Cooking Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round baking dish or pie pan.
Wash and core the apples, then slice them into thin wedges. Arrange the apple slices evenly in the prepared baking dish.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the granulated sugar and butter. Stir constantly until the mixture melts and turns a light golden color.
Carefully add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt to the saucepan, whisking continuously until the caramel is smooth and thickened slightly. Pour the caramel evenly over the sliced apples.
In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and rolled oats. If using, add the chopped nuts for extra crunch. Stir in melted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Sprinkle the crumb topping over the caramel-coated apples in the baking dish, ensuring an even coverage.
Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, if desired.
For the best results, choose firm apples that can hold their shape during baking, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
You can also experiment with different types of nuts or spices in the crumb topping to suit your taste. If you prefer a thicker caramel sauce, let it simmer longer on the stove, but be careful not to burn it.
Enjoy your delicious caramel apple dessert!