Growing up, my mom would make the best apple pie. Her secret was the caramel drizzle on top and the crunchy crumb topping. We make it in our home now and its a family favorite. But instead of unwrapping the pre-made caramels from the grocery store, we make our own caramel sauce with just a few key ingredients. Butter, sugar, cream, vanilla, and salt.

Ma-Maws Caramel Apple Pie

No Fail Pie Dough

4 cups sliced baking apples See chart below for best baking varieties. I like to mmix varieties for depth of flavor.

3/4 cups flour (I use Einkorn)

1/3 cup sugar ( I use sucant)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/3 cup butter

Caramel Sauce

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup water

6 tablespoons unsalted butter , cut into pieces

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 teaspoon vanilla

pinch of salt

Cook water and sugar on medium heat until it turns an amber color. Stir and clean the sides of the pot as it bubbles and cooks, making sure it does not burn.
Once it turns an amber color similar to honey carefully add in the butter. The caramel will bubble up quickly, be careful and make sure to stir until butter is melted.
Turn off heat and slowly pour in the cream and whisk until combined.
Whisk in the vanilla and salt

Making the Pie

Prepare the pie dough
Prepare the apples by peeling and slicing them into a large bowl, sprinkle with some extra cinnamon and sugar at this point if you wish.
Add the apples to the prepared pie crust
Drizzle caramel sauce over the apples
In a separate bowl mix flour, sugar, cinnamon, and butter to make a crumble.
Top the pie with the crumble (and any extra dough if you want to add braids or leaves for beauty.)
Bake at 375 for 40-45 minutes
Serve with warm milk or vanilla ice cream