Apple Pie Tarts
Apple Pie Tarts and a Halloween birthday
It’s almost Halloween and time to make plans. My youngest has a birthday 6 days after Halloween and she asked to celebrate with our extended family on Halloween night at our family cabin. She also requested Apple Pie Tarts instead of a birthday cake. This will be the first time we have all been together since COVID. So, we’re working hard to plan a safe-socially-distant event so all are comfortable-including our senior family members.
Halloween bonfire/tailgate/drive-in movie/birthday night
Here’s what our evening will look like: 1) The bonfire will be ready for hotdogs and Somemores when families arrives. 2) Everyone will bring a lawn chair and their own food for the main meal-tailgating from their own vehicle. 3) We will socially distance around the fire but close enough for visiting and telling ghost stories. 4) Big screen will be hung between trees with video projector/computer loaded with black and white episodes of The Munsters, Addams Family, and the original Halloween movie. 5) We’ll serve individual Apple Pie Tarts and ice cream cups for dessert. 6) They’ll be tons of laughter, fun, and fellowship in spite of the dreaded COVID.
Hunt for the perfect Apple Pie Tart
As with most of my recipes, there’s always an element of research and online investigation and this recipe is no different. The final recipe is a combination of the best parts of multiple top rated recipes. I have my sister’s apple pie recipe with a delicious and unique filling. However, since I’m doing individual pies with a crumb topping, I needed to do some adjustment to the sugar in the filling. So, I made an educated guess and wah lah-got it right on the first try.
These Apple Pie Tarts freeze beautifully
I also wanted apple pie tarts that could be frozen since there won’t be time to make them fresh at the cabin. We’ll be busy cleaning up the grounds and building the bonfire the day before. These Apple Pie Tarts freeze beautifully and taste fresh when thawed and heated slightly in the oven before serving.
The best part!
Sampling!-So good!
Ingredients
Filling and Crust
- 3 small tart apples such as Granny Smith, unpeeled, cored, and chopped (If you prefer a little sweeter apple, try a gala, honey crisp, or Fuji apple. My preference is Granny Smith as I love a tart apple)
- 2/3 c. sugar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 stick salted butter, melted
- 1 t. cinnamon
- 1/2 t. vanilla
- pinch of salt (1/8 t. if using unsalted butter)
- 8 pie shell tarts
Crumb Topping
- 5 T All Purpose flour
- 2 T brown sugar
- 2 T granulated sugar
- 2 T salted butter, softened
- 1/4 t. cinnamon
- 2 T pecans or walnuts (optional)
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Instructions
Apple Pie Filling
- Core apples and chop (I leave mine unpeeled but peel if your prefer)
- Whisk sugar, egg, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, and melted butter and combine with chopped apples
- Divide filling between 8 pie tarts (About 2 oz. per tart)
Crumb Topping
- Combine and mix all ingredients in a small food processor or combine in a bowl and cut in butter with a pastry cutter or fork
- Scoop and spread crumb topping over filling
Arrange pies onto a foil lined cookie sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes in a 400 degree oven.
Note: These pies are very full and will drip some over the edges onto your cookie sheet thus the suggestions to line cookie sheet with foil for easy cleanup.
