The Ultimate Crumb-topped Deep-dish Apple-caramel Pie

Total Time: 2 hrs 20 mins Preparation Time: 50 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins

Ingredients

• 2 cups pecans, chopped divided
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 (18 ounce) package refrigerated sugar cookie dough
• 3 lbs granny smith apples, peeled, cored and cut in 1/2-inch slices
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon candied ginger, chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 8 individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped and quartered
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 cup butter or 1 cup margarine, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• 2 spread pecans on ungreased baking sheet. bake until lightly browned, 2-3 minutes; cool.
• 3 crust: coat bottom and inside of a 9" springform pan with cooking spray.
• 4 in food processor process 1 cup pecans until fnely ground (or finely chop with a knife.)
• 5 at medium-low speed beat flour into refrigerated sugar cookie dough until combined.
• 6 stir in ground pecans.
• 7 press dough onto side and bottom of pan, creating scant 1/4 inch thick crust; refrigerate 20 minutes.
• 8 reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees.
• 9 bake crust 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
• 10 filling: toss apples with sugar, flour, ginger, cinnamon and remaining pecans; spoon into pan.
• 11 sprinkle with chopped caramels.
• 12 cover tightly with foil.
• 13 bake for 45 minutes.
• 14 crumb topping: meanwhile, at low speed combine flour, sugars, and cinnamon.
• 15 increase speed to medium gradually add butter and vanilla, beating until wet crumbs form.
• 16 remove pie from oven, uncover.
• 17 using hands press tablespoonfuls of crumb mixture toether to form large crumbs; place over filling, covering entire surface.
• 18 bake, uncovered for 45 minutes or untill lightly browned.
• 19 cool on rack; remove side from pan.
• 20 stir together confectioners' sugar and 4 teaspoons water until smooth.
• 21 transfer to plastic food storage bag; snip 1 corner; drizzle over crumbs.