These charming Mini Apple Pies are a culinary creation designed to captivate hearts and delight taste buds. Featuring a tender, flaky crust that crumbles perfectly in your mouth, these pies are filled with a sweet and spiced apple mixture that sings with flavor. Crafted in the convenient size of a muffin tin, these miniature pies are not only adorable but also perfect for serving as individual treats. Whether you choose to make them as tiny tarts or emulate the style of small empanadas, they promise a festive and delicious experience.
Why You’ll Love This:
These Mini Apple Pies combine the classic flavors of apple, cinnamon, and butter in a format that's both fun and easy to serve. The crust, made from scratch, is buttery and light, pairing beautifully with the rich, cinnamon-spiced apple filling. Each bite delivers the cozy, comforting taste of homemade apple pie, with the added delight of having a whole little pie to yourself!
Perfect Occasion:
These pies are perfect for gatherings where individual servings are appreciated, such as tea parties, brunches, or children's parties. They're also ideal for holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas, where you can impress your guests with these elegantly presented, single-serving desserts. Moreover, they make a lovely treat for a romantic dinner or a sweet gift to show affection and care.
Decoration Tips:
For a beautiful finish, weave strips of dough over the top of each pie to create a classic lattice design, or simply place a full mini dough circle on top and cut small vents. Brush the tops with beaten egg to achieve a golden, glossy finish upon baking. A sprinkle of coarse sugar before baking will add a delightful crunch and sparkle. Serve each pie warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent touch.
Ingredients:
- For the Pastry:
- 165g all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tablespoon white sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 110g cold butter, cubed
- 1-2 tablespoons ice water
- For the Apple Filling:
- 30g butter
- 2 red apples, peeled and diced
- 2 tablespoons white or brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Prepare the Apple Filling:
- In a skillet, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and lemon juice. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender, about 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.
- Make the Pastry:
- In a bowl, combine flour and cold, cubed butter. Use your fingertips to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in sugar and salt. Gradually add ice water, mixing just until the dough comes together. Form into a ball and chill if not using immediately.
- Assemble the Pies:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Roll out the dough and cut into 12 cm circles. Press into a muffin or mini tart pan. Spoon the apple filling into each. Optionally, top with more pastry (lattice work or full cover) and brush with beaten egg.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven.
Conclusion:
Serve these mini apple pies warm, ideally with a side of ice cream, and watch as they become the highlight of your event, stealing hearts with every bite. Their delightful combination of flavors and adorable presentation make them a surefire hit for any occasion. Enjoy crafting these sweet, heartwarming treats!