Candy Apple Pie

You may think the best part of an apple pie is inside the crust—not so with this recipe! Our candy apple pie has a unique top crust coated with a candied topping of pecans, brown sugar and cream. Added to the pie for the last few minutes of baking, the mixture becomes a lovely, deep golden brown layer reminiscent of a pecan pie.

Inside the candied crust is a classic filling of sliced tart apples, cinnamon and butter. Each bite has some of the tender, syrupy fruit with a crunch from the pecan topping. Several readers share that this sweet dessert is one of their family’s most anticipated Thanksgiving pies, and we can see why.

Candy Apple Pie Ingredients

• Apples: Choose tart apples for the best flavor under the sweet crust. Some favorite apple types for pie include Honeycrisp, Cameo, Granny Smith and Winesap.
• Pecans: The chopped nuts add a pecan pie-like flavor to the top of the pie, where they bake as part of a sweet brown sugar sauce.
• Pie crust dough: You’ll need enough for a double pie crust. Use your favorite store-bought pie crust brand, or see how to make your own homemade crust below.
• Granulated sugar: Sweeten the apple filling with regular white sugar. When looking for other types of sweeteners, sugar alternatives like stevia and coconut sugar can work in place of granulated sugar.
• Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a classic spice used in apple desserts. Different types of cinnamon have distinct flavors; some are bold and spicy, and others are mild and sweet.
• Lime juice: While a splash of citrus is not uncommon in apple pies, lime juice is a unique and zingy addition in this candied apple pie recipe.
• Butter: The sweet, sticky sauce for the top crust begins with melted butter, and either salted or unsalted will work here.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is one of several effective pie thickeners; cornstarch and tapioca are two other types. They help the fruit filling set for easy slicing after baking.
• Salt: The filling contains just a tiny amount of salt, which helps boost the pie’s overall flavor.
• Brown sugar: It’s part of the candy-like topping over the top crust. The caramel flavor is so delicious with the apple filling and crunchy pecans.
• Heavy whipping cream: Whipping cream helps the brown sugar topping cling to the crust and contributes to the beautiful browning during baking.

Directions

Step 1: Prepare the apple filling

Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, toss the apples with lime juice. In another bowl, combine the sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt. Add the flour mixture to the apples and toss lightly.

Step 2: Assemble the pie

On a lightly floured surface, roll half the dough to an 1/8-inch-thick circle and transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate. Add the apple filling and dot the top with butter. Roll the remaining dough to an 1/8-inch-thick circle and place it over the filling. Trim, seal and flute the edge, and cut slits in the top.

Editor’s Tip: Remember to crimp the pie crust edges well so the filling doesn’t ooze out while baking.

Step 3: Bake the pie

Bake the pie for 40 to 45 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the apples are tender.

Editor’s Tip: Place the pie on a baking sheet in the oven. The metal pan will help the bottom of the pie brown evenly and catch any drips once you add the pecan topping.

Step 4: Make the topping

While the pie bakes, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a small saucepan. Stir in the brown sugar and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the chopped pecans.

Step 5: Add the topping and finish baking

Pour the topping over the baked pie, covering the top crust completely. Return the pie to the oven and bake it for three to four minutes longer, until it’s bubbly. Transfer the pie to a wire rack. Serve slices warm.

Editor’s Tip: While warm pie fresh from the oven is honestly the best way to eat pie, allow it to rest for 30 minutes to an hour before slicing. You want the filling to set before slicing.

Candy Apple Pie Variations

• Use lemon juice: For a more traditional hint of citrus in the filling, use lemon juice instead of lime juice.
• Try other nuts: Chopped almonds, walnuts or cashews are delicious in the candy coating on top of the pie.
• Add more spice to the filling: Mix in a little nutmeg, allspice or ground cloves with the cinnamon. Add a splash of vanilla or rum extract to the apples too.

How to Store Candy Apple Pie

Once the candied apple pie recipe has cooled completely, cover it in food wrap or transfer it to a pie or dessert carrier. Store the pie in the fridge for up to one week.

Can you freeze candy apple pie?

Yes, you can freeze candy apple pie, and it’s a great way to get a head start on holiday pie baking! One option for freezing pies is to assemble the pie with the top crust sealed and crimped, then cover it tightly and freeze it unbaked. It can stay in the freezer for up to three months.

You can also bake the apple pie, let it cool completely, and then wrap and freeze it. Wait to add the candy topping until you reheat it in the oven; once it’s hot all the way through, add the topping and bake as directed in the recipe.

Candy Apple Pie Tips

How do you make dough for a double-crust pie?

This candied apple pie recipe is even more delicious when you use homemade double pie crust dough. Our recipe explains the steps of cutting the shortening into the flour and slowly adding ice water to create a dough. Divide the dough in half and shape both halves into disks. Covered with food wrap, you can store the dough disks in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for three months. Follow the steps in the recipe to roll and assemble the double-crust pie dough.

How should you serve candy apple pie?

Slices of candied apple pie taste best when served warm; chilled slices can be warmed in the oven or microwave. Serve slices of the sweet pie with homemade vanilla whipped cream or bourbon-infused whipped cream. The flavors of apple, pecans and brown sugar are also delicious with scoops of homemade butter pecan ice cream, blueberry ice cream, cinnamon ice cream or coffee ice cream.