As I’ve continued my adventures in baking, pies have been somewhat elusive to me. It’s been hit or miss on whether I’ll like a “professionally baked” pie, so I hadn’t taken the leap in baking my own pies. I hadn’t taken the leap until I saw a recipe for mini blueberry pies. I don’t know if it’s because of that cupcake samples I got at Crumbs Bakery or those little mocha caramel brownie bites I made a few months ago, but for one reason or another, I’m in a “mini” baking phase. A phase where if it’s tinier than it’s supposed to be, I’m going to bake it.
This week, I decided to tweak Lucky Leaf’s recipe for mini blueberry pies and make mini apple pies. Not only are we apple pie lovers, but this recipe allows me to bake up a lot of mini pies, which makes a lovely snack or treat for everyone. I’ve restrained myself and have only eaten one two three of them so far. If we run out before Valentine’s Day, this recipe is fairly easy, so I can always make another batch of these cute pies – perhaps with Lucky Leaf’s Strawberry Pie filling. Yum yum.
Baby Apple Pies Recipe
- 2 packages Refrigerated pie crusts (4 crusts)
- 2 1-ounce can LUCKY LEAF® Premium Apple (or Blueberry or Strawberry) Pie Filling
- 1 Egg
- 1 Tablespoon Milk
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon, ground
- 1 Tablespoon Sugar
- Preheat oven to 400° degrees.
- Unroll the 4 refrigerated crusts. Using a ~4” circle cookie cutter (or even the rim of a glass/bowl), cut out 24 circles of dough.
- Spray the muffin tin with cooking spray. Lay a circle on top of each muffin hole and gently press down to the bottom and along the sides, covering the whole muffin cup. The side crust should come to just below the top of the muffin cup.
- Fill each with 2 large tablespoons of pie filling.
- Top with remaining crusts, using a fork to crimp the edges.
- Cut two small slits in the top of each pie to vent.
- OPTION: For a lattice top, instead of a round top, cut ½” strips of dough and lay down in an overlapping pattern to make lattice tops.
- Use a pastry brush to brush the lattice of each mini pie with an egg wash (egg and milk combined).
- Mix together cinnamon and sugar and sprinkle on top of each pie.
- Bake for 16-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
- Let pies cool slightly before removing from the tins.
Fortunately for me, this recipe calls for just 6 ingredients. Using the refrigerated pie crusts and the always delicious Lucky Leaf Apple Pie Filling makes this much easier than peeling and coring apples, making dough, etc. Not to say that I won’t bake a pie from scratch scratch, but for someone who’s not comfortable with pies yet, or for someone who’s short on time, this is the way to go.
Next, it’s time to cut out our pie crusts. If you don’t have a cookie cutter that’s the right size or shape, you can use the top of a mug or cup to cut out the round circles.
Place the round pie crusts on top of each muffin tin hole, then gently press the pie crust into the tin. I used a small measuring cup to help.
You can use a spoon or small measuring cup to help press the pie crusts into the muffin tins.
Once all the pie crusts are ready, spoon 2 heaping table spoons of Lucky Leaf Apple Pie filling into each crust. Since the apple pie filling uses apple slices, I used a knife to do a quick chop of the filling into apple chunks.
Mmmm. The Lucky Leaf Apple Pie filling is already seasoned.
Once all the tins are filled, it’s time to top off the pies. You can use round tops using the circle crusts cut out with the cookie cutter, or you can cut strips of pie crust to make a lattice pie crust.
I did a mix of both lattice tops and round tops.
After everything is topped off, brush the tops of each baby apple pie with the egg and milk wash. Then top it with a sprinkle (or in my case, handfuls) of the sugar and cinnamon mix.
It is my opinion that you can’t have too much cinnamon and sugar mix on pies.
Pop everything into the oven and 16-20 minutes later, you have wonderful baby apple pies. Baking these pies made the house smell amazing. Eating these pies made my taste buds feel amazing. I love the warmth and flavor of the Lucky Leaf Apple Pie filling, encased in the crispy crust. I wouldn’t say these are bite-sized, although someone with a voracious appetite could probably eat one in two bites. Someone with more restraint could probably eat the pie in 3 or 4 bites.
This recipe is so easy and tasty to make, that it would really make a great treat for that special someone or your entire family this Valentine’s Day. You can also use this handy Valentine’s Day Printables sheet to help decorate your Baby Apple Pies to be little more festive. To use the printables, print the sheet on card stock or adhesive paper, then trim around the edges. Cut out the whole using scissors or a one-and-a-half-inch circle craft punch and use a toothpick to wrap the flag banners.
Lucky Leaf Online
The WiC Project Lucky Leaf Giveaway
The Prize:
One winner will receive a gift package including a can of Lucky Leaf pie filling, a recipe card, fun and festive muffin cups and a bakery bag.
This giveaway has ended and is now closed.
Disclaimer: This post consists of my (and/or fellow tester) opinions only. Your experiences may be different. No compensation was given for this review/giveaway. I did receive a free product from the manufacturer or their representing PR agency to use and test for the purposes of this review. This did not affect the outcome of this review.
Cherry Pie is my fave and I bake!!
pavernie at yahoo dot com
I definitely bake!
I love lemon pie and I like to buy them
vmkids3 at msn dot com
I love cherry pie
I love dutch apple, and I usually buy them..
I love to bake pear pies
Key Lime pie is my fav.
pumpkin I like to make myself but apple crumb it depends on my mood sometimes I make my own and sometimes I buy one depends on my laziness
I love Dutch Apple Pie and usually make it myself.
cherry is my favorite-I make my own=Dorothy Deakyne
Buttermilk pie is my favorite and we bake:)
I have my favorite bakery I buy from! Apple Pie.
I like blueberry pie and my daughter loves to bake..very handy ha ha
I love apple and chocolate cream pie. I love to bake them, but usually buy them
I always prefer to bake over buy.
i like apple pie the best
my favorite kind of pie is apple and i like to bake my own
I love Caramel Apple pies and I bake my own
my favorite is the blueberry used for blueberry tortes
Baking a homemade Apple Pie is my favorite.
Apple pie in my favorite
I love chocolate cream pie and I bake it or buy them.
Cherry pie is my favorite. I bake and buy.
My favorite type of pie is french silk pie. I generally bake my own pies instead of buying them.
I love to bake cherry pie and cobblers.
I like making pumpkin pie
mine is cherry pie and I bake
My favorite is lemon supreme and I both bake and buy.
I LOVE these! SO much easier to make than a regular sized pie! Thanks for the recipe!
I too have issues with pie-making. I’m very happy to see the crust isn’t my responsibility and six ingredients is surely my style!
These are just adorable! I bet they would be good with just about any pie filling, like cherry, blueberry or heck even making mini chocolate or vanilla pies. SO cute. I think I just found my Easter dessert.
This recipe looks very tasty. Thanks for sharing!
Oh wow these are so cute, and they look wonderful ..This is a really easy recipe..
these are surper cute and easy but i would add my own personal touch of making the filling