Easy Apple Pie

9. Easy Apple Pie

   One of my favorite treats at McDonald’s is their little apple pie.  There is something so comforting about that flaky, golden crust wrapped around warm apples with a hint of cinnamon.

   This easy homemade version gives you that same cozy feeling without much work.  Using ready-made puff pastry makes the crust quick and effortless, while the homemade apple filling gives the pies a fresh, fragrant flavor that is hard to beat.  As the pies bake, the warm aroma of cinnamon and apples fills the kitchen and makes the whole house smell wonderful.

   You can certainly use store-bought apple pie filling to save time, but I prefer making the filling from fresh apples.  It takes only a few extra minutes and makes these little pies taste so much better.

   Ingredients:

   Apple Filling ingredients:

   • 3 cups peeled and finely diced apples (I like to use a combination of apples)
   • ¼ cup butter
   • ½ cup sugar (a combination of brown and white sugar)
   • 2 tbsp cinnamon and nutmeg, combined
   • 1 tsp vanilla extract
   • 1 tbsp lemon juice

   Ingredients for the Pastry:

   • 1 package puff pastry, thawed and brought to room temperature
   • 1 egg, beaten

   Ingredients for the Topping:

   • 2 tbsp brown sugar
   • 1 tbsp cinnamon

   Directions:

   1.  Preparing the oven:
   Preheat the oven to 400°F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

   2.  Making the apple filling:
   Peel and dice the apples into small pieces.  Place them in a saucepan over medium heat.  Add the butter, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice.  Cook for about 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are tender and the mixture is fragrant.  Remove from the heat and let the filling cool completely.

   3.  Preparing the cinnamon-sugar topping:
   In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together.  Set aside.  Unfold the puff pastry and cut it into 8 equal squares.  Place a spoonful of the cooled apple filling in the center of each square, leaving enough room around the edges to seal.

   4.  Sealing the pies:
   Brush the edges of each pastry square with beaten egg.  Fold the pastry over the filling to form a rectangle or triangle, depending on your preferred shape.  Press the edges together, then use a fork to crimp and seal them securely.

   5.  Adding the topping:
   Place the pies on the prepared baking sheet.  Brush the tops with the remaining egg wash, then sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture.

   6.  Baking:
   Bake for about 18–20 minutes, or until the pastry puffs and turns beautifully golden brown.

   7.  Cooling and enjoying:
   Let the pies cool for a few minutes before serving. The apple filling will be very hot straight from the oven.

   8.  A little homemade apple pie, a cup of coffee, and a quiet afternoon--sometimes that is all you need for a happy day.