Caramel Apple Streusel Pie – The Perfect Fall Dessert with Crunchy Crumble & Gooey Caramel

Have you ever bitten into a pie that made time stand still – where the perfect balance of tart apples, sweet caramel, and buttery streusel created a moment of pure dessert bliss? That’s exactly what happens with this exceptional recipe.

This Caramel Apple Streusel Pie transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dessert experience. Combining the nostalgic comfort of grandma’s apple pie with the indulgent luxury of homemade caramel, this recipe has consistently earned rave reviews at family gatherings and holiday celebrations alike.

Inspired by traditional German and Dutch apple pie techniques but perfected for the modern home baker, this recipe strikes the perfect balance between approachable and impressive. Let’s dive into creating your new favorite fall dessert!

Ingredients List

For the Pie Crust:

2½ cups all-purpose flour (substitute up to 1 cup with whole wheat pastry flour for a nuttier flavor)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed (or vegetable shortening for a dairy-free option)
6-8 tablespoons ice water
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (enhances flakiness)

For the Apple Filling:

8 cups thinly sliced apples (about 7-8 medium apples, preferably a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp)
¾ cup granulated sugar (or ½ cup brown sugar and ¼ cup white sugar for deeper flavor)
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
Pinch of salt

For the Caramel Sauce:

1 cup granulated sugar
¼ cup water
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup heavy cream (coconut cream works as a dairy-free alternative)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon salt (flaky sea salt adds wonderful dimension)

For the Streusel Topping:

1 cup all-purpose flour
⅔ cup brown sugar, packed
½ cup old-fashioned oats
½ cup chopped pecans (optional but highly recommended)
¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
⅛ teaspoon salt
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

Timing

Preparation Time: 45 minutes (including making homemade caramel sauce and pie crust)

Chilling Time: 30 minutes (for the crust and streusel)

Baking Time: 50-60 minutes

Cooling Time: At least 2 hours (for optimal slicing)

Total Time: Approximately 4 hours – which sounds lengthy, but is actually 25% less time than most award winning caramel apple pie recipes that require overnight chilling for flavor development.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Add cold butter cubes and cut in using a pastry cutter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces remaining.

Combine ice water and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl. Gradually add to the flour mixture, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring gently with a fork until the dough just begins to come together.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and gather into a ball. Flatten into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. This resting period allows the gluten to relax, ensuring a tender, flaky crust.

Step 2: Create the Caramel Sauce

In a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine sugar and water. Heat over medium-high heat without stirring until the mixture turns amber (about 8-10 minutes). Watch carefully as caramel can burn quickly!

Remove from heat and carefully whisk in butter (mixture will bubble vigorously). Once butter is incorporated, slowly whisk in heavy cream, vanilla, and salt. The secret to silky-smooth caramel is constant, gentle whisking during these additions.

Allow the caramel to cool slightly while preparing the other components. The sauce will thicken as it cools but should remain pourable. Reserve about ¼ cup for drizzling on the finished pie.

Step 3: Prepare the Apple Filling

Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. In a large bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice to prevent browning. Add sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt, tossing until evenly coated.

For enhanced flavor, let the apple mixture sit for 15-20 minutes. This draws out juices and begins breaking down the apples slightly, preventing the dreaded “gap” between filling and crust after baking.

Step 4: Make the Streusel Topping

In a medium bowl, combine flour, brown sugar, oats, pecans (if using), cinnamon, and salt. Add cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.

For the crunchiest streusel, refrigerate the mixture while rolling out the pie crust. Cold butter creates those perfect pockets of buttery goodness that make Caramel Apple Streusel Pie so irresistible.

Step 5: Assemble and Bake the Pie

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) with a rack in the lower third position. Roll out the chilled pie dough on a floured surface to a 12-inch circle and transfer to a 9-inch pie dish.

Trim and crimp the edges decoratively. For an extra-crisp bottom crust, brush with a thin layer of egg white and let it dry for 5 minutes before adding filling.

Layer half the apple filling in the crust, drizzle with ⅓ of the caramel sauce, then add remaining apples and another ⅓ of the caramel sauce. Save the final ⅓ of caramel for serving.

Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apples, pressing down lightly to adhere. Place the pie on a baking sheet (to catch any bubbling juices) and bake for 20 minutes.

Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking for 30-40 minutes more, until the filling is bubbling and the streusel is golden brown. If the edges brown too quickly, shield them with aluminum foil.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Allow the pie to cool on a wire rack for at least 2 hours before slicing. This cooling period is crucial – it allows the filling to set and the flavors to meld perfectly.

Before serving, warm the reserved caramel sauce and drizzle over individual slices. This final touch elevates this Caramel Apple Streusel Pie from delicious to absolutely unforgettable.

Nutritional Information

Per Serving (1/8 of pie):

Calories: 580
Fat: 29g (Saturated Fat: 17g)
Cholesterol: 75mg
Sodium: 390mg
Carbohydrates: 78g
Fiber: 4g
Sugar: 50g
Protein: 5g

This indulgent dessert delivers approximately 12% of your daily calcium needs and 15% of your daily iron requirement, primarily from the butter and apples. The apples also provide beneficial antioxidants and dietary fiber that can help slow sugar absorption.

Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

For a lighter version that retains the soul-satisfying flavor of this Caramel Apple Streusel Pie, consider these modifications:

Reduce sugar in the filling to ½ cup and enhance sweetness with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
Use coconut oil instead of butter in the streusel (reducing saturated fat by approximately 30%)
Replace half the all-purpose flour with almond flour or oat flour for added protein and fiber
Create a lighter caramel sauce using dates: blend 1 cup soaked dates with ½ cup warm almond milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla
Skip the bottom crust entirely and make an apple streusel crisp instead, reducing calories by approximately 120 per serving

For gluten-free diets, replace wheat flour with a quality cup-for-cup gluten-free baking blend. For vegan adaptations, use plant-based butter and coconut cream in place of dairy ingredients.

Serving Suggestions

Elevate your dessert experience with these complementary serving ideas:

Serve warm slices with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or cinnamon gelato for the classic à la mode experience
Pair with a dollop of lightly whipped cream infused with bourbon or maple syrup
Balance the sweetness with a slice of sharp cheddar cheese (a traditional accompaniment in New England)
For brunch settings, serve alongside a cup of spiced apple cider or French press coffee
Create a dessert flight with small slices of this pie, pumpkin pie, and pecan pie for a festive fall tasting experience

For special occasions, present individual slices on warmed plates with an artistic drizzle of caramel sauce and a light dusting of cinnamon. The contrast of warm pie and cool cream creates a sensory delight that guests will remember.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using the wrong apples: Avoid Red Delicious or Gala apples as they become too soft when baked. Stick with firmer varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn.
Overmixing the pie dough: This develops gluten and creates a tough crust. Mix just until the dough comes together.
Skipping the cooling period: Cutting into the pie too soon results in a runny filling that doesn’t showcase the beautiful layers.
Underbaking the pie: Look for bubbling filling and golden-brown streusel as indicators of doneness, not just elapsed time.
Making the caramel sauce without a heavy-bottomed pan: This can lead to uneven heating and burnt caramel. Invest in quality cookware for candy-making.
Slicing apples too thick: Thick apple slices don’t cook through properly and create air pockets. Aim for uniform, thin slices (about ¼ inch).

Storing Tips for the Recipe

Properly storing your pie ensures every slice remains as delicious as the first:

At room temperature, cover loosely with foil and consume within 2 days. The streusel topping maintains its optimal texture during this period.

For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days. Allow refrigerated slices to come to room temperature before serving, or warm briefly in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes to revive the flavors.

This pie freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then foil, and store in an airtight container. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and warm before serving.

The caramel