MINI APPLE PIE TARTS

12 tarts
50 min

These mini apple pie tarts are a fun twist on the classic apple pie. Filled with a homemade apple pie filling and topped off with a spiced crumble topping, you have a dessert that not only tastes amazing but is also fun to make and fun to eat!

I love apple pie, and I thought it would be fun to develop a recipe for a mini tart version. These came out so delicious and are almost as fun to make as they are to eat. These are easy enough for kids to help with too.


The Tart Molds:

These particular tart molds are my absolute favorite. Why? For one, they are the perfect size, measuring 3-inches across, making them the ideal size for a handheld dessert. And the best part is they have a removable/push-up bottom, allowing the tarts to come out so easily with really no effort at all. You can find these amazing mini-tart pans here.

These mini tart pans can be found here.

I’ve written this recipe and the instructions using these tart molds, but you can also use a standard muffin pan. Of course, the finished product will look a little different, but the taste will be the same.


Step by Step Instructions (with photos):

To start, you’ll need two pie crusts, either homemade or store-bought.


If you use store-bought pie crusts, let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, then carefully unroll them. If you are using a homemade pie crust, roll it out into a ⅛” thick circle on a lightly floured surface.


Using a 3½-inch pastry cutter, cut twelve circles. Center a dough circle over a mini tart mold and gently press the dough down. Then gently press the dough against the fluted edges. Repeat for remaining tart molds. Place the dough-filled tart molds on a baking sheet for easier handling. Place the tarts in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to chill the dough.

While the dough is chilling, dice 2½ cups of apples (about two apples), then mix together the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and vanilla. Add to the apples and stir to coat the apples evenly. Set aside.

Next, in a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, oats, flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.

It’s always better to mix your dry ingredients first before adding the butter. It helps to ensure that the dry ingredients are evenly mixed together.


Once your dry ingredients are well combined, add the melted butter, stirring with a fork. Using a fork helps you to fluff the topping as you stir. Using a spoon or spatula can compact your topping and cause large clumps.

Remove the tarts from the refrigerator and fill each tart with two rounded tablespoons of apples (stirring the apples frequently to mix in the liquid that collects at the bottom of the bowl). Then add one tablespoon of the topping.

Bake in a preheated oven (400°F) for 20 to 25 minutes. The crust should be beginning to brown, and the filling should be hot and bubbly.


Move the pan to a cooling rack and allow the tarts to cool for 15 minutes. When the molds are cool enough to touch, pick one up and press up on the bottom with your fingers, lifting the tart out of the mold. Remove the round mold circle from the bottom of the tart and allow the tart to finish cooling on the cooling rack. Repeat with the remaining tarts.

Serve warm or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing the Tarts:

If you want to make a large batch to have on hand or make them ahead of time to prep for a party, these tarts freeze well. Just allow them to cool completely and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Then, when you are ready to use them, thaw to room temperature, and they are ready to serve.

Recipe details
  • 12  tarts
  • Prep time: 30 Minutes Cook time: 20 Minutes Total time: 50 min
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Ingredients

  • 2 pie crust, store-bought or homemade
  • 2 1/2 cups diced apples, about 2 apples
  • 1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 1/2 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F
If you use store-bought pie crusts, let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, then carefully unroll them. If you are using a homemade pie crust, roll it out into a ⅛" thick circle on a lightly floured surface.
Using a 3½-inch pastry cutter, cut twelve circles. Center a dough circle over a mini tart mold and gently press the dough down. Then gently press the dough against the fluted edges. Repeat for remaining tart molds. Place the dough-filled tart molds on a baking sheet for easier handling.**If you don't have mini tart molds, you can use a standard muffin pan.
Place the tarts in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to allow the dough to chill before adding the filling.

While the dough is chilling, prepare the filling. Start by peeling and dicing the apples.
Mix together the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and vanilla. Add to the apples and stir until the apples are thoroughly and evenly coated. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Once combined, add the melted butter and stir with a fork, fluffing the topping as you mix.

Remove the tarts from the refrigerator. Fill each tart with two rounded tablespoons of apples (stirring the apples frequently to mix in the liquid that collects at the bottom of the bowl).
Top each tart with one tablespoon of topping.
Place the pan of tarts in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crust begins to brown and the filling is bubbly.
Remove the tarts from the oven and set them on a cooling rack for 15 minutes.
Once the molds are cool enough to handle, remove the tarts by pressing up on the bottom of the molds and lifting out the tarts. Allow the tarts to finish cooling on the cooling racks.
Store cooled tarts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Tips
  • Freezing the Tarts: If you want to make a large batch to have on hand or want to make them ahead of time to prep for a party, these tarts freeze well. Just allow them to cool completely and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Then, when you are ready to use them, thaw to room temperature, and they are ready to serve.
The Joy-Filled Kitchen
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