Mini apple pies are a delightful twist on the classic apple pie. Their petite size makes them perfect for serving groups or bringing as an appetizer to parties. This particular mini apple pie recipe stands out for its flaky, golden crust and cinnamon-spiced apple filling. Follow along as we walk through how to bake crowd-pleasing mini apple pies from scratch. We’ll cover choosing ingredients, easy assembly, baking tips, and even fun variations on the classic recipe. With a little time and effort, you’ll impress family and friends with these adorable individual baked apple pies.
Why Make Mini Apple Pies?
Baking mini versions of classic recipes has become popular for several reasons:
- Portion control – The small size makes it easy to enjoy a little pie without overindulging.
- Fun presentation – Arrange bitesize pies on a platter for a cute party spread.
- Easy to make – Mini pies come together quickly compared to a full 9-inch pie.
- Endless variations – Change up the filling and crust for customized mini pies.
This recipe uses fresh apples, cinnamon, and an easy pie dough for homemade flavor you can’t find in stores. The pies bake up with a tender, flaky crust and warm spiced apple filling; the perfect bite-sized dessert.
Ingredients For Mini Apple Pies
The beauty of miniature apple pies is that they require just a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
| Crust Ingredients | Filling Ingredients | Optional Glaze |
|---|---|---|
| – 2 1⁄2 cups all-purpose flour | – 4 cups peeled, diced apples | – 1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened |
| – 1 teaspoon salt | – 1⁄4 cup sugar | – 1⁄4 cup milk |
| – 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, diced | – 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon | – 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract |
| – 6 tablespoons cold vegetable shortening, diced | – 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice | – 1 cup powdered sugar |
| – 6-8 tablespoons ice cold water | – 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour |
Tips for Ingredients:
- Apples – Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Gala work well. Avoid Red Delicious which become too mushy.
- Butter vs. shortening – The combo gives a flaky yet sturdy crust. All butter makes it tender but less sturdy.
- Milk – Whole milk or half and half yield a creamier glaze. Skim milk works too.
- Extracts – Almond, maple, or vanilla extract can flavor the glaze.
With a well-stocked pantry, you should have everything needed for this easy recipe.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for baking flawless mini apple pies:
Make the Pie Crust
- Combine dry ingredients – Whisk together flour and salt in a large bowl.
- Cut in butter and shortening – Use a pastry cutter or fork to cut the cold butter and shortening into the flour until pea-sized pieces form.
- Add ice water – One tablespoon at a time, sprinkle in 6-8 tablespoons of water. Toss gently until large clumps form.
- Shape dough – Gather into a ball, Divide in half, and shape into disks. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
Make the Apple Filling
- Sauté apples – Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add apples and sauté 7-10 minutes until softened.
- Add sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice – Stir in sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Cook 2 more minutes.
- Stir in flour – Sprinkle flour over apples and stir to coat evenly. Cook 1 more minute. Remove from heat.
Assemble and Bake Pies
- Preheat oven – Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease mini muffin pans.
- Roll out dough – On a floured surface, roll each dough disk to 1⁄8 inch thick. Cut out rounds with a biscuit cutter or glass.
- Press dough into pans – Gently press dough rounds into muffin cups, letting sides come up pan sides.
- Fill with apple mixture – Scoop 2-3 tablespoons of apple filling into each dough-lined cup.
- Top with second dough round – Cover apples with a second dough round. Pinch edges to seal.
- Bake – Bake 20-25 minutes until crusts are golden brown. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pans.
Make Glaze (Optional)
- Beat cream cheese – Beat cream cheese in a bowl until smooth.
- Add milk, extract, powdered sugar – Gradually beat in milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar.
- Drizzle over pies – Spoon glaze over tops of cooled pies. Chill pies 30 minutes to set glaze.
Tips For Baking Mini Apple Pies
Here are some tips and tricks for getting perfect results:
- For a flaky crust, keep the butter and shortening cold and don’t overmix the dough.
- Cut apples 1⁄4-inch thick so they cook evenly.
- Let dough chill before rolling for easier handling. Dust with flour to prevent sticking.
- For evenly baked tops and bottoms, place pies on a baking sheet before baking.
- Check pies a few minutes early to avoid overbrowning. Tent with foil if needed.
- Let pies cool before removing from pan or the crusts can tear.
- Refrigerate any leftover pies and reheat briefly before serving. Add ice cream for à la mode!
With practice, you’ll be able to whip up flawless mini apple pies for any occasion.
Fun Flavor Variations Mini Apple Pies
While the classic apple filling is delicious, feel free to get creative with different fillings and flavors.
Alternative Fruit Fillings
- Cherry Pie – Use dried cherries and almond extract
- Blueberry Pie – Fold in fresh blueberries
- Peach Pie – Substitute peeled, diced peaches
- Mixed Berry – Combine raspberries, blueberries, blackberries etc.
Creative Crust and Topping Ideas
- Crumble Topping – Mix flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and butter for a streusel-like topping.
- Cream Cheese Crust – The same dough used for cheese danish gives a nice tang.
- Decorative Crusts – Cut dough with mini cookie cutters before baking for cute shapes.
- Nut Crusts – Add ground pecans, walnuts, or almonds to the dough.
Feel free to get creative and make these mini pies your own. Various fruits, custards, nuts, and decorations allow for countless flavor combinations in bite-size form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make the pies ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dough, fillings, and even assembled pies up to a day in advance. Refrigerate dough and fillings separately, then bake just before serving.
What types of apples work best?
Look for firm, tart apple varieties like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Gala. Avoid types like Red Delicious that become mushy when baked.
How can I make the crust flakier?
Chilling the dough before rolling allows the butter to solidify, creating flaky layers. Don’t overmix, and keep things cold.
Do you have other apple pie recipes?
Yes! Check out our classic 9-inch apple pie, Dutch apple pie, and easy apple crisps for more apple dessert inspiration.
Can I freeze the unbaked pies?
Absolutely. Assemble the pies in the muffin tins, then cover tightly and freeze. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5-10 extra minutes to the bake time.
Conclusion: Mini Apple Pies
With their petite size and homemade taste, these mini apple pies are sure to be a hit. Their flaky, buttery crust and lightly spiced apple filling makes them ideal for snacking, potlucks, or anytime you crave apple pie but want portion control. Vary the size for appetizers or desserts. Change up the fillings and flavors to suit your tastes. While the recipe does take some upfront preparation, the results are so worth it. Impress your guests with these hand-held apple pies. For more baking inspiration, check out our [recipe site] or subscribe to our email newsletter.
Mini Apple Pies
Notes
· For a richer flavor, add a tablespoon of melted butter to the apple filling.
· You can substitute store-bought pie crust for homemade crust to save time.
· If the crust edges start to brown too quickly, cover them with foil for the remaining baking time.
· To prevent soggy bottoms, pre-bake the crusts for 5-7 minutes before adding the filling. Let them cool slightly before filling.
· Mini apple pies are best enjoyed warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
· Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Ingredients
- Crust:
- • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- • 1/2 teaspoon salt
- • 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed
- • 3-4 tablespoons ice water
- Filling:
- • 4-5 apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn), peeled and thinly sliced
- • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- • 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- • 1/4 cup cornstarch
- • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted (optional)
- Egg Wash (optional):
- • 1 egg yolk
- • 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Homemade: This involves mixing flour, butter, salt, and water to create a dough, chilling it, and then rolling it out to cut mini pie shapes.
- Store-bought: Using a pre-made pie crust is a time-saving option. Simply thaw the crust according to package instructions and roll it out to cut mini pie shapes.
- Make the Apple Filling: Peel, core, and chop apples into bite-sized pieces. Toss them with lemon juice to prevent browning. In a separate bowl, combine sugar, flour, and cinnamon (and other spices you prefer) to create a filling mixture.
- For a homemade crust, gently press the dough rounds into a greased muffin tin, forming little cups.
- If using a store-bought crust, cut out rounds and place them in the muffin tin, crimping the edges to form a seal.
- Spoon the apple filling into each crust, leaving some space at the top.
- Bake the Pies: Preheat your oven to the temperature specified in your recipe (usually around 375°F to 425°F). Add a small pat of butter or drizzle of melted butter on top of each pie filling. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Let the pies cool slightly in the muffin tin before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your mini apple pies warm or at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts
Mini Apple Pies
Serves: 4 persons
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 400 | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 15 | 23.1% | |
| Saturated Fat 7 | 35% | |
| Trans Fat 0 | ||
| Cholesterol 30mg | 10% | |
| Sodium 200mg | 8.3% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 40 | 13.3% | |
| Dietary Fiber 3 | 12% | |
| Sugars 20 | ||
| Protein 3 | ||
| Vitamin A 0 | Vitamin C 0 | |
| Calcium 0 | Iron 0 | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Cheen Huaye
Executive Chef Marco Velasquez brings his unique, elevated Mexican cuisine to Cheen Huaye. A native of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Marco honed his skills in some of South Florida’s finest restaurants before opening his own restaurant.
At Cheen Huaye, you’ll experience authentic Yucatecan dishes made from fresh ingredients, to order. Our food has been praised by publications like the Miami New Times and continues to receive rave reviews from diners all over. So if you’re looking for a different take on Mexican food – one that’s still familiar yet exciting – come visit us at Cheen Huaye!