Salted Caramel Apple Pie

We are in the full swing of Fall over here and the house smells amazing from this pie baking in the oven. Nick gets home from Las Vegas tonight, so I figured, why not make a delicious treat after a long flight!

INGREDIENTS

(2) all-butter pie crusts
1 cup salted caramel sauce
3 pounds baking apples, peeled, cored, and thinly slice (I suggest using granny smith apples)
1/3 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
3 Tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/8 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
1 large egg plus 1 teaspoon water, beaten
1 Tbsp Turbinado sugar, for the crust, optional
1 tsp flaky sea salt, divided

DIRECTIONS 

For the Crust:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees (F). Lightly grease a 9" pie plate with non-stick spray OR butter and evenly sprinkle with a little flour; set aside. Roll out one portion of the chilled dough on a lightly floured work surface, rolling it to about a 12-inch round. Gently place the dough into the prepared pie dish and trim the edges so that only 1/2 an inch of pie dough is hanging around the side. Sprinkle the bottom of the pie shell with 1 teaspoon of flour and 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar (this helps soak up excess moisture). Place pie shell in the fridge while you prepare your lattice topping.

• Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the second disk of chilled dough, rolling it out into a 12-inch round. Slice the dough into 8 even sized strips. The best way to do this is by using a pizza/pastry wheel, but you can also use a ruler and knife. Carefully transfer the strips onto the prepared baking sheet (making sure they don't touch) and place the pan in the fridge while you prepare the apple filling.

For the Apple Filling:

• In a large bowl combine the sliced apples and lemon juice, toss well to coat the apples in the lemon juice. Sprinkle with granulated sugar and set aside for 30 minutes. 

• In a separate large bowl, combine the light brown sugar, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, black pepper, salt, and flour. Use a slotted spoon to add the sliced apples into the sugar-spice mixture, leaving excess liquid behind. Gently toss the apples in the sugar-spice mixture until they're evenly coated.

Assembly and Baking:

• Tightly layer the apples into the prepared pie shell. Pour the salted caramel sauce on top of the apples, then sprinkle with a 1/2 teaspoon of flaky sea salt.

• Place 4 parallel strips of the pie dough on top of the filling, leaving about a 1/2 inch of space in between them. Gently fold back every other strip. Place one strip of pie dough perpendicular to the parallel strips, then unfold the folded strips over the perpendicular strip. Carefully take the parallel strips under the perpendicular strip and fold them black over the perpendicular strip. Now lay down a second perpendicular strip of dough a 1/2 inch next to the first strip; unfold the folded parallel strips over the second strip. Repeat this process until the lattice weave is complete on top of the pie. Trim the edges of the strips of pie dough, so that they're only 1/2 an inch over the sides. Tightly fold the excess pie crust up and onto the rim of the pie dish, then gently crimp the crust using two of your fingers.

• Chill the pie in the fridge for 15 minutes. 

• In the meantime, beat together the egg and water. Once pie has chilled, brush the pastry with the egg wash. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of raw sugar (if using) and remaining sea salt.

• Loosely cover the crust with tinfoil or a pie crust shield.

• Bake pie on the bottom rack of the preheated oven for 30 minutes, then carefully remove foil or pie crust shield, reduce the heat to 375 degrees, and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is aggressively bubbling. Allow pie to cool completely on a wire cooling rack; about 4 hours. Pie will keep, tightly covered in the fridge, for 3 days.

• Salted Caramel Sauce

INGREDIENTS

 1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
4 ounces (1 stick) butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 Tbsp pure vanilla extract
1 tsp flaky sea salt

DIRECTIONS

• Whisk together granulated sugar and water in a medium-sized saucepan with tall sides. Cook over medium-low heat until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 3 to 5 minutes, but maybe a little longer depending on your stove. Add in the butter and bring the mixture to slow boil over medium-heat. Continue cooking until the mixture turns a deep golden brown/copper color, about 9 to 10 minutes, maybe longer depending on your stove. Do not stir during this process! Once the caramel reaches this color, remove from heat and immediately add in the heavy cream. Be very careful during this step - the caramel will hiss and bubble up aggressively! Finally, stir in the vanilla and sea salt. Vigorously whisk the mixture smooth and set aside to cool. Store caramel in the fridge until needed.