Tuesday 19 August 2014

Caramel Apple Pie

Apple pie has always been one of my favorite desserts. When I was young I always got so excited when our Sunday night roast dinner was followed with delicious hot apple pie and cream. And now I have discovered how to make the humble apple pie even more amazing - caramel!




I love making my own pastry. I am starting to get my recipes for both sweet and savory shortcrust pastries mastered. This in itself is something I am proud of! If you asked me to make pastry from scratch a year ago I would have looked at you blankly, with a "huh?"

When I make pastries for pies I usually do a full top but this time I decided to do a lattice (my first attempt!!). Although I found myself getting flustered with trying to make a lattice before my pastry got too warm I am so happy that I did it like this because just look how pretty it turned out!


I added the caramel into the pie in a layered approach; a third of the apples, a third of the caramel... and so on until I had run out of fillings. This was a great way to do it as it meant to the caramel infused right throughout the pie. Every mouth full had a lovely combination between the sweet caramel and the tart apple.


Caramel Apple Pie


Serves 8-10

Sweet Short Crust Pastry:

2 Cups plain flour
170 g butter, chilled and chopped
1/2 Cup caster (superfine) sugar
2 egg yolks
1 Tbsp chilled water

(store brought pastry or pie crust is a perfectly acceptable substitute!)

Pie Filling:

6 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced
1/2 Cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp Flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
2/3 Cup Caramel Sauce

1. IF MAKING PASTRY: Combining the flour and chilled butter in a food processor and processing in short bursts until it resembles a crumb. With the mixer running, add the egg yolks and water and continue to process until the mixture comes together into a dough. Remove from the food processor, shape into a ball, wrap in cling film, and chill for at least an hour. Roll out 2/3 of the pastry into a crust and line a pie dish. Blind bake for 15 minutes with baking beads, and 15 minutes without at 200C (400F). Allow to cool. Keep the remaining pastry dough to roll out for the top - this does not need to be blind baked. 

2. Make the apple filling by tossing the apples in the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

3. Layer the apples and caramel sauce into the cooled pie case - about 1/3 of the apples, 1/3 of the caramel etc until done. Place the pastry lid or pastry lattice on top.

4. Brush the top with an egg wash and bake at 180C (350F) for 45 minutes, until the pastry is golden. 

5. Serve warm with cream, whipped cream, custard, or ice cream.


17 comments:

  1. Your pie is gorgeous! The lattice with the apples peeking out is so pretty! I was just thinking about making something with apples. Your crust recipe looks easy enough and so much better than pre-made crust from the store!

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    1. Thank you Sandra! I was really happy with how the lattice turned out :)

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  2. G'day! Caramel and apple...two of my faves and yum Nic!
    Cheers! Joanne @What's On The List

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  3. Nicole, this looks positively gorgeous!! I love making apple pies, but have never done a CARAMEL APPLE PIE!! *swoon!* I love the crust ingredients, too!! Pinned to my Pie Recipes board so I can try it soon!!

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    1. Thanks Michaela! The caramel really did make this pie amazing :) I hope you will like the recipe when you try it!

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  4. I don't have much experience making pies, but every time I see one of your beautiful creations, I am encouraged to try! The filling and crust look absolutely scrumptious...I know my hubbie would gobble up the entire pie himself!

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    1. That you very much Linda :) Apple pies are actually really easy to make so they are a good place to start if you don't have much experience.

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  5. Caramel Apple Pie looks and sounds amazing, I can not wait to try it!

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  6. Apple Pie looks so delicious and perfectly baked!

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  7. What a lovely crust, it's perfect. I need to try this.

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  8. What a great looking pie.
    I've never made a caramel apple pie before and now am excited to try. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. What a brilliant way to make an ordinary apple pie even better. This dessert pretty much sums up autumn in my books - pinning!

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  10. Apple pie has such a special place in my heart. It's always a part of family gatherings and I have always loved it. The caramel sounds delicious. Thank you for linking at the In and Out of the Kitchen Link Party. Hope to see you again next week.

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  11. Thank you so much for dropping by #TheWeekendSocial ! I loved this blog post and can not wait to try it out!!!

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  12. Love this pie!
    It looks wonderful :)

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  13. WOW! That pie looks like it should be on the cover of a magazine. Absolutely gorgeous, and I am sure it's delicious, too!

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