Caramel Apple Pie

Ingredients

For crust:
2 basic flaky pie crusts
1 large egg, beaten
1 Tbsp. sugar
Kosher salt

For apples:
2 1/2 lb. Golden Delicious apples (about 5 large)
1 1/2 lb. Granny Smith apples (about 3 large)
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
4 Tbsp. sugar, divided
3 Tbsp. cornstarch
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

For caramel:
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. flaked sea salt

Directions

Prepare dough for basic flaky pie crusts. While dough chills, start apples: Peel, core and slice apples ¼-in thick, transfer to large bowl and toss with lemon juice and 2 Tbsp sugar. Let sit, tossing occasionally for at least 30 min and up to 2 hrs.

In small saucepan, cook sugar and water on low until dissolved, stirring occasionally, about 6 min. Add butter and slowly bring to a boil then simmer until deep golden brown, stirring occasionally, 15 to 25 min. Remove from heat and add cream (be careful, it will bubble up). Whisk in vanilla and sea salt. Set aside.

3On lightly floured surface, with floured rolling pin, roll one disk of dough into 13-in. circle and fit into bottom and up side of 9-inch pie plate; refrigerate until ready to use. Roll remaining disk dough to 14-in circle, transferring to piece of parchment halfway through for ease of handling, then slide parchment (and dough) onto baking sheet and refrigerate until ready to use

Combine cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and remaining 2 Tbsp sugar. Add to apples and toss to combine.

Mound apples in prepared crust, packing them in tightly, along with any juices in bottom of bowl. Spoon 1/2 cup caramel over top. Transfer remaining caramel to small bowl and set aside, for serving.

Remove top crust from fridge and let sit at room temp until just pliable to shape without cracking, about 5 min. Lay top pie crust over filling. Trim edge of dough, leaving 1-in. overhang. Fold top crust under bottom crust to create thicker crust to seal; crimp as desired. Refrigerate 10 min.

Place pie on rimmed baking sheet, brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with sugar and pinch salt. Cut slits in top and bake until beginning to brown, 20 to 25 min. Reduce oven temp to 350°F and bake until fruit is just tender and crust is golden brown, 40 to 55 min. more, covering with foil if crust becomes too dark. Transfer to wire rack and let cool at least 2 1/2 hours. Serve warm or at room temp with remaining caramel.