This Pioneer Woman Caramel Apple Pie is a creamy and bubbly recipe, which is made with tart Granny Smith apples and a crunchy pecan crumb topping. It’s the ultimate comfort food recipe, ready in about an hour and 45 minutes.
Pioneer Woman Caramel Apple Pie Ingredients
For the Pie:
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
- 3 large (or 4-5 small) Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and sliced thin
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp. cinnamon
For the Topping:
- 7 Tbsp. butter, cold
- 3/4 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
- Dash of salt
For Finishing:
- 1/2 jar (or more) caramel topping
How To Make Pioneer Woman Caramel Apple Pie
- Prep Oven and Pie Crust: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Roll out your pie dough and carefully place it in a 9-inch pie pan. Crimp or decorate the edges as desired.
- Make the Apple Filling: In a large bowl, place the sliced apples. In a separate, smaller bowl, mix together the heavy cream, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of flour, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour this cream mixture over the apples and toss gently to coat.
- Make the Crumb Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, 1/2 cup brown sugar, oats, and salt. Use a pastry cutter or your fingertips to cut the cold butter into the mixture until it forms coarse, pea-sized clumps.
- Assemble the Pie: Pour the apple filling into the unbaked pie shell. Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apples.
- Bake the Pie: Cover the edges of the crust with aluminum foil to prevent burning. Loosely place another piece of flat foil over the top of the entire pie. Place the pie pan on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes.
- Finish Baking: After 30 minutes, carefully remove the top piece of foil. Continue to bake for another 30 to 45 minutes, until the topping is golden brown and the filling is hot and bubbly. During the last 5 minutes of baking, sprinkle the chopped pecans over the pie.
- Add Caramel and Serve: Remove the pie from the oven and immediately pour about half a jar of caramel topping over the hot surface. Allow the pie to cool slightly before serving warm with ice cream.

Recipe Tips
- What are the best apples for apple pie? Granny Smith apples are the perfect choice for this recipe. Their firm texture holds up well to baking, and their distinct tartness provides a perfect balance to the sweet, creamy filling and caramel topping.
- How do I prevent a soggy bottom crust? The creamy filling in this recipe is less prone to making the crust soggy than traditional apple pies. However, for a guaranteed crisp bottom, you can place your pie pan on a pre-heated baking sheet in the oven.
- How do I keep my crust edges from burning? The recipe’s method of covering the edges with strips of aluminum foil for the first part of the bake is the best way to protect them while the dense filling cooks through.
- Can I make this pie ahead of time? Yes. You can bake the pie completely, let it cool, and store it loosely covered at room temperature for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes before serving.
What To Serve With Caramel Apple Pie
This is a rich and decadent dessert that is a staple for a reason. It is traditionally and most deliciously served warm with:
- A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream
- A dollop of fresh, unsweetened whipped cream
- A drizzle of heavy cream or a traditional hard sauce
How To Store Caramel Apple Pie
- Room Temperature: An apple pie can be stored, loosely covered, at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerate: After two days, it’s best to store the pie, covered, in the refrigerator for up to two additional days.
- Reheat: Reheat individual slices in the microwave or place the entire pie in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until warmed through.
Caramel Apple Pie Nutrition Facts
- Serving: 1 slice (1/8th of pie)
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 85g
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Sugar: 60g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Why is my pie filling watery?
The 1 tablespoon of flour mixed into the cream filling is designed to help thicken the apple juices as they bake, preventing a watery result. Ensure your pie is truly hot and bubbly before you remove it from the oven to be sure the thickeners have activated.
Can I use a store-bought pie crust?
Yes, a high-quality store-bought refrigerated pie crust is a great and easy shortcut for this recipe.
Can I use a different nut in the topping?
Absolutely. If you don’t have pecans, finely chopped walnuts would be a fantastic and classic substitute.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
Pioneer Woman Caramel Apple Pie Recipe
Description
A decadent twist on a classic, this apple pie features a unique, creamy custard-like filling, tart Granny Smith apples, and a crunchy brown sugar and pecan crumb topping, all finished with a gooey caramel drizzle.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Place your pie crust in a 9-inch pie pan.
- In a bowl, toss the sliced apples with a mixture of cream, sugars, flour, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour this filling into the pie crust.
- Make the topping by combining all topping ingredients in a food processor or with a pastry blender until clumps form.
- Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apples.
- Cover the pie edges and top loosely with foil and place it on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the top foil and bake for another 30-45 minutes until golden and bubbly. Add pecans for the last 5 minutes.
- Drizzle the hot pie with caramel sauce and let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- u003cliu003eThe most important tip for this pie is to bake it on a rimmed baking sheet, as the creamy filling can sometimes bubble over the sides.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eUse firm, tart apples like Granny Smith to provide the best flavor and texture contrast to the sweet filling and topping.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eCovering the pie with foil for the first part of baking is the secret to preventing the crust and topping from burning before the apples are fully cooked.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eFor the best results, let the pie cool for at least 30-60 minutes before slicing to allow the creamy filling to set up properly.u003c/liu003e
