Easy Vanilla Caramel Pie Recipe: Your New Favorite Creamy Dessert

Vanilla Caramel Pie is more than just a dessert; it’s a celebration in every slice! This incredibly easy vanilla cream pie is generously studded with luscious caramel, then crowned with fluffy homemade whipped cream and a decadent caramel drizzle. It’s the perfect treat for holiday entertaining, family gatherings, or simply when you crave a melt-in-your-mouth sweet escape.

There’s an undeniable magic that happens when the holidays roll around, and pie often takes center stage. Whether it’s a classic pumpkin pie gracing your Thanksgiving table or a delightful twist like this Vanilla Caramel Pie, these sweet creations are a cherished tradition. Pie signals comfort, warmth, and the joy of sharing delicious food with loved ones.

Vanilla Caramel Pie – An easy vanilla cream pie with lots of caramel mixed in. Topped with homemade whipped cream and a caramel drizzle. Great for holiday entertaining! — A slice of heavenly Vanilla Caramel Pie, ready to be devoured.

While some prefer to reinvent classics, turning them into novel delights like Pecan Pie Egg Rolls, there’s always a demand for traditional desserts that hit all the right notes. This Vanilla Caramel Pie strikes a beautiful balance, offering a familiar, comforting texture with a flavor profile that’s both classic and exciting. It’s the kind of dessert everyone anticipates once the festive season begins.

For those who aren’t avid chocolate fans (my husband, for example, is pretty much anti-chocolate anything!), finding the perfect dessert can be a quest. While crème brûlée or cream puffs are often his go-to choices, there’s one flavor that consistently wins him over: caramel!

Knowing his deep love for all things caramel, I was confident this Vanilla Caramel Pie would be an instant favorite. And indeed, it was a smash hit! This pie begins with a foundation similar to a classic cream cheese pie. You blend softened cream cheese with sugar until it’s wonderfully smooth and creamy, creating the perfect base for our star ingredient – caramel.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility. You can opt for a convenient store-bought pie crust, which works perfectly well, or take it up a notch with a homemade pie crust for that extra flaky, buttery goodness. Whichever you choose, the result is a divinely rich and satisfying dessert that tastes incredibly gourmet but is surprisingly easy to prepare. Let’s dive into what you’ll need to create this irresistible treat!

Essential Ingredients for Your Vanilla Caramel Pie

Before you begin, make sure you have these key ingredients on hand. For the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card with exact measurements, be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post!

Baked Pie Crust: A 9-inch pie shell, pre-baked and completely cooled. Whether you prefer the convenience of store-bought or the superior flakiness of homemade, ensure it’s ready to hold your delicious filling.
Heavy Cream: This is crucial for making the light, airy homemade whipped cream that gives the pie its incredible mousse-like texture.
Powdered Sugar: Used to sweeten and stabilize the whipped cream, ensuring it holds its shape beautifully.
Vanilla Extract: The “vanilla” in Vanilla Caramel Pie! A good quality vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor profile, adding warmth and depth.
Cream Cheese: Softened to room temperature, cream cheese provides the luscious, tangy, and incredibly smooth base for the pie filling. Full-fat cream cheese is recommended for the best texture.
Granulated Sugar: For sweetening the cream cheese mixture, balancing the tanginess and complementing the caramel.
Caramel Sauce: The star of the show! Use your favorite high-quality store-bought caramel sauce or make your own for an extra special touch. This will be mixed into the filling and used for drizzling.

Vanilla Caramel Pie - starts out like a cream cheese pie, but gets even better with all that caramel! — The creamy vanilla and caramel filling, ready to be chilled.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Delicious Vanilla Caramel Pie

Making this Vanilla Caramel Pie is surprisingly straightforward, yielding a dessert that looks and tastes like it took hours of effort. Follow these simple steps for a perfect result:

**Prepare the Whipped Cream:** In a large mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer, beat the mixture on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. Stiff peaks mean that when you lift the beaters, the whipped cream holds its shape firmly. Once whipped, place this bowl in the refrigerator to chill until you’re ready to incorporate it into the filling. This ensures it stays light and airy.
**Create the Cream Cheese & Caramel Base:** In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until it’s completely smooth and free of lumps. This is essential for a silky-smooth pie filling. Gradually add the granulated sugar and caramel sauce, mixing until everything is well combined and the mixture is wonderfully creamy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
**Fold in Whipped Cream:** Gently fold about half of your homemade whipped cream into the cream cheese and caramel mixture. Use a spatula to carefully incorporate it, preserving the airiness of the whipped cream. This step is what gives the pie its delightful, mousse-like texture. Reserve the remaining half of the whipped cream for topping the finished pie.
**Assemble the Pie:** Take your pre-baked and cooled 9-inch pie crust. Spread two generous tablespoons of caramel sauce evenly across the bottom of the crust. This adds an extra layer of caramel goodness in every bite. Carefully pour the caramel cream mixture into the prepared pie crust, spreading it out smoothly with a spatula. Top the pie with the remaining reserved whipped cream, creating a beautiful, cloud-like layer.
**Chill to Perfection:** This is a crucial step for the pie to set properly. Place the assembled pie in the refrigerator for at least 3-4 hours, or ideally, overnight. Chilling allows the cream cheese and whipped cream mixture to firm up, making it easy to slice and serve without it collapsing.
**Serve with a Drizzle:** Just before serving, take the pie out of the fridge and drizzle generously with additional caramel sauce. You can also sprinkle a pinch of sea salt for a salted caramel touch, or add chocolate shavings for an extra layer of decadence. Slice and enjoy your magnificent Vanilla Caramel Pie!

Vanilla Caramel Pie - not your average caramel pie. Super creamy and great for entertaining — A whole Vanilla Caramel Pie, a showstopper for any dessert table.

Recipe Tips & Suggestions for the Best Vanilla Caramel Pie

Achieving the perfect Vanilla Caramel Pie is easy with a few simple tips:

**Cool Crust is Key:** Always ensure your baked pie crust is completely cooled before pouring in the filling. Any residual warmth can cause the caramel and cream cheese mixture to melt or prevent it from setting properly, leading to a runny pie.
**Chill Time is Non-Negotiable:** For a beautifully firm, sliceable pie, do not skimp on the chilling time. Allowing it to chill for a full 3-4 hours, or even better, overnight, makes all the difference in texture and stability. Patience truly pays off here!
**Whipped Cream Choice:** This recipe shines with Homemade Whipped Cream, which contributes to a light, fluffy, mousse-like texture. However, if you’re looking for a quick shortcut, a tub of store-bought whipped topping (like Cool Whip) can be used as a substitute. Just be aware the texture might be slightly different.
**Storage Smartly:** Because of the dairy ingredients, this pie must be stored in the refrigerator. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap to prevent it from absorbing other fridge odors and to keep it fresh. It will last for 3-4 days when properly covered. Freezing is not recommended as it can alter the creamy texture.
**Elevate Your Garnish:** While a simple caramel drizzle is fantastic, consider adding a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to enhance the caramel’s flavor, or a few chocolate curls for added elegance. A light dusting of cocoa powder or finely chopped nuts can also add a delightful touch.
**Make Ahead Magic:** This pie is an excellent make-ahead dessert, perfect for busy hosts during the holidays. Prepare it the day before your event, chill it overnight, and simply add the final caramel drizzle and garnishes just before serving.
**Caramel Quality Matters:** The flavor of your pie largely depends on the caramel sauce you use. Opt for a high-quality store-bought brand, or better yet, try making your own homemade caramel for an unparalleled rich flavor.

Explore More Delicious Pie Recipes

If you love this Vanilla Caramel Pie, you’ll surely enjoy these other fantastic pie recipes from our collection:

Banana Split Pie: A fun, no-bake pie inspired by the classic ice cream treat.
S’mores Pie: All the campfire flavors you love, in a convenient pie form.
Death By Chocolate Pie: For the ultimate chocolate lover, a rich and decadent experience.
Peanut Butter Cream Pie: A harmonious blend of creamy peanut butter and chocolate.
French Silk Pie: A classic, airy chocolate mousse pie with a delightful texture.

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Vanilla Caramel Pie Recipe

By
Erin Sellin

Vanilla Caramel Pie – An easy vanilla cream pie with lots of caramel mixed in. Topped with homemade whipped cream and a caramel drizzle. Great for holiday entertaining!

Prep:
20

Chill Time:
4

Servings:
8

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Ingredients

1 9-inch pie shell, baked
2 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup caramel sauce, ice cream topping

Instructions

Using an electric mixer, beat heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla together until stiff peaks form. Set aside in the fridge until ready to use.
In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add granulated sugar and 1/3 cup of caramel sauce, then mix until well combined. Gently fold in half of the homemade whipped cream (reserve the remaining half for topping the pie).
Spread 2 tablespoons of caramel sauce into the bottom of the baked pie crust. Pour the caramel cream mixture into the pie crust, spreading evenly. Top with the remaining reserved whipped cream.
Place the pie in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours (or overnight) to set up before serving. Drizzle with additional caramel sauce just before slicing and serving.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Erin Sellin

Prep Time: 20

Chill Time: 4

Course: Dessert Recipes

Cuisine: American

Servings: 8

Calories: 524

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Enjoy your homemade Vanilla Caramel Pie!