Mini Apple Pie Squares

Mini Apple Pie Squares

Craving Apple Pie - but don’t want to make a whole pie? 

Here’s a great idea for you ……   Mini Apple Pie Squares. 

A few years ago, I pulled this recipe from those stacks of recipe cards you get in the mail every once in a while. I had always wanted to give it a try.  Last weekend I had one of those great weekends when all you want to do is relax and cook something special……  just for yourself.  This was the perfect recipe. It only makes 8 small apple squares.  I altered the recipe just a bit, since on the first try I really didn’t like the consistency of the crust or the taste of the filling, but I guess that’s why Faye and I are here …… WE try the recipes and make improvements, so by the time YOU give the recipe a try, you’ve baked something to be proud of.   

These Mini Apple Pie Squares have a wonderful crust, exactly what we all love about apple pie.  The filling is fresh, since the apples are not over cooked or processed like some apple pies ….. just the natural taste of  great apples.   I hope you give this recipe a try.  It’s one that I definitely plan on making again. 

Happy cooking everyone! 

Ingredients

    CRUST

1 cup flour

¼ butter (cold)

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 egg

2 tablespoons half and half (cold) or you can use milk

     FILLING

1 Large apple ( I used 2 medium-size Granny Smith apples)

¼ teaspoon ground ginger

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

2 ½ tablespoons sugar

     EXTRAS NEEDED

1 egg beaten

2 tablespoons coarse sugar (regular sugar works fine if you do not have the coarse sugar)

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Preheat oven to 400 degrees

CRUST

a.  Put flour in your Kitchen aid bowl, add the butter cut into small pieces.   With your Whisk attachment, blend on high until the flour looks like a coarse crumble. (if you do not have a Kitchen aid, use a pastry blender or 2 forks)

b.   Add the sugar and the baking powder, pulse till well blended (or mix by hand)

c.    In a small bowl, combine the egg and milk till blended.

d.  Add egg mixture to the flour - using a wooden spoon - stir until the dough starts to form. Make sure the flour and egg mixtures are well blended but do not over stir. Cover and set aside.

FILLING

a.       Peel apples, cut in half and core the centers.

b.      Using a cheese grater, grate apples and put them in a bowl.

c.       Stir in ginger, cinnamon and sugar.  Set aside.

BUILDING PIE SQUARES

a.    On a floured surface, roll dough to about a 16”x8” square.   Cut down the middle lengthwise, then cut each half into 4-5” squares.

b.   Place 1 tablespoon of the Apple Filling onto each square.   Using the beaten egg (from the Extras list), brush the edges (about ¼ inch) with egg.

c.   Taking the two opposite corners of the square, meet in the middle, pinching the corners together.  Now take the other two corners and repeat - pinching together in the middle. The pie filling should be completely covered.

d.  Place the finished square on an ungreased cookie tray.   Brush the tops with the rest of the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar (from  the Extras)

e.      Bake for 10-15 minutes - remove and cool.

f.        Enjoy!