Disney’s Caramel Apple Pie — Caramel Dessert Recipes

If you love warm apples, sticky caramel, and a buttery cookie crust all in one slice, you’re going to lose your mind over Disney’s Caramel Apple Pie. This copycat recipe takes the Whispering Canyon Cafe favorite and turns it into something you can make at home—no long line, no park ticket, just pure, saucy comfort. Think sugar-cookie bottom, cinnamon-spiced apple filling, a crunchy crumb top, and a generous drizzle of caramel. What’s not to love?

This dessert feels fancy but plays nice with busy kitchens. The base uses refrigerated sugar cookie dough for a quick, buttery crust that bakes up golden and slightly chewy—basically a Yummy Sugar Cookies shortcut that tastes homemade. The apples get tossed with a little flour, sugar, and apple pie spice so each bite tastes like fall in one neat package. Then you pile on the crumbly topping and finish with warm caramel. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and you’ve got a show-stopping Pie Dessert that steals the holiday spotlight.

Want to wow guests at Thanksgiving without the pie drama? Bars and springform pies beat the classic pie for crowd-serving. You can slice the pan ahead of time and let people grab-and-go at the dessert table—perfect for a buffet or a chaotic holiday kitchen. Honestly, who wants to wrestle with sticky pie slices while the turkey cools? Not me.

Quick how-it-works: press the sugar-cookie dough into a greased springform pan, toss sliced apples with sugar, flour, and spice, and spread them over the crust. Drizzle with a little caramel, cover for the first bake, then add the flour-butter crumb topping and finish uncovered so it crisps up. When it comes out, let it cool just enough to slice, then drizzle more caramel. Simple, right?

Pro tip: Use firm apples like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith for great texture—sweet enough, but with a little snap that holds up to baking. If you use really soft apples, the filling can get mushy and no one wants that.

I’ll give you a few tweaks so this pie sings on repeat: swap half the sugar in the topping for brown sugar if you want deeper molasses notes, or add a tablespoon of lemon juice to the apples to brighten the flavor. For an extra bakery-level finish, toast a handful of chopped pecans into the streusel—textural heaven.

Love coconut? Try a twist: sprinkle a small handful of toasted coconut into the crumb before the final bake for a tropical counterpoint to the warm spice—yes, it becomes a Coconut Dessert if you’re feeling adventurous. Or, if you want to channel candy-bar vibes, serve slices with chocolate shavings and call it a hybrid between Caramel Desserts and Brownie Desserts. (FYI: chocolate + caramel rarely disappoints.)

Do you need heavy-duty equipment? Nope. A 10-inch springform pan, a couple of mixing bowls, and a sheet of foil will do. Tip: line the bottom of the pan with parchment and spray the sides so the pie releases cleanly. Nobody wants a crumbled presentation after all that love and butter.

Wondering about serving and storage? Let the pie cool to room temp before covering—trapping it while hot creates condensation and soggy crust. Once cooled, wrap it loosely and refrigerate for up to four days. Reheat a slice for 20–30 seconds in the microwave for that just-baked warmth. This pie also travels well—make minis in a muffin pan for portable servings. Mini pies bake faster (about 25–30 minutes), so keep an eye on them.

Looking for the right occasion? This is perfect for Thanksgiving, holiday dinners, or any evening that calls for a cozy Dessert For Dinner situation. Guests will clap when you bring it out, or at least noisily reach for seconds—same thing, right? IMO, it’s the kind of recipe that turns strangers into friends and leftovers into breakfast.

One last thing: if you want to make it your signature, experiment with the caramel. Use a salted caramel for contrast, or stir a tablespoon of bourbon into the caramel for grown-up warmth. Either way, drizzle generously—caramel makes everything better. No apologies.

So if you’ve been searching for an unforgettable apple dessert, give this Caramel Pie riff a try. It channels Disney park vibes without the crowds, combines a buttery Yummy Sugar Cookies base with spiced apples and crisp topping, and finishes with the kind of caramel that makes people swoon. Whether you stick close to the classic or try that coconut twist, this is one recipe that belongs on every holiday table. Go on—slice a piece, drape it in caramel, and call it dessert happiness.

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