Apple pie in a muffin tin

What’s worse than a flash flood in Mississippi, a heat wave in Texas or a tornado in Kansas?

Christmas shopping on a Saturday in Sydney.    Yes I’m being facetious but honestly, what a nightmare!  Almost every mall requires garage parking.  First you must wait on the street to get into the actual garage, then get a ticket and remember that parking is only free for 2 hrs.  Once you’re in the dreaded 8 story parking garage good luck finding a spot.

People are in a hurry, in a bad mood and in need of driving lessons.   I thought Christmas meant cheer and joy?  Maybe in the privacy of your own home but in a mall with limited parking and lineups 10 deep for a $4.00 coffee, it ain’t pretty!

Jojo and I witnessed two cashiers in a nasty war of words with the F word thrown in for good measure and an empty box thrown aiming for the jugular.   Ugly stuff.   Very uncomfortable and very unchristmas like.

Luckily I had a sweet kid with me who was oblivious to any negativity the holidays might bring out in people.   Her only concern was to get a tree, decorations and stockings so that our little apartment would be Christmas like.

She did such a good job that I couldn’t help but get into the spirit and do a little holiday baking.  Nothing makes me feel more nostalgic then baking Christmas raisin bread, mince meat pies, short bread cookies and apple pie.    Everything my mom always made.

First…..

Apple pie in a muffin tin

I’m cheating here in many ways.   I’m using granny smith (mom always used Macintosh).  I’m using a crumble top (mom always had a beautifully decorated pie crust topping).  Individual little pies  (mom always made a hug pie), and worst offense of them all?  I’m using a puff pastry from the grocery store.   sacrilege!!    she would never do this and is well-known for making the very best pie crust around but I just didn’t have it in me today.  I do however make a killer crust but I need a fireplace, snow and guests about to arrive for a Christmas visit.

I don’t care what anyone says.  This does nothing for my Christmas spirit.   Nice though huh?

Apple pie filling

5 granny smith apples peeled and sliced thin

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/3  cup cooking stevia, splenda or white sugar

3 tbsp white flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp cloves

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbsp lemon juice

Mix everything together until apples are well coated.

Topping

1/3 cup large oats

3 tbsp whole wheat flour

1/2 tsp cinnamon

pinch of salt

3 tbsp cold butter

3 tbsp brown sugar

Mix the topping using your fingers to rub in the butter until you get a crumble.

2 sheets of puff pastry

Cut circles in the pastry large enough to fit into large muffin tins.    You could also roll out enough pastry to form a circle for a large pie.

Poke some holes in your crust with a fork to prevent the dough from shrinking.  Fill to the top with prepared apple mixture.  Top with about 3 tbsp of crumble and bake at 350 degrees until apples are soft and topping is lightly brown.  I cooked for about 40 min.

While still warm, run a knife around the tarts to release then from the pan.  Place on a wire cooling rack.

So if you never thought you cold make a quick and easy apple pie then I’ve just proved you wrong!

and your answer is yes! of course I made the crust.