Apple Pocket Pie

Yes, I still have lots of apples left from our apple picking trip. And when I spotted these cute pie molds from Williams-Sonoma on sale, I couldn’t resist buying and testing them right when i got home.

I had a box of store-bought pie dough in my fridge already, so I just chopped the apples, tossed them with cinnamon, brown sugar, a dash of lemon juice (see my Apple Pie in a Jar post for the filling recipe).

• Cut the shapes out of the pie dough
• Fill shapes with apple pie filling, or even a jam or savory filling
• Press down to seal and crimp the edges
• Brush top of pies with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar
• Bake them at 400F for about 20 minutes

Apple Pie in a Jar

© Be What We Love

 

A couple weeks ago we took our annual trip to a beautiful orchard in Northern Virginia for a fun day of apple picking. This year we chose Hollin Farms. We’ve been to Hollin Farms several times for strawberry picking, but it was our first time there for apples, and it turned out there was a LOT more in season than just apples! The farm is about 45 minutes from Washington DC and goes straight through Virginia wine country. There are several great wineries to stop at for a glass, or just a scenic picnic. But hey, apple picking is way more fun after a few glasses of vino, wouldn’t you agree?

We came home with a variety of apples, pumpkins, squash and gorgeous sunflowers.

 

Apple Pie in a Jar

You may remember our “I don’t know if I can eat this because it’s so beautiful, okay I’m going to eat it, oh my gosh this is SO GOOD Apple Rose Tarts” from last year’s apple picking trip. This year, we decided to start with something a little simpler, but just as delicious.  My husband took one in to work each day for lunch until his co-workers, tired of just watching, started a riot, and we had to make a full dozen for him to bring in the next day. He loves that you can just pop it in the microwave for about 20 seconds, and it turns into that perfect fresh-baked consistency (for bonus points, top with maple whipped cream or vanilla ice cream).

Ingredients:

• Pie crust  (store-bought or homemade)
• 4 apples
• 1 tbs of cinnamon
• 1/2 cup of brown sugar
• 5″ circle pastry cutter
• 3″ circle pastry cutter ( for the top)
• 1/2 pint mason jars ( for 1 box store-bought crust makes about 6 jars)

Directions:

1. Chop the apples into small cubes
2. In a bowl, mix the apples, sugar and cinnamon and let rest for a few minutes while you prepare the jars (add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice, as this will prevent the apples from browning).
3. Roll out the pie crust dough, cut the circles and press dough against inner wall of jar.
4. Fill each jar with apple mixture.
5. Cover the pies with the smaller (3″) pie circles.
6. Optional decoration: cut small shapes ou make a mini lattice pie top
7. Bake pie for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees.

 

I designed a free mason jar top for you inspired by my hand made felt one shown in the photos. Print on adhesive paper and cut using a 2.5 circle cutter, and this pies will be a great gift for the Holiday season. Click here for the free pdf and enjoy! Don’t forget to tag @BeWhatWeLove on Instagram or BWhatWeLove on Twitter when you make this yourself!

 

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Apple Rose Tart

We went apple picking last week and brought back a small bag of apples. Then a few days later we hosted lunch for some friends, and our friend Michelle left an even bigger bag of apples she’d picked for us. What to do with all those apples? We tried apple cider, apple butter, and of course, good old apple pie, but our favorite was this Apple Rose Tart.

Ingredients:

Makes 5 mini pies.

• 5  apples, thinly slices (use a madolin slicer)
• 1 pie crust (pre-made or using my favorite recipe here)
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 4 Tbsp melted butter
• 2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp cinnamon

Directions:

1. Place the pie crust in each of the tart forms.
2. Melt the butter and mix with brown sugar and divide it among the tart forms, spreading it evenly on the bottom.
3. Mix the lemon juice, granulated sugar, 2 tbs melted butter, and cinnamon.
4. Core the apples and slice in half. Using a mandolin on its thinnest setting, slice the apples.
5. Baste the slices with the lemon juice mixture (in addition to adding flavor this helps keep the apples from browning).
6.  Roll the thinnest slice you have as tightly as possible to make the center of the rose. If the slices won’t bend easily, try microwaving the slices for about 12 seconds to make them more flexible.
7. Continue wrapping until you’ve reached the diameter of the tart pan. Fan the slices out evenly so they resemble flower petals.
8. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and bake for 30 minutes.
9. Enjoy just as they are, or hot with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or home made whipped cream.