Caramel Apple Slab Pie - The Recipe Critic (2024)

Jump to Recipe

This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.

Caramel Apple Slab Pie has a thin and flaky melt-in-your-mouth crust that is topped with juicy apples and a crisp topping. It is drizzled in homemade caramel and perfect for feeding a crowd!

Caramel Apple Upside Cake is a twist on my tried and true favorite Pineapple Upside Down Cake and it is a must-try recipe. It is loaded with all the crave-worthy fall flavors like rich caramel and sweet apple!

Caramel Apple Slab Pie - The Recipe Critic (1)

Caramel Apple Slab Pie

This twist on a classic favorite is the perfect dessert to satisfy your fall cravings all year long. The blend of cinnamon and apples baking together is simply amazing. And when the ooey, gooey caramel mixture is simmered and drizzled over the pie, it becomes irresistible. Each bite is perfection with its flaky crust, crunchy topping, and tender, juicy apples, all drenched in a rich, sweet cinnamon-apple flavor. Simply delish!

This Caramel Apple Slab Pie is perfect for feeding a crowd, making it an excellent choice for family gatherings and get-togethers. It has quickly become one of my favorite desserts ever, and I’m sure you and your guests will love it just as much as we did!

Ingredients in Slab Pie

This dessert is just screaming all of my favorite things about fall. From the thin and flaky melt-in-your-mouth pie crust, the fresh juicy apples, and the crisp topping, to the sweet caramel drizzle on top. All of the exact ingredient measurements are listed at the bottom of the post on the recipe card.

  • All-purpose flour: This adds strength and structure to the crust.
  • Salt: This is a must to bring out the delicious flavors in the recipe.
  • Shortening: I used butter-flavored shortening to create a more tender, flaky dough.
  • Cold water: Add in a few drops at a time until your dough is the perfect texture.
  • Sugar: This will sweeten up the crust.
  • Ground cinnamon: The cinnamon adds a sweet and savory warm spice to the apple mixture.
  • Granny Smith apples: These apples are perfect for baking.

Crumb Topping

  • Rolled oats: Quick-cooking oats give the perfect crunch in the topping.
  • Brown sugar: Make sure to pack it when it’s measured to get just the right amount of sweetness.
  • All-purpose flour: This gives structure to the crumb topping and binds it together.
  • Butter: I use unsalted for more control over the saltiness of the dessert.

Homemade Caramel

  • Brown Sugar: This caramelizes to be a delicious flavor.
  • Butter: The butter adds a rich taste and makes a chewy caramel texture.
  • Half-and-half: This makes the caramel smooth and creamy.
  • Vanilla: A splash of vanilla brings out the other flavors and adds a rich depth to the flavor.
  • Salt: Just a pinch of salt enhances the flavor of the topping for this caramel apple slab pie.
Caramel Apple Slab Pie - The Recipe Critic (2)

Let’s Make a Slab Pie!

This caramel apple slab pie comes together simply and will get rave reviews every time! Take your time on the dough and work through each section, and in no time, you will have a huge hit dessert ready to enjoy!

  1. Prep: Start by spraying a 15x10x1 inch pan with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. Then, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Make the dough: In a large bowl, combine flour and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in the shortening until it resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle one tablespoon of the cold water over the mixture and toss with a fork. Repeat using one tablespoon of water at a time until it is moistened, and knead the dough into a ball.
  3. Place dough in baking pan: Roll dough into a 19×13-inch rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Wrap it around the rolling pin and unroll it into the prepared baking pan. Ease dough into the pan and up the sides, being careful not to stretch it. Trim the dough to 1/2 inch beyond the edge of the pan. Fold dough edge over and flute as desired.
  4. Combine apple mixture: In an extra-large bowl, combine the sugar, 1/3 cup flour, cinnamon, and apples. Toss until coated. Spoon the mixture on the dough and spread evenly.

To Make the Crumb Topping

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together quick-cooking rolled oats, packed brown sugar, and all-purpose flour. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until the topping mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle on top of apples.
  2. Bake: Place in a preheated oven for 40-45 minutes or until the apples are tender. Cover the top with foil for the last 5-10 minutes if it starts to brown too fast. Cool slightly.

To Make the Homemade Caramel

  1. Mix all ingredients: Mix ingredients together in a medium saucepan over medium-low to medium heat. Continue to cook while whisking gently for 5 to 7 minutes, until thicker. Then, turn off the heat. Serve warm or refrigerate until cold. Finally, drizzle on top of the caramel apple slab pie.
Caramel Apple Slab Pie - The Recipe Critic (3)

Caramel Apple Slab Pie Tips

When I made this, I intended just to make an Apple Slab Pie. But as soon as it came out of the oven, it begged me to drizzle some homemade caramel. I was glad that I did because it added such a delicious finishing touch!

  • Caramel Sauce: For best results, cook the glaze slowly until it thickens to prevent separating. Additionally, whisking constantly will keep it from clumping.
  • Dough: Keep the dough cold, and don’t overhandle it. Because the dough is cooler, it will be firmer, easier to roll out, and shrink less as it cooks in the oven.
  • Rolling the dough: Add more flour to the dough as you are rolling it out to keep it from sticking to the rolling pin or the surface.
  • Leftover dough: Bake any leftover trimmings separately, then drizzle with caramel or sprinkle them with a bit of cinnamon sugar for a special treat.
  • Apples: Try to cut the apples into similar sizes for most, even baking. Using an apple slicer is helpful, but it is not hard to do by hand if you don’t have a tool to help.
  • Serve: Be sure to finish this caramel apple slab pie with some cold vanilla ice cream!
Caramel Apple Slab Pie - The Recipe Critic (4)

Storing Caramel Apple Slab Pie:

It is highly unlikely this dessert will last long without being devoured. It is so good that no one can get enough of it! However, if you end up with leftovers, this caramel apple slab pie will store well.

  • In the Refrigerator: Simply keep the caramel apple slab pie on the baking sheet, let it cool completely, and cover it loosely with some foil.Store it in the refrigerator, and it will last about 2-3 days.
  • In the Freezer: If you are making an apple pie ahead, you can freeze it for 3-4 months and thaw it in the refrigerator before baking.

Pro Tip: Keep a batch of uncooked crumble topping in the freezer to bake and sprinkle on anything. It makes a great last-minute dessert topping that is absolutely heavenly!

More Caramel Apple Recipes

Caramel goes with everything and elevates any dessert (just like it did with this apple slab pie)! Try some more delicious desserts that use caramel. The hardest part will be picking which one is your favorite!

Desserts

Homemade Caramel Apples

1 hr

Desserts

Salted Caramel Apple Butter Bars

55 mins

Desserts

Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake

1 hr 20 mins

Pin this now to find it later

Pin It

Caramel Apple Slab Pie - The Recipe Critic (9)

Save

PinPrint

Caramel Apple Slab Pie

By: Alyssa Rivers

Caramel Apple Slab Pie has a thin and flaky melt-in-your-mouth crust that is topped with juicy apples and a crisp topping. It is drizzled in homemade caramel and perfect for feeding a crowd!

Prep Time: 40 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 25 minutes minutes

Servings: 24 Servings

Ingredients

  • 3 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup shortening, butter-flavored
  • 12 tablespoons cold water
  • 2/3 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 1/2 pounds granny smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices (10 cups)

Crumb Topping

Homemade Caramel:

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 15x10x1 inch pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.

  • To make the dough combine the flour and salt in a large bowl. Using a pastry blender, cut in the shortening until it resembles coarse crumbs. Add four tablespoons of the cold water over the mixture and stir with a fork. Repeat using the remaining water one tablespoon at a time until it is moistened. Use your hands to form the dough into a ball.

  • On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 19×13-inch rectangle. Wrap it around the rolling pin and unroll it into the prepared baking pan. Gently unroll the dough into the pan and press up the sides, being careful not to stretch it. Trim the dough to 1/2 inch beyond the edge of the pan. Fold dough edge over and flute as desired. Place the pan in the fridge to chill while you prepare the filling.

  • In an extra-large bowl, toss the sugar, 1/3 cup flour, cinnamon, and apples together until the apples are evenly coated. Carefully spread the apples evenly over the chilled crust.

Crumb Topping

  • Stir together quick-cooking rolled oats, packed brown sugar, and all-purpose flour in a large bowl. Using a pastry blender, cut in butter until the topping mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle on top of the apples.

  • Bake for 40-45 minutes or until the apples are tender. Cover the top with foil for the last 5-10 minutes if it starts to brown too quickly. Cool slightly.

Homemade Caramel

  • Combine the brown sugar, butter, half, and half in a medium saucepan and heat over medium-low to medium heat. Whisk constantly while cooking for 5 to 7 minutes, until the caramel begins to thicken. Remove from the heat. Drizzle the warm caramel over the cooled pie, or let it cool and store in the fridge until ready to use.

Notes

Updated on July 26, 2023

Originally Posted on August 7, 2020

Nutrition

Calories: 294kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 2gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 127mgPotassium: 126mgFiber: 2gSugar: 29gVitamin A: 221IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 29mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Alyssa Rivers is the author of 'The Tried and True Cookbook', a professional food photographer and experienced recipe-developer. Having a passion for cooking, her tried and true recipes have been featured on Good Morning America, Today Food, Buzzfeed and more.

Read More About Me

More Ideas

Desserts

Marry Me Cookie Bars

45 mins

Desserts

Lemon Tiramisu

3 hrs 6 mins

Cake

Carrot Cake Roll

5 hrs

Caramel Apple Slab Pie - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

Why does the caramel slide off apples? ›

Corn syrup is required as it acts as the sticky, taffy-like base for caramel apples. Without it, the caramel will slide right off the apple (just as my salted caramel would). Though other liquid sweeteners can sometimes be substituted for corn syrup, candy making is not one of those instances.

How do you make apple pie not soggy? ›

Precook the filling

But by cooking apples, sugar, spices, and thickener just long enough for the apples to release their juice and the thickener to do its work — typically, 5 to 10 minutes over a burner — you reduce the risk of those same juices pooling in the bottom of the crust as your pie bakes.

Why is apple pie gooey? ›

Cornstarch and sugar help thicken the juices into a gooey syrup, while lemon juice gives it a bright flavor.

Why is my apple pie soft? ›

Use Overripe Fruit

Even if you choose the perfect apple variety, if the fruit is overripe, your apple pie filling will turn to mush.

Why isn't my caramel sticking to my apples? ›

Don't cook it long enough, and it will stay as a sauce and not adhere to the apples at all! However, if you did give this a try without a candy thermometer and it didn't go well, don't despair – just slice the apples up and enjoy as more of a casual caramel dipping experience!

How do you make caramel apples less sticky? ›

Try and coat the apples with icing sugar after they reach the point of being sticky. I do the same with hard candy so it should work with apples if you don't mind a powder coating. As soon as it cool wrap or put into a Ziploc bag until ready to wrap. From experience, it is best to put in packaging before storing.

Should I Prebake the bottom crust for apple pie? ›

You do not need to pre-bake a pie crust for an apple pie or any baked fruit pie really, but we do freeze the dough to help it stay put. Pre-baking the pie crust is only required when making a custard pie OR when making a fresh fruit pie.

Should you cook apples before putting in pie? ›

Should you cook the apples before baking apple pie? You don't have to pre-cook the filling before spooning it into the pie crust, but it's a quick step I recommend. Just 5 minutes on the stove begins the softening process, and also helps the flavors start to mingle.

Why did my apple pie turn to applesauce? ›

Softer apples like Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, or Macintosh break down too much in the heat of the oven, basically turning into applesauce. So avoid those, and opt for a variety that's firm and crisp like Granny Smith, Fuji, Gala, or Honeycrisp. They'll turn velvety soft while still retaining their shape.

What is the best thickener for apple pie? ›

The best way to thicken runny apple pie filling before baking it is to add some cornstarch, tapioca starch, or flour to your mix. To fix a runny pie that's already been baked, simply let it cool to see if it will congeal naturally. If not, you can stick it back in the oven for a bit longer.

What is the best thickening agent for apple pie? ›

All-purpose flour is an easy solution, as you're sure to have it in your pantry. Since it's lower in starch, you'll use more of it than you would higher-starch thickeners. Quick-cooking tapioca makes filling bright and clear, but also gives it a stippled and somewhat sticky texture.

What apples are best for apple pie? ›

  • Which kind of apples are best for baking apple pie—and why? Ree Drummond's favorite is Granny Smith for her Caramel Apple Pie. ...
  • Crispin. This sweet, refreshing apple is also called Matsu. ...
  • Honey Crisp. ...
  • Granny Smith. ...
  • Envy. ...
  • Gala. ...
  • Braeburn. ...
  • Pink Lady.
Oct 30, 2023

Can you Rebake an apple pie that is undercooked? ›

Yes you can have a do over, though it won't be as perfect as if you had baked it correctly to begin with. Because it has already been cut into, expect some of the juices to leach out under the crust and brown, probably sticking.

Why do you put butter in apple pie? ›

A: Dotting the top of a fruit pie filling with butter is an old habit but one that is called for in only about half of the pie recipes out there. Some maintain that the butter is for taste; others claim that it helps the filling set up, particularly when using flour as a thickener.

How do you tell when apple pie is done? ›

On to apple pie, or other fruit-filled pies like peach and pear. Look for a nice, golden crust, and also check the vent holes that you cut into the top crust before you started baking. Is the filling bubbling? It should do so for about five minutes before you take the pie out of the oven.

Why is my chocolate sliding off my apples? ›

If possible, try to use apples that don't have a wax coating. The waxy surface will cause your chocolate and caramel to slide right off your apple.

Are you supposed to refrigerate caramel apples? ›

The Best Way To Store Caramel Apples In The Fridge

For store-bought apples, if you don't plan on eating them right away, it's best to keep them in their original container and put them in the fridge. In general, caramel apples can last for up to one week when refrigerated. The same goes for homemade caramel apples.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Last Updated:

Views: 5770

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dr. Pierre Goyette

Birthday: 1998-01-29

Address: Apt. 611 3357 Yong Plain, West Audra, IL 70053

Phone: +5819954278378

Job: Construction Director

Hobby: Embroidery, Creative writing, Shopping, Driving, Stand-up comedy, Coffee roasting, Scrapbooking

Introduction: My name is Dr. Pierre Goyette, I am a enchanting, powerful, jolly, rich, graceful, colorful, zany person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.