Salted Caramel Apple Pies (Printer-Friendly)

Flaky mini pies with tart apples and luscious salted caramel, ideal for cozy autumn gatherings.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Filling

01 - 4 cups diced Granny Smith apples
02 - Juice of 1 lemon
03 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
04 - 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
07 - Pinch of salt
08 - 2 tablespoons cornstarch
09 - 2 tablespoons water
10 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Crust

11 - Pre-made pie crust, 1 sheet
12 - Flour for dusting
13 - Nonstick cooking spray

→ Topping

14 - Salted caramel sauce, for drizzling

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Generously spray a 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy removal of pies.
02 - In a large bowl, mix diced apples, lemon juice, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg (if using), and salt. Toss thoroughly and let rest for 10 minutes to draw out juices.
03 - In a small bowl, blend cornstarch with water until smooth. Stir slurry and vanilla extract into the apple mixture, ensuring even coating.
04 - On a lightly floured surface, roll out pie crust to approximately 1/8 inch thickness. Cut out twelve 4-inch diameter circles using a round cutter.
05 - Press each crust circle gently into the muffin tin cups, ensuring the crust lines bottom and sides to form shells.
06 - Spoon the apple filling into each crust shell until about three-quarters full to allow bubbling during baking.
07 - Generously drizzle salted caramel sauce atop each filled mini pie for flavor and visual appeal.
08 - Optionally, add lattice or top crusts with small vent slits to each pie for presentation.
09 - Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes until crusts are golden brown and filling is bubbling.
10 - Allow pies to cool in the tin for a few minutes before removing. Drizzle additional salted caramel over warm pies before serving.

# Additional Suggestions:

01 - Chilling the dough before baking is essential for a flaky crust. Watch baking time closely to avoid over or underbaking.
02 - Allow filling to rest after mixing to enhance flavor and thicken naturally.
03 - Use firmer apple varieties like Granny Smith for structure; sweeter apples can be substituted for milder tartness.