For gatherings, you sometimes cannot beat a batch of mini apple pies resting on a work surface.
They are sure to be a huge hit with others and one of those go-to recipes you opt for again and again.
Mini apple pies are easy to bake, take little prep time and a great use of granny smith apples.
Topped with a crumb topping, you may be tempted but allow them to cool completely first before diving in.
In this article, we will be looking at mini crumb apple pies, how to create mini pies, and how to serve them.
The Beauty Of Mini Apple Pies
The apple pie is a known winner yet mini pies are so much cuter and easy for a food photographer to capture.
With small chunks of apple and covered with either pie crusts or crumb topping, they require little pre cooking as you may only need one dough.
The recipe developer only has to change certain dimensions and if you can make a dough and know how to create an apple pie filling then this should be easy enough.
They seriously come into their own during the holidays as they are easy to hold so grab a muffin tin or a cookie sheet and get creating tiny versions of this beloved dessert.
Mini Crumb Apple Pies: A Small Apple Pie
Mini apple pies can come with a crumb topping on top of that delicious apple pie filling.
If you have experience making apple pies then you only need to consider the cutting, using some cooking spray, and the baking time.
You should still be able to use a cookie cutter for the pre made pie crust and then get it golden brown.
This is one of those recipes that makes great use of ground cinnamon, apple mixture, and a buttery crumble topping.
An apple pie typically arrives at the dessert table in fall and if you grow your own apples then this is a great way to use them up.
After that core ingredient, you only really need some light brown sugar, all purpose flour, lemon juice, unsalted butter, cinnamon, and some basic kitchen equipment.
That includes a cutter to cut the dough, a food processor for the buttery crumble topping, and maybe an airtight container for storage.
Perhaps a wire rack to ensure that they are left out to cool down properly before anyone gets tempted and burns themselves.
How To Create These Mini Pies
To create Mini Crumb Apple Pies, you need a pie crust (refrigerated), two apples (diced and cored), two tablespoons of sugar, a tablespoon of all purpose flour, a teaspoon of lemon juice, and a teaspoon of cinnamon for the apple mixture.
For the crumble topping, you need a quarter cup each of all purpose flour and light brown sugar with two tablespoons of unsalted butter.
Preheat the oven to 425°F and use a pastry cutter or cookie cutter to cut dough into small rounds.
Apply cooking spray to the cavities in a muffin tin and press the rounds in until the dough is used up.
Create the apple mixture by stirring together the apples (preferably granny smith apples) with the sugar, all purpose flour, and cinnamon in a mixing bowl then divide evenly into the rounds.
The addition of lemon juice to the pie filling is primarily to level out the sweetness of the apples unless you use granny smith apples which are tart enough as it is.
For the buttery crumble topping, stir together the sugar and flour then drizzle over the butter and combine.
Sprinkle over the top of the pies then bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the crumb mixture is golden brown.
Leave the muffin tin to cool then loosen out each mini pie to serve warm.
Serving Them: With Vanilla Ice Cream Or Whipped Cream
As with a typical apple pie, these mini apple pies still come with a pie dough and a pie filling.
Even though the buttery crust is replaced by a crumble topping, how they are served should not change.
When they are ready to be removed from their muffin tins, sprinkle on some more brown sugar and cover that crumble topping with whipped cream or ice cream.
The moreishness of the pie crust goes really well with the sweet, creamy taste of either topping, just as it works for apple pie.
The great thing about these mini apple pies is how you do not need to slice them up.
When you do add apples to the mixture, the apple mixture may contain apple slices that are just too big.
By using a cookie cutter, the pie crusts are individually contained and the apples are put to better use.
Final Thoughts
Sure, with a crumble topping, you may have to use another small bowl (or even a large bowl for a batch) but that’s a small price to pay.
This is one of those recipes that does not add that much prep time for a mini pie that everyone can enjoy at a gathering.
You can even use a pre made pie crust and they do not take long to bake at all.
You could even try a streusel topping to create a welcome variation if the crumble topping isn’t to your taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are granny smith apples so vital to an apple pie recipe?
Granny smith apples tend to be tart to work well with the brown sugar involved in the recipe for an apple pie.
They also hold their shape better in the pie filling and taste great when combined with whipped cream.
What other desserts can come in mini versions like mini apple pies?
Other pies work well as mini pies which can make great use of a muffin tin.
Aside from apple pies, you can use one crust to create mini blueberry pies, mini peach pies, and brownie pies.
Each one should have a golden brown crust and involve a cookie cutter with a cooking spray.
That’s typically down to the recipe developer realizing that the pie filling can leak and burn easily.
