Caramel Apple Slab Pie - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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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.
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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!
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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

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Desserts

Caramel Apple Upside-Down Cake

1 hr 20 mins

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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

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

Read More About Me

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Caramel Apple Slab Pie - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

What are the best apples to use for apple pie? ›

The best apples for making apple pie
  • Crispin (Mutsu). ...
  • Golden Delicious. ...
  • Granny Smith. ...
  • Honeycrisp. ...
  • Jonagold or Jonathan. ...
  • Northern Spy. ...
  • Pink Lady. This super crisp apple certainly is sturdy enough to hold its shape when baked. ...
  • Winesap. This heirloom cultivar is said to have been around for centuries.
Oct 8, 2021

Why is apple pie gooey? ›

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

How many apples in a pie? ›

If your apples are smaller, you'll probably need 10; if they're really big apples, you'll use fewer of them. If you're worried about getting the amount right, you could always pile the apples into your pie pan as you cut them and stop when it looks like you have enough.

Are Gala apples good for baking apple crisp? ›

Gala apples are my favorite variety for this recipe – I like their sweet/tart flavor and firm texture. But if you have a favorite baking apple, feel free to use it here. Granny smith apples, Honeycrisps, Jonagolds, or a mix would all be excellent.

Should I bake the bottom pie crust first? ›

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. you should probably get: Pie weights are super helpful to have for pre-baking.

What kind of apples does mcdonalds use for their pies? ›

So you can put away your Granny Smiths and Red Delicious if you think you can just whip up McDonald's signature dessert at home. Instead, Mickey D's makes their pies with six different types of apples — Jonagold, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Gala, Rome, and Ida Red, all of which are homegrown in the U.S.

What is the best thickener for apple pie filling? ›

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.

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.

What is the apple pie rule? ›

Here's a look at one of the most unusual laws on the books in the Badger State. In Wisconsin, it is illegal to serve apple pie in public restaurants without a slice of cheese on top. Yes, you read that right: cheese is required on top of any apple pie that is served in a public restaurant in Wisconsin.

Is it better to slice or chop apples for apple pie? ›

After slicing the apple into quarters and removing the core, slice the apples as desired for your pie. You can dice each quarter crosswise for slightly bigger apple chunks, or you can slice the quarters lengthwise for thin apple slices.

What size apple slices are best for apple pie? ›

It's best if you slice apples about 1/4 – 1/2 inch thick. Any thicker, and they won't cook through by the time your crust does. Any thinner, and they'll dissolve and leave you with a soggy bottom crust.

What is the crispiest apple? ›

What Are The Crunchiest Apples?
  • Crisp Apples Ranked: Crunchiest to Least Crunchy.
  • SweeTango. ...
  • Honeycrisp. ...
  • Cosmic Crisp® ...
  • Pink Lady® ...
  • Rave® ...
  • Pinata® ...
  • Granny Smith.

What are the top 5 apples for baking? ›

For the best pies, crisps, and other baked treats, apples need to be firm enough to hold their own during the cooking process. We call these apples “baking apples” and to namedrop, they include Braeburn, Cortland, Honey Gold, Jonathan, Fuji, Gala, Granny Smith, Haralson, and Newtown Pippin.

Which apple is better Honeycrisp or Gala? ›

Gala apples have a sweet flavor, a good crunch and has been the top apple at Kauffman's Fruit Farm for a few years. Yet Clair Kauffman, orchard manager, can see other apples soon rising to the top. Take the Honeycrisp, which has a more complex flavor than a Gala, he says.

What are the best apples to use for apple pie or apple crisp? ›

What Makes A Good Apple For Apple Crisp? The best apples for baking keep their structure under heat, which prevents the chunks of fruit from turning into mush after baking. The firm and crisp Granny Smith and Honeycrisp varieties are popular apples to use in apple pies and apple crisps.

Is a Honeycrisp apple good for baking? ›

Honeycrisp. One of the sweetest apples around, this Midwestern favorite is good for anything—including baking. It boasts a distinctive juicy crispness and is firm enough that it won't cook down much. It complements just about any other apple variety to make a stellar pie.

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