My mother is what I call a health-nut, or more accurately a superfood-addict. If possible, every meal she takes must contain at least a superfood ingredient. As long as I can remember, she has always been this way. She used to give us a spoonful of raw honey and fish oil daily when we were young. Yuck, right? I thought so. I rebelled by puking, which wasn’t hard to do. So, she stopped. At least with me, she did.
I’m not very much like my mother, preferring to eat anything I crave at the moment, superfoods involved or not. Sometimes I wonder if I was in fact switched at birth the way I turn out, so different from my own mother. Or maybe I’m just more like my dad. He certainly loved his chocolate and croissants the way I do.
My mom happens to be here, visiting for a few weeks. Since week 1, she’s been sprinkling chia seeds into my coffee. No kidding! It turns my coffee into a pudding. I have to use a spoon to drink it. But she’s my mom and I love her so I let her. Honestly, I’m getting used to it. Actually, I’m beginning to like it. I still want my drinkable coffee, but the chia coffee pudding thingy isn’t half bad. Besides, she told me chia seeds have many health benefits. For one, they help her stay regular, she said. Mom!! TMI!!
Anyway, as much as I appreciate her well-meaning intentions, I can’t just stop eating what I want to eat. I’m forever a rebel. A rebel without a cause, I guess. I want my drinkable coffee and I want my sweets, something she considers the most unnecessary part of a diet. Specifically, I want my apple pie.
Apples have been on my mind lately. Can you blame me? It’s apple season, after all. My mom and I went picking and now I have apples all over the house. I mean it. I have them in the fridge. I have them in the fruit bowl on the kitchen counter. I have them in a basket on the coffee table in the living room. I have them on a platter on the ottoman in the family room. Anytime I need a snack, there’s an apple nearby.
But why have fresh apples when you can have apple pie? This, once again, is where Mom and I differ. She prefers fresh. However, as I’ve mentioned, I am forever rebelling. Plus, I am the author of this blog, and I’d say we turn some of these apples into a pie. What say you?
Brown Sugar Mini Apple Pies
The crust
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 stick cold butter
1 tsp sugar
A pinch of salt
4 tbsp cold water or milk
1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar and salt.
2. Using a fork or a pastry blender, cut butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. Sprinkle water or milk 1 tablespoon at a time, while tossing lightly with a fork.
4. Add liquid until dough is just moist enough to form a ball.
5. Shape dough into a flat disk and refrigerate while making the filling.
The filling
3 medium-sized apples
3/4 cup brown sugar
5 tbsp butter
2 tsp flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1. Peel and dice apples into small cubes, place in a bowl. Sprinkle flour and toss.
2. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter, then add sugar. Stir and let sugar melt.
3. Add apples and cook until apples are soft. Add cinnamon and stir to combine.
Making the pies
1. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough into 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into rounds big enough to cover your mini pie plates.
2. Spoon filling until it is level with the top edge of the pie plate (Or you can put more and have it mounding slightly, it’s up to you). Cover with another round piece of crust. Press edges together to seal and then flute edge.
3. Decorate with remaining scraps of crust.
4. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle raw sugar, if you like.
5. Pierce top of pie with a skewer or cut slits.
6. Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Makes 4 3-inch mini pies.
Mmm… can’t go wrong with apple pie!
Ditto, Claudia! 🙂
Hahaaa, chia coffee! That reminds me of one of the doctors at my work. He recently discovered chia seeds and thought that he could just ‘drink them’ in a cup of hot chocolate during one of our meetings but then… it became a pudding. It was hilarious seeing his face as he continued to (attempt to) drink it! He soon learned his lesson! Ah, bless your mum and her health nut status. Mine is kinda the same but not quite as extreme 😉 As for these lovely little apple pies? What a wonderful way to end the week! Yum. I love any sort of apple dessert and these elegant pies are just the perfect size for an afternoon tea! x
LOL, that must have been priceless! Did he have to use a spoon? 🙂
These pies are perfect for my kids. They prefer to just pick one up and eat it without having to use a fork. Lazy kids! 🙂 I’m partial to apple desserts myself, Laura. So glad you like them! <3
Haha… nah he just kind-of shook the cup to move the pudding and then abandoned the idea half way through! And I get the laziness 😉 Hand-held food is always more fun 🙂
Your mom sounds so sweet! My mom and I have similar conversations, but she’s just trying to make sure I get all my nutrients in because my dietary constraints can make that difficult. I, on the other hand, would love to live off cookie dough balls and chewy chocolate cookies for the rest of time. But, no, I’m good about my fruits and veggies.
This week, we made baked apples as a dessert, which might be a compromise between you and your mom. BUT, the apple pie looks absolutely delicious. They’re so cute, and I love the decorations on top!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
I know they mean well, Kaila, and no matter how old we are, we’ll always be their little girls. I’m sure I’ll feel the same way about my daughter when she grows up :-).
Baked apples are what I was thinking of making next! Except I like mine served a la mode. Not so healthy. But once in a while it should be okay, right? 🙂
Most definitely! 😀
Those pies are so cute! Enjoy your visit with your mom!
Thanks, Nancy, on both counts. 🙂
Gosh, those apple pies are so adorable! I’m very much like you Angie, I want what I want and I don’t care if it’s healthy or not. Luckily for my body, I do crave vegetable sometimes and one of my favourite foods is kale! But I’m currently eating cake for breakfast so it’s a balance haha
My mum is a big dieter, but I definitely got my sweet tooth from her!
Happy Fiesta Friday!
I do like fruits and vegetables, too, but I must have desserts or at least chocolate or else I get cranky! Haha… Luckily my husband and kids share my sweet tooth so there’s no disagreement among us when it comes to sweets. In fact, I’m rather conservative compared to them. I think the kids wouldn’t mind living off candies and cookies if I let them. So happy you like the pies, Michelle! Happy FF, dear! <3
Your mother sounds fantastic LOL, now I want to try that with chia seeds, not that I drink coffee often but its got me intrigued. Also I think your mothers interest in food has rubbed off on you over the years and though you do it differently i am sure she was a spur in the whole making of you being such a great cook.
PS love apple pie, mmmm yum comfort food!xx
Better make sure you have a spoon ready. Those chia seeds are quite intriguing, how they’re able to swell and gel up any liquid. Use sparingly at first, I would say.
I wouldn’t say Mom is a great cook but she does a few dishes exceptionally well. The one thing I appreciate about mom is that she’s open to trying everything and anything. She loves learning about new cuisines and cultures. I get that from her. 🙂
exactly and experimenting, being open to new ideas is what I think makes a great cook, tadah and there you are, a great cook 😀
Not sure about being great, but I do love playing with my food, haha…. 🙂
Those are cute pies and brown sugar is good for you. Your mum is bound to approve.
Can you please tell her that, Mary? 🙂 Actually, she’s quite indulgent, my mom. She lets us do as we please, but it won’t stop her from trying to hide healthy stuff in our foods or drinks! 🙂
Actually your mum sounds like my mum. I guess it’s a mum thing. 🙂
Those are the sweetest pies ever Angie! So happy to be hosting 😀
Thanks, Naina, on both counts. The compliment and the co-hosting. 🙂
My girls love apple pies and co incidentally I just bought some mini pie moulds. Will give this a try :).
Yay, what a happy coincidence! Must have been fate, Sonal. But I knew that about us. We’re always on the same wavelength. 🙂
:). I bet !
First of all, I love your mini-apple pies!!
Secondly, You are making me feel like I should put chia seeds in my coffee!?!?
and Lastly, I am super thrilled and honored to have my Fiesta Friday #34 dish featured!! Thank you so much, Angie!! 🙂 Happy FF!!
Lol, I’m actually getting hooked myself, Josette! Now I must have my chia coffee in the morning! Funny how I started out making a face at it and possibly saying a silent eeew… Your pork scallopini solves my Sunday dinner. I happened to buy pork tenderloins! Happy FF! <3
Looks like we were both thinking about apples this week! The pies look delicious!
Do you also have apples coming out of your ears? 🙂
These Apple Pie look beautiful and perfect for the season, Angie. Have a great weekend 😉
Thank you, Linda! It is apple season so apples are everywhere :-). Happy FF! <3
Wow!! The pie looks drooling!!
Happy FF..
I missed out the last party!! But now i am glad to be back with you all?
Yay! Happy to have you back, Nimmi! Will resume partying later. Now I have to get ready for work, darn…. 🙂
Ohh, Okay?!!
Your pies are so perfect and so gorgeous! And I think I love your Mum, she sounds fab, in fact, she sounds just like me ??? have a good weekend superstar xxx
Are you sure we weren’t switched at birth, Elaine? Hmm…. 🙂
Who knows…..???? ?
You apple pies are quite cute and I’m sure very tasty. Had me smiling as I read about your relationship with your Mom. You’re lucky to have her ❤️
Thanks, Laila! As we speak right now she’s raiding my fridge to get rid of all the bad foods and replacing with super foods. Sigh… she’s so determined to make us all healthy! 🙂
Thank you for this recipe, Angie! Love the simplicity of making it. Surely, I will try making it one day.
You’re welcome, Nino! I’m glad you like the recipe. It is quite simple for a veteran chef like you, but trust me, sometimes I struggle with the crust. Especially on warm days. Everything turns sticky on me. 🙂
Hey Angie! Your Mini Apple Pies look beautiful and sound heavenly. You had me laughing so hard this morning …having to use a spoon to drink your coffee …pudding coffee …oh my that was funny stuff. Thank you for the laugh at 6:30 this morning when normally I would not even be fully awake. 🙂 Also, what a nice surprise to see that my casserole from FF#34 was featured. So excited!! Thank you!! Happy FF and weekend!
Haha….I’m glad I made you laugh! My job here is done :-). Trust me, that casserole will make it in our menu this week. Sounds so yum, just my kind of comfort food! Have a great weekend, Arlene! <3
Angie, I love those sweet, cute pies and the fact that they’re individual servings! No need to spend all that time peeling a tree’s worth of apples for a large pie! And this way my crust to apple ratio is much more where I want it 🙂 But I’ll have to disagree with you; raw honey is like healthy frosting! I loved it growing up and still do!
Also, I wanted to thank you for what you’re doing with Fiesta Friday. I’ve tried participation in a few other link parties and they never have such polite, friendly, encouraging participants like FF. And *you* created that environment! Thank you for what you do and letting us share in it!
I’ve been told numerous times that raw honey is yummy, but when I was small I couldn’t swallow it. So thick and then there were bits of wax, too, as I remember it. I love honey now in general, but I haven’t had raw honey in a looong time. Maybe I should give it another try. There are many things I like or tolerate now that I used to dislike. Eggplants, celery and liver to name a few :-).
I’m so pleased to hear you’re enjoying FF. I think we’re lucky to have such a great bunch of blogger friends, aren’t we? Everybody is truly wonderful and supportive of each other. That makes hosting such a joy! Thanks, Lina, for your sweet words! <3
Beautiful Angie, we had to be on the same wave length, I was going to make apple pie for FF this week, will do something else. Your apple pie is beautiful, and delicious and apple pie is my favorite dessert. YUM!!!
Oh, bring the pie, too, anyway, Suzanne. Would love to see yours. I’m still looking for the perfect recipe, btw. Mine is good, but the I know it can be improved.
You and I both. Apple pie is the best apple dessert, IMO! 🙂
I just posted my recipe but didn’t bring to the party, your pie is gorgeous.
Just checked out your pie, Suzanne. Oh my, it looks so beautiful!! It’s just about perfect, really! 🙂
Sooo gorgeous- as always!! xoxox
Thank you much, Miss Tracy! <3
I was smiling while reading your story, Angie! You can eat fresh apple in the morning (and make you mother happy) and apple pie in the evening (happy you)! 😀
Yay, finally a practical idea! Thanks, Mila. I’m glad you enjoyed the story. 🙂
Hey Angie 🙂 If you weren’t the owner of this blog, I would have presumed you are still mommy’s lil girl. Love the apple pie. But love the way you indulge your mom( chia in coffee!! ) That’s very sweet of you.
I’m forever her baby! Just like my little girl will forever be my baby! 🙂 She also feeds me a bunch of other healthy stuff, including steamed pumpkins, yuck! But I eat some anyway. When she wasn’t looking, I added sugar and butter, haha…
I love that story of your mom, sounds just like mine 🙂 The apple pies look divine. Cool weather is finally coming for us this week and I can’t wait to give these a try. Happy Fiesta Friday!
Thanks, Sarah! I guess moms are similar everywhere. They just want the best for their babies. Aren’t we babies to our moms, regardless of how old we are? 🙂 I’m glad you like the pies. Let me know what you think if you decide to give them a try. Happy FF!
What a great surprise, Angie – thank you so much for featuring me and for taking the time and effort to set up such an amazing feast, every single week! I have to agree with strictlydelicious: you are the heart and soul of this wonderful party, so thank you very much!
Btw I have just developed apple pie envy…they look fantastic! I can smell them from here 🙂
Aaw…that’s so nice to hear, Ginger! It’s a pleasure to host the fiesta for such a great group of blogger friends. I’m so glad you’re enjoying it. Your dumplings are so unique, they deserve the spotlight! I must give them a try! XOXO
Those mini pies look marvelous! I shared a delicious applesauce recipe on my blog last month that I think you and your mom would enjoy. Blueberries are a superfood too! https://swirlsandspice.com/2014/08/26/blueberry-lime-applesauce-with-ginger/
Oh, that apple sauce looks delicious! My mom would have definitely approved. She loves blueberries! Thanks for the compliment and visit. 🙂
We had some delicious apple pie with ice cream at the old historic Eklund Hotel in Clayton, New Mexico. We were on our way to Taos.
We like chocolate covered marshmallow cookies…but not very often. Yesterday evening, we went to the store after dinner at a fine restaurant in Taos. We needed a couple of items. Suddenly, the cookies whispered our names. Once we were home, we opened them up. Apparently, they were not kept cool all the time. We needed a fork to get them out. We enjoyed them just the same.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1506957_859927657353344_1476264953133088191_n.jpg?oh=ba1ec430253f5af0a7c6ceeb35de172a&oe=548F7E87&__gda__=1422780602_855b0b41e0d97c8f636390b355cd0b6b
LOL! It happened to us! We bought chocolate covered nuts and left them in the car too long. We came home with a cannon ball. That was harder to eat with a fork. We needed a knife! 🙂
So glad to hear you were having fun traveling. XOXO
Hi Angie! Chia seed pudding coffee…hmmm…I’ll pass on that, but will double up on the apple pies! Mothers know best, right? 🙂
I guess so, Ngan. And now she just bought me more chia before she goes home. Also a year’s supply of dark chocolate, it seems. The chocolate I don’t mind. I can always turn it into desserts, adding sugar to it of course. Once she leaves, haha…
looks great!
Thank you so much!
I don’t think apple pie could get any more perfect than these cute little pies, Angie! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe. I bought chia seeds a couple months ago and still haven’t used them. Now I know what to do with them!:)
Turns out you can also add chia in your scrambled eggs, Shari! Mom did it yesterday and it wasn’t bad. She is pretty creative when it comes to hiding ingredients in a dish. I’m sure she did a lot of that when we were little. So glad you liked the pies! <3
Oh, all that superfoods nonsense … Still, if it works for people, there’s no harm in it. And yes, Angie – of course you must rebel against chia pudding coffee !
Them wee apple pies … to die for.Just about literally, were I ever to make any. But still I love seeing all the marvellous things on your site ! 🙂
Can you call my mom and tell her that? 🙂 You should have seen the diet she put my dad on. Sometimes I felt so sorry I smuggled him a few goodies, haha… Thank goodness he’s in heaven now, he can have as much chocolate and croissants as he wants! 🙂 One of these days, someone is going to invent a teleporter and I will beam you up a box of pies! XOXO
And just about everything else you cook, you devil woman !!! [grin]
🙂
Beautiful little pies! I like the idea of single serving desserts. Makes everyone feel special. We were opposite in our family. My mother loves fast food and fries everything. I was the odd ball that there isn’t a veggie that I didn’t like.
My daughter is just like you with vegetables! Maybe it skips a generation? I love fruits and veggies now, though, probably b/c of mom’s influence. Thanks for the compliment, Julie! <3
Just beautiful Angie, and just in time for the cooler weather. I love that these are the mini variety, so I guess I could eat 2 or 3 if there’s enough to go around? :). Chia does seem to be the “in” thing these days no? First it was chai, now it is chia 🙂
Haha…that’s funny, first chai, now chia. Maybe someone should make Chia Chai! Or Chia Chocolate Chai. Lol. What other food is going to be the next trend, I wonder? I prefer mini pies myself. So easy to eat without a fork! 🙂
Hey Angie! Your mini pies are so sweet and so artistic as usual. You’re so lucky that your mom is looking out after you, but really…chia seeds in your coffee? I’ll pass on that one!
Awesome features! Congrats to all! 😀
It’s really not bad, the chia coffee. Although I’m not sure you can call it coffee anymore, maybe pudding :-). She is forever thinking of me as her little girl. My mom spoils me quite a bit whenever she comes visit. I get to buy whatever I want, too, lol….but instead of shopping at a toy store, I get to shop at the mall! 🙂
Wow, lucky you!! 😀
Beautiful little pies that look tasty! Lovely! I think I should give these a try!
You must! They’re so scrumptious! Let me know what you think, Victoria. And thanks for the kind comment. 🙂
Your mini apple pies look so pretty and delicious! I always love how you style your food, and this pie is no different. I can’t wait to give these mini pies a try =)
They are so yum, Andrea! My kids love the mini version, so they can just pick them up and eat without a fork, or bring to school for lunch. Let me know what you think if you do decide to make them. <3
I love mini versions of desserts! I feel less guilty about eating many of them =)
Plus they look cuter, hehe… 🙂
Your mini apple pies are so beautiful 🙂 must take note of this as we get closer to holiday season (we can’t stand mince pies in our house). Happy Fiesta Friday!!!
Thanks, Mandi! I think apple pies are better than mince pies myself :-). Give it a try and let me know what you think. You can also add a little bit of cream or half & half to the apple filling to bring out the buttery taste, although it would make it a little cloudy. Happy FF!
Apples, apples, apples – Love! Love! Love!
You and I both! I just love apples, especially when made into desserts! 🙂
Wow Angie, these little pies are simply a work of art! Love how you decorated them, so cute! Haha, I had to laugh a lot about your mum sprinkling chia seeds into your coffee! 😉 Even for me, chia seeds in drinks are kind of well, an acquired taste. But it’s always nice to have mum around and take care of you, isn’t it? No matter how old we are. hugs & have a nice weekend!!
Yeah, I know! My coffee isn’t a drink anymore now, it’s a pudding. Thanks, Mom! 🙂 Oh, well, what you gonna do? She’s mom, so she gets away with it. So glad you like the pies, Sylvia! Have a wonderful weekend, too. <3
Love the mini apple-pies Angie! While eating healthy is important, it is also important that once in a while we listen to our heart’s desires!
I agree with you, Su. And I know my Mom does, too. She’s actually very indulgent and let us get away with a lot. 🙂
You’re a better daughter than I am! And your mini apple pies are sweet little things of beauty.
Now I’m sure that’s not true, Lindy! My mom just loves to spoil me, so I’m just returning the favor, that’s all! 🙂
All such amazing recipes – I want one of those mini apple tarts right now though 😉
Where’s that teleporter? Why hasn’t someone invented it already? So I can beam you up a pie right now! 🙂
I love your mini apple pies, Angie! They look so delicious! And beautiful too 😀
Happy FF!
Thank you, Sarah! So, so glad you like the pies. Happy FF, dear! <3
Your picture are so beautiful, I am jealous of your skills. I am working on improving my photo-shoot session and keep you as an example! And my gosh thoses little pies looks delicious!
Lol, you’re too funny, Raphaelle! I don’t see any reason why you should be jealous. Your photos are gorgeous! How about we learn from each other? Is that a deal? 🙂
You’re much better than I am but let’s do so… Deal! 🙂
They look beautiful!
Thank you so much! So glad you stopped by! 🙂
Dear Angie, I have been sick for 1 month and now I’m here and I’m happy to read Fiesta Frday if I can still join the party ia I send you a recipe! I missed you so much! sorry for my english! hugs and kisses from italy!
Simi
Oh, no! So sorry to hear, Simi! But I’m glad to see you’re feeling better. And even happier to know that you’ll be joining the party once again. We have missed you, too! Very much! XOXO
thank you dear friend! I love you!
Simi
Everything you make is always so perfect, Angie! I continue to be amazed by you. 🙂
Aaw…you’re so sweet, Patty! You keep talking to me that way, I’m afraid it might get my head swollen. So scary! 🙂
Nah, I doubt it. That’s why you’re so wonderful!!
These little pies are too cute!
Thank you so much, Julie!
They look beautiful!!
Thank you so much!
Beautiful little pies!
Thanks, Julie! Old post I’m bringing over from TheNoviceGardener but hey, it’s a keeper ?
3-inch pies – I don’t think I have ever seem them that small. I just happen to have some leftover apple filling from last Fall that I need to use. I wonder if I can make them as pretty as yours 🙂
Oh I’m sure you can! This is an old post I brought over from TheNoviceGardener, but it’s a good one, trust me. I remember my kids just inhaled them! So busy these past weeks, Judi! Single mom right now coz husband is away on business trip plus son graduating, in laws visiting etc. ??
I saw my old comment and I’m glad you posted it again. I don’t have enough filling to make a “big pie” so this is perfect. Wow – are you ever busy – not easy when hubby is gone! You are “super mom” remember 🙂 🙂
Thanks, Judi! I try ??
Love the pies but I’m off to make coffee for my chia seeds! 😛 That’s reminded me I haven’t yet posted my chocolate berry chia pudding! I thought I was busy here as it’s half term but you sound even busier! Remember to take some time out for yourself! 🙂
Tell me about it! I still have to drive the kids to their activities before this day is over! I think I’ll go to bed at 9 tonite Laurena, which early for me. So tired and sleepy ??
I was thinking I should have an early night… but it’s already 2330h here! oops! Hope you manage to get your early night Angie 🙂
I love these! so cute and look delicious!
They’re good, Kristy! I swear! 😀
Loved learning about your super superfood Mom, Angie. Loving these mini pies… they are so adorable and photogenic too! Chia coffee…hmmm…need to contemplate that one!
More like chia pudding, Nancy ? I actually haven’t had any in a long time. But Mom is actually coming to visit tomorrow! So I need to psych myself up for more chia and probably lots of veggies, yuck! I’m just kidding!! I love veggies!! ?