Mini Decadent Dutch Apple Delight
Indulge in these charming mini Dutch apple pies, a delightful twist on a classic dessert. These bite-sized treasures boast a buttery, flaky crust, encasing a juicy filling of sweet Fuji apples with a hint of spice. Topped with a golden, crumbly streusel, they offer the perfect blend of flavors and textures in every bite. Serve them warm alongside a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, and experience a heavenly treat that's as fun to make as it is to eat!
24
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Pillsbury ready made pie dough
2 (rolled out)
Fuji apples
3 (peeled, cored, diced)
Lemon
1/2 (juiced)
Granulated sugar
1/2 cup
Light brown sugar
1/4 cup (packed)
Flour
3 tablespoons
Apple butter
1 tablespoon
Ground cinnamon
to taste
Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Flour
3/4 cup
Granulated sugar
1/4 cup
Light brown sugar
1/4 cup (packed)
Butter
1/3 cup (firm)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C).
2
Prepare a muffin tin by placing aluminum foil strips into each cup, leaving the ends sticking out to help remove the pies later. Spray generously with baking spray to prevent sticking.
3
Take the cold Pillsbury ready-made pie dough and roll it out evenly. Use a 1-cup measuring cup to cut out 24 circles from the dough.
4
Press each dough circle into the prepared muffin cups, ensuring they fit snugly and form a cup shape.
5
In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced Fuji apples and the juice of half a lemon, tossing well to coat.
6
Add the 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, ground cinnamon to taste, nutmeg, and apple butter to the apple mixture. Mix well until the apples are evenly coated with the spice and sugar mixture.
7
For the streusel topping, take another bowl and cut the 1/3 cup firm butter into small cubes. Add in the 3/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar.
8
Use a pastry blender, a fork, or your fingertips to blend the topping ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
9
Fill each prepared pie crust with the apple mixture, heaping slightly to use all apples. Evenly distribute the crumbly streusel topping over each pie.
10
Bake the mini pies in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
11
Allow the mini Dutch apple pies to cool completely in the muffin tin. This will help them set properly.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Mini Decadent Dutch Apple Delights?
These are bite-sized mini Dutch apple pies featuring a buttery flaky crust, a spiced Fuji apple filling, and a golden crumbly streusel topping.
How many mini pies does this recipe make?
This recipe yields 24 servings, or 24 individual mini pies.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 204 degrees Celsius.
How do I prevent the pies from sticking to the muffin tin?
You should use aluminum foil strips in each cup and spray the tin generously with baking spray.
Why are aluminum foil strips used in the muffin tin?
The strips act as handles to help lift the mini pies out of the tin once they have cooled.
What kind of dough is recommended for the crust?
The recipe calls for two rolls of Pillsbury ready-made pie dough.
How do I cut the dough into circles?
Roll out the dough evenly and use a 1-cup measuring cup as a cutter to create 24 circles.
What type of apples work best for this recipe?
Fuji apples are recommended for their sweetness and juicy texture.
How should I prepare the apples?
The apples should be peeled, cored, and diced into small pieces.
Why is lemon juice added to the apple mixture?
Lemon juice helps prevent the apples from browning and adds a bright acidic balance to the sweetness.
What gives the apple filling its unique flavor?
The filling uses a combination of granulated sugar, light brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and a tablespoon of apple butter.
What is the purpose of adding flour to the apple filling?
Three tablespoons of flour are used to help thicken the juices as the apples bake.
What ingredients are in the streusel topping?
The streusel consists of flour, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and firm butter cubes.
How do I achieve the crumbly texture for the streusel?
Blend the topping ingredients with a pastry blender, a fork, or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
How much filling should go into each dough cup?
Fill each crust to the top, heaping them slightly to ensure you use all of the apple mixture.
How long do the mini pies need to bake?
Bake them for 30 to 35 minutes until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
Should the pies be removed from the tin immediately after baking?
No, you should allow them to cool completely in the muffin tin so they can set properly before removal.
Can I use different spices in the filling?
While cinnamon and nutmeg are recommended, you can adjust the amounts to taste or add other fall spices like allspice.
What should the butter consistency be for the topping?
The butter should be firm and cut into small cubes to ensure a crumbly streusel rather than a paste.
Is apple butter mandatory for this recipe?
It adds a concentrated apple flavor, but the recipe only requires one tablespoon to enhance the filling.
What serving suggestion goes well with these pies?
They are best served warm with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream.
Are these pies suitable for a party?
Yes, their mini size makes them an ideal finger food dessert for gatherings and parties.
Can I use homemade pie dough instead of Pillsbury?
Yes, you can substitute store-bought dough with your favorite homemade buttery pie crust recipe.
What makes these 'Dutch' apple pies?
The 'Dutch' style refers to the use of a crumbly streusel topping instead of a second pastry crust on top.
How should I store leftovers?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Can I freeze these mini apple pies?
Yes, once cooled completely, they can be frozen in a single layer and then transferred to a freezer bag.
How do I reheat the mini pies?
Reheat them in a 350 degree oven for a few minutes or briefly in the microwave to restore the warmth.
Can I use Granny Smith apples instead?
Yes, Granny Smith apples will provide a more tart flavor compared to the sweet Fuji apples.
How many apples do I need?
You will need 3 Fuji apples to make the filling for 24 mini pies.
Is this a good recipe for beginners?
Yes, using ready-made dough and a muffin tin makes this a very approachable and easy-to-follow recipe.