Miso Caramel Apple Pie (Vegan)
Nov 23, 2024 • Updated Dec 12, 2024
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Let’s indulge in the perfect blend of sweet and savory with this miso caramel apple pie! The umami-rich miso caramel perfectly complements the tender, spiced apples, which are tucked in a flaky vegan crust. This dessert not only satisfies your sweet tooth (I could literally eat the whole pie) but also offers a unique flavour that will leave your guests craving more!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Miso Caramel Apple Pie Recipe
Whether it’s miso glazed tofu meatballs, vegan baked miso mac and cheese, or miso glazed honeynut squash – it’s safe to say I have a hard time not adding miso to every dish I make. One of my favorite applications for miso is in dessert, especially when it comes to caramel. It’s like salted caramel but with even more depth and flavor.
This vegan pie is a perfect dessert for anyone looking to elevate a classic apple pie with a unique twist to share at all of your holiday gatherings or just for a special treat to enjoy at home.
Ingredient Notes
- Store-bought vegan pie crusts: These make the process simpler while still delivering a flaky, golden crust. If unavailable, homemade vegan crust works beautifully too.
- Vegan butter: Salted or unsalted butter works depending on preference. Coconut oil can be used as a substitute.
Caramel Sauce
- Organic cane sugar: This forms the base of the caramel, lending sweetness and depth. Coconut sugar is a more earthy alternative.
- Water: Combines with the sugar to create the caramel consistency.
- Vegan butter: Adds richness to the caramel, creating that classic glossy texture. Coconut cream could also work.
- Kosher salt
- Vanilla extract: Opt for vanilla bean paste if desired.
- White miso paste: Brings umami richness to the caramel.
Pie Filling
- Honeycrisp apples: Sweet and juicy, they soften beautifully during baking. Fuji or Pink Lady apples are great substitutes.
- Green apples: These balance the sweetness and add structure. Granny Smith apples are the go-to choice.
- Organic cane sugar: Sweetens the apple filling, enhancing natural flavors. Coconut sugar, brown sugar, or maple syrup can be substituted if preferred.
- Fresh lemon juice: Prevents browning and brightens the apple flavor. Lime juice or apple cider vinegar can be substituted.
- Gluten-free all-purpose flour: Thickens the juices in the pie filling. Regular all-purpose flour works if not gluten-free.
- Ground cinnamon: A classic spice for warmth and sweetness.
- Ground allspice: If unavailable, a pinch of cloves and nutmeg can replace it.
- Ground nutmeg: You can use freshly grated nutmeg if preferred.
- Kosher salt
See the full recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and instructions.
How to Make Miso Caramel Apple Pie
Preparing the Pie
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. Line or grease a 9-inch pie dish with vegan butter or cooking spray.
Step 2: Gently unroll one sheet of pie dough on a floured surface to fit your lined pie dish. Lay the dough over the dish, pressing gently to seal any cracks. (Skip this step if using a pre-prepared pie crust in a tin.)
Prepping the Apples
Step 3: Peel, core, and quarter the apples. Use a mandolin or sharp knife to slice them evenly, about ¼ – ½ inch thick.
Step 4: In a large bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice, sugar, spices, salt, and flour until well coated. Make sure the apple slices are covered thoroughly in the flour mixture. Pack the apple mixture tightly into your pie dish in an even layer.
Making the Miso Caramel
Step 5: Add sugar and water over medium heat in a medium saucepan or pot. Cook until all of the sugar has dissolved. If needed, you can swirl the pot very gently but do not stir. Continue to cook on medium heat until it turns a deep amber color, about 8-12 minutes.
Step 6: Turn the heat to low and add 1 tbsp of vegan butter. Whisk rapidly. It will start to foam but just keep whisking until smooth.
Step 7: Remove from heat and stir in miso paste and vanilla, whisking vigorously until fully combined.
Assembling and Baking
Step 8: Pour the miso caramel sauce evenly over the apple slices. If you plan to create decorative designs with the top crust, let the caramel cool to room temperature first otherwise your pie dough will start to melt upon contact.
Step 9: Cover with the second sheet of pie dough, sealing the edges. Brush any exposed crust with melted vegan butter. For an open-faced pie, skip the top crust.
Step 10: Bake at 400F for 25 minutes. Remove the pie and protect the edges of the crust with a pie shield or foil to prevent burning. Lower the oven to 375F and bake for another 30 – 40 minutes, until the filling bubbles, the crust is golden brown, and the apples are tender. Remove from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool.
Secrets to Success
- Avoid overly soft apples to make sure they hold up during baking.
- If you’re short on time or want evenly sliced apples without much effort, a food processor fitted with a slicing attachment can make prep super easy.
- For those making homemade vegan pie crust, always use cold butter to achieve that flaky, tender texture. The cold fat creates steam pockets as it melts during baking, giving the crust its signature layers.
- If you’re making a homemade pie crust, a pastry cutter can be a game-changer. It helps blend cold butter into the flour quickly and evenly, creating those perfect flaky layers.
- Get creative with the top of the pie! Use a rolling pin to evenly roll out your dough before crafting a lattice design or cutting out fun shapes with cookie cutters.
Serving Tips
For the most delicious results, serve your miso caramel apple pie warm with vanilla ice cream or a scoop of your favorite vegan ice cream, whipped cream, a caramel drizzle, or flaky sea salt on top.
Storage Tips
Store the pie covered with plastic wrap on the counter for up to 2 days or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven to maintain the crust’s crispness.
Recipe FAQs
Though miso is key to this recipe’s unique flavor, you could try tahini for a slightly nutty, savory note. Keep in mind the taste won’t be the same.
Gently reheat the caramel over low heat and whisk in a splash of water to loosen it. Be careful not to thin it out too much.
No, you don’t have to place your pie tin on a baking sheet before baking but you absolutely can if you want to!
More Vegan Dessert Recipes
Sweet Treats
The Best Classic Vegan Pumpkin Pie Recipe
Sweet Treats
Pecan Pie Butter Mochi Recipe
Sweet Treats
Easy Vegan Pavlova Recipe (No Eggs!)
If you make this recipe, be sure to let me know what you think with a star rating and comment below! Follow me on Instagram for more delicious recipes!
Miso Caramel Apple Pie (Vegan)
Ingredients
- 2 store-bought vegan pie crusts
- 1-2 tbsp vegan butter melted, for brushing
Caramel Sauce
- 3/4 cup organic cane sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp vegan butter
- 1/4 tsp salt kosher
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1-2 tbsp white miso paste or use red for more intense flavour
Pie Filling
- 3 honey crisp apples peeled, cored and sliced
- 3 green apples peeled, cored and sliced
- 1/3 cup organic cane sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 tbsp gluten free all purpose flour
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt kosher
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400F and prepare a 9" pie dish. Grease it generously with vegan butter or cooking spray.
- Unroll one sheet of pie dough. If the pie dough isn't large enough for your pie dish, you can gently roll it out on a floured surface. Lay it over the pie dish and gently press down with your fingers, sealing any cracks. NOTE: If using a pre-prepared pie dish (in the tin), skip these steps.
- Peel your apples and slice in half, then half again so you end up with quartered pieces. Remove the core and use a mandolin to slice thinly, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness.
- Transfer the apple slices into a mixing bowl along with lemon juice, sugar, spices and flour. Toss to combine and make sure every apple piece is nicely coated. Transfer this mixture into the pie dish, making sure the apple slices are nicely packed.
Miso Caramel Sauce
- Add sugar and water to a pot over medium heat and cook until all of the sugar has dissolved. Do not stir, but you can very gently swirl the pot if needed. Continue to cook on medium heat until it turns a deep amber colour, about 8-12 minutes.
- Drop the heat to low and add in 1 tbsp of vegan butter. Whisk rapidly. It will start to foam but just keep whisking until smooth.
- Remove the pot from the heat and whisk in the miso paste and vanilla off the heat. Once again, whisk vigorously and keep whisking until nice and smooth.
Baking the Pie
- Pour the miso caramel sauce over top of the apple slices, then top off with your second sheet of pie dough. If wanting to do designs of any sort, let the caramel cool to room temperature first, otherwise your pie dough will start to melt upon contact. Brush any exposed crust with a little bit of vegan butter. Alternatively, you can bake this pie open faced.
- Transfer the pie dish into the oven and bake for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, remove the dish from the oven, and use a pie guard to protect the edges of the pie crust or simply wrap foil around the edges of the pie dish, so the center is exposed but the edges don't burn. Return to the oven at 375F and bake for an additional 30-40 minutes, until the filling is bubbling, crust is nicely golden brown and apples are fork tender.
- Let pie cool completely before serving (at least 3 hours).
Notes
- Avoid overly soft apples to make sure they hold up during baking.
- If you’re short on time or want evenly sliced apples without much effort, a food processor fitted with a slicing attachment can make prep super easy.
- For those making homemade vegan pie crust, always use cold butter to achieve that flaky, tender texture. The cold fat creates steam pockets as it melts during baking, giving the crust its signature layers.
- If you’re making a homemade pie crust, a pastry cutter can be a game-changer. It helps blend cold butter into the flour quickly and evenly, creating those perfect flaky layers.
- Get creative with the top of the pie! Use a rolling pin to evenly roll out your dough before crafting a lattice design or cutting out fun shapes with cookie cutters.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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