Mini Apple Pies with Spanish Marcona Almonds

Spanish Marcona almonds

🥗Healthier: sliced almonds

💰Cheaper: regular almonds

Sliced almonds provide a similar texture and flavor at a lower cost.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil is a dairy-free alternative that adds a subtle flavor.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey offers natural sweetness with a different flavor profile.

vanilla extract

🥗Healthier: vanilla bean

💰Cheaper: vanilla essence

Vanilla bean enhances flavor naturally, while essence is more affordable.

Grab 1/2 cup of blanched Marcona almonds and place them in a clear plastic bag.

Using a pestle, pound down on the almonds to crumble them without causing a mess.

Keep the peel on 1 Granny Smith apple for better flavor, then cut to remove the core.

Chop the apple into small squares, about 1/2 inch x 1/2 inch, and add to a large bowl.

Squeeze in 1 tsp of fresh lemon juice into the apples.

Add 2 tablespoons of white sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon powder, 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour, and the crumbled almonds to the bowl.

Mix everything together until well combined.

Use a store-bought pre-made pie dough, which comes in a circular design.

Using a 3.5-inch diameter circle cutter, cut circles out of the dough to make about six individual pies.

Spray a six-count muffin tin with nonstick spray and mold each circular dough into each muffin hole.

Evenly divide the apple mixture into the six molded doughs.

Preheat the oven to 410°F (210°C) with the bake + broil option.

Place the muffin tin in the middle of the oven and bake for 16 to 18 minutes.

After baking, take the apple pies out of the oven and let them rest for a couple of minutes.

Once cool enough to handle, place a couple of pies on a plate for presentation and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens