Snickerdoodle Mini Apple Pie Bites

We went apple picking and I had a huge supply of pie apples to use.  This is a quick and easy recipe that has amazing flavor and texture.  I combined several recipes together to make this treat and it was a huge hit!

Makes 72 min pies

Ingredients for Crust:

• 
  
• 1 cup butter, room temperature
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 1 egg, plus 1 yolk
• 1 Tbsp vanilla
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2¾ cup flour

Cinnamon Sugar

• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 Tbsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350°

1.  In a bowl blend butter and sugar together until smooth.  Add in egg, yolk, vanilla.  In a separate bowl combine baking soda, cream of tartar, cinnamon and flour.

2.  Slowly add flour mixture to butter mixture.  Mix until smooth and fully incorporated.

3.  Take less than a tablespoon of dough and form a small ball by rolling it between your hands.  Roll in the cinnamon sugar mixture.  Place into a mini tart pan and press into a tart shape with a mini tart shaper or the back of a tablespoon measure.  Fill all spaces in pan.

4.  Bake for 10 min until dark golden brown.  Remove from oven and immediately repress with the mini tart shaper to create a cup shape.  Allow to cool 3 min in pan and remove carefully to fully cool on rack.

Apple Pie Filling:

3 Large Courtland Apples (3-4 cups)

1 TBS flour

2 tsp lemon juice

1 TBS brown sugar

2 TBS maple syrup

1.  Core, peel and dice apples very small.  

2.  Place apples in a large skillet with all ingredients.  Stir well to coat.

3.  Cook, covered on medium for 5-10 min.  Be sure to stir occasionally so your sticky syrup does not burn to the bottom of the pan.

4.  Allow to cool.  

Caramel Topping:

2 TBS butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1.  Combine in a heavy bottom, tall sided pan.  Prepare a sink or bowl of ice water.

2.  Heat slowly to melt butter.  Make sure all sugar is dissolved fully.

3.  Increase heat, bring mixture to a boil. Watch carefully.  Do not overstir.  

4.  When a golden brown remove pan from heat and place pan into the ice bath to stop cooking.

Assembly:

Take cooled cookie crusts.  Spoon in a small amount of warm pie filling (I stored mine overnight and reheated in the microwave).  Drizzle mini pies with caramel sauce.  

Enjoy!