Are you craving the comforting warmth of apple pie but short on time? Then these mini apple pie muffins are the perfect solution! This recipe offers all the deliciousness of a classic apple pie in bite-sized portions, baked in a muffin tin for easy cleanup and perfectly portioned servings. It's a fantastic option for a quick dessert, a delightful addition to a brunch spread, or even a healthy-ish (relatively!) treat. Prepare for a burst of cinnamon-spiced apples encased in a flaky, buttery crust – pure autumnal bliss in every bite!
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup ice water
For the Apple Filling:
- 4 medium apples (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or a mix), peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
Making the Crust:
- Combine dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
- Cut in butter: Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add 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.
Preparing the Apple Filling:
- Combine ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, flour, and lemon juice. Gently toss to coat the apples evenly.
Assembling and Baking the Mini Apple Pies:
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
- Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8 inch thickness.
- Cut out circles: Use a 3-inch cookie cutter or a knife to cut out 12 circles of dough.
- Fill the muffin cups: Press one dough circle into each muffin cup, forming a small cup.
- Add the filling: Spoon the apple filling evenly into the dough cups, filling them almost to the top.
- Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool: Let the mini apple pies cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for the Best Mini Apple Pies:
- Use cold ingredients: Cold butter is crucial for a flaky crust.
- Don't overmix the dough: Overmixing will make the crust tough.
- Chill the dough: Chilling the dough allows the gluten to relax, resulting in a more tender crust.
- Use a mix of apples: Different apple varieties offer varying levels of sweetness and tartness, creating a more complex flavor profile.
Variations:
- Add nuts: Incorporate chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds into the apple filling for added crunch.
- Spice it up: Experiment with different spices like cardamom or ginger.
- Make it a crumble: Instead of a top crust, sprinkle a streusel topping over the apple filling before baking.
Nutritional Information (per mini pie, approximate):
Calories: Approximately 250 Fat: 12g Saturated Fat: 7g Carbohydrates: 30g Sugar: 15g Protein: 3g
These mini apple pies are a delicious and easy-to-make treat perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the delightful flavors and the convenience of this recipe! They're a wonderful addition to your repertoire of easy recipes, healthy meals, and quick dinner ideas for homemade cooking. They're truly among the best recipes you can make!