Valentine's Day Mini Apple Pies: A Sweet Start to Your Celebration
Looking for a delightful treat that won't derail your healthy intentions this Valentine's Day? Our Valentine's Day Mini Apple Pies are the perfect solution! They are quick to bake, packed with wholesome ingredients, and bursting with sweet, comforting apple flavor. It's like a warm hug in a tiny pie, perfect for sharing (or not!) with your loved ones. These bite-sized goodies are a wonderful way to show you care, without spending hours in the kitchen. They make me think of simpler times, making them with my mom on Sunday afternoons.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
My grandmother, Nana Rose, always made the most incredible apple pies. The aroma would fill the entire house, a warm promise of love and comfort. Of course, making a full-sized pie on Valentine's Day felt too time consuming, but these Valentine's Day Mini Apple Pies bring that same heartwarming flavor in a fraction of the time. They're a little bite of nostalgia and affection, perfectly sized for sharing a sweet moment with someone special.
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 4 medium apples (such as Gala, Honeycrisp, or Braeburn), peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter, cut into small pieces
For the Crust:
- 1 package (14.1 ounces) refrigerated pie crust dough (2 crusts)
- 1 tablespoon milk or cream
- 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar (optional, for sprinkling)
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making the Recipe
- Prep the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss gently to coat. Stir in the lemon juice
- Add butter and mix: Mix well to ensure all ingredients are combined.
- Prepare the Crust: Lightly dust a clean surface with flour. Unroll the pie crusts.
- Cut the Circles: Use a 3-inch round cookie cutter to cut out circles from the pie crusts. You should get about 12 circles per crust.
- Fill the Pies: Gently press each circle into a mini muffin tin (12 count). Spoon the apple filling into each crust, filling them about 3/4 full. Dot the tops with small pieces of butter.
- Create the Tops (Optional): You can create lids for your mini pies by cutting out smaller circles from the leftover dough. Place the lids on top of the pies or use the dough to make strips for lattice pattern. Cut small vents to release steam.
- Brush and Sprinkle: Brush the tops of the pies with milk or cream. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar, if desired.
- Bake: Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Let the Valentine's Day Mini Apple Pies cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!
Valentine’s Day Mini Apple Pies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss gently to coat. Stir in the lemon juice4 medium apples, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Mix well to ensure all ingredients are combined.
- Lightly dust a clean surface with flour. Unroll the pie crusts.
- Use a 3-inch round cookie cutter to cut out circles from the pie crusts. You should get about 12 circles per crust.
- Gently press each circle into a mini muffin tin (12 count). Spoon the apple filling into each crust, filling them about 3/4 full. Dot the tops with small pieces of butter.1 tablespoon butter
- You can create lids for your mini pies by cutting out smaller circles from the leftover dough. Place the lids on top of the pies or use the dough to make strips for lattice pattern. Cut small vents to release steam.
- Brush the tops of the pies with milk or cream. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar, if desired.1 tablespoon milk or cream, 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar
- Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Let the Valentine’s Day Mini Apple Pies cool in the muffin tin for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!