Caramel Rose Apple Pie

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Time to elevate your apple pie game with this caramel rose apple pie! Thinly sliced apples arranged in such a way that it looks like a giant rose, covered in an apple-flavored caramel, what is not to like about that?

I am a huge fan of apple pie. This easy apple pie and this apple crumb pie are two of my favorites. But every once in a while I like to get fancy and make this amazing caramel rose apple pie. It only takes just a little bit more effort, and it is so worth it!

Impress your pie-loving friends and family with this simple-to-make caramel rose apple pie. If I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get baking!

Step 1: Gather the ingredients

In order to make this caramel rose apple pie, you need just a handful of easy to find ingredients:

• Water
• Lemon
• Apples – I like to use a nice tart apple like Granny Smith, but any apple will work.
• Brown sugar
• White Granulated Sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Pie crust – Use one store-bought pie crust or this homemade pie crust.
• Heavy cream

Tools

• Apple corer (optional)
• Peeler
• Knife
• Mandolin slicer (optional)
• Manual juicer (optional)
• Bowls
• 9-inch cake pan or cast-iron skillet
• Aluminum foil
• Saucepot

Step 2: How to make a caramel rose apple pie

Begin by washing and drying the apples. Take a large bowl and add the water and squeeze the lemon juice into the water. This lemon water will help keep the apples from turning brown.

Next, peel the apples, you can core them too if you wish at this point, then place the apples in the water. Now slice the apples. What I normally will do is just cut the apple around the core. Then slice them really thin, around 1/8th of an inch or less. If they are too thick, they won’t bend as well.

Place the slices in the lemon water. Another method for slicing the apples would be to use a mandolin slicer, which would give you whole slices, then you can just cut those in half. Use whichever method you like. Just make sure they are in halves.

In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, white granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg. If you don’t have brown sugar, you can use all white sugar.

Next, drain the apple slices, and then pour the sugar mixture over the apples. Mix everything together with a wooden spoon or with clean hands, or use gloves. Then allow the apples to sit for at least 30 minutes. This will allow for a nice apple-flavored liquid to form on the bottom of the bowl which will be the base for the caramel for the apple rose pie.

Step 3: Prepare the apple pie crust

Time for the pie crust. You can use a store-bought pie crust, enough for 1 bottom of a 9-inch pie, or use this easy homemade pie crust recipe. Homemade pie crusts are always better!

Take a 9-inch cake pan or even a medium cast-iron skillet, and press the pie dough crust in the pan. I don’t recommend using a traditional pie pan, because the walls are sloped and they really need to be more straight for the apples.

Now, poke holes in the crust with a fork. Once done, cover the pie crust and place the pan in the fridge to chill while waiting for the apples.

Step 4: Bake the apple rose pie!

Next, take the bowl of apples and squeeze the apples so the juice drains into another bowl. Use clean hands or hands with gloves. The apples should be nice and pliable, they shouldn’t break in your hands while squeezing them.

Now it is time to design the apple rose part of the pie. Start by adding slices of apple all around the inside perimeter of the pie. Then do another layer that is staggered so it overlaps the other layer, meaning don’t make each layer in the same exact location. Keep doing this until you get to the middle, but leave a little hole there.

Take a final couple of pieces and roll them up which will resemble the middle of the rose. Then place that in the middle of the pie to cover the whole. Another design choice would be to leave the peel on the apples, so they show, this look is especially cool if you are using red apples. Kind of like these apple rose pastries.

Now fold over the edges of the pie crust, it isn’t necessary but I like to do it. It cleans up the edge and makes it look nicer. Cover the pie in foil and bake on the middle rack of a preheated oven at 375 F/190 C for 30 minutes.

Then remove the foil and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes until the pie crust is golden brown and the edges of the apples are also slightly golden brown on the tops. Hurray! The pie is done, now we need to work on the caramel.

Step 4: Make the caramel for the apple rose pie

While the apple rose pie is cooling, it is time to make the caramel topping. Pour the apple sugar liquid into a pot and place it on the burner of your stovetop. Set the heat to medium.

Allow the mixture to come to a boil, stirring occasionally, then let it continue to boil for 10 to 15 minutes until it reduces by about half. Stir in the heavy cream well, until combined. It may be a bit runny but that is okay, it will thicken as it cools.

Turn off the heat and allow the apple caramel to cool.

Now all you need to do is pour that yummy apple flavored caramel all over the beautiful apple rose pie. You will only use about half or so of it on the pie. The rest can be used to drizzle over ice cream if you like.

Time to dig in! Slice into that caramel rose apple pie and serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you like. Drizzle some more of that yummy apple caramel topping as well. Enjoy!

How long does caramel rose apple pie last?

This apple pie will stay fresh for about 2 days at room temperature if covered with plastic wrap or foil or placed in an airtight container, and then an additional 2 to 3 days in the fridge. You may also freeze the pie if you like, for a few months.

Here are some other recipes you may like:

Curious George Cake

Key Lime Pie

Triple Berry Pie

Apple Roses Puff Pastry

Apple Tart

Do you like this recipe? Pin it! And please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it. If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.