The perfect fall cake: a comforting classic made in miniature forms.
By Tamara Novacoviç
I have recently found a magazine issue dedicated to fall pies and tarts. This abundant season gifts us with most beautiful juicy fruit, meant to be transformed into the most delicious pie fillings. I drew the inspiration from the magazine and once again used our beautiful apples in this flavorful classic. With a tiny twist: apple pie reduced in size. Individual mini pies, so cute. 
Apparently, recent trends originating from French pastry bakers dictate downsizing desserts into individual pies, tarts, even cakes. Now, I am not so crazy about the idea of mini birthday cakes, I am old-fashioned when it comes to having a big, birthday cake and cutting slices with knife. Also, traditional Croatian apple pie is a bit different than the American one and is made in large rectangular baking pans (and later cut into small rectangular or square pieces). However, I salute the idea of mini cupcakes, tarts and pies like this one, they are perfect for parties and they look cute.
I took a classic apple pie and turned it into small bite-sized pies, baked in muffin tins. I adapted the recipe from Zoom Yummy.
Mini apple pies
Description
Perfect fall cake: comforting classic made in miniature forms.
Ingredients
For the crust
- 2 1/2 cups (350 g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp (30 g) sugar
- 1 cup (225 g) cold butter, cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) ice water
For the filling
- 5 apples
- 1/2 cup (100 g) brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp (15 g) cornstarch
Instructions
- Wash apples, peel and cut into tiny dices. Add cinnamon, sugar, lemon zest and juice, vanilla, melted butter and cornstarch. Stir to combine.
- Preheat oven to 356 F (180 C). Grease muffin tins.
- On floured surface, roll out chilled dough to about 0.1-inch (3 mm) thickness. Using circle cutters (or a glass) cut out the dough. You will need 2 sizes: bottom part will be larger and top a bit smaller. Take the bottom circle and press it gently into a muffin cup. Fill it with apple mixture, to the top. Put smaller circle on top of your mini pie, press edges with fork or your fingers.
- Using a sharp knife, make slits in the center of each pie.
- Bake for about 40 minutes, until nicely golden.
So cute! I love mini pies. :)
They quickly became my favorite too :)
looks fab- never heard of the mini version- would love to give it a try
Thank you! This is my first time making apple pie in muffin tins and it really works :)
Hi I was just wondering how many apple pies can be made with this recipe?
Hi, Mimi, I got about 16 apple pies from this recipe
Gorgeous!!! I love the mini pies! I really like downsized food. It’s a good way to help control portions I think :D
This is a really great idea. In a home where it is just 2 of us this is more convenient than a large pie. You could even freeze them and have them ready for later. Definitely liking this new trend.
theres no instructions to make the crust?
Hello,
yes, it slipped, just combine cold butter with flour, with your fingers, add the rest of the ingredients and knead until it forms into a dough.