Festive Apple Pie Pops With Butter Crust

I have a lot of parties to go to in the upcoming months.  I usually bring boring old mac n’ cheese or cupcakes to most of these, but this year I decided to do something different.  I need a dish that travels well and has no temperature requirements, and I want to really “wow” people so I am making Apple Pie Pops.  Adorable, right? They are perfect for gifting and I’m pretty sure they are going to be a huge hit!  You know by now that I’m not one to advocate super intensive recipes (hello – I’m a mom!) and even though these are made *from scratch* they are so simple even the most unlikely bakers can whip them up!

Apple Pie Pops

Here is what you need:

• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 stick chilled Land O’ Lakes butter
• 4 tbsp cold water
• 3 apples
• brown sugar
• lime juice
• cinnamon
• bakeable cookie sticks

There are several different ways to make pie crust, but I love this all butter method from Land O’ Lakes.  I LOVE butter crusts – they are soft, flaky, and have a great texture that can stand up to what we are going to do.

To make the crust combine your flour, salt, and cubed butter in a large bowl.  *FYI – your butter and water need to be COLD.*  If you have a food processor use it, but I am going to be using a fork.  Mix it up, and cut the butter with your fork until it looks grainy.  This step is tedious, but your will end up with a really nice crust.  Now pour in your water one tbsp at a time an mix until just moist.  When that is done gather everything and roll it into a ball.  It will take a minute, but it will come together.  Roll it out flat and pop it in the fridge while you make your filling.

I have a more detailed pie filling recipe here, but basically you dice up a few apples and saute’ them with brown sugar, lime juice and cinnamon.  Once cooked, let them cool for a few minutes.

To build your pie pops use a round cookie cutter or the top of a glass to cut out 3ish inch circles.  If you want, you can cut out a second layer of crust into a cute shape and stick it on your circles like I did.  Position half of them on a baking mat and add a spoonful of filling on top, making sure to leave room around the edges.

Lay a cookie stick on each one and press lightly.

Now lay another circle on top.  This dough is fairly strong, so don’t be afraid of tearing it.  Press around each one firmly with your fingers and make sure there are no gaps for the filling to spill out.

If you are feeling creative you can also make mini handheld pies by making strips with a pastry cutter and doing a cute pattern on top.  Check out this adorableness!

Pop everything into the oven for 15-20 minutes.  Ta-da!  When they are done set them aside to cool.

And now comes the fun part: dressing them up!  Wrap each pop with a plastic gift bag and tie on a ribbon or gift tag.  You can give them to friends and family, set them up in jars on a buffet table for an adorable dessert offering or put them in stockings on Christmas eve.  They look really cute and who wouldn’t love a personal apple pie?!

I can’t wait to give these to all my friends!  If you want to see even more amazing recipes, check out the Land O’ Lakes Holiday Gift Giving Brochure here.  Happy baking!