The Story Behind My Dutch Caramel Apple Pie

Okay, let’s talk pie! I remember the first time I made a Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe. It was a total whirlwind of apples, flour, and a toddler clinging to my leg. My family had come down with a bad case of the blahs, and I knew I needed something special to perk everyone up. Honestly, I’d never even attempted anything with a crumb topping before, but the idea of a warm, comforting apple pie with that extra caramel kick just seemed like the perfect medicine. I learned that day that even when things are crazy, a little bit of effort in the kitchen can go a long way. The first bite? Pure magic. The sweet apples, the buttery crumble, and that gooey caramel… it was a total comfort food win!

This Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe has become a staple in our house. It’s one of those dishes that brings everyone together. The best part? It’s way easier to make than you might think, even if you’re juggling a million things like the rest of us! I’m here to share my sanity-saving secrets, my caramel apple crumble pie wisdom, and all the shortcuts I’ve learned along the way. If you’re a busy mom looking for a simple, comforting dessert that will make your family smile, you’ve come to the right place! Let’s get baking!

INGREDIENTS You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this delightful Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe:

Raw ingredients for making a Dutch Caramel Apple Pie, including apples, flour, butter, sugar, and spices.

6-8 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced: I usually go for a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp for the perfect balance of tart and sweet.
½ cup granulated sugar: For that essential sweetness.
¼ cup all-purpose flour: Helps thicken the apple filling.
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: Because what’s apple pie without cinnamon? It just screams comfort!
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg: Adds a little warmth and depth to the flavor.
1 tablespoon lemon juice: Keeps the apples from browning and adds a touch of brightness.
1 box (14.1 oz) refrigerated pie crusts: Store-bought is totally fine! We’re all about easy here, and this easy caramel apple pie recipe allows you to use it.
½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces: The key to a perfectly crumbly topping.
¾ cup all-purpose flour: For the crumb topping.
½ cup packed brown sugar: Adds a caramelly sweetness to the topping.
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon: More cinnamon for the topping? Yes, please!
¼ teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness.
½ cup caramel sauce: You can use store-bought or homemade – whatever makes your life easier!

If you don’t have nutmeg on hand, don’t sweat it! A little extra cinnamon will do the trick in this Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe. You can find these simple ingredients at your regular grocery store. This Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe proves delicious doesn’t mean expensive. My family gets extra comfort when I add a sprinkle of chopped pecans to the crumb topping. Trust me, this Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe ingredient list is simple because busy moms need comfort without complexity!

Let’s Make it Happen!

Alright, let’s get down to business. Here’s how to make this amazing Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven’s heating, let’s get started on the filling.
In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, granulated sugar, ¼ cup flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss everything together until the apples are evenly coated. This smells absolutely divine already!
Line a 9-inch pie plate with one of the pie crusts. Gently press it into the bottom and up the sides of the plate.
Pour the apple mixture into the pie crust. Spread it out evenly.
Now, let’s make the crumb topping. In a separate bowl, combine the cold butter, ¾ cup flour, brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and salt. Use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it forms coarse crumbs. The colder the butter, the better the crumble!
Sprinkle the crumb topping evenly over the apple filling. Don’t be shy!
Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the topping starts to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover the pie with foil. Here’s where I used to struggle with my Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe – learn from my experience! I would always forget to check on the crust until it was too late.
Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool slightly. Drizzle generously with caramel sauce. This dutch apple pie caramel drizzle is the key to that signature flavor!
Let the pie cool completely before slicing and serving. I know, it’s hard to resist, but trust me, it’s worth the wait!

In my busy kitchen, this comforting Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe usually takes about 15 minutes to prep and an hour to bake. Perfect time to prep tomorrow’s lunch! Your Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe should smell amazing by now! Don’t worry if your Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe looks a little messy – that’s part of its charm! Here’s a Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe comfort hack that changed our family’s dinnertime: use pre-sliced apples to save time. While your Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe is cooking, take a moment to appreciate creating comfort for your family! This homemade caramel apple pie recipe is sure to become a family favorite in your house.

How We Love to Eat This!

My family absolutely adores this Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

We love to eat this warm, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The cold creaminess is the perfect contrast to the warm, sweet pie. The kids devour this comforting Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe when I serve it with a simple scoop of vanilla ice cream. It’s also fantastic with a drizzle of extra caramel sauce – because you can never have too much caramel, right?

This Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe is perfect for those busy weeknights when we need comfort food fast! It’s also a great dessert to bring to potlucks or family gatherings. Everyone always raves about it!

If you have any leftover pie (which is rare in our house!), you can store it in the fridge for up to 3 days. I actually think it tastes even better the next day! You can even warm it up slightly in the microwave for an extra comforting treat.

I’ve also experimented with a few seasonal variations. In the fall, I like to add a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice to the apple filling. And in the winter, I sometimes add a splash of bourbon to the caramel sauce for a little extra warmth. My neighbor tried this streusel apple pie with caramel when I brought it over, and she said it was the best pie she’d ever eaten!

This comforting Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe reminds me of another family favorite, my Apple Fritter Cake. If your kids love this hearty recipe, they’ll go crazy for my Caramel Pecan Pie Bars.

FAQs: Your Questions Answered

I know you probably have some questions about making this Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe, so I’ve rounded up some of the most common ones I get:

Is this Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe really filling enough for growing kids?

Absolutely! The apples, the crumb topping, and the caramel sauce all make it a substantial and satisfying dessert. Plus, it’s packed with fruit, which is always a bonus!

What if my picky eater won’t try this Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe?

Sometimes, it’s all about presentation! Try cutting the pie into small, fun shapes. You can also offer a small taste with a big scoop of ice cream – that usually does the trick!

Can I meal prep this Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe for busy weeks ahead?

You can definitely prep some of the components ahead of time. The apple filling can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the fridge. You can also make the crumb topping ahead of time and store it in the freezer.

Can I use different types of apples?

Of course! I like to use a mix of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp, but you can use any apples you like. Braeburn, Gala, and Fuji apples would also work well.

Can I make this pie gluten-free?

Yes! Simply substitute the all-purpose flour in the filling and crumb topping with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend.

Can I add nuts to the crumb topping?

Definitely! Chopped pecans or walnuts would be a delicious addition.

Can I use a homemade pie crust?

Absolutely! If you have a favorite homemade pie crust recipe, feel free to use it.

This Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe has become a comforting staple in my family, and I hope it becomes one in yours, too! For more simple comfort food ideas for busy families, check out my Apple Butter Pie recipe.

Final Thoughts

This Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe is more than just a dessert. It’s a way to bring your family together, create memories, and share a little bit of comfort. It supports my family’s comfort food goals because it’s relatively quick, uses ingredients I usually have on hand, and, most importantly, everyone loves it!

Here are my Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe Comfort Hacks:

Use pre-sliced apples to save time.
Make the crumb topping ahead of time and freeze it.
Don’t be afraid to use store-bought caramel sauce!

Here are a few family-tested variations:

My son loves it with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.
My daughter prefers it with extra caramel sauce.
My husband likes it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

I encourage you to make this recipe your own. Add your favorite spices, experiment with different types of apples, or try a different type of nut in the crumb topping.

I hope this recipe brings your family as much joy as it has brought mine. Enjoy creating this comforting Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe. Remember, even in the cozy chaos of family life, a little bit of comfort food can go a long way. I am confident that you will enjoy this dutch caramel apple pie – Blue Bowl recipe.

The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the process. Happy baking! You can always refer to this Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe | Girl Versus Dough for additional insight. And if you’re looking for something a little different, check out this Dutch Apple Pie with Crumb Topping – The Food Charlatan for another take on this classic dessert. I can’t wait for you to try this easy caramel apple pie recipe – it’s a total winner.

A freshly baked Dutch Caramel Apple Pie with a golden-brown crumb topping, drizzled with caramel sauce.

Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe

Print Recipe

This Dutch Caramel Apple Pie features a buttery crumble topping and a rich caramel swirl. It’s the perfect comforting dessert for any occasion!

Author: Beatriz
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 8 servings
Category: Dessert
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
¼ cup granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
3-5 tablespoons ice water
For the Filling:
6 medium apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Gala), peeled, cored, and sliced
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 tablespoons lemon juice
For the Caramel Sauce:
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
¼ teaspoon salt
For the Crumble Topping:
¾ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup packed light brown sugar
½ cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
½ cup rolled oats

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Instructions

Make the Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough comes together. Form the dough into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Make the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the sliced apples, sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Toss to coat.
Make the Caramel Sauce: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the sugar until it’s a golden amber color. Carefully whisk in the heavy cream, butter, and salt. Cook, stirring constantly, until smooth. Remove from heat.
Make the Crumble Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, brown sugar, and oats. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Assemble the Pie: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into a 12-inch circle. Transfer to a 9-inch pie dish. Trim and crimp the edges.
Pour the apple filling into the pie crust. Drizzle about half of the caramel sauce over the apples. Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 45-55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Let the pie cool completely before slicing and serving. Drizzle with the remaining caramel sauce before serving.

Notes

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra decadent treat!