Description
Crisp autumn days welcome mini caramel apple pies, a delightful dessert blending sweet caramel with classic apple flavors. Perfectly portable and irresistibly delicious, these mini pies promise to charm gatherings and satisfy sweet cravings with their homemade warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling:
- 3 cups apples, peeled, cored, and diced (about 3 medium apples)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
Spices and Thickeners:
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Crust and Topping:
- 1 package refrigerated pie crusts (or homemade if preferred)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Mix diced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, flour, and lemon juice until apples are evenly coated. Let the mixture rest while preparing other components.
- Heat oven to 375F (190C), ensuring rack is positioned in the center for even baking.
- Roll out pie crusts on a lightly dusted surface and use a 3-inch round cutter to create circular dough sections.
- Gently press each dough circle into muffin tin cavities, forming delicate pie cups with slightly crimped edges.
- Carefully spoon apple mixture into each crust, filling approximately three-quarters of each cup to prevent overflow during baking.
- Drizzle caramel sauce generously over the apple filling, allowing it to seep between apple pieces.
- Cover each mini pie with a second dough circle or create decorative cut-out shapes to layer atop the filling.
- Brush exposed dough surfaces with beaten egg and sprinkle granulated sugar for a glossy, crisp exterior.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until crusts transform into a rich golden-brown and filling becomes visibly bubbling.
- Allow pies to rest in the muffin tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling and setting.
- Serve these miniature desserts warm or at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture enjoyment.
Notes
- Choose crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for the best flavor balance and texture in your mini pies.
- Prevent soggy crusts by patting apple pieces dry with paper towels before mixing with sugar and spices to reduce excess moisture.
- Create gluten-free versions by substituting regular pie crust with almond flour or gluten-free pastry dough for a dietary-friendly alternative.
- Enhance caramel flavor by using homemade salted caramel sauce or warming store-bought sauce slightly before drizzling for more intense, smooth consistency.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 195 kcal
- Sugar: 17 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 29 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg