Elegant Mini Cinnamon Apple Hand Pies
Delight your guests with these charming and delicious mini cinnamon apple hand pies, perfect for any gathering or celebration. With a flaky, golden crust encasing a warm, spiced apple filling, these little treats are simple to make ahead of time. Fill them with your choice of ingredients and serve them straight from the oven to create a delightful dessert experience. Each bite combines the sweet, tart flavor of Granny Smith apples with a crunchy topping, providing a delightful contrast in texture. No slicing or messy plating is required, making them a crowd-pleaser that's as easy to eat as it is to make!
N/A
Servings
150
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
refrigerated pie crusts
1 (14 1/8 ounce) package (Contains 2 crusts, unrolled)
Granny Smith apples
3 (Peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped)
brown sugar
1/2 cup (Firmly packed, divided)
flour
4 teaspoons (Divided)
McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract
2 teaspoons (None)
McCormick® Cinnamon, Ground
2 teaspoons (Divided)
cold butter
2 tablespoons (Cut up into small pieces)
chopped walnuts
1/4 cup (None)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2
On a lightly floured surface, unroll the refrigerated pie crusts. Using a 3 1/2-inch round cutter, cut out 12 rounds (6 from each crust). If you have any scraps, re-roll them to cut additional rounds.
3
Gently press each dough round into a greased muffin pan, making sure to press the dough down to create a mini pie shell.
4
In a large bowl, combine the chopped Granny Smith apples, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 2 teaspoons of flour, vanilla extract, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. Toss until the apples are well coated, then divide the mixture evenly among the crusts.
5
For the topping, in a medium bowl, mix together the remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup flour, the cold butter pieces, and the remaining 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the chopped walnuts.
6
Sprinkle the topping evenly over the apple filling in each muffin cup.
7
Bake in the preheated oven for 14 to 18 minutes or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly.
8
Allow the mini pies to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before serving.
Nutrition Information
7.5g
Fat
20g
Carbs
1.67g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Elegant Mini Cinnamon Apple Hand Pies?
They are charming individual desserts featuring a flaky, golden crust filled with warm, spiced Granny Smith apples and a crunchy walnut topping.
How many mini pies does this recipe produce?
This recipe makes 12 mini hand pies using two refrigerated pie crusts.
What oven temperature is required for baking?
The oven should be preheated to 425°F (220°C) before baking the mini pies.
What kind of apples are recommended for the filling?
Granny Smith apples are used because their tart flavor and firm texture provide a perfect contrast to the sweet filling and hold up well during baking.
How large should the dough rounds be cut?
You should use a 3 1/2-inch round cutter to create the perfect size for a standard muffin pan.
Can I reuse the leftover pie crust scraps?
Yes, you can re-roll the scraps to cut out additional rounds if needed to reach the total of 12.
What type of pan is used for these hand pies?
A greased muffin pan is used to hold the mini pie shells and maintain their shape while baking.
What is in the spiced apple filling?
The filling consists of chopped Granny Smith apples, brown sugar, flour, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon.
How is the crumb topping prepared?
The topping is made by mixing brown sugar, flour, cold butter pieces, and cinnamon until it resembles coarse crumbs, then adding chopped walnuts.
Why is cold butter used for the topping?
Cold butter is essential to create a crumbly, coarse texture that becomes crunchy and golden once baked.
How long do the mini pies need to bake?
The pies should bake for 14 to 18 minutes.
How do I know when the pies are done?
They are finished when the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly.
Should the mini pies be cooled before serving?
Yes, allow them to cool completely in the muffin pan on a wire rack before serving to let the filling set.
Are these pies easy to eat at parties?
Yes, because they are individual bite-sized treats, no slicing or messy plating is required, making them ideal for gatherings.
What are the nutritional facts for one mini pie?
Each pie contains approximately 150 calories, 7.5g of fat, 20g of carbohydrates, and 1.67g of protein.
Do I need to grease the muffin pan?
Yes, the recipe specifies using a greased muffin pan to ensure the pie crusts don't stick.
Can I substitute the walnuts in the topping?
While the recipe calls for walnuts, you can omit them for a nut-free version or substitute them with pecans.
How should I prepare the apples?
The apples should be peeled, cored, and coarsely chopped into small pieces.
Is the brown sugar used all at once?
No, the 1/2 cup of brown sugar is divided: half goes into the apple filling and half is used for the crumb topping.
What type of vanilla is recommended?
The recipe recommends using McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract for the best flavor.
Can I make these mini pies ahead of time?
Yes, these are designed as simple make-ahead treats that can be served straight from the oven or at room temperature.
Is flour used in both the filling and the topping?
Yes, flour is divided: 2 teaspoons are used to thicken the apple filling, and 1/4 cup is used for the crumb topping.
How many pie crusts are included in the package?
A standard 14 1/8 ounce package contains 2 unrolled refrigerated pie crusts.
Is the cinnamon divided in the recipe?
Yes, 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon is mixed with the apples, and the remaining 1 teaspoon is added to the topping.
What is the texture of these mini pies?
They feature a flaky crust, soft spiced apples, and a crunchy walnut-crumb topping.
Can I serve these with ice cream?
Yes, while delicious on their own, they pair beautifully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic dessert experience.
How much sodium is in each pie?
The specific sodium content is not provided in the nutritional data for this recipe.
Do I need any special equipment besides a muffin pan?
A 3 1/2-inch round cutter is the primary tool needed to shape the crusts correctly.
Is there any fiber in this dessert?
While apples contain fiber, the exact fiber count per serving is not specified in the recipe data.
Is this recipe considered easy?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and a crowd-pleaser that is simple to prepare for any gathering.