These are wonderful miniature Danish Apple Pies that make a great alternative to Mince pies.
Method
Ingredients
350g plain flour
125g caster sugar
125g softened butter
1 egg yolk
2 eggs
5g salt
4 or 5 large Bramley apples
Place the butter, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl and mix either by hand or using the paddle attainment in a Kenwood or Kitchenaid.
Add the flour and the eggs and mix until all of the ingredients are bound together. Place the dough on a lightly floured surface and work into a ball shape. Wrap the dough in cling film and leave to rest in the fridge for an hour.
Grease your muffin/pie tine and roll out the dough into 12 stars and 12 circles. We use a 8cm pastry cutter.
Place the stars on a baking sheet and cook for 5 minutes at 180c.
Meanwhile place the circles into the 12 spaces in your tin and press down gently ensuring the pastry doesn't tear.
Fill them with the cooled apple puree and bake them without the stars for 8 to 10 minutes at 180c.
Once they come out of the oven leave them too cool in the tin for 5 minutes and during this time, carefully place the stars on top.
Then remove using a blunt knife and leave them on a rack to cool. Drizzle with icing sugar if you want.
Apple Filling
You will need around 4 large brambly apples, peeled and cored. The best way to cook them is in a pan with a little boiled water and no sugar. Keep the lid on and ensure there is enough steam to cook them.