Ingredients:
For the Pie Crust:
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2-3 tablespoons ice water
For the Apple Filling:
- 3 cups apples, peeled, cored, and diced (use a mix of tart and sweet apples)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
For Assembly:
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
- Additional sugar for sprinkling
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Pie Crust:
- In a food processor, combine the flour, cold butter, and salt. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, and pulse until the dough starts to come together. Be careful not to overmix.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, knead it a few times until it forms a cohesive ball. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Make the Apple Filling:
- In a bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, and flour. Toss until the apples are evenly coated. Set aside.
3. Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Roll out the Dough:
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled pie crust to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a round cookie cutter or a glass, cut out circles large enough to fit into your mini muffin tin cups.
5. Assemble the Mini Apple Pies:
- Press each dough circle into the greased mini muffin tin cups, making sure the dough comes up the sides.
- Spoon the apple filling into each mini pie crust.
6. Add the Top Crust:
- Roll out additional dough and cut smaller circles to use as the top crust for each mini pie. You can create a lattice pattern or simply cover the filling with a full circle.
7. Seal and Bake:
- Press the edges to seal the top and bottom crusts. Beat the egg with water to create an egg wash, and brush it over the top crust. Sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
8. Cool and Serve:
- Allow the mini apple pies to cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy your delicious Mini Apple Pies!
Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.
