifty Foodie
I love Christmas! My mom makes the best fudge during the holiday season, so that’s the dish I associate with the holiday!
Shannon
Love Christmas Eve & the Czech pierogi we always make.
paula h
The pie looks wonderful!
Patti Burgess
Christmas Eve is a holiday unto itself in our home, being of Italian decent. It is my favorite, even more so than Christmas. I enjoy all the foods, and the traditions that go with it. Especially the Feast of the 7 Fishes. My 18 year old son and I try and outdo ourselves year after year. This year, he is away at college, so we are doing a different twist. We sent out handwritten invites (going out today!), asking people to bring their favorite Italian appetizer/antipasto or side dish, but leaving the main dish(es) and desserts for us. This will alleviate the pressure on me, being the lone cook in the house. Daughter won’t be coming home as she is spending it with her beau, who is coming back from an extended deployment in the Navy…and she is due to leave on hers, right after the winter break. My guy cleans…no cooking from him!
Brittany
My favorite holiday is Christmas, because my mom makes a big, seafood-based Italian meal (Feast of the Seven Fishes). My favorite dish has to be the zuppa di pesce – pasta with mussels, clams, shrimp, calamari, and scallops with a spicy red sauce.
Kim Henrichs
Christmas – and i always make chocolate chip cheesecake!
Kate
I love my grandma’s mashed potatoes we have every Thanksgiving and Christmas. They’re the best!
Tori
Christmas! I love my mom’s german chocolate pie. So delicious!
Jean Lee
I’m not a fan of apple pie but this one is delish! And my family luvs too. Thanks!!!!
Daphnee Reynolds
It’s a tie between Thanksgiving and Christmas. My mom makes Sweet Potato Casserole every year and it is so good! My sister and I fight over it! If I could eat one thing all the time, it would be that!
Christina Gathright
First, that pie looks amazing! Thanksgiving is my favorite food holiday and I love my mom’s cranberry sauce mixed with her stuffing. It’s awesome!
faith bernards
Christmas is my favorite holiday and I love making my Mom’s coffee cake. Yum!
Kim
I LOVEEEE the cinnamon rolls my dad makes every christmas morning!
JenS
I don’t have one fav recipe. Every yr I bake new and old baked goods to give away. I love trying new ones
Jen @ Savory Simple
Such a delicious looking pie!
Gerry @ foodnessgracious
Wow, I like all of the holidays….ham, prime rib, turkey I want all of them :)
Shoshana
No Thanksgiving is complete without pumpkin pie. It’s my great-grandmother’s recipe!
JenS
Love new cookbooks
Nicole S.
I love Christmas and snickerdoodle cookies!
Annette
Ree’s recipes have steps everyone can repeat….and are tasty for your eyes and taste buds. These posts have caused more than one special trip to the grocery store. Yum.
Shelly
My favorite holiday is Christmas and I love Christmas cookies!
Patti
I love Christmas, especially when I get to be with the entire family eating Christmas breakfast casserole.
Susan H.
I love Easter and my fav dish that goes with it is baked ham. Thanks.
Julianne
I love Christmas and all the yummy and festive Christmas cookies that go with it!!
Karen D
Christmas and Plum pudding with hard sauce
Robin Schatz
I love Thanksgiving, and I love ALL the Thanksgiving foods; it’s difficult to pick just one. I make a wonderful turkey and stuffing with plenty for leftovers, so I guess that’s my favorite. I also love Hanukkah and my favorite dish is brisket with latkes and homemade applesauce. My brisket is in the refrigerator right now, with a rub on it and waiting to be braised for tomorrow night. Yum!
Pam Gurganus
My favorite holiday is Christmas and the dish that goes with it is mincemeat pie!
Susan J
That pie looks delicious! I love Thanksgiving!
JC
On Christmas Eve my grandmother makes and herb and walnut cheese ball. It is one of the most amazing things ever. I usually ask for one as a christmas gift.
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom
also I just had to say I love this: “Just answer the question in the form below by clicking on the sentence “Leave a comment below” and be entered to win right away, with optional entries for more chances. Don’t be scared, your e-mail info won’t be sold, shared or traded with any unsavory characters or put onto a crazy list you can never get rid of. My mom asked me to share that info.” I might have to state something like this next time. . my friends are always telling me how they are scared of the rafflecopter widget. :)
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom
Fave holiday is a toss up between Thanksgiving and Christmas. . and there will always be some sort of potato casserole dish on the table. A potato casserole or gratin and some kind of pie. Definitely.
libby
My favorite is Christmas, and I love sugar cookies with sprinkles
Heather
I love Thanksgiving and the turkey!!! Best meal all year!
Kristie
I love Christmas, and making my grandmother’s recipe for sugar cookies!
Katie
Christmas is my favorite holiday and my favorite dish is jello salad.
Sallie
I love Christmas. And my favorite dish is my mom’s homemade manicotti.
Ann Adams
My favorite is Thanksgiving, My dish is dressing!
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious
Oh Heidi, your pie is stunning! Now I’m not a pie maker so that just means I’m coming over for the leftovers.
Sara H.
I love Christmas the most! My favorite dish is sweet potato casserole! I also love red velvet anything for Valentine’s Day! Thanks for the giveaway!
Kristi
I would have to say Christmas and favorite meal is steamed shrimp! We have them every year.
Averie @ Averie Cooks
That pie looks glorious. I made a caramel apple pie for thanksgiving last year and am loving all the streusel topping on yours. I cannot wait to check out Ree’s book. There are so many amazing sounding recipes in it!
Fave holiday is Xmas, and food that goes with it…Xmas cookies!
Laura (Tutti Dolci)
Gorgeous pie, I love that topping and caramel drizzle!