Description
These Mini Apple Pies are a delightful handheld dessert featuring tender, cinnamon-spiced apples encased in a flaky pie crust. Perfect for snacks or dessert, they bake quickly in a muffin tin, making them an easy and charming treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Filling
- 2 cups apples, peeled and chopped fresh
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Crust and Topping
- 1 package refrigerated pie crusts (enough for 2 crusts)
- 1 egg, beaten (for brushing on top)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Muffin Tin: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease or line a standard 12-cup muffin tin to prevent sticking.
- Mix the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine peeled and chopped apples, sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Mix well to coat the apples evenly with the spices and juice.
- Prepare Bottom Crusts: Roll out the pie crust dough and cut into small circles that fit into the muffin cups. Gently press each dough circle into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared muffin tin cups to form the base of each mini pie.
- Fill the Pies: Spoon the apple filling evenly into the 6 crust-lined muffin cups, including some of the juices to keep the filling moist.
- Prepare Top Crusts: Unroll the second pie crust and cut out 6 circles for a full top, or cut it into 1/4-inch wide strips to create a lattice design if you prefer an open-faced pie look.
- Seal and Vent: Place your chosen top crust over each filled pie. Seal and crimp the edges of the top and bottom crusts together carefully. For solid tops, cut a few small vents to allow steam to escape. For lattice tops, brush the strips with egg wash to help them brown beautifully.
- Apply Egg Wash and Add Sugar: Brush the tops of the pies with the beaten egg to give a golden finish. Optionally, sprinkle coarse sugar on top for added sweetness and crunch.
- Bake: Bake the mini apple pies in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the crust is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbling.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pies from the oven and allow them to cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before carefully removing. Serve warm or at room temperature as a delightful snack or dessert.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a balanced sweetness and tartness.
- You can add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the apple filling for extra warmth and flavor.
- If you prefer, freeze the unbaked mini pies and bake them later, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
- Make sure to cut vents in the full top crust to prevent sogginess and allow steam to escape during baking.
- Brush the edges with water or egg wash before sealing to help the crusts stick together better.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
