If you love apple pie but want a version with even more flavor and texture, this Brown Butter Caramel Apple Crumble Pie is the variation that everyone ends up asking for. It takes the classic apple pie you already know and layers in richer flavors — nutty brown butter, warm cinnamon, soft caramel, and a golden crumble topping that bakes into a crisp, buttery layer.

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This is the kind of pie that feels both nostalgic and upgraded. It’s perfect when you want something familiar but extra special, whether you’re baking for Thanksgiving, Christmas, a fall gathering, or simply because you’re craving a cozy dessert on a cool evening. The caramel melts into the apples, the crumble topping adds sweetness and crunch, and the brown butter gives the entire pie a deep, almost toffee-like aroma.

Why You’ll Love This Caramel Crumble Apple Pie

• Brown butter adds a warm, nutty depth not found in standard pies.
• Caramelized apples bake into a soft, glossy filling.
• Crumble topping replaces the traditional double crust for a bakery-style finish.
• No soggy bottom — the crumble bakes crisp every time.
• Perfectly balanced sweet + tart apple flavor.
• Ideal for: Thanksgiving, fall baking, caramel apple desserts, Dutch apple pie fans, holiday pies, or anyone who wants the best version of apple pie.

Best Apples for Caramel Apple Crumble Pie

This pie needs apples that hold up during baking. A mix gives the best texture:

• Granny Smith → tart, firm
• Honeycrisp → juicy, sweet
• Braeburn → perfect for caramel desserts

Avoid very soft apples (Red Delicious, McIntosh).

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Brown Butter

• ½ cup unsalted butter

For the Apple Filling

• 6 cups sliced apples
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp flour
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ¼ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade) Use alcohol-free caramel sauce
• Pinch of salt

For the Crumble Topping

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• ½ cup rolled oats
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Pie Base

• 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
• Extra caramel sauce for drizzling, Use alcohol-free caramel sauce

Here is the list of essential equipment and tools:

How to Make Brown Butter Caramel Apple Crumble Pie

Before You Begin:
Preheat and prepare your cookware as needed. Cooking times and results may vary depending on your equipment and ingredients.

1. Brown the Butter

Melt butter in a pan over medium heat.
Cook until it foams and turns light brown, then remove from heat.
Let cool slightly.

2. Prepare the Filling

In a large bowl mix:

apples
brown butter
sugar
brown sugar
flour
cinnamon
nutmeg
lemon juice
salt

Stir in the caramel sauce and coat everything well.

3. Make the Crumble

Mix flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Cut cold butter into the mixture until crumbly.

4. Assemble

Place pie crust in dish.
Add the apple filling.
Top with the crumble mixture.

5. Bake

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 50–55 minutes, covering edges if needed.

6. Cool

Cool for at least 2 hours before slicing. Cooling time may vary based on filling temperature.

How to Serve

• Warm with vanilla ice cream
• Add a caramel drizzle
• Pair with whipped cream
• Serve chilled the next day — the flavor deepens

This pie tastes incredible warm and cold.

Storage & Make Ahead

• Room temperature: Store covered in a cool, dry place for up to 1–2 days.
• Fridge: Up to 5 days
• Freeze: Up to 3 months (baked or unbaked)
• Reheat: 325°F for 10–12 minutes

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overcooking the butter, which can cause bitterness
• Using very soft apples that break down too quickly
• Adding too much caramel, which can make the filling overly loose
• Skipping the cooling time, which affects slice structure
• Overmixing the crumble, leading to dense topping

FAQ

Is this the same as Dutch apple pie?
Pretty close. Dutch pies also use crumble, but this version adds brown butter + caramel.

Can I use store-bought caramel?
Yes — use any thick caramel sauce.

Why brown the butter?
It gives the filling a toasted, nutty flavor that makes the pie taste gourmet.

Can I use frozen apples?
Yes, but thaw and pat them dry.

How do I keep the crumble crisp?
Use cold butter and avoid overmixing.

Conclusion

This Brown Butter Caramel Apple Crumble Pie is a standout version of the classic dessert. It has everything people love about traditional apple pie, but with richer flavor, more texture, and a warm caramel finish that makes each slice unforgettable. It’s simple enough for casual baking but special enough for holidays — the exact kind of recipe readers save and make again and again.

Recipe Card

Brown Butter Caramel Apple Crumble Pie
Author: Isaac Blogger
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Category: Holiday Baking, Fall Desserts
Method: Baking
Difficulty: Easy
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 50–55 minutes
Cooling Time: 2 hours
Total Time: ~3 hours 20 minutes
Yield: 8 slices
Calories: ~430 per slice (approx.)

Before You Begin:
Preheat and prepare your cookware as needed. Cooking times and results may vary depending on your equipment and ingredients.

Ingredients

Brown Butter

• ½ cup unsalted butter

Apple Filling

• 6 cups thinly sliced apples (Granny Smith + Honeycrisp recommended)
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ¼ cup thick caramel sauce, Use alcohol-free caramel sauce
• Pinch of salt

Crumble Topping

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
• ½ cup rolled oats
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of salt

Base

• 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust
• Extra caramel sauce (optional, for drizzling)

Instructions

1. Make Brown Butter
   Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat. Cook until it foams and turns light brown, then remove from heat. Remove from heat and cool slightly.
2. Prepare the Apple Filling
   In a large bowl, combine sliced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and salt.
   Pour in the brown butter and caramel sauce. Toss gently to coat.
3. Make the Crumble Topping
   In another bowl, mix flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
   Cut in cold butter until the mixture is crumbly and sandy.
4. Assemble the Pie
   Press the pie crust into a 9-inch dish.
   Spoon the apple filling inside.
   Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the apples.
5. Bake
   Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 50–55 minutes, covering the edges with foil after 25 minutes to prevent over-browning.
6. Cool & Serve
   Cool for at least 2 hours before slicing. Cooling time may vary based on filling temperature.
   Drizzle extra caramel sauce before serving if desired.

Nutrition (Approx. per slice)

• Calories: 430
• Carbohydrates: 64g
• Protein: 4g
• Fat: 19g
• Saturated Fat: 11g
• Cholesterol: 50mg
• Sodium: 150mg
• Fiber: 3g
• Sugar: 38g

Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on ingredients used and portion size

Notes

• For extra crisp topping, refrigerate the crumble for 10 minutes before baking.
• Mix of apples gives the best texture (sweet + tart).
• Pie slices more cleanly once fully cooled.
• Freezes beautifully baked or unbaked.