This Caramel Apple Streusel Pie features tender cinnamon-spiced apples, rich caramel sauce, and a buttery crumb topping baked into a flaky pie crust. It’s the perfect fall dessert for holidays, gatherings, or anytime you want a cozy homemade apple pie with a twist.
If classic apple pie and crumb cake had a baby, this Caramel Apple Streusel Pie would be it. Juicy apples coated in caramel, warm spices, and a buttery streusel topping come together in one irresistible dessert that tastes like autumn on a plate.
This from-scratch apple pie skips the top crust and replaces it with a tasty golden, crunchy streusel that soaks up all that gooey caramel-apple goodness. Every slice is rich, cozy, and guaranteed to disappear fast. Everyone will think you got this from your favorite bakery!
What I Love About This Recipe
- This pie looks impressive, but it is very simple to make at home and can be made ahead.
- The caramel takes this apple pie to the next level. It adds richness without overpowering the apples.
- The streusel topping is buttery, crisp, and easier than rolling out a second crust.
- The leftover pie is delicious and even makes the ultimate special holiday breakfast for those who can’t get enough.
Equipment You May Need
- Rolling Pin – For rolling out the pie dough evenly.
- Pastry Cutter – Helps create perfect crumbly streusel.
- Pie Pan – A 9-inch pan works best.
- Baking Sheet – Catches bubbling caramel while baking.
- Aluminum Foil – Prevents the crust edges from over-browning.
(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)
Caramel Apple Streusel Pie Ingredients
For the Streusel Crumb Topping
- All-Purpose Flour – Forms the base of the crumb topping.
- Brown Sugar – Adds sweetness and caramel notes.
- Ground Cinnamon – Brings warmth to the topping.
- Salt – Balances the sweetness.
- Cold Unsalted Butter – Creates a crumbly, crisp texture.
For the Pie
- Thick Caramel Ice Cream Topping – Adds richness and sweetness.
- All-Purpose Flour – Thickens the apple filling.
- Ground Cinnamon – Enhances the apple flavor.
- Salt – Balances sweetness.
- Cooking Apples (Granny Smith recommended) – Hold their shape while baking.
- Pie Dough – A single chilled crust for the base.
How to Make Caramel Apple Streusel Pie
Step One: Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Step Two: Make the Streusel Topping
In a small bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry cutter or fork until coarse, pea-sized crumbs form. Refrigerate while preparing the filling.
Step Three: Prepare the Apple Filling
In a large bowl, whisk together the caramel topping, flour, cinnamon, and salt until smooth. Gently fold in the sliced apples until evenly coated.
Step Four: Prepare the Pie Crust
Roll out the chilled pie dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Transfer it to a 9-inch pie pan and trim the edges.
Step Five: Assemble the Pie
Spoon the caramel apple filling evenly into the crust. Sprinkle the streusel topping evenly over the apples. Crimp or flute the crust edges as desired. Cover the edges with foil to prevent over-browning.
Step Six: Bake the Pie
Place the pie on a baking sheet. Bake for 40 minutes, then remove the foil and bake an additional 20 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden. Cool before slicing.
(Full printable recipe card with full details is at bottom of post.)
Serving Suggestions
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream.
- Drizzle with extra caramel sauce or a vanilla glaze.
- Perfect for fall and winter holidays (like Thanksgiving and Christmas) and cozy gatherings with friends and family.
Quick Tips for Best Results
- Slice apples thinly so they cook through evenly.
- Keep the streusel crumble topping cold for the best texture.
- Bake the pie on a baking sheet to catch caramel drips.
- I personally like to peel the apples, but you can leave the apple peel on if you prefer.
- You can make mini or individual pies in small mini pie plates, or even ramekins, but be sure to adjust the baking time.
Caramel Apple Streusel Pie FAQ
How should I store Caramel Apple Streusel Pie?
Store covered at room temperature for 1 day or refrigerate up to 4 days.
Can I freeze Caramel Apple Streusel Pie?
Yes. Freeze fully baked and cooled for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
How long will Caramel Apple Streusel Pie last?
A few days in the fridge or about 2 months in the freezer.
Substitutions?
Use any good baking apple such as Granny Smith, Jonagold, Cortland, or Golden Delicious. Instead of caramel, you could use maple syrup, butterscotch, or even honey. You can use a premade basic pie crust if you’d like, instead of the homemade crust. You can use firm, fresh pears instead of apples.
Can I use low-fat ingredients?
Low-fat ingredients would be tough to substitute in this recipe.
What else can I add to this recipe?
You can add your favorite spices (apple pie spice, cardamom, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, chai spice, etc), toffee chips, a handful of nuts (walnuts, pecans, etc.), citrus zest (orange, lemon, etc.) to the filling or topping. A little vanilla, maple, or almond extract in the filling would be amazing. A handful of raisins or dried or fresh cranberries in the filling would be fun to try.
Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are some suggestions, but I can’t guarantee results. Be sure as always to check particular brands and ingredients if you’re following a specific diet or have diet restrictions or allergies.
Vegan – Use a vegan pie crust, a butter substitute for the topping, and vegan caramel.
Vegetarian – It’s vegetarian. Be sure to check individual brands/products just to be sure though.
Low-Carb – You can try a sugar substitute.
Gluten-Free -Try a gluten-free pie crust and a gluten-free flour blend. Check other ingredients and brands.
Other Pie Recipes You May Enjoy
- Cannoli Pie – Super popular pie with all the Italian cannoli flavors.
- No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie – Classic chocolate and peanut butter combo that is delicious year-round.
- Peppermint Chip Ice Cream Pie – A frozen dessert with peppermint and chocolate.
Hope you enjoy this Caramel Apple Streusel Pie recipe. Tell me in the comments what you topped the pie slices with!
If you like caramel apple, you may also like these Caramel Apple Bars!
Caramel Apple Streusel Pie
Ingredients
Pie Crust:
- 1⅓ cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting work surface
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup cold unsalted butter cubed
- ¼ cup shortening
- 3 to 6 tablespoons ice cold water
Streusel Crumb Topping:
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup cold unsalted butter cubed
Pie:
- ½ cup thick caramel ice cream topping
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 cups peeled, thinly sliced cooking apples such as Granny Smith (about 2¼ pounds or 4 to 5 large)
Instructions
Crust:
- In a medium bowl, stir together the flour and salt for the pie crust.
- Using a pastry cutter (or the back of a fork or two knives), cut in the butter and shortening until pea-size crumbs of dough form.
- Add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, to the dough. Stir and repeat just until a soft dough forms. Form the dough into a ball.
- Place the ball of dough on a large piece of plastic wrap. Flatten the dough into a thick disk, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before rolling out.
Pie:
- Preheat the oven to 375˚F.
- Make the streusel. In a small bowl, mix together the ½ cup flour, brown sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and ⅛ teaspoon salt until well blended. With a pastry cutter or back of a fork, cut in the cold butter cubes until it forms coarse crumbs. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the caramel topping, 3 tablespoons flour, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt until well blended. Gently stir in the apples until blended. Set aside.
- Roll out the chilled pie dough on a lightly floured surface to about ¼ inch thick. Transfer to a 9-inch pie pan. Cut off the excess dough around the edges of the pan.
- Spoon the apples into the pie crust. Sprinkle streusel over the top. Flute or crimp the pie crust as desired. Cover the edges of the pie crust with aluminum foil.
- Place the pie on a baking sheet. Bake for about 40 minutes. Remove the foil from edges, then bake an additional 20 minutes, or until apples are soft. Cool before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Use a good baking apple for this pie, such as Cortland, Fuji, Granny Smith, Jonagold, and Golden Delicious.
- Be sure to slice the apples very thin, so they cook all the way through. You can also pre-cook the apples a little in a large skillet with a little butter beforehand to ensure they cook through and get nice and soft when baking.
- Top pie slices with ice cream or whipped cream if desired.
- Instead of a caramel ice cream topping, you can substitute butterscotch or a thick maple syrup.
Nutrition:
(Nutrition data is provided when available for informational purposes only and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. For the most accurate information please calculate based on specific ingredients and brands you use as well as any changes you made to the recipe. I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician and any nutritional information provided should only be used as a general guideline and estimate.)
About Lisa Huff
Lisa Huff is a Cookbook Author, Freelance Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Blogger/Writer, and award-winning home chef. She loves creating unique recipes from healthy to decadent including cocktails, appetizers, main dishes, dessert recipes and more and has appeared on various shows, publications, and websites.
