apple upside down pie recipe

Written ByJenny Smyth Posted on
Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

The Best apple upside down pie recipe

I’ve been making apple upside down pie for years, and it’s always a hit with my family. The first time I made it, I was inspired by a traditional recipe from the Midwest, where the pie is a staple at family gatherings and community events.

The combination of tender apples, caramelized sugar, and flaky crust is a match made in heaven. My kids love helping me prepare the ingredients and watching the pie transform into a golden-brown masterpiece.

It’s a perfect recipe for any occasion, whether it’s a holiday gathering or just a Tuesday dinner. I’ve even served it at potlucks and community events, and it’s always the star of the show.

Not only is it delicious, but it’s also relatively easy to make and requires minimal special equipment. I love that it’s a great way to use up fresh apples from our local orchard, and my family appreciates the effort I put into making something special for them.

Over the years, I’ve tweaked the recipe to suit our tastes, adding a hint of cinnamon and nutmeg to give it an extra boost of flavor.

Apple Upside Down Pie

4.7 from 677 votes

A classic dessert with a sweet caramel sauce and juicy apples baked into a flaky pie crust. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent treat.

Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time45 mins
Resting Time0 mins
Total Time1 hr 5 mins
Servings: 8Cuisine: InternationalCalories: 450 kcal

🥘Ingredients

For the Caramel Sauce

1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the Apple Filling

4 large apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

For the Pie Crust

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
1/4 cup ice-cold water

👨‍🍳Directions

1Preheat the oven to 425°F.
2In a saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium heat.
3Stir until sugar dissolves.
4Bring to a boil and cook until the mixture turns a golden amber color.
5Remove from heat and stir in butter and vanilla extract until smooth.
6Pour the caramel sauce into the bottom of a 9-inch pie dish.
7Arrange the apple slices on top of the caramel sauce, overlapping slightly.
8In a separate bowl, mix sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
9Sprinkle the spice mixture evenly over the apples.
10In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt.
11Add the cold cubed butter and use your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
12Gradually add ice-cold water, mixing just until the dough comes together.
13Form the dough into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
14On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a 12-inch circle.
15Carefully place the rolled dough over the apples in the pie dish, pressing the edges to seal.
16Trim any excess dough and crimp the edges with your fingers.
17Cut slits in the top of the dough to allow steam to escape.
18Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are bubbling through the slits.
19If the edges of the crust begin to brown too quickly, cover them with aluminum foil.
20Remove the pie from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes.
21Carefully invert the pie onto a serving plate.
22The caramel sauce will be hot, so be cautious.
23Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream if desired.

🔧Equipment

9-inch pie dish
Saucepan
Mixing bowl
Rolling pin
Oven

📊Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🔥Calories: 450 kcal🧈Total Fat: 18g💛Saturated Fat: 11g❤️Cholesterol: 45mg🧂Sodium: 250mg🌾Total Carbs: 70g🥦Dietary Fiber: 3g🍬Sugars: 45g🥩Protein: 3g

📝Notes

Tips: Use a variety of apples for a mix of flavors and textures. Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and Jonagold apples work well together. For a deeper flavor, add a pinch of salt to the caramel sauce.

This apple upside down pie recipe is always a winner in my household, whether we’re enjoying it as a special treat or just as part of our regular meal rotation.

One of my favorite things about this recipe is that it’s so versatile – we can serve it warm with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top, or let it cool completely before slicing into wedges for an easy snack or dessert.

Whatever way we enjoy it, this apple upside down pie recipe never fails to put smiles on everyone’s faces.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Apple Upside Down Pie

Q: What type of apples are best for this recipe?

The best apples for this recipe are those that hold their shape when cooked, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Avoid using overly sweet apples like Red Delicious or Gala.

Q: Can I use store-bought pie crust instead of making my own?

While store-bought crust can be convenient, I highly recommend making your own crust from scratch. It’s easier than you think, and homemade crust adds an extra layer of flavor and texture to the pie.

Q: How do I prevent the apples from becoming too brown?

To prevent browning, simply sprinkle a pinch of lemon juice over the sliced apples before adding them to the pie crust.

Q: Can I make this pie in advance?

Sure! You can prepare the filling up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble the pie.

Q: What if I don’t have an oven-safe skillet?

No problem! Simply use a standard 9-inch pie dish instead. Just be sure to adjust the baking time accordingly.

Similar Posts