If there’s one dessert that truly feels like a warm hug from the oven, it’s this Dutch Caramel Apple Pie. With a buttery, crumbly streusel topping, soft spiced apples, and an irresistible layer of gooey caramel, this pie is everything you want in a fall-inspired treat—but honestly, it’s too good to save for just one season. And the best part? It’s surprisingly simple to make, even on a busy weeknight. Whether you’re prepping for a holiday or just craving something cozy, this pie is about to become your go-to recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Easy to Make: No need to fuss with a top crust. The Dutch-style crumble is quick, forgiving, and delivers major flavor.
Caramel Bliss: That rich, buttery caramel blends with the tart apples for a decadent filling you’ll want to eat by the spoonful.
Crowd Pleaser: This pie always disappears fast—great for gatherings, potlucks, or just treating yourself.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep it in parts or freeze the whole pie for later. Super flexible!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gather up these delicious components and let’s get baking:

Pie crust: Use a pre-made pie crust to save time or make your own for extra flavor and flakiness.
Apples: A mix of tart and sweet apples gives the best texture and flavor—think Granny Smith with Honeycrisp or Fuji.
Granulated sugar: For sweetness and to help the apples release their juices.
Brown sugar: Adds depth and a rich molasses flavor that pairs beautifully with caramel.
Cinnamon: Essential for that cozy, warm apple pie spice.
Nutmeg: Just a pinch for extra aromatic flair—don’t skip it!
Lemon juice: Keeps the apples from browning and adds brightness to balance the sweetness.
All-purpose flour: Helps thicken the filling and forms the crumbly streusel topping.
Unsalted butter: Used cold for the crumble topping and melted into the caramel sauce—richness guaranteed.
Heavy cream: The key to that luscious caramel texture.
Vanilla extract: Brings all the flavors together with a soft, sweet finish.
Salt: Just a pinch enhances everything—don’t underestimate it!

Variations

Want to make this pie your own? Try one of these tasty tweaks:

Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts in the streusel topping bring a satisfying crunch.
Go full spice: Mix in ground cloves or allspice for a deeper autumn flavor profile.
Make it boozy: A splash of bourbon in the caramel sauce adds a grown-up twist.
Dairy-free: Use vegan butter and coconut cream in the caramel for a dairy-free version that still delivers on richness.
Add a drizzle: Warm salted caramel sauce over the top just before serving is never a bad idea.

How to Make Dutch Caramel Apple Pie

Step 1: Prep the Crust

Roll out your pie crust and press it into a 9-inch pie plate. Crimp the edges and refrigerate while preparing the filling and topping.

Step 2: Make the Apple Filling

Peel, core, and slice the apples thinly. In a large bowl, toss them with lemon juice, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a tablespoon of flour. Let it sit for about 10 minutes so the flavors blend and juices begin to release.

Step 3: Cook the Caramel

In a saucepan, melt butter and stir in brown sugar and heavy cream. Simmer for a few minutes until smooth and glossy. Stir in vanilla and a pinch of salt. Pour half the caramel over the apple mixture and stir to coat.

Step 4: Assemble the Pie

Spoon the apple-caramel filling into the chilled crust. Set aside while you make the streusel.

Step 5: Make the Streusel Topping

In a bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, and cold butter pieces. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to form coarse crumbs. Sprinkle generously over the apple filling.

Step 6: Bake

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 50–60 minutes, or until the topping is golden and the filling is bubbling. If the crust edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil halfway through baking.

Step 7: Cool and Drizzle

Let the pie cool for at least an hour to set. Warm the remaining caramel and drizzle it over the top before serving.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Don’t Overfill: Mound the apples high, but keep them below the rim so the caramel and juices don’t overflow.
Keep the Butter Cold: This is key for a crumbly streusel texture—don’t let it get too soft.
Tent the Pie: If the top starts to brown too much, cover loosely with foil to finish baking without burning.
Let It Rest: The pie needs time to set up before slicing, or the filling will be too runny.

How to Serve

This pie is stunning on its own, but here’s how to make it even better:

Classic Combo

Serve warm with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream. The hot pie and melting ice cream? Pure bliss.

A Drizzle Extra

A little extra warm caramel on each slice takes things over the top. You can even sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt for contrast.

Beverage Pairing

Pair it with strong coffee, a chai latte, or even a glass of spiced cider for peak cozy vibes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep leftover pie in the fridge, tightly covered, for up to 4 days. It tastes just as amazing cold—or warmed up!

Freezing

Wrap the unbaked pie well in foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding about 20 minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

Warm slices in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10–15 minutes or microwave for about 30 seconds. Add fresh caramel drizzle before serving for that bakery-fresh feel.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce instead of homemade?
Absolutely. While homemade caramel gives the richest flavor, a good-quality jarred caramel will still taste fantastic and save time.

What’s the best type of apple for this pie?
A mix of firm, tart apples (like Granny Smith) with sweeter ones (like Honeycrisp or Braeburn) provides the best texture and flavor balance.

Do I need to blind bake the crust?
Not for this recipe! The long baking time allows the bottom crust to cook through perfectly, especially if you use a metal or glass pie plate.

Can I make this pie gluten-free?
Yes! Use a gluten-free pie crust and swap the flour in the streusel with your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend.

Final Thoughts

This Dutch Caramel Apple Pie is the kind of dessert that feels like home—warm, sweet, and utterly satisfying. With its crumbly topping and luscious caramel-spiked filling, it’s a recipe you’ll turn to again and again. So grab some apples, preheat the oven, and treat yourself (and your lucky guests) to a slice of pie heaven. You deserve it!

Dutch Caramel Apple Pie Recipe