Ingredients
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½ cup granulated sugar
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½ cup packed light brown sugar
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6 tablespoons unsalted butter
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¼ cup water
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¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
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⅛ teaspoon salt
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5 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and sliced
Instructions
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Prepare the Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
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Add granulated sugar and brown sugar. Stir constantly until the sugars dissolve completely.
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Pour in the water, and mix well to combine.
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Continue to stir for 5-7 minutes, or until the mixture thickens and turns a deep golden brown color.
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Sprinkle in the cinnamon and salt. Stir to incorporate, then remove from the heat.
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Cook the Apples: In a separate large skillet, cook the sliced apples over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until they begin to soften slightly.
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Pour the prepared caramel sauce over the apples and stir gently to coat them evenly.
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Simmer the caramel apple pie filling mixture for 10-12 minutes, or until the apples are tender but still hold their shape. Be careful not to overcook them.
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Cool and Use: Let the caramel apple pie filling cool completely before using it in a pie or other dessert.
Notes
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Thickening: For a thicker filling, whisk 1 teaspoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water. Add this slurry to the apples during the last few minutes of cooking.
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Apple Variety: Granny Smith apples provide a nice tartness, while Honeycrisp or Fuji offer more sweetness. You can also use a combination!
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Storage: Store leftover filling in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before using.
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Vegan Option: Substitute plant-based butter for dairy butter.
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Boozy Twist: Add 1-2 tablespoons of bourbon or rum to the caramel sauce during the last minute of cooking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1/6 of the total filling
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 25mg