When October rolls around and my kitchen fills with the scent of cinnamon and baked apples, I know it’s time to pull out my favorite fall dessert recipe.
My Caramel Apple Galette has become such a treasured tradition in our home, the way the buttery pastry cradles those tender apple slices while caramel sauce pools around the edges just makes your heart happy.
Why You’ll Love This Apple Galette
I’m completely smitten with how forgiving this apple galette recipe is compared to traditional pie-making.
You get all the cozy autumn flavors without wrestling with perfectly crimped edges or worrying about soggy bottoms.
The rustic, free-form shape means your galette will look beautiful even if you’re having an off day in the kitchen.
More Apple Desserts You’ll Adore
Speaking of apple season magic, you absolutely have to try my Cinnamon Swirl Apple Fritter Bread – it’s like having bakery-style apple fritters in loaf form!
And when you want something completely no-fuss, my Apple Pie Tiramisu captures all those classic apple pie flavors without turning on the oven.
Ingredients You Need for Caramel Apple Galette
Here’s what you’ll gather for this gorgeous apple galette:
For the Pastry:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 3-4 tablespoons ice-cold water
For the Apple Filling:
- 4 medium apples (I love Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons caramel sauce (homemade or store-bought)
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
For Homemade Caramel Sauce:
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Choose firm, crisp apples that won’t turn to mush during baking.
I usually grab whatever looks freshest at the market, Honeycrisp for sweetness or Granny Smith if you prefer a tartness that balances the caramel beautifully.
How to Make Caramel Apple Galette
Make the Pastry:
- Whisk flour and sugar together in a large bowl.
- Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized pieces.
- Sprinkle ice water over the mixture, one tablespoon at a time, tossing gently with a fork until dough just comes together.
- Shape into a disc, wrap in plastic, and chill for at least 1 hour.
Prepare the Filling:
- Peel and core apples, then slice them about ¼-inch thick.
- Toss apple slices with brown sugar, cinnamon, and caramel sauce in a large bowl.
Assemble the Galette:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- Roll chilled dough on a floured surface into a 12-inch circle – don’t worry about perfect edges!
- Transfer dough to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Arrange apple mixture in the center, leaving a 2½-inch border around the edges.
- Fold the pastry border over the apples, pleating as you go – this rustic look is exactly what we want.
- Whisk egg and milk together, then brush over the pastry edges.
Bake and Finish:
- Bake for 35-40 minutes until the crust turns golden brown and apples are tender.
- Cool for 15 minutes, then drizzle with extra caramel sauce before serving.
The beauty of this apple galette lies in its imperfect perfection – each fold and pleat adds character that no fancy pie could match.
How I Make This Apple Galette Perfect Every Time
My secret? I always taste my apples before adding sugar. Super sweet varieties need less brown sugar, while tart ones can handle a bit more.
Also, don’t skip chilling the dough – it prevents shrinking and makes rolling so much easier. If your caramel seems too thick, warm it gently with a splash of cream until it drizzles smoothly.
Can I make this apple galette ahead of time?
You can assemble the galette completely and refrigerate it for up to 4 hours before baking. Just add 5-10 extra minutes to the baking time if you’re starting with a cold galette.
Print
Easy Caramel Apple Galette
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 slices
Description
A rustic, free-form tart featuring tender spiced apples wrapped in buttery pastry with rich caramel sauce.
Ingredients
Pastry:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for rolling
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- 3–4 tablespoons ice-cold water
Apple Filling:
- 4 medium apples, peeled and sliced ¼-inch thick
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons caramel sauce
Egg Wash:
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon milk
Caramel Sauce:
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cubed
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Whisk flour and sugar in a large bowl. Cut in cold butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add ice water gradually, tossing until dough forms. Shape into disc, wrap, and chill 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Toss sliced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and caramel sauce.
- Roll dough into 12-inch circle on floured surface. Transfer to parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Arrange apple mixture in center, leaving 2½-inch border. Fold pastry edges over apples, pleating as needed.
- Brush pastry with egg wash. Bake 35-40 minutes until golden brown.
- Cool 15 minutes, then drizzle with additional caramel sauce before serving.
Notes
For caramel sauce, heat sugar in saucepan until melted and amber-colored. Whisk in butter, then cream. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and salt.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 38 minutes
What’s the best way to store leftover galette?
Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. I actually love cold galette for breakfast with my coffee – the flavors meld beautifully overnight.
Can I freeze this Caramel apple galette?
Absolutely! Wrap the baked and cooled galette tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm gently in a 300°F oven.
What if I don’t want to make caramel from scratch?
No judgment here – good store-bought caramel sauce works perfectly. Just look for one with real butter and cream listed in the ingredients.
Pin this Caramel Apple Galette to your Pinterest boards so you can find it whenever apple season calls! Follow me at Pinterest.com/axiebook for more cozy seasonal recipes and baking inspiration.
How I Love to Serve My Caramel Apple Galette
This apple galette shines at casual weekend gatherings when you want something special but not fussy.
I’ll often make it on Sunday afternoons when the house feels a bit too quiet – the smell alone brings everyone to the kitchen.
During apple picking season, it’s become our go-to dessert for celebrating the harvest with vanilla ice cream and extra caramel drizzled on top.