For many of us Thanksgiving is more than just a time to reflect on the things for which we’re thankful. It’s a time for EXCESS. However, is it really necessary to bake THREE pies just so everyone can tell you they want juuuust a sliver of each one???
This, my friends, is your solution – a tiny little apple pie bite! And you don’t even have to cut them!
Easy Caramel Apple Pie Bites
I’ve been eyeing these adorable inside out caramel apple slices over at Very Culinary for a while now. And I happened to have some leftover caramel from a party earlier this month.
I thought they’d be a great, unexpected Thanksgiving dessert. Then it occurred to me, these don’t look like they travel very well. I mean, apples have a tendency of, you know, turning BROWN. Ick.
What to do? What to do? Wrap them in butter and pie crust and cinnamon sugar! Yes!!!
Supplies:
4 Granny Smith Apples
1 bag caramels
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 C (approx.) Cinnamon Sugar
2 prepared pie crusts
Directions
Step One: Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees.
Step Two (Optional**): Peel your apples and follow the directions found here for inside out caramel apple slices. TIP: I found that it helped to trace the area of the apple I wanted to scoop out with the tip of a knife first. And if you’re without a melon baller, a spoon does just fine in a pinch.
FYI: I was so excited to slice into these bad boys and hear my inner Martha Stewart sing. Instead, I got a pinterest fail. The caramel just wouldn’t stick to the inside of the apple, even after letting them refrigerate overnight. Plus, they were just super hard to slice beautifully. However, that doesn’t mean they’ll never turn out. And if it works for you, please let me know the secret!
Lucky for me, it didn’t matter. Onto the pie making!
**NOTE: If you skip the adventure of making the inside out caramel apple slice, just peel your apples and slice them. When you go to wrap them in pie crust, throw an unwrapped caramel in with them. As my mom says, the number one rule is KISS (keep it short & simple).
Step Three: Lay your pie crust flat and brush the top side with butter. Then roll each apple slice inside a strip of crust to make a little dumpling. Be sure to seal your seams well.
Step Four: Place the dumplings on a parchment lined baking sheet. Brush the top of each one with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Bake for approximately 18-20 minutes. Let cool and enjoy!
These made my house smell so delicious. And my husband ate nearly half the batch! I can’t wait to take them to Thanksgiving. They’d be absolutely divine in a caramel sundae too!