Mini Apple Pies: A Deliciously Easy Recipe for Any Occasion
Mini apple pies are the perfect treat for any occasion! Whether you're hosting a party, looking for a sweet dessert, or simply want a delicious snack, these bite-sized pies are sure to be a hit. This recipe is easy to follow, even for beginner bakers, and requires minimal ingredients. Let's get started!
Ingredients You'll Need:
This recipe makes approximately 12 mini apple pies. You can easily double or triple it depending on your needs.
- For the Crust:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
- ¼ cup ice water
- For the Filling:
- 3 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix are great!), peeled, cored, and diced
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions: Making Your Mini Apple Pie Masterpiece
Follow these steps for perfectly baked mini apple pies:
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in the butter: Add the chilled butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add ice water: Gradually add the ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Don't overmix!
- Chill the dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling
- Combine ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, and lemon juice. Toss gently to coat.
Step 3: Assemble and Bake the Mini Pies
- Preheat your oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ⅛ inch thickness.
- Cut out circles: Use a 3-4 inch cookie cutter or a knife to cut out circles of dough.
- Fill the pies: Place a spoonful of the apple filling in the center of each circle.
- Fold and crimp: Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
- Bake: Place the mini pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool and enjoy: Let the mini apple pies cool on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Tips and Variations for Your Mini Apple Pies:
- For a richer flavor: Add a tablespoon of melted butter to the apple filling.
- Make it festive: Use cookie cutters to create fun shapes for your mini pies, especially for holidays.
- Add a crumble topping: Sprinkle a streusel topping over the pies before baking for extra texture and flavor. A simple streusel is made with flour, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon.
- Experiment with spices: Try adding a pinch of cardamom or allspice to the filling for a unique twist.
- Make them ahead: You can assemble the mini pies ahead of time and freeze them before baking. Just add a few minutes to the baking time when baking from frozen.
These mini apple pies are a fantastic recipe for bakers of all levels. They're easy to make, incredibly delicious, and perfect for sharing! Enjoy!
