Monday, March 2, 2009

Apple Caramel Crunch Pie

Today was a super crazy day and I've been working on a presentation and have only about 2 brain cells left. So......what I am giving today is a FABULOUS pie recipe! It's like a combination between an apple pie and an apple crisp and it is YUMMY! I made it for my sweet friend Debbie on the night before she left to move to Montana (which feels like it is a million miles away) and it was a huge hit.

Pie:
pastry for single-crust pie
1/2 cup sugar
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon salt
6 cups thinly sliced peeled apples

Crumb Topping:
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
1/2 cup butter

Topping:
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup caramel ice cream topping

Prepare pastry for single-crust pie, being careful not to stretch dough too much.
Place in pie plate and trim and crimp the edge. (or if time is an issue, use a pre-made pie crust)
In a large mixing bowl, stir together the sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt.
Add apple slices and gently toss until they are coated well. Transfer mixture to pie.

Stir together brown sugar, flour, and oats. Using a pastry blender (or two butter knives), cut in the butter until topping resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over apple mixture in pie.
To prevent over-browning while baking, cover edge of pie with foil. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 25-30 minutes more, or until top is golden.

Remove from oven and drizzle top with caramel topping, then sprinkle with pecans.
Cool on wire rack and serve with vanilla ice cream!

This pie is SUPER sweet so be careful and be sure to cut the pieces small!