How to Caramelize Apples for Pie
So delicious, sweet, and flavored with cinnamon—perfect for various pastries. Caramelizing apples for pie is very simple, but patience is key while the sugar melts into caramel. This filling can also be used for pancakes, fritters, buns, and other baked goods.
Updated : 13 June, 2025
Easy
About 20 min.
Ingredients
400 grams
Apple
100 grams
Sugar
30 grams
Butter
0.5 teaspoon
Ground cinnamon
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
Choose whole, firm, undamaged apples for the filling. They should be sweet and tart with dense flesh, not soft or mealy, as soft apples quickly turn into puree.
Step 2
Core and peel the apples, then slice them. To prevent browning, you can place them in a bowl of water with lemon juice (or citric acid).
Step 3
Heat a pan over low heat. Add one-third of the sugar.
Step 4
Wait until the sugar melts—this takes about 5-8 minutes. Do not use metal spoons, only wooden or silicone ones, as caramel won’t stick to them. Add another third of the sugar and melt it. Then, add the remaining sugar and let it dissolve completely. If you like, you can add a pinch of salt at the end for salted caramel.
Step 5
Add the butter and stir until it is fully melted.
Step 6
Add the sliced apples and cinnamon.
Step 7
Gently stir and cook everything together for 3-5 minutes until the apples become slightly translucent. Be careful not to overcook them. Remove the pan from heat.
Step 8
If the caramel is runny at first, it will thicken as it cools. Now you can use the apples as a filling for pies, cakes, turnovers, strudels, or any other baked goods. They also make a great dessert on their own when served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Enjoy your meal!