Caramel Apple Pie

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Step 2

In a medium bowl, mix together the graham cracker crumbs, sugar, cinnamon and melted butter. Press into a 10-inch pie plate and up the sides. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes until golden in color. Remove pie shell from oven and cool completely. Reduce oven to 350 degrees. Pour caramel into pie shell and sprinkle with 1 cup of chopped pecans. Refrigerate pie shell while making apple filling.

Step 3

In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter then add the brown sugar, salt and cinnamon, stir well. Add apples and stir until evenly coated. Cook over medium to medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes until apples are softened and tender. Let the apples cool for 10 minutes and pour into pie shell.

Step 4

In a medium bowl, using a hand-held mixer on low speed, combine cream cheese and sugar for about 1 minute until smooth. Add egg, lemon juice and vanilla and beat for 1 minute or until fully blended. Pour over apple filling in pie shell. Bake for 30 minutes until an inserted knife comes out clean. Remove pie from oven and let cool. Refrigerate for 4 hours. Let stand outside the refrigerator for 30 minutes. (allows caramel to soften)

Step 5

Top with whipped cream, caramel and pecans, and swirl with a knife (or use Wilton tip). Slice and serve.