This Honeycrisp Apple Pie with Salted Caramel is a delightful twist on a classic favorite. Bursting with the sweet, crisp flavor of Honeycrisp apples and topped with a rich, gooey salted caramel sauce, this pie is perfect for fall gatherings, cozy weekends, or a stunning holiday dessert. The balance of sweet and salty makes every bite irresistible, and the flaky crust ties it all together beautifully.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 prepared pie crust (homemade or store-bought)

• 6 Honeycrisp apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar

• 1/4 cup light brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced

• 1 egg (for egg wash)

• 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)

• Salted Caramel Sauce:

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into pieces)

  • 1/2 cup heavy cream

  • 1 teaspoon sea salt

Directions

1. Prepare the Pie Crust: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out the pie crust into a 9-inch pie dish and flute the edges. Chill while preparing the filling.

2. Make the Filling: In a large bowl, combine sliced apples, sugars, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla. Toss until evenly coated.

3. Assemble the Pie: Pour the apple mixture into the chilled pie crust. Dot the top with diced butter. Add a lattice or full top crust, sealing and crimping the edges.

4. Add Egg Wash: Beat the egg with water and brush the top crust.

5. Bake: Place pie on a baking sheet and bake for 50–60 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Cover with foil if crust browns too quickly.

6. Make the Salted Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly. Once amber in color, add butter (carefully). Stir until melted. Slowly whisk in heavy cream (it will bubble). Remove from heat and stir in sea salt. Cool slightly.

7. Finish and Serve: Allow pie to cool before drizzling with warm salted caramel. Serve with vanilla ice cream if desired.

Nutrients

Per slice (based on 8 slices):

• Calories: 480

• Carbohydrates: 65g

• Protein: 3g

• Fat: 23g

• Saturated Fat: 14g

• Fiber: 3g

• Sugar: 40g

• Sodium: 270mg

• Calcium: 30mg

• Iron: 1.2mg

Why Honeycrisp Apples Are the Star

Honeycrisp apples are a standout variety for a reason. With their naturally sweet yet tart flavor, firm texture, and high juiciness, they are practically made for baking. While some apple varieties soften or turn mushy in pies, Honeycrisp apples hold their shape well, providing a pleasant bite and a burst of flavor in every forkful. Their juicy crunch and balanced sweetness mean you don’t need to overload this pie with sugar to make it delicious. These apples do much of the work on their own.

The Allure of Salted Caramel

Salted caramel has found its way into countless dessert recipes, and for good reason—it brings depth, complexity, and a perfect contrast to sweet flavors. In this pie, the salted caramel sauce is rich and buttery, with just the right amount of salt to balance out the sweetness of the apples and sugars in the filling. When drizzled over the warm pie, it melts into every crack and crevice, creating a sticky, golden cascade that enhances each bite with a sweet-savory twist.

The contrast between the warm pie and the gooey caramel also creates a mouthwatering texture difference that elevates the entire dessert. Plus, if you’re serving it with vanilla ice cream, the caramel blends beautifully, making the whole dish irresistible.

Flaky Pie Crust: The Unsung Hero

A great pie deserves a great crust, and in this recipe, it acts as the buttery foundation that holds it all together. Whether you’re using a homemade crust or a high-quality store-bought version, the goal is to achieve a golden, flaky exterior that complements the soft, juicy filling. The crust encases the apples like a delicious shell, offering a crisp bite that gives way to a warm, cinnamon-spiced center.

When topped with a lattice or full crust and brushed with a golden egg wash, it bakes to perfection, creating visual appeal and a satisfying crunch. The contrast of textures—the crisp crust, tender apples, and smooth caramel—is what makes this pie unforgettable.

Spice and Everything Nice

The warm spices used in the filling—cinnamon and nutmeg—bring out the natural sweetness of the apples and add a cozy, seasonal vibe to every bite. Just a hint of nutmeg creates complexity without overpowering the star ingredient, while cinnamon adds a nostalgic warmth that complements the salted caramel.

A touch of lemon juice keeps the apples from browning and balances the sweetness with a subtle tang. Meanwhile, vanilla extract rounds everything out with its soft, aromatic notes, tying the flavors together like a ribbon on a gift.

A Pie for Every Occasion

This pie isn’t just for Thanksgiving. It’s the kind of recipe you’ll want to bring out for birthdays, dinner parties, fall get-togethers, or just a lazy Sunday when you’re craving something comforting. It’s also a show-stopping holiday dessert, perfect for impressing guests with both taste and presentation.

The best part? It looks as good as it tastes. A beautifully baked crust with caramel drizzled across golden peaks makes it an Instagram-worthy centerpiece on any dessert table.

Customizing Your Pie

While the Honeycrisp apple and salted caramel combo is undeniably delicious, there’s room for customization if you want to experiment. You can mix apple varieties—try adding Granny Smith for a tart punch or Golden Delicious for extra sweetness.

Prefer a more rustic pie? Skip the lattice and use a crumb topping for a streusel-style finish. You could also add chopped pecans or walnuts for a bit of crunch and a nutty flavor that plays well with the caramel.

Want it even richer? Add a layer of caramel beneath the apples before baking, or serve each slice with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream for extra flair.

Nutrition and Indulgence

While this pie is undoubtedly a treat, it’s one that’s worth every calorie. Each slice offers a satisfying balance of carbohydrates and fats that make it indulgent but not overly heavy. The use of real ingredients—fresh apples, butter, cream, and spices—means you’re enjoying a dessert with depth and homemade quality.

With around 480 calories per slice, it’s a dessert that can be enjoyed as part of a special occasion or a weekend splurge. And since it’s made with fruit, you can feel a little less guilty about going in for seconds.

Tips for Serving and Storing

Letting the pie cool slightly before serving is crucial. Not only does this allow the filling to set properly, but it also prevents the caramel from sliding off completely. Serve it warm, but not hot, with a generous drizzle of the salted caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream.

If you’re making it ahead of time, you can store the pie at room temperature for up to two days or refrigerate it for up to five. The salted caramel sauce can also be stored separately in the fridge and gently reheated before serving.

Want to freeze it? You can prepare the entire pie in advance and freeze it unbaked. When you’re ready to bake, just add an extra 10–15 minutes to the baking time (covering the crust halfway through so it doesn’t burn). Alternatively, freeze individual slices for a treat whenever the craving strikes.

The Joy of Homemade Caramel

Don’t let the idea of homemade caramel intimidate you—it’s surprisingly simple and far superior to store-bought versions. By melting sugar slowly and adding butter and cream at just the right time, you get a luscious sauce that thickens as it cools and delivers bold flavor with a smooth finish. Sea salt enhances the richness and brings a savory edge that cuts through the sweetness perfectly.

Making your own caramel also allows you to control the texture. Want it thinner for drizzling? Use it warm. Prefer a thicker sauce for a dramatic drip? Let it cool a little longer. Either way, the result is a luxurious topping that turns your pie into something truly gourmet.

Conclusion

Honeycrisp Apple Pie with Salted Caramel is more than just a dessert—it’s a seasonal masterpiece that combines classic comfort with a modern twist. From the crisp bite of perfectly spiced apples to the silky layer of golden caramel, every bite is a celebration of flavor and texture. It’s the kind of pie that becomes a family tradition, passed down through generations and remembered long after the last slice is gone.

Whether you’re serving it for a holiday feast, sharing it at a potluck, or savoring it on a quiet night in, this pie brings joy and warmth to any occasion. With just the right balance of sweet and salty, and the unbeatable freshness of Honeycrisp apples, it’s destined to be your new favorite. So go ahead—slice into indulgence and let the flavors speak for themselves.