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Irresistible Red Hot Candy Apple Pie: A Spicy Sweet Twist on a Classic

If you adore the classic zing of red hot cinnamon apples, prepare to fall in love with our sensational Red Hot Candy Apple Pie. This extraordinary dessert reimagines traditional apple pie with a vibrant burst of color and an unforgettable kick of cinnamon. Imagine a pie that doesn’t just taste amazing but also captivates with its fiery red hue, making it a true showstopper at any table. It’s the beloved cinnamon flavor you know, intensified and baked into a comforting, flaky pie.

Slice of red hot apple pie with double crust and a scoop of ice cream on top. — A tantalizing slice of Red Hot Candy Apple Pie, boasting its signature crimson filling and a delightful scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Why This Unique Cinnamon Apple Pie Deserves a Spot on Your Dessert Table

This isn’t just another apple pie; it’s a nostalgic journey with an exhilarating modern twist. Our recipe masterfully combines two cherished old-fashioned apple recipes: the timeless comfort of a classic homemade apple pie and the exciting, spicy sweetness of red hot cinnamon apples. The result is a dessert that surprises and delights, elevating the humble apple pie to an entirely new level of deliciousness and visual appeal.

While a good apple pie is hard to beat, this Red Hot Candy Apple Pie introduces an element of fun and flair that makes it truly special. It’s the perfect way to impress guests, celebrate a special occasion, or simply treat yourself to an extraordinary dessert experience.

The Secret Behind the Fiery Hue and Bold Cinnamon Flavor

The magic of this pie lies in its star ingredient: Red Hots candies (also known as Cinnamon Imperials). These small, potent candies are responsible for both the pie’s striking red color and its robust, unmistakable cinnamon flavor. As the candies melt and infuse with the apples during cooking, they create a vibrant, flavorful syrup that coats every slice, delivering a warm, spicy-sweet kick in every bite. This unique combination transforms ordinary apples into an extraordinary pie filling that is both familiar and excitingly new.

Perfect Pairings: Elevating Your Red Hot Candy Apple Pie Experience

A slice of this Red Hot Candy Apple Pie is truly a delight on its own, but for those who love to take their desserts to the next level, we have some incredible pairing suggestions:

Classic Vanilla Ice Cream: The cool, creamy richness of homemade vanilla ice cream provides a beautiful contrast to the pie’s warm, spicy notes. It’s a timeless combination that never disappoints.
Intense Cinnamon Ice Cream: For the ultimate cinnamon lover, a scoop of cinnamon ice cream will amplify the flavor profile, creating an explosion of warmth and spice that will truly make your taste buds sing.
Sweet Whipped Cream: A dollop of freshly whipped cream adds a light, airy sweetness that perfectly complements the pie’s bold flavors.
Caramel Drizzle: For an extra layer of decadence, a swirl of warm caramel sauce over your slice can add a wonderful depth of flavor and sticky sweetness.

Crafting Your Red Hot Candy Apple Pie: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating this captivating Red Hot Candy Apple Pie is a rewarding experience. Follow our detailed recipe to achieve a perfectly balanced sweet, spicy, and tangy dessert that will become a new family favorite.

Ingredients You’ll Need for a 9-inch Pie

Gathering your ingredients is the first step to pie perfection. Each component plays a crucial role in achieving the signature taste and texture of our Red Hot Candy Apple Pie:

Dough for 1 double crust pie: Whether you choose a flaky homemade crust or a convenient store-bought option, a good base is essential.
8 cups apple slices, peeled: We recommend firm, tart apples for baking, which hold their shape well and balance the sweetness of the candies.
½ cup Red Hots candy or Cinnamon Imperials: The star of the show, delivering the unique color and cinnamon kick.
½ cup water: To help dissolve the candies and create the flavorful syrup.
¾ cup granulated sugar: To sweeten the filling and balance the tartness of the apples and spice of the candies.
3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour: Our thickening agent, ensuring a perfectly set, not runny, pie filling.
1 teaspoon lemon juice: A splash of lemon juice brightens the flavors and prevents the apples from browning.
1 Tablespoon butter: Adds richness and a silky finish to the cooked filling.

Preparation Instructions

Follow these steps carefully to create a delicious and visually stunning Red Hot Candy Apple Pie:

Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prepare Cinnamon Syrup: In a large saucepan, combine the water, Red Hots candies, and granulated sugar. Cook this mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until both the candies and sugar are completely dissolved. This creates the vibrant, cinnamon-infused base for your apples.
Partially Cook Apples: Add the peeled apple slices to the saucepan. It might seem like there isn’t enough liquid at first, but as the apples cook, they will release their own juices. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture returns to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer gently for about 5 minutes. This step softens the apples slightly and allows them to absorb some of that beautiful red color and flavor. Remember not to simmer too long, or your apples will become mushy!
Separate Apples and Liquid: Carefully spoon the partially cooked apples out of the saucepan and into a small bowl. Try to leave as much of the cooking liquid behind in the saucepan as possible.
Cool the Liquid: Measure out 1½ cups of the cinnamon-infused cooking liquid and pour it into a separate small bowl. Place this bowl in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes to allow the liquid to cool down. Discard any remaining liquid in the saucepan.
Thicken the Sauce: Return the cooled cooking liquid to the saucepan. Whisk in the all-purpose flour and lemon juice until smooth. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it comes to a full rolling boil. Continue to boil for two minutes, or until the mixture has thickened considerably and is able to coat the back of a spoon. This thickened sauce will create the perfect consistency for your pie filling.
Add Butter: Once the sauce has thickened, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the tablespoon of butter until it is fully melted and incorporated, adding a lovely richness and sheen to the sauce.
Assemble the Pie: Roll out one portion of your pie dough and carefully place it in the bottom of a 9-inch pie pan. Arrange the partially cooked apples evenly over the bottom crust. Pour the thickened red hot cinnamon sauce over the apples, ensuring they are well coated. Top the pie with your second rolled-out crust and seal the edges securely. Cut several vent holes in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
Bake to Perfection: To catch any potential drips and keep your oven clean, place the assembled pie on a larger baking pan. Transfer it to the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the top crust is golden brown and the pie juices are visibly thick and bubbly through the vent holes. Keep an eye on the crust edges; if they start to brown too quickly, loosely cover them with aluminum foil.
Cool Completely: This step is crucial! Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack before attempting to slice it. This allows the filling to set properly, ensuring clean, beautiful slices.

Expert Tips, Creative Tricks, and Delicious Variations

While our Red Hot Candy Apple Pie recipe is perfect as written, feel free to customize it to your heart’s content. Here are some ideas to make it truly your own:

Choosing the Best Apples for Pie

The type of apple you use significantly impacts the pie’s texture and flavor. For the best results, we recommend firm, slightly tart apples that hold their shape well during baking. Excellent choices include:

Jonathan or Jonagold: These are personal favorites, offering a great balance of sweetness and tartness, and they maintain a good texture.
Granny Smith: If you prefer a tarter pie, Granny Smith apples are an excellent choice, providing a crisp texture and bright flavor.
Honeycrisp or Braeburn: These varieties offer a pleasant sweetness and firm texture, making them ideal for baking.

You can also check out our collection of apple recipes for more great varieties to bake with.

Mastering Your Pie Crust

The crust is just as important as the filling! Here’s how to perfect it:

Homemade vs. Store-Bought: While a homemade crust, like our great-grandma’s famous lard pie crust or MiMi’s extra flaky pie crust, adds an unparalleled depth of flavor and texture, good quality store-bought pie crusts are also a fantastic time-saver and deliver delicious results.
Lattice Crust: If you want to showcase the pie’s vibrant red filling, consider using a decorative lattice crust for the top. It allows some of that beautiful color to peek through.
Egg Wash and Coarse Sugar: For a beautiful golden sheen and a hint of crunch, brush the top crust with an egg wash (one egg beaten with a tablespoon of water) and sprinkle with coarse sugar before baking.
Crumb Topping: For a different texture, you could opt for a buttery crumb topping, similar to a Dutch apple pie, instead of a traditional second crust.

Saucepan with sugar and red hots next to a bowl of thinly sliced peeled apples. — Images showcasing the preparation process: thinly sliced apples and the red hot syrup coming together.

Sliced apples cooked in the red hot, water, and sugar syrup mixture. — Images showcasing the preparation process: thinly sliced apples and the red hot syrup coming together.

Customizing Your Filling

Add Nuts: If you enjoy a nutty crunch in your apple pie, sprinkle in some chopped walnuts or pecans with the apples before adding the top crust.
Deeper Red Color: For an even more intense red hue, you can add a couple of drops of red food coloring to the thickened sauce before pouring it over the apples.

Saucepan of thickened red hot and sugar syrup next to a pie plate with the bottom crust and the partially cooked apple slices. — The thickened red hot syrup and apples are ready to be encased in a beautiful pie crust.

Thickened syrup poured over the apples in the pie crust, ready for the top crust. — The thickened red hot syrup and apples are ready to be encased in a beautiful pie crust.

Ensuring Perfect Baking

Avoiding a Soggy Bottom: To prevent a soggy bottom crust, ensure your oven is fully preheated and consider baking the pie on the lowest rack for the first 20 minutes to give the bottom crust a head start.
Checking for Doneness: If you use a clear pie dish, you can easily check the underside of your bottom crust for doneness. Look for golden-brown spots; if you see any wet-looking or pale areas, continue baking until it’s fully cooked. The juices should also be visibly thick and bubbling when the pie is done.

Lifting a sliced of red hot cinnamon apple pie out of the pie plate showing red apple filling. — Witness the vibrant red filling as a slice is lifted, revealing the irresistible allure of this unique pie.

Slice of red hot apple pie on plate with remaining pie in the background. — Witness the vibrant red filling as a slice is lifted, revealing the irresistible allure of this unique pie.

Serving and Storage Guidelines for Maximum Enjoyment

Cooling is Key for the Perfect Slice

Patience is a virtue, especially when it comes to pie! For the cleanest, most perfect slices, it is essential to allow your Red Hot Candy Apple Pie to cool completely. Ideally, let it rest for several hours at room temperature, or even slightly chill it in the refrigerator. This cooling period allows the fruit juices and the thickened sauce to fully set, ensuring that each slice holds its shape beautifully and the flavors meld together perfectly.

Reheating and Enjoying Leftovers

If you prefer your apple pie warm, simply pop an individual slice into the microwave for a few seconds. This will gently warm the pie without making it soggy, bringing back that comforting aroma and delightful warmth.

Storage Best Practices

Proper storage ensures your Red Hot Candy Apple Pie stays fresh and delicious:

Room Temperature: Cover any leftover pie loosely with plastic wrap or foil and store it on the counter at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.
Refrigeration: For longer storage, you can refrigerate the pie, covered, for up to 5 days. Chilling the pie can also enhance the firmness of the filling.
Freezing: This pie freezes beautifully! You can freeze the entire baked pie, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and then foil, for up to 3 months. Alternatively, freeze individual slices, wrapped similarly, for convenient single servings. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Bite of red hot apple pie with some vanilla ice cream on fork next to the rest of the slice of pie, ready to eat. — A forkful of Red Hot Candy Apple Pie, perfectly paired with vanilla ice cream, ready to be savored.

Recipe Card: Red Hot Candy Apple Pie

Slice of red hot candy apple with with red apple filling on plate with remaining pie in the background.

Rating: 4.80 from 5 ratings

Red Hot Candy Apple Pie

Author: Carlee

Servings: 8 Servings

If you love red hot apples, you are going to love this candy apple pie! It has a pretty color and big cinnamon flavor from the candies. It is the perfect way to take your apple pie to the next level.

Print Recipe | Pin Recipe

Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 1 hr 20 mins | Cooling Time: 1 hr | Total: 2 hrs 35 mins

Ingredients

Dough for 1 double crust pie
8 cups apple slices, peeled
½ cup Red Hots candy or Cinnamon Imperials
½ cup water
¾ cup granulated sugar
3 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 Tablespoon butter

Makes: 9 inch round pie

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400℉.
Combine the water, cinnamon candies, and sugar in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the candies and sugar dissolve.
Add the apple slices to the pan. It won’t seem like enough liquid at first, but continue to cook and stir them until the mixture comes back to a boil. Drop heat to medium-low and simmer for about 5 minutes.
Spoon the apples out of the pan and into a small bowl. Leave as much liquid in the saucepan as you can.
Pour 1½ cups of the cooking liquid into a small bowl and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes to cool. Discard any remaining liquid.
Return the cooled cooking liquid to the saucepan. Whisk in the flour and lemon juice. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly. Bring to a full rolling boil for two minutes. The mixture should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
When the mixture is thickened, remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the butter until melted.
Put a rolled out pie crust in the bottom of a 9-inch pie pan. Fill with the apples and the thickened liquid. Add the top crust and seal the edges. Cut vent holes in the top of the pie.
Place pie on a larger baking pan to catch any drips, then place in the oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the juices are thick and bubbly. Watch the crust and cover the edges if needed.
Remove from the oven and cool completely before cutting.

Notes

For a deeper red filling, you can add a couple of drops of red food coloring to the “sauce.”

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Show Nutrition Information

Nutrition Information

“Cooking With Carlee” is not a dietitian or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Red Hot Candy Apple Pie

We’ve gathered some common questions to help you master your Red Hot Candy Apple Pie!

Q: Is this pie very spicy?: A: The “red hot” flavor provides a distinct cinnamon warmth, not an overwhelming chili-like spice. It’s a pleasant, robust cinnamon kick that balances beautifully with the sweetness of the apples and sugar. If you prefer less intensity, you can slightly reduce the amount of Red Hots candies.
Q: Can I use different types of cinnamon candies?: A: While Red Hots (or Cinnamon Imperials) are specifically recommended for their color and flavor profile, other hard cinnamon candies might work, but the outcome in terms of color and intensity could vary. Experimentation is key!
Q: How do I prevent a soggy bottom crust?: A: Several tips can help: ensure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature, bake the pie on the lowest rack for the first part of the baking process, and consider a clear pie dish to monitor the bottom crust’s browning. Using a good, sturdy pie dough also makes a difference.
Q: Can I make this pie ahead of time?: A: Absolutely! This pie is a fantastic make-ahead dessert. You can assemble it a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator (unbaked), or bake it completely and let it cool. It tastes wonderful the next day, and the flavors often deepen overnight.
Q: What if I don’t have fresh lemon juice?: A: Fresh lemon juice is preferred for its bright flavor, but a good quality bottled lemon juice can be used as a substitute. The lemon juice helps prevent apple browning and adds a necessary acidic balance to the sweet filling.

Embrace the Sweet & Spicy Sensation!

The Red Hot Candy Apple Pie is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. With its striking appearance, nostalgic charm, and bold cinnamon flavor, it’s destined to become a conversation starter and a cherished recipe in your collection. Whether you’re baking for a holiday gathering, a special celebration, or simply to satisfy a craving for something uniquely delicious, this pie promises a memorable culinary adventure. Don’t hesitate to dive into this sweet and spicy sensation and let your taste buds rejoice!