🍎 Salted Caramel Apple Galette — Rustic, Gooey, and Surprisingly Simple
If you want a dessert that looks fancy but behaves lazy-kitchen-friendly, this salted caramel apple galette is your new flex. Flaky crust, tender apples, and sticky-sweet salted caramel—no pie tin, no drama. I make this when I want applause with minimal effort. You will too. 😉
⚡ Quick Snapshot
| What | Info |
|---|---|
| Prep time | 20 minutes (plus 30–45 min chill/bake) |
| Total time | ~1 hour |
| Serves | 6–8 (depending on slices) |
| Difficulty | Easy — pastry noob friendly |
| Why try it | Fast, rustic, perfect for fall or any apple craving |
🍏 Why This Galette Works (aka the good parts)
- No pie plate — you shape the crust freehand, so it looks artisanal even if you wing it.
- Texture party — crisp-but-tender apples meet buttery, flaky pastry.
- Salted caramel gives a grown-up sweet-salty vibe that steals the show.
🛒 Ingredient Lineup
| Item | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | Crust base | 1 1/4 cups |
| Cold unsalted butter | Flakiness | 8 tbsp (1 stick), cubed |
| Ice water | Bind dough | 3–4 tbsp |
| Granulated sugar | Slight sweetness in crust | 1 tbsp |
| Salt | Flavor balance | 1/2 tsp |
| Apples (firm, e.g., Honeycrisp) | Filling | 3 medium, thinly sliced |
| Brown sugar | Caramelizes apples | 1/3 cup |
| Ground cinnamon | Warm spice | 1 tsp |
| Lemon juice | Keeps apples bright | 1 tbsp |
| Salted caramel sauce | Finish + flavor bomb | 1/2 cup (homemade or store-bought) |
| Egg (optional) | Egg wash for shine | 1 beaten |
Pro tip: Use firm apples so they hold shape and don’t turn to mush.
🌀 Simple Step-by-Step (move fast, look calm)
- Make the dough: Toss flour, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Cut in cold butter until pea-sized crumbs form. Add ice water, 1 tbsp at a time, until dough just comes together. Flatten, wrap, chill 20–30 min. (Yes, chilling matters.)
- Prep the apples: Toss slices with brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Let sit 5–10 minutes to macerate.
- Roll & assemble: Roll dough into a ~12-inch circle on a floured surface. Transfer to a parchment-lined sheet. Pile apples in the center, leaving a 2-inch border. Drizzle about half the salted caramel over the apples.
- Fold edges: Fold the crust up over apples, pleating as needed. Brush crust with egg wash if you want golden shine. Sprinkle a pinch of coarse salt on top—trust me.
- Bake: 375°F (190°C) for 35–45 minutes, until crust browns and apples bubble. Let cool 10–15 minutes.
- Finish: Drizzle remaining salted caramel over the warm galette. Slice and serve with ice cream if you’re feeling decadent.
🎨 Remix Ideas
- Maple upgrade: Swap half the brown sugar for maple syrup.
- Nutty crunch: Scatter toasted pecans or walnuts on the apples before folding.
- Boozy twist: Toss apples with 1 tbsp bourbon or dark rum for grown-up depth.
💡 Serving & Storage Notes
- Serve warm with vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. Hot + cold = magic.
- Store leftovers loosely covered in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat 8–10 minutes in a 350°F oven to revive crispness.
❓ Rapid-Fire FAQ
Q: Can I use pre-made pie crust?
A: Absolutely. It speeds things up—no shame in shortcuts.
Q: Gluten-free option?
A: Use a 1:1 GF flour blend and chill dough well; texture changes slightly.
Q: Can I make it ahead?
A: Assemble, refrigerate up to 12 hours, then bake. Or bake and rewarm before serving.
✅ Final Bite (Summary + Nudge)
This salted caramel apple galette gives you flaky crust, cozy apple spice, and that addictive salted caramel finish—all with minimal fuss. It looks impressive, tastes like autumn in a forkful, and plays well with ice cream. Give it a shot this weekend—you’ll get compliments and maybe even a friend who shows up uninvited for dessert. 😉
So yeah, if you’ve been sleeping on galettes, now’s the time to wake up and bake one. Trust me—you’ll thank yourself later. 😉
