As long as the holidays keep coming, I’m going to keep baking pie! How can I not? Crust is just such a happy thing.
One of my favorite pies of all time is Dutch apple, and this pie goes to a whole ‘nother level with salted caramel on top. This kid’s a showstopper.
It’s funny, but I can pass up regular apple pie any day of the week. When it’s covered in crumb topping, though, just give me a giant serving fork and watch me dig in. I really can’t hold back. And ever since salted caramel became a thing, I just can’t get enough.
When I was growing up, we had dear family friends in the neighborhood. The oldest son was my brother’s best friend, and it was fairly common for our two families to get together for holidays and other occasions.
One unforgettable day, we were having dinner at their house and dessert was served. It was a Dutch apple pie, and I’d never seen one before. Hearing that it was apple pie, I took a small portion to be polite, but I wasn’t that excited. Until, that is, that first bite hit my taste buds.
I was pretty shy as a kid, but I went up to the mom and asked her how to make this pie. Mind you, I’d never baked anything. This was the first recipe I actually made.
She taught me how to do it, writing the recipe out in detail on an index card and walking me through the process by showing me how it was done one sunny day. I’ve never forgotten that this adult was willing to pay attention to me and teach me something, and that’s why Dutch apple pie will always hold a special place in my heart.
This recipe is the exact one she gave me on that index card, except I’ve drizzled Smuckers salted caramel over the pie. As a big fan of caramel and apple together, this was just a natural next step. Besides, I can get the salted caramel at my local Target, and they’re running a cartwheel deal on it now! Hello, holiday baking.
The pie itself is a miracle. Both the crust and the topping are the same dough, so you only have to dirty one bowl for that. Plus, there’s no fancy food processing or mixer action necessary. This is made with just you and your spatula!
The filling is super quick, too. I just slice up a few granny smith apples, toss them with some cinnamon-sugar and vanilla, and that’s it. For not a crazy amount of effort, you have a beautiful holiday pie!
This season, share a recipe you love with someone else. I will always cherish this pie because it was shared with me, and now I want to spread the joy. Here’s to making beautiful baking memories!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350. Coat a pie pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine all the crust ingredients until well incorporated.
- Press half of the crust onto the bottom and up the sides of the prepared pan. Set aside.
- Toss the diced apples with the sugar, cinnamon and vanilla, using your hands to get the ingredients well mixed.
- Spoon the tablespoon of flour onto the bottom of the crust, making a circle of flour in the center. This will help your filling get to the right liquidy consistency.
- Spread the apple filling evenly into the crust. Take the remaining crust and crumble it over the top of the pie.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes until golden brown and crisp on top. Cool completely.
- When you're ready to serve, drizzle Smuckers Simple Delights salted caramel topping over the pie. Cut into wedges.
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