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special about the comforting aroma of baked apples and warm caramel filling your kitchen. The Homemade Caramel Apple Chaos Tart

Homemade Caramel Apple Chaos Tart

This Homemade Caramel Apple Chaos Tart is a sweet, gooey masterpiece that captures all the flavors of fall in one bite! Buttery crust, spiced apple filling, and golden caramel drizzle come together for a dessert that’s both rustic and decadent. Perfect for cozy gatherings, Thanksgiving tables, or when you crave something beautifully chaotic and delicious.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 8 Servings
Course: Dessert, holiday treat
Cuisine: American, Autumn Dessert
Calories: 310
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • For the Crust
  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup cold unsalted butter cubed
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 –3 tbsp cold water
  • For the Apple Filling
  • 3 large apples thinly sliced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • For the Caramel Sauce
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • Pinch of salt
  • Optional Toppings
  • Crushed nuts or pretzels for crunch
  • Sea salt flakes
  • Whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

Equipment

  • 9-inch tart pan or pie dish
  • Mixing bowls
  • Rolling pin
  • Saucepan
  • Wooden spoon
  • Oven

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Crust
  2. In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Add cold water gradually until dough forms. Roll out and press into tart pan. Chill 10 minutes.
  3. Par-Bake the Crust
  4. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line crust with parchment and pie weights. Bake for 10 minutes, remove weights, and bake 5 more minutes.
  5. Cook the Apple Filling
  6. In a skillet, melt butter. Add apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and vanilla. Cook 5–7 minutes until tender and caramelized.
  7. Make the Caramel Sauce
  8. In a saucepan, melt sugar over medium heat until golden. Add butter and stir, then pour in cream slowly. Add salt and mix until smooth.
  9. Assemble the Tart
  10. Spoon apple filling into crust. Drizzle with caramel sauce — swirl gently to create that “chaos” look.
  11. Bake & Serve
  12. Bake for 15–20 minutes until bubbling and golden. Cool slightly before slicing. Top with more caramel and whipped cream if desired.

Notes

Use store-bought crust to save time — it’s still amazing!
Add a pinch of sea salt on top for salted caramel flavor.
Swap apples for pears or mixed fruit for a creative twist.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream for ultimate indulgence.