Perfect Apple Crumble Pie with Salted Caramel [Recipe]

If you aren’t already aware, Lebanon is currently undergoing an “apple crisis”.

Lebanese apple farmers aren’t being able to export their produce due to the current war in Syria (i.e. main transport through the country is impossible) and it’s too expensive to send by plane. It also seems that Europe isn’t willing to import Lebanese apples due to the lack of supervision on pesticides used.

Lebanese Apples Red

Apple farmers all over Lebanon are protesting to get the government to purchase their apples to compensate for their losses.

Many companies in Lebanon are trying to help the “apple initiative”, including McDonald’s, Spinneys, Biscuit, and many more. Tripoli’s Abdul Rahman Hallab has even introduced “Knefe b teffeh” (the traditional cheese Middle Eastern dessert we all know and love – with apples)!

hallab lebanese apple knefe advertising
“Lebanon’s apples are sweet too” (Image source: @arhallab1881)

Michel Daher, founder of Master Chips and Poppins, two of the biggest FMCG companies in the region, has announced that he plans to launch an apple juice production plant in order to help Lebanese apple farmers sell their produce (check out the full article).


In an effort to support our local apple farmers, I’ve put together a list of some of my favourite apple recipes you can make during the fall season. You get to indulge in some tasty treats AND support Lebanese farmers – it’s a win-win!

Now, let’s go make some apple pie!

Apple crumble pie with salted caramel

A scrumptious apple crumble pie with salted caramel is the first on my apple recipes list and it’s not just because it’s the most basic recipe you can make with apples, but because it’s absolutely finger-licking lip-smacking good! Plus, it’s an unbeatable crowd-pleaser 😉 – when it’s done right, obviously.

It’s not exactly the traditional apple pie you see in all the recipe books, but that melt-in-your-mouth crumble is to die for and you get more of that apple filling than just crust – what’s not to love?

I also prefer this version, since you don’t really have to spend so much time getting it to look pretty (and then fail miserably!).

Apple Crumble Pie with Salted Caramel Recipe Whole

You can serve this apple crumble pie with salted caramel sauce and store-bought vanilla ice cream (I got mine from Biscuit). In my opinion, this is the most delicious combination! You can also buy caramel sauce from the store, but I prefer making my own.

This apple crumble pie has the perfect golden flaky crust (made completely from scratch!) and a juicy filling of compact cinnamon-spiced apple layers, and a brown sugar, oat and walnut crumble topping that will wow even your non-apple-loving guests. I’m not even an “apple” fan, and this pie won me over!

For the crust, I used Martha Stewart’s recipe.

Apple Crumble Pie with Salted Caramel Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 Pie dough, chilled
  • 5 Large apples, cored, peeled, and sliced into 1/4-inch slices
  • 2 Tbsp Lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Crumble Topping
  • 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup walnuts, chopped
  • 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
Salted Caramel
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 6 tbsp salted butter, room temperature, cut up into 6 pieces
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tsp salt

Instructions

To Make The Pie
  1. To make the filling, in a large bowl, stir the apples, lemon juice, flour, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined. Set this mixture aside as the oven preheats.
  2. Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C).
  3. On a floured surface, roll out the chilled pie dough and place it into a 9×2 inch pie dish, tucking it in with your fingers (make sure it is smooth).
  4. Put the apple filling into the crust. Leaving some of the liquid in the bowl.
  5. Trim any excess pie dough off the edges using a knife and then flute the edges.
  6. In a medium bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, and walnuts. Stir in the butter. Sprinkle over the pie.
  7. Bake for 20 minutes, then turn the temperature down to 375°F (190°C) and bake for an additonal 30-35 minutes.
  8. Allow the pie to cool for 3 hours at room temperature before serving. Serve with salted caramel and vanilla ice cream.

Pie leftovers (if any!) can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an air-tight container.

To Make The Salted Caramel
  1. Heat sugar in a medium saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly. The sugar will clump and then melt into a thick brown liquid as you stir. Take care not to burn it.
  2. Once the sugar is completely melted, add the butter.
  3. Stir the butter until it’s completely melted; this will take approximately 2 minutes.
  4. Slowly drizzle in heavy cream while stirring. Allow to boil for 1 minute.
  5. Remove from heat and add and mix the salt. Allow to slightly cool down before using.

It keeps up to 1 month in the refrigerator in an air-tight container. To liquify the caramel, you can reheat it in the microwave or over the stove to reach the desired consistency.

Apple Crumble Pie Recipe


This Apple Crumble Pie with Salted Caramel recipe was also featured here, along with many more apple recipes! So now you can put them to good use 😉

LIKED THIS ARTICLE? CHECK OUT MY OTHER RECIPES!

Unless otherwise noted, all posted content and photographs are owned exclusively by me. None of the content / photographs may be reproduced, modified, recirculated, commercially exploited or reused in any form whatsoever without my prior written consent.

For further information regarding permission to use content or photographs, please contact me.

3 comments Add yours
    1. Hi Julia, I’m not quite sure what you mean about the “bad food quality” in Lebanon. This article is about the apple export crisis of 2017.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

2 + sixteen =