Apple Archives - Family Dinners https://familydinners.com/ingredient/apple/ Delicious Dinners Families Love Tue, 13 Jun 2023 22:26:58 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://familydinners.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Apple Archives - Family Dinners https://familydinners.com/ingredient/apple/ 32 32 Granny Smith Apple Pie https://familydinners.com/granny-smith-apple-pie/ https://familydinners.com/granny-smith-apple-pie/#comments Thu, 05 Jan 2023 03:17:00 +0000 https://familydinners.com/?p=815 The perfect combination of tart and sweet granny smith apple pie recipe you can make with a store bought crust or make one yourself.

The post Granny Smith Apple Pie appeared first on Family Dinners.

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If you don’t have a favorite fall dessert or apple pie recipe you need one. This granny smith apple pie recipe is a keeper all year round. We’ll show you how to make apple pie. This a simple apple pie recipe that anyone can make. No taking hours to soak your apples. The apple pie filling turns out perfectly. The combination of sweet and tart and flakey goodness is perfection. Just look at it!

granny smith apple pie with a golden pie crust, one slice missing. Counter surrounding pie has 2 cut apples, some nutmegs and cinnamon sticks and a metal tool for shredding the nutmeg.

For this simple apple pie recipe you can make your own flaky crust (we love Stef’s pie crust recipe) or buy a double pie crust if you want. We love the homemade crust and it’s really quick to make!

The best apple pie recipe has a top crust. You can make them with fancy cutouts or just leave them plain. Isn’t that little apple pie cutout adorable? If you have more than one pie on the counter it’s an easy way to identify which one has the apple pie filling.

Why You’ll Love This

  • Notable: flaky homemade pie crust with succulent and delicious granny smith apple pie filling
  • Main Ingredients: apples, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, salt, butter, spices, pie crust
  • Cooking Method: oven baked
  • Cooking Time: 30 minutes prep time, 45 minutes cook time
  • Pairs well with: vanilla ice cream, whipped cream
  • Diets: vegetarian
  • Special Equipment Needed: pie pan, pastry blender, apple slicer
apple pie with a golden pie crust, slice missing
slice of apple pie with vanilla ice cream scoop

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this best apple pie recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this classic apple pie recipe you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Best Apple Pie Ingredients

  • 6 cups apple slices (Granny Smith or Pippin)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½ – ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • dash salt
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • 2 unbaked pie crusts

Variations and Substitutions

Apples: We love using granny smith apples, however, if you like using a different type of apple make sure to pick tart apples. Moreover, you can also use a combination of apples. You can find more detailed information on how to pick the best apples below.

Sugar: We use granulated sugar in this pie. If you prefer, you can use a combination of brown and white sugar.

Spices: Substitute homemade apple pie spice mix for cinnamon and nutmeg.

Lemon: You’ll need a little lemon juice to prevent the apples from turning brown. Fresh or bottled is fine.

Possible Variations:

  • Carmel Apple Pie: Drizzle a little caramel over the finished pie. Yum!
  • Cinnamon Roll Pie Crust: Mix 1 cup of granulated sugar with 2 tablespoons of ground cinnamon. Spread 1 tablespoon of softened butter onto your rectangular shaped rolled out pie crust then distribute half your cinnamon and sugar on top (you’ll do this for 2 pie crusts). Next, roll the dough into a log shape, Pinch the ends to seal it up then wrap in a plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour. Next, slice each log into ½”-thick rounds. Then flour the rolling surface and arrange the cinnamon roll rounds into a tight circle. Lightly flour and roll it out to a round pie crust. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
  • Cranberry Apple Pie: Omit come apple and add 2 cups of cranberries to your apple pie filling.
  • Cheddar Cheese Apple Pie: If you love cheese and apples try this cheddar crust with your apple pie filling.
granny smith apple pie ingredients on a cutting board

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you loved this perfect apple pie recipe with granny smith apples, try our Spiked Apple Cider. A warm, spiced spiked apple cider with hints of orange, cinnamon, anise, and cranberries spiked with the subtle sweetness of Tuaca.

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Pastry Blender — We love using this pastry blender to work butter into flour and sugar. Works quick and keeps the mess to a minimum.

Apple Slicer – We love this easy to use apple slicer, because it makes cutting up apples for fruit salad, apple pies or apple crisps so much quicker.

Pie Plate – This recipe requires a 9-inch pie plate. We love using this pie pan, because it comes with a lid for easy storage and transportation of pies. Moreover, it is also freezer safe, in case you are planning on freezing your pie.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook this easy apple pie recipe in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below.

PREPARE: Firstly, peel, remove cores, and slice the apples. Then squeeze lemon juice over the apples and toss to prevent browning. Afterwards preheat oven to 425°F and prepare one unbaked pie crust by rolling and fitting it into a 9″ pie dish.

how to make apple pie instruction images - apples sliced and mixed with sugar and cinnamon to make apple pie filling

MAKE APPLE PIE FILLING: In a large bowl, add sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt to the apples and toss to combine well.

how to make apple pie instruction images - apple slices mixed with seasonings in a clear glass bowl poured into prepared pie crust

ASSEMBLE PIE: Afterward pour apple mixture into the prepared pie pan lined with the unbaked bottom crust. Then cut butter into small pieces and place over the top of the apple mixture.

how to make apple pie instruction images - apple pie slices in pie crust, next image of pie crust and rolling pin rolling out top pie crust

COVER PIE: With a rolling pin, roll out second piece of pie dough on a lightly floured surface. Then center it over the top of the pie. Seal top and bottom crusts together around the edges. Then sprinkle the top crust with additional sugar, if desired. Cut slits with a sharp knife (or a cute shape) into the top of the pie to allow the steam to escape while cooking.

how to make apple pie instruction images - Little red apple cookie cutter on top of rolled out pie crust. Then pie crust on top of pie uncooked.

BAKE: Then bake the double-crust pie for 40-50 minutes on the middle oven rack, until the apple filling is bubbling and the crust is golden brown. Protect the crusts of the pie with strips of aluminum foil to prevent them from over-browning.

how to make apple pie instruction images - uncooked apple pie on counter near ingredients (cinnamon sticks, nugmeg, apple) displayed on counter as decoration.

SERVE: Allow pie to cool completely before slicing. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. We love Andrea’s no-churn vanilla bean ice cream.

apple pie with a golden pie crust
slice of apple pie with vanilla ice cream scoop

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love homemade apple pie with ice cream then you’ll love Andrea’s Apple Pie Ice Cream. This rich and creamy apple pie ice cream recipe can be made with an ice cream maker or without as a no-churn ice cream.

How To Choose Apple For A Simple Apple Pie Recipe

Baking apples are often different than the apples you’d choose to eat. We love the Granny Smith apple pie because of the apple’s tartness. They hold up well after baking, which is important. We love the Pippin apple for the same reason. It’s firmness makes it perfect for baking. It’s highly aromatic, rich flavor is just what you want in a pie.

If you want something a little sweeter, try the Honeycrisp apple. It is extra crisp and holds up well after baking, too. I also love baking with the Golden Delicious apple. It’s sweet and bakes well but will become a little softer than some other varieties when baked.

Stef says….

Another one of my favorite apple desserts is Apple Bread Pudding. Each bite is warm, chewy, and melt in your mouth delicious.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best apple pie recipe.

  • Tip: Use slightly sweet and tart apples such as granny smith or pippin.
  • Tip: Make your own apple pie crust. It doesn’t take long to make a quick pie crust recipe, but it makes all the difference when it comes to flakiness and flavor.
  • Tip: Don’t let the top of your pie brown too fast. Cover the top edge with aluminum foil, to keep the crust from catching.

More Apple Recipes

When apple season rolls around and farmers markets are bursting with juicy apples we love turning them into perfect autumn desserts. Here are some of our best apple recipes:

More Fruit Pie Recipes

Another one of our dessert favorites during the summer months are fruity hand pies. These classic American treats combine a sweet and flaky crust with a flavorful and juicy fruit filling. 

How To Store

Refrigerate: Store apple pie leftovers tightly wrapped with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The FDA will tell you that it will last 3-4 days but for the best taste you’ll want to eat it within 2 days.

Freeze: Once your pie is completely cool, double wrap in aluminum foil or store in a freezer safe container or freezer bag. Label then freeze for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: The best way to thaw apple pie is in the fridge overnight. Alternatively, you can keep it on the counter for a couple of hours.

How To Reheat

In case you prefer eating homemade apple pie warm, pop it in the microwave for a couple of seconds.

apple pie with a golden pie crust

Common Questions

How do you make apple pie healthier?

We’re firm believers in just eating smaller portions rather than sacrificing taste. But if you must, use less sugar or a sugar substitute and omit the butter.

How to make apple pie gluten free?

I love a good gluten free flour mix as a substitute for all purpose flour. I usually Use Cup 4 Cup or King Arthur’s brands of gluten free flour mix. Sometimes a dessert needs more than that to make the gluten free version work well. Try this gluten free pie crust recipe (or buy a gluten free crust) and substitute your gluten free flour for the flour in this recipe.

How to make apple pie vegan/dairy free?

Use Stef’s oil pie crust recipe. Then substitute your favorite butter alternative for the 2 tablespoons required in the apple pie filling recipe.

granny smith apple pie with one slice missing
Print

Granny Smith Apple Pie Recipe

Classic apple pie recipe with the perfect balance of tart apples and a sweet filling in a sugar-sprinkled crust. Make this delicious apple pie dessert to accompany any meal.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword apple pie recipe, granny smith apple pie, homemade apple pie recipe, perfect apple pie
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 309kcal
Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

  • pie plate
  • apple slicer
  • mixing bowl
  • knife and cutting board
  • Rolling Pin

Ingredients

  • 6 cups sliced apples Granny Smith or Pippin
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ½-¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • dash salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 2 unbaked pie crusts

Instructions

  • Peel, remove cores, and slice the apples.
  • Preheat oven to 425°F. Prepare one unbaked pie crust by rolling and fitting it into a 9" pie plate.
  • Squeeze lemon juice over the apples and toss to prevent browning.
  • Add sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt to the apples and toss to combine well.
  • Pour apple mixture into a prepared, unbaked pie crust.
  • Cut butter into small pieces and place over the top of the apple mixture.
  • Roll out second unbaked pie crust and center over the top of the pie. Seal top and bottom crusts together around the edges.
  • Sprinkle the top of the pie with additional sugar, if desired. Cut slits (or a cute shape) into the top of the pie to allow the steam to escape while cooking.
  • Bake for 40-50 minutes, until the pie is bubbling and the crust is golden brown. Protect the crusts of the pie with strips of aluminum foil to prevent them from over-browning.
  • Allow pie to cool completely before slicing. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Notes

Follow these tips to make the best apple pie recipe:
  • Use slightly sweet and tart apples such as granny smith or pippin.
  • Make your own apple pie crust. It doesn’t take long to make a quick pie crust recipe, but it makes all the difference when it comes to flakiness and flavor.
  • Don’t let the top of your pie brown too fast. Cover the top edge with aluminum foil, to keep the crust from catching.

Nutrition

Calories: 309kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 179mg | Potassium: 154mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 58IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg

The post Granny Smith Apple Pie appeared first on Family Dinners.

]]> https://familydinners.com/granny-smith-apple-pie/feed/ 4 Apple and Blackberry Crumble https://familydinners.com/blackberry-and-apple-crumble/ https://familydinners.com/blackberry-and-apple-crumble/#respond Sat, 12 Nov 2022 11:28:00 +0000 https://familydinners.com/?p=3242 This sweet and tart dessert can be whipped up quickly for any dessert occasion.

The post Apple and Blackberry Crumble appeared first on Family Dinners.

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Close up of blackberry and apple crumble with scoops of vanilla ice cream.

Nobody can resist this oven baked apple and blackberry dessert. It’s bursting with sweet, tart flavor and topped with a buttery crumble (crisp) topping. It’s the perfect dessert for summer or fall, and a lighter alternative to cake. This recipe uses apples and blackberries, but you can use any fresh or frozen fruits you like. Serve it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and you’ve got a divine dessert.

Plate of apple and blackberry crumble with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Why You’ll Love This

  • Notable: sweet, juicy and tender apples and blackberries with a crisp crumble topping
  • Main Ingredients: apples, blackberries, lemon juice, unsalted butter, all-purpose flour, vanilla extract, sugar, cinnamon, oats, brown sugar and baking powder
  • Cooking Method: oven baked
  • Cooking Time: 20 minutes prep time, 45 minutes baking time
  • Pairs well with: vanilla ice cream, whipped cream
  • Diets: vegetarian
  • Special Equipment Needed: 9×13-inch baking dish, pastry blender, apple slicer, mixing bowls, measuring cups and spoons, knife and cutting board
apple blackberry crumble with ice cream on top.
apple blackberry crumble.

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this apple blackberry crumble in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this simple apple and blackberry crisp with oats recipe you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Apple and Blackberry Filling Ingredients

  • 4 cups fresh apples (peeled, cored and sliced)
  • 2 cups fresh blackberries
  • 2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoon unsalted butter (melted)
  • 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ cup sugar
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Crumble Topping Ingredients

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup oats
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter (cut into small chunks)

Variations and Substitutions

Apples: You can use gala apples, fuji apples, pink lady apples, granny smith apples, or bramley apples for this fruit crisp recipe. The thinner you slice your apples, the softer they’ll be when cooked. If you like your apples a little harder in your crumbles, slice your apples thicker.

Blackberries: You can use fresh or frozen frozen blackberries. You can also substitute or add in raspberries. If using frozen blackberries, defrost and drain before using. Pat dry with a paper towel.

Oats: We prefer the extra chew and texture of old-fashioned rolled oats but instant oats will do just fine.

TRY OTHER FRUITS: There are a million different fruits you could use for this crumble. Don’t be afraid to get creative. Strawberry, rhubarb, cherries, pears, mangoes, pineapple and more. There is no wrong fruit. Go ahead and create your personalized crumble with your favorite fruits.

ADD HERBS: For a more complex flavor, consider combinations like strawberries with thyme, rosemary or basil; pineapple and basil; apples and pears with rosemary.

Table containing each of the ingredients required to make blackberry and apple crumble.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love juicy blackberries, try our Blackberry Dump Cake. This scrumptious dessert combines summer blackberries with a cake and oat cobbler-like topping that is just to die for.

Links to our favorite tools are affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link we may get a tiny portion of the sale.

Baking dish — We love using this glass baking dish for this delicious dessert as it cooks food evenly, you can easily see the food while it cooks and it also looks good as a serving dish.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook apple and blackberry crumble in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below.

PREPARE: Firstly, preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13 baking dish.

apples and blackberries in baking dish with sugar and cinnamon
mixed up apples and blackberries in baking dish

MAKE FRUIT FILLING: In a large bowl, toss apple slices with lemon juice. Then add filling ingredients to the baking dish and lightly toss together to combine.

butter added to topping ingredients
pastry knife cutting up butter in bowl

MAKE TOPPING: Afterwards, mix the dry ingredients for the topping together, in a medium bowl. Using a pastry blender or two forks, combine ingredients until the butter is in small crumbles. Then sprinkle topping on top of the berry and apple mixture.

uncooked blackberry and apple crumble
cooked blackberry and apple crumble

BAKE: Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the topping is a light golden brown and the filling is bubbling throughout.

COOL: Finally, remove from the oven and let cool 15 minutes before serving. Then serve with vanilla ice cream and whipped cream.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: Apples and blackberries not only taste wonderful in easy dessert recipes, but they also make for delicious drinks. Have you tried our Spiked Apple Cider or Blackberry Cocktail?

Make Ahead

In fact, you can do most of the prep work for this scrumptious sweet crumble ahead of time. Simple prepare the fresh fruit filling in the baking dish. Then wrap tightly with plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator. Afterwards, prepare the crumble topping in a separate bowl. Then transfer to an airtight container or ziploc bag and store separately in the fridge as well. Apple and blackberry crumble components can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 12 hours before baking. When you are ready to bake, simple add the crisp topping on top of the chopped apples and blackberries and bake.

Stef says….

I just love blackberries! Especially when they are baked into my favorite homemade blackberry muffins. They are moist and fluffy, with a crisp top of cinnamon and sugar. Delicious!

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best apple and blackberry crumble recipe.

  • Tip: For best flavor use fresh, ripe and in season fruits and berries.
  • Tip: Do not add extra butter to the topping. Even though butter is the key ingredient in the topping, too much of it can make your fruit crisp topping soggy and greasy.
  • Tip: In case you are using frozen fruit, make sure to drain any excess liquid and dry the fruit with a paper towel.

More Apple Recipes

When apple season rolls around and farmers markets are bursting with juicy apples we love turning them into perfect autumn desserts. Here are some of our best apple recipes:

More Fruit Pie Recipes

Another one of our dessert favorites during the summer months are fruity hand pies. These classic American treats combine a sweet and flaky crust with a flavorful and juicy fruit filling. 

How To Store

Refrigerate: After the blackberry and apple crumble has been baked and cooled, fruit crumble leftovers can be covered in plastic wrap or stored in an airtight container or ziploc bag and refrigerated for about 5 days.

Freeze: After it’s baked and cooled, wrap well in cling wrap and foil to prevent freezer-burn. Additionally you can transfer leftover apple blackberry crisp to a freezer safe container or freezer bag. Freeze the crumble for up to three months.

Defrosting: Defrost your crumble overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a couple of hours. This works whether the apple crumble is baked or unbaked.

Andrea says….

I’ve been making this for years! It’s always a family favorite. Serve it with my no-churn vanilla bean ice cream.

How To Reheat

Pop easy apple crisp leftovers in the microwave for about 1 minute, in case you prefer it warm.

plate with apple and blackberry crumble topped with ice cream

Common Questions

What is crumble mix made of?

Crumble topping is a simple combination of butter, flour and sugar that gives a crunchy sweetness to any dessert.

What’s the difference between a crisp and a crumble?

Like a crumble, a crisp is a baked fresh fruit dessert, but the topping is made with oats, which crisp during the baking process. Crumble toppings are more dense and cakey.

What kind of fruit is in a crumble?

Just about any seasonal summertime fruits will work in a fruit crumble. Popular choices are blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, apples, peaches, apricots, plums and rhubarb.

Can I use self-raising flour instead of plain flour for crumble?

You can use white or wholewheat flour for a crumble topping, but if all you’ve got is self-raising it doesn’t really make a difference.

How do you make a crumble crumbly?

Butter is the key to getting a crumble topping just right, but the trick is using the right amount. Not enough butter and your topping will be too dry. Too much butter and your topping will be soggy or greasy. One other trick is to add a light dusting of Demerara sugar.

blackberry and apple crumble recipes
Print

Apple and Blackberry Crumble Recipe

Delicious mixture of sweet and tart dessert with a crumble topping. Nobody can resist an apple blackberry (crisp) dessert.
Course breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian
Keyword apple and blackberry crumble, apple blackberrie pie, apple blackberry crisp, apple blackberry crisp with oats, fruit crumble
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Cooling Time 15 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 288kcal
Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

  • 9x13in baking dish
  • pastry blender
  • mixing bowls

Ingredients

Fruit Filling:

  • 4 cups apples peeled, cored and sliced thin
  • 2 cups blackberries
  • 2 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoon unsalted butter melted
  • 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Crumble Topping:

  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • ½ cup oats
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter cold and cut into chunks

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375° F.
  • Grease a 9×13 baking dish or equivalent sized baking dish.
    blackberries and sliced apples arranged in a rectangular glass baking dish,
  • Toss apple slices with the lemon juice as soon as you cut them.
    blackberries and sliced apples covered with filled ingredients.
  • Add all filling ingredients to the baking dish. Gently mix together.
    filling ingredients, sliced apples and blackberries all mixed together in a glass rectangular baking dish.
  • Add topping ingredients to a medium sized bowl.
    topping ingredients added to a clear bowl
  • Use a pastry blender or two forks to combine ingredients. Butter should be in small crumbles when mixed.
    A pastry blender is being used to combine topping ingredients until the butter is in small crumbles.
  • Add topping to the baking dish.
    dry crumble mixture covering the fruit mixture
  • Bake for 40-45 minutes. It is ready to remove from the oven when all the filling is bubbling and the topping is golden brown.
  • Allow to cool for 15 minutes before serving.

Notes

  • We used a combination of sweet (Gala) and tart (Granny Smith) apples. 
  • The thinner you slice your apples, the softer they’ll be when cooked. If you like your apples a little harder in your crumbles, slice your apples thicker.
  • If using frozen blackberries, defrost and drain before using.

Nutrition

Calories: 288kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 35mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 28g | Vitamin A: 479IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg

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]]> https://familydinners.com/blackberry-and-apple-crumble/feed/ 0 Fall Fruit Salad For Thanksgiving And Christmas https://familydinners.com/fall-fruit-salad-for-thanksgiving-christmas/ https://familydinners.com/fall-fruit-salad-for-thanksgiving-christmas/#comments Mon, 12 Sep 2022 17:23:25 +0000 https://familydinners.com/?p=17038 This colorful thanksgiving fruit salad is full of apples and citrus flavors. A homemade dressing adds sweetness and warm fall spices.

The post Fall Fruit Salad For Thanksgiving And Christmas appeared first on Family Dinners.

]]> If you have been looking for a lighter and healthier holiday side dish, then this Thanksgiving fruit salad is the perfect recipe for you. It combines crunchy apples, sweet grapes, tangy oranges, dried cranberries and toasted nuts for the most delicious fruit medley. A sweet and citrusy dressing with just the right hint of warming spices makes this fruit salad out of this world good. Ready in only 10 minutes, spiced apple fruit salad can be served as a side at any holiday dinner. You can even turn it into a mouthwatering dessert by topping it with a scoop of ice cream and a dollop of whipped cream. This is the best fruit salad you will ever make and your family will sure love it.

bowl of thanksgiving fruit salad with a wooden spoon

What is Thanksgiving Fruit Salad?

This fall fruit salad only uses fruit that is in season, like apples, grapes, oranges or pears for example. The fruit is combined with nuts and dried cranberries before being tossed with a sweet and spiced dressing. The dressing is made from orange juice, orange and lemon zest, apple pie spice and some sugar for sweetness. This red and green apple fruit salad goes particularly well with holiday dinners, breakfasts and brunches.

Apple fruit salad in a bowl.

Why You’ll Love This

  • Notable: crunchy fresh fruit mixed with sweet dried cranberries and a delicious spiced dressing
  • Main Ingredients: green apples, red apples, dried cranberries, pecans, grapes, navel orange, lemon, orange juice, sugar, apple pie spice
  • Nutrients: excellent source of fiber and vitamins
  • Cooking Time: 10 minutes
  • Pairs well with: holiday dinners, holiday breakfast and brunch, roast turkey and chicken
  • Diets: dairy free, vegetarian, vegan
  • Special Equipment Needed: sheet pan, apple slicer (optional), small saucepan, fine mesh strainer
cut up fruit on a wooden board
dressing being poured over fruit salad

Ingredients

You may have all of these spiced Thanksgiving or Christmas fruit salad ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts and print the recipe.

  • Pantry Ingredients: sugar, orange juice, pecans, dried cranberries
  • Produce Ingredients: green apples, red apples, navel orange, grapes, lemon
  • Spices: apple pie spice

Stef says….

Crunchy and colorful salads are a great way to lighten up the Thanksgiving menu. If you are looking for a more savory salad option, then you have to try my Broccoli Grape Salad. Fresh broccoli florets are combined with sweet grapes, toasty almonds, crunchy celery, flavor-punching bacon and a creamy mayonnaise based dressing.

ingredients for thanksgiving fruit salad

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you are looking to include more fall fruit into your Thanksgiving menu, then you have to try our flavorful Thanksgiving Sangria. It is a bold blend of red wine, sparkling cider, rum and cranberries with a hint of spice! It’s the best cranberry sangria recipe!

Fine-mesh strainer – This helps remove any small spice particles that you don’t want in your finished fruit salad.

Apple Slicer – We love this easy to use apple slicer, because it makes cutting up apples for fruit salad, apple pies or apple crisps so much quicker.

Instructions

This section shows how to make holiday fruit salad with dried cranberries, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below. You can print the recipe with or without photos.

TOAST THE PECANS: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place pecans on a lined baking sheet and place in the oven while it’s heating up. Remove pecans from the oven when you can smell their aroma. This should be about the same time as when the oven is fully heated. Remove from the oven and cool.

toasted pecans in a bowl
mixing dressing ingredients in a small saucepan

MAKE THE DRESSING: In a small saucepan, mix orange juice, sugar, apple pie spice, zest of 1 lemon and zest of 1 orange. Place over medium heat. Whisk to combine. Bring to a low boil and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Strain in a fine mesh strainer and cool completely.

strained thanksgiving fruit salad dressing in a glass
cut up fruit on a wooden board

COMBINE AND SERVE: Core and slice apples to bite sized pieces. Toss apples with juice from half a lemon to prevent browning. Cut the peel off the orange and cut into bite sized pieces. In a large bowl, mix apples, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, grapes and oranges. Drizzle dressing over the fruit and toss to combine. Serve.

all spiced fruit salad ingredients in a bowl
pouring dressing over the fruit salad

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love fruity thanksgiving side dishes then you’ll love Stef’s amazing Cranberry Jello Salad. Not only do the bright and zesty flavors of raspberry, cranberry, and orange taste delicious, but this dish also looks stunning and is a real holiday showstopper.

Make Ahead

We do not recommend assembling this apple fruit salad too far ahead of time. Even though tossing the apples in lemon juice will prevent them from browning too quickly, they will turn slightly brown eventually. However, you can prepare certain components of this fruit side dish in advance.

NUTS: You can toast the pecans up to week ahead of time. Make sure they are completely cold before transfering them into a dry airtight container.

DRESSING: The dressing can also be made up to 3 days ahead of time. Cool it completely, transfer to an airtight container or jam jar and store in the fridge until ready to use.

Autumn Fruit Salad Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best spiced apple fruit salad.

  • Tip: Use fresh, firm apples. Crunchy apples have the best texture for this fruit salad. If they are blemished or mealy they are not enjoyable to eat.
  • Tip: Toss apples in lemon juice. This prevents the apples from browning too quickly.
  • Tip: Use organic oranges for zest. To avoid ingesting harmful pesticides or additives try to use organic citrus fruits for zesting.
  • Tip: Assemble right before serving. This ensures most freshness and makes the fruit salad look irresistible.

How To Store

Refrigerate: We recommend making this spiced fruit salad fresh and serve it immediately. This way all the fruit will look fresh and most appetizing. Leftover fruit salad can be stored in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the fridge for 1-2 days. Even though the overall appearance might not be as fresh anymore after 1 or 2 days of storage, the holiday fruit salad will still taste great.

glass bowl full of thanksgiving fruit salad

Common Questions

How do I zest a lemon without a lemon zester?

It’s not a problem if you don’t own a lemon zester. You can also use the fine side of a box grater to rub off the lemon zest. Another way to zest a lemon is using a vegetable peeler. First, peel off very thin slices of lemon peel (avoid the white part) and then chop the lemon peel finely on a cutting board with a knife.

How long ahead of time can I make this salad?

Although we recommend making the salad fresh right before serving, it can be stored in the fridge for 1-2 days. Alternatively, you can toast the pecans and prepare the dressing a couple of days ahead of time, and therefore speed up assembly when ready to serve.

What apple brands are best for Thanksgiving fruit salad?

For the red apples we recommend using Fuji apples, Honeycrisp apples, Jazz apples, Gala apples or even Red Delicious apples. For the green apples we chose Granny Smith apples.

Can I add any other ingredients to this fruit salad?

Of course! You can add some diced pear, pomegranate seeds, slices of mandarin oranges, kiwi or walnuts to this fall fruit salad.

Apple fruit salad in a bowl.
Print

Thanksgiving Fruit Salad

This colorful thanksgiving fruit salad is full of apples and citrus flavors. A homemade dressing adds sweetness and warm fall spices.
Course Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine American, vegan, vegetarian
Diet Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Low Salt, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword apple fruit salad, spiced fruit salad, thanksgiving fruit salad recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings 8 servings
Calories 223kcal
Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

  • baking sheet
  • small saucepan
  • whisk
  • fine-mesh strainer
  • apple slicer and knife
  • large bowl

Ingredients

Fruit Salad Ingredients:

  • 2 medium green apples
  • 2 medium red apples
  • ¾ cup dried cranberries
  • 1 cup pecans
  • 1 cup grapes
  • 3 medium navel oranges
  • 1 medium lemon juiced

Dressing Ingredients:

  • ½ cup orange juice
  • ¼ cup white sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon apple pie spice
  • zest of 1 lemon
  • zest of 1 orange

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Place pecans on a baking sheet and place in the oven while it’s heating up. Remove pecans from the oven when you can smell them, about the same time the oven is fully heated. Remove from the oven and cool.
    toasted pecans in a bowl
  • In a small saucepan, mix orange juice, sugar, apple pie spice, zest of 1 lemon and zest of 1 orange.
    zesting lemon into the saucepan with the dressing ingredients
  • Place over medium heat. Whisk to combine. Bring to a low boil and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
    whisking fruit salad dressing in a saucepan
  • Strain in a fine mesh strainer and cool completely.
    straining fruit salad dressing through a fine mesh strainer
  • Core and slice apples to bite sized pieces. Toss apples with juice from half a lemon to prevent browning.
    cut up fruit on a wooden board
  • Cut the peel off the orange and cut into bite sized pieces.
  • In a large bowl, mix apples, dried cranberries, toasted pecans, grapes and oranges.
    all spiced fruit salad ingredients in a bowl
  • Drizzle dressing over the fruit and toss to combine. Serve.
    dressing being poured over fruit salad

Notes

  • Serve immediately or refrigerate until you serve.
  • Refrigerate the fruit salad for 1-2 days.
Additions or substitutions:
  • Add diced pear instead of the green apples.
  • Add pomegranate seeds.


Nutrition

Calories: 223kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 279mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 198IU | Vitamin C: 40mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg

The post Fall Fruit Salad For Thanksgiving And Christmas appeared first on Family Dinners.

]]> https://familydinners.com/fall-fruit-salad-for-thanksgiving-christmas/feed/ 9 Handmade Apple Turnover Recipe https://familydinners.com/handmade-apple-turnover-recipe/ https://familydinners.com/handmade-apple-turnover-recipe/#comments Wed, 07 Sep 2022 04:21:00 +0000 https://familydinners.com/?p=15164 This crispy and flaky handmade apple turnover recipe is amazingly delicious and makes the perfect handheld summer and fall dessert.

The post Handmade Apple Turnover Recipe appeared first on Family Dinners.

]]> Flaky layers of crisp puff pastry and a mouthwatering, homemade apple pie filling make this handmade apple turnover recipe an absolute summer and fall favorite. Not only are these delicious mini apple pies quick and easy to make, but they also make a an amazing dessert for dinners, parties, picnics or potlucks.

You can serve these oven baked apple hand pies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or other ice cream of your choice to make them an extra special treat. So if you are looking for an easy puff pastry recipe that uses real apples, then this is the recipe for you.

pile of apple turnovers on a tray with cinnamon sticks and fresh apple halves

You can serve these oven baked apple hand pies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or other ice cream of your choice to make them an extra special treat. So if you are looking for an easy puff pastry recipe that uses real apples, then this is the recipe for you.

What Are Handmade Apple Turnovers?

An apple turnover is made from pastry dough, mostly puff pastry (homemade or store bought), rough puff pastry or pie crust, and filled with homemade apple pie filling. Baked golden brown in the oven, they are crispy and flaky on the outside with a delicious, juicy filling in the middle. They are the perfect hand held summer and fall dessert.

stacked apple hand pies cut in half

Why You’ll Love This

  • Main Ingredients: puff pastry, brown sugar, fresh apples, cinnamon
  • Cooking Method: oven baked
  • Cooking Time: 15 minutes prep time, 20 minutes cooking time
  • Special Equipment Needed: sheet pan, parchment paper, pastry brush
apple turnovers on a serving platter
stacked apple hand pies cut in half

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this Apple Turnover recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making these homemade turnovers, read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Apple Turnover Ingredients

  • Puff pastry
  • unsalted butter
  • Granny Smith apples
  • brown sugar
  • cornstarch
  • cinnamon
  • Salt
  • Egg and Water to make an egg wash
  • Powdered sugar
  • Heavy cream

Variations

OTHER FRUITY FILLINGS –You can fill puff pastry with pretty much any fruit/pie filling you prefer. We also love raspberry, peach, blueberry or cherry turnovers, for example. In case you are short on time use ready made store bought pie filling.

CHEESECAKE COMBINATION – Another insanely delicious filling for hand pies is cheesecake. You can combine your cheesecake filling with a fruit filling or even peanut butter and chocolate. We love caramel apple cheesecake, cherry cheesecake or chocolate peanut butter cheesecake hand pies.

ingredients for easy apple puff pastry

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love the blend of apple and cinnamon flavor then you’ll love our Spiked Apple Cider.

Instructions

This section shows how to cook apple puff pastry in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below. You can print the recipe with or without photos.

PREP: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

cut up apples with sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon and salt in a bowl
cooked apples in a saucepan

MAKE APPLE FILLING: Begin by peeling, coring and cutting apples into pieces about ⅓” wide by 1-2” long. Then toss in brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt. Afterwards, melt butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add apples to the saucepan, stir frequently and cook for about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat when the sauce begins to thicken. Set aside until ready to use.

brushing egg wash on the edges of the puff pastry squares
sealing handmade apple turnovers with a fork

ASSEMBLE TURNOVERS: Firstly, cut puff pastry into 4 equal squares. Divide the apple mixture evenly among the dough squares, putting it in the center of each puff pastry piece. Brush the edges of the pastry with the egg wash. Fold the pastry over and line up the edges. Gently seal the seams with a fork.

tops of apple turnovers are brushed with egg wash
baked apple puff pastries on a baking sheet

BAKE: Transfer the turnovers to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and brush them with egg wash on all sides. Cook for 18-20 minutes or until the puff pastry has puffed up and is a golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack.

glaze being brushed onto handmade apple turnovers
stacked handmade apple turnovers

GLAZE AND SERVE: Whisk together the heavy cream and powdered sugar. Then glaze the cooled apple puff pastries. Allow to dry and serve.

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love mini apple pies then you’ll love our Granny Smith Apple Pie.

Pastry Brush – A pastry brush is perfect for brushing glaze on pastry.

Make Ahead

We do not recommend making apple turnovers ahead of time as they are best eaten within a couple of hours of coming out of the oven. You can, however, prepare the apple pie filling up to 3 days ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use.

Tips For The Best Mini Apple Pies

Follow these tips to make the best handmade apple turnover recipe.

  • Cut your apples to equal sizes. We recommend making them about ⅓” to ½” thick. Afterwards, sprinkle them with lemon juice to prevent them from browning.
  • Use parchment paper on your baking sheet to prevent your turnovers from sticking.
  • Don’t overfill your turnovers, otherwise the filling will ooze out the sides. Additionally, make sure you wipe away any excess pie filling from your baking sheet before baking so it doesn’t burn.
  • Rotate your baking sheet halfway through cooking if your oven doesn’t cook evenly to make sure all the puff pastry fully puffs up and cooks.
  • Allow your turnovers to cool before brushing with glaze.

HOW TO STORE

Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container or ziploc bag and refrigerate or store on the counter for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Store in an airtight, freezer safe, container. If you’re storing in a zip top plastic bag, try to get as much air out as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: A great way to defrost is in the refrigerator overnight.

Reheating: Use the microwave, air fryer, or toaster oven to reheat leftovers.

hands holding handmade apple turnover halves

MORE PUFF PASTRY RECIPES

Store bought puff pastry is very convenient as you can store it in the freezer for quite a while and it defrosts quickly. Additionally you can use it for either sweet or savory treats. We especially love turning puff pastry into mini chocolate puff pastries, Blueberry Puff Pastry or easy vegetarian pasties, for example.

MORE APPLE RECIPES

Sweet and succulent apple desserts with just the right hint of cinnamon are true favorites with our families. For that reason, we love making Apple Crisp without Oats, Apple Pie Bars, Blackberry and Apple Crumble, Caramel Apple Cheesecake Hand Pies, and Apple Pie Ice Cream over and over again.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For perfect results every time, here are answers to the most common questions about cooking this handmade apple turnover recipe.

How do I stop the filling from leaking out of my hand pies?

It is particularly important not to overfill your hand pies and to make sure the edges of the pastry stay clean. Brush the edges with water or egg wash, press together with a fork or your fingers, then crimp the edges. This should prevent juices from running out.

Is there a difference between a turnover and a hand pie?

Generally, the only real differences are in the shape (had pies are usually round) and in the dough that is used. Turnovers are often made with puff pastry, but can also be made with a pie crust as well.

Is it possible to use other fillings for turnovers?

Yes, of course! Not only can you use whatever fruit pie filling you prefer, but also homemade and store bought pie fillings work equally well with this recipe. We especially recommend trying raspberry, cherry, blueberry or peach pie fillings, for example.

stacked apple hand pies cut in half
Print

Handmade Apple Turnover Recipe

These mini apple pies are crispy and flaky with a succulent homemade apple filling spiced with a hint of cinnamon.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American, vegetarian
Keyword apple hand pie, apple puff pastry recipe, easy puff pastry recipe, handmade apple turnover recipe, mini apple pie, sweet puff pastry recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 597kcal
Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

  • knife and cutting board or apple slicer
  • saucepan
  • fork
  • pastry brush
  • sheet pan

Ingredients

  • 1 sheet of puff pastry defrosted
  • 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
  • 3 Granny Smith apples
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon water

Glaze Ingredients:

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup heavy cream (you can substitute 3 tablespoons of water)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • Peel, core and cut apples into pieces about ⅓” wide by 1-2” long. Toss in brown sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, and salt.
    peeled and cut apples tossed with spices
  • In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
    melted butter in a saucepan
  • Add apples to saucepan. Stir frequently. Cook for about 5 minutes when the sauce begins to thicken. Remove from heat.
    cooked apples in a saucepan
  • Open puff pastry. Cut down the center both ways to make 4 equal squares.
    puff pastry squares on parchment paper
  • Divide the apple filling into 4 parts and place the apples in the center of the puff pastry pieces.
    apple filling on puff pastry squares
  • Whisk together the egg and water to make an egg wash. Brush edges of the pastry with the egg wash. This will help seal the edges together.
    brushing egg wash on the edges of the puff pastry squares
  • Fold the pastry over to line up the edges. Be careful to keep the apple filling inside and away from the edges. Gently smash 3 open edges with a fork to seal.
    sealing handmade apple turnovers with a fork
  • Transfer the turnovers to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Brush the tops and sides with the egg wash.
    tops of apple turnovers are brushed with egg wash
  • Cook for 18-20 minutes or until the puff pastry has puffed up and is a golden brown. Transfer to a cooling rack.
    baked apple puff pastries on a baking sheet
  • Whisk together the heavy cream and powdered sugar.
    whisking together glaze ingredients
  • When turnovers are cool, top with glaze. Allow to harden.
    glaze being brushed onto handmade apple turnovers
  • Serve.
    cut open apple hand pie

Nutrition

Serving: 1pie | Calories: 597kcal | Carbohydrates: 76g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Trans Fat: 0.04g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 251mg | Potassium: 234mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 385IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 47mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Handmade Apple Turnover Recipe appeared first on Family Dinners.

]]> https://familydinners.com/handmade-apple-turnover-recipe/feed/ 5 Apple Pie Bars https://familydinners.com/apple-pie-bars/ https://familydinners.com/apple-pie-bars/#comments Sun, 04 Sep 2022 17:23:54 +0000 https://familydinners.com/?p=16464 Crispy, buttery and flaky puff pastry topped with succulent apple pie filling and sweet streusel topping. This apple pie bars recipe is meant to be an easy recipe anyone can make!

The post Apple Pie Bars appeared first on Family Dinners.

]]> These apple pie bars combine flaky puff pastry, apple pie filling and streusel topping to make a delicious summer and fall dessert. No time to bake a full apple pie, but still craving a scrumptious apple dessert? Then this apple pastry recipe is absolutely perfect for you! Apple pie bars only take 10 minutes to prepare by using ready made puff pastry and canned apple pie filling. Apple puff pastries are simply delicious and can be eaten any time of the day! They are also a great alternative to pumpkin pie on thanksgiving.

two apple pie bars on top of each other on a plate

Why You’ll Love This

apple pie bars on a cutting board with fresh apples
apple pie bar on a plate

Andrea Says…

When testing out this recipe, trying to get it just right, I thought I’d enjoy this but didn’t realize just how much I’d love these. I had a hard time not eating them all right out of the oven!

What Is An Apple Pie Bar?

There are lots of different apple pie bar recipes. You can find some with a pie crust on the bottom or a shortcake crust but they all have apple pie filling in the middle and a topping of some sort. We like how this recipe is meant to be used when you need a quick and easy dessert to prepare.

Ingredients

You may have all of these apple puff pastry ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts and print the recipe.

  • Pantry Ingredients: apple pie filling, flour, brown sugar, granulated sugar
  • Refrigerated/Frozen Ingredients: puff pastry, butter, egg
ingredients for apple pie bars

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love turning apples into stunning desserts then you have to try Stef’s Caramel Apples. This fool-proof recipe creates buttery, soft, melt in your mouth caramel over crisp, sweet apples!

Instructions

This section shows how to bake apple pie bars in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below. You can print the recipe with or without photos.

PREPARE: Preheat the oven to 400ºF and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

fork poking puff pastry on a lined baking sheet
spreading apple pie filling on puff pastry on a baking sheet

SHAPE THE PASTRY DOUGH: First, roll out a sheet of pastry, then fold over the edges about ¼ inch all around the outside. Poke the middle part of the square with a fork 10-15 times. (Do not poke the edges!)

FILL THE PASTRY: Spoon 1 can of apple pie filling over the puff pastry. Make sure to keep the edges clean. Using a pastry blender, mix all the topping ingredients together in a bowl until coarse crumbs form. Then scatter half the mixture on top of the apple filling. Whisk together the egg and water in a small bowl, and brush the edges of the puff pastry square with the egg wash.

topping ingredients mixed together with a pastry blender
topping on apple pie filling and puff pastry

BAKE: Bake for 20 minutes or until puffed up and the topping is golden brown. Repeat with other pastry sheet and pie filling. Let the pastry cool for a bit, before cutting into squares. Serve.

egg washing the edges of the puff pastry
baked apple pie bars on a baking sheet

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love indulgent spiced apple treats then you’ll love Stef’s Fried Apples. They are incredibly easy to make and can be used as a standalone dessert, a delicious side dish, or as an ingredient for many other recipes.

Pastry Blender – We love using this pastry blender to work butter into flour and sugar. Works quick and keeps the mess to a minimum.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best apple pie bars.

  • Tip: Defrost your puff pastry before unrolling it. If you try to unroll it while it’s still frozen it will crack.
  • Tip: Use parchment paper on your baking sheet to prevent your pastry from sticking and for easy clean up.
  • Tip: Bake until all the puff pastry looks puffed and golden. In some ovens you might need to turn your baking sheet around halfway through cooking to get even cooking.
  • Allow the pastry to cool a bit before slicing into squares.

More Scrumptious Apple Recipes:

Andrea says….

Even after the summer we love making and eating delicious ice cream. Apple Pie Ice Cream is a big family favorite. You’ll love this fall ice cream dessert! Make with fresh apples cooked into a homemade apple pie filling then mixed in with easy ice cream. Make this recipe with an ice cream maker or without as a no-churn ice cream.

How To Store

Refrigerate: Store apple puff pastry in an airtight container or ziploc bag and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

Freeze: Store in an airtight, freezer safe, container. If you’re storing in a zip top plastic bag, try to get as much air out as possible. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: A great way to defrost puff pastry apple dessert is in the refrigerator overnight.

Reheating: Use the microwave, air fryer, or toaster oven to reheat leftovers.

cut up apple pie bars on a wooden cutting board

Common Questions

Is it better to use homemade or store bought puff pastry?

We recommend buying puff pastry premade! We prefer the Pepperidge Farms puff pastry you can find in the freezer section of your local grocery store. However, if you’re feeling ambitious you can always make your own!

Is it possible to use other fillings for puff pastries?

Yes, of course! You can use whatever fruit pie filling you prefer. We recommend trying raspberry, cherry or peach, for example. Another particularly scrumptious variation is blueberry. Have you tried our Blueberry Puff Pastry Recipe?

Can I use a homemade apple pie filling for this recipe?

Of course! You can make your favorite homemade apple pie filling or give Stef’s Fried Apples a try! They are easy to make and the perfect topping for puff pastry. We recommend using tart apples for apple filling such as Granny Smith apples, Pink Lady apples, Gala or Braeburn apples.

Print

Apple Pie Bars

Crispy, buttery and flaky puff pastry topped with succulent apple pie filling and sweet streusel topping. This apple pie bars recipe is meant to be an easy recipe anyone can make!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Diet Vegetarian
Keyword apple pie bars, apple puff pastry recipe, canned apple pie filling recipe, puff pastry apple dessert
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 485kcal
Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 sheets puff pastry
  • 2 cans apple pie filling

Topping Ingredients:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter slightly softened
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • ⅔ cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

Egg Wash Ingredients:

  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon water

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Roll out pastry dough. Place on parchment paper on baking sheet.
    puff pastry sheet rolled out on a baking sheet
  • Fold edge over ¼” around the outside of the puff pastry.
  • Poke the pastry (except the edges) with a fork 10-15 times.
    fork poking puff pastry on a lined baking sheet
  • Spread 1 can of pie filling on the puff pastry, inside the edges.
    spreading apple pie filling on puff pastry on a baking sheet
  • Mix topping ingredients together with 2 forks or a pastry blender.
    topping ingredients mixed together with a pastry blender
  • Spread ½ the topping over apple pie filling.
    topping on apple pie filling and puff pastry
  • Brush edges with egg wash.
    egg washing the edges of the puff pastry
  • Bake for 20 minutes or until puff pastry is puffed up and topping is golden.
    baked apple pie bars on a baking sheet
  • Repeat with other pastry sheet and pie filling. Let cool, then cut into squares and serve.
    apple pie bar on a plate

Notes

  • Instead of folding over edges, you can also use a knife to lightly cut (score) around the edges. This will help the outside edge puff up more than the inside the pie filling is on.
  • Serve while warm or refrigerate for later.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 485kcal | Carbohydrates: 65g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 34mg | Sodium: 158mg | Potassium: 104mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 280IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 2mg

The post Apple Pie Bars appeared first on Family Dinners.

]]> https://familydinners.com/apple-pie-bars/feed/ 1 Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats https://familydinners.com/apple-crisp-recipe-without-oats/ https://familydinners.com/apple-crisp-recipe-without-oats/#respond Tue, 28 Jun 2022 15:05:00 +0000 https://familydinners.com/?p=13366 Easy to make apple crisp is so good you won't be able to stop eating.

The post Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats appeared first on Family Dinners.

]]> Warm, tender and slightly spiced apples come together with a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth streusel topping to make this beyond scrumptious apple crisp recipe without oats.

You can create this amazing oven baked dessert in only an hour, using household staples that you most likely already have at home. Top your apple crumble with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and maybe even a drizzle of caramel sauce to make this summer and fall favorite simply to die for.

apple crisp on a plate topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream

WHAT IS APPLE CRISP?

Apple crisp is an amazingly delicious and easy to make oven baked fruit dessert. It consists of a layer of sweetened and spiced apples that is topped with a streusel like topping. The terms apple crisp and apple crumble are often used to describe the same dish. However, there is usually a slight difference when it comes to the topping. Apple crisp toppings often contain oats or chopped nuts, while apple crumble is topped with a flour, sugar and butter mixture.

❤️ WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS APPLE CRISP RECIPE

✔️ it only uses basic household staples, no trip to the grocery store necessary

✔️ vegetarian comfort food that is ready in only an hour

✔️ great way to use up extra apples

✔️ fabulous summer and fall dessert topped with ice cream

Pan of apple crisp without oats with a scoop out.
Plate of apple crisp with ice cream.
Apple crisp on a plate.

APPLE CRISP WITHOUT OATS INGREDIENTS

This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for this easy apple crisp recipe, what each one does in the recipe, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card below.

You may have all of these apple crisp without oats ingredients in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store. See recipe card below for ingredient amounts.

  • Apples: We love using Granny Smith apples for this recipe, but you can substitute your favorite kind. We also recommend Honeycrisp apples, Pink Lady apples, Gala apples or Fuji apples.
  • Sugars: We use a blend of white and brown sugar in this recipe. Brown sugar (you can use light or dark) adds a richer caramel flavor to your dessert.
  • Butter
  • Lemon Juice: Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for best flavor. The lemon juice keeps the apples from turning brown.
  • Cinnamon: If you are big fan of cinnamon flavor you can also add an additional teaspoon to the topping. Nutmeg, cloves, allspice or cardamom are also spices that go well with apple desserts.
  • Cornstarch: The addition of cornstarch makes sure that the juices will thicken after baking.
  • Flour
ingredients for apple crisp without oats

INSTRUCTIONS

This section shows how to cook apple crumble without oats in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full instructions, nutritional information, to print the recipe or to have the recipe scaled to double or triple, see the recipe card below.

PREPARE: Preheat the oven to 350°F, peel and slice the apples, then toss them with the lemon juice and put them into a baking dish.

🔴 TIP: Do not cut the apples too small, Peel the apples and cut them into similar sized pieces that are no smaller than ⅓” thick. Too small of slices will overcook.

Dry ingredients in a bowl.
Butter mixed with dry ingredients.

COMBINE SUGARS AND SPICES: Combine the sugars, cornstarch, cinnamon and melted butter in a bowl and blend well.

Butter cubes and white sugar in a bowl.
Hand using a pastry blender to mix butter into dry ingredients.

MAKE TOPPING: In a bowl, combine all topping ingredients. Mix together using a pastry blender until the mixture is mostly tiny crumbles.

🔴 TIP: Add more cinnamon, If you enjoy a rich cinnamon flavor, you can add an additional 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the topping.

Apple slices with sugar and cinnamon on top.
Apples mixed with other ingredients.

ASSEMBLE: Toss the apples with the seasoning blend. Make sure all the apples are well coated. Then sprinkle evenly with the crumble topping.

Apple crisp without oats in a baking dish before being cooked.
Cooked apple crisp without oats in a baking dish.

BAKE: Cook for 45 minutes until the apples are tender and the topping is golden brown.

🔴 TIP: Make sure the topping isn’t getting too dark, In case your apple crisp is browning too fast, cover with aluminum foil until the apples are tender.

SERVE: Let the apple crisp cool for 15-30 minutes before serving with a scoop of ice cream or whipped cream.

RECOMMENDED TOOLS

Pastry blender – We recommend using a pastry blender as it combines the butter and flour mixture well without melting the butter. In case you don’t have one, you can also use two forks.

HOW TO MAKE AHEAD

While we recommend baking this insanely yummy apple crisp recipe without oats only shortly before serving, you can easily prepare its key elements ahead of time. First, you can prepare your apples, toss them with lemon juice, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge until ready to use. Additionally, you can prepare the seasoning mixture and the topping in two separate bowls, cover them with cling wrap and store them in the fridge until ready to assemble.

TIPS FOR THE BEST APPLE CRISP RECIPE WITHOUT OATS

Follow these tips to make the best apple crumble without oats.

✔️ Use fresh, crisp apples. We like to use Granny Smith apples but you can also use Honeycrisp or another good baking apple.

✔️ Don’t cut your apples too small. Peel the apples and cut them into pieces that are no smaller than ⅓” thick. Too small of slices will overcook.

✔️ Use a pastry blender or two forks to thoroughly blend together the topping to blend all the sugar and flour into the butter.

✔️ Do not overcook the apple crisp. Cook until the topping is beginning to brown and the apples are bubbling.

STORAGE TIPS

Refrigerate: Tightly cover any apple crisp leftovers with cling film and store in the refrigerator for up 4 days. For best flavor eat your apple crisp within the first 2 days after baking.

Freeze: Transfer the completely cooled apple crisp into a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: Defrost your apple crumble overnight in the fridge or on the counter for a couple of hours. If you prefer eating apple crisp slightly warm, pop it in the microwave for a couple of seconds before serving.

Close up of apple crisp without oats in a baking dish.

MORE APPLE DESSERTS

If you love this apple crisp recipe without oats you might also like our scrumptious Granny Smith Apple Pie, Caramel Apple Cheesecake Pies, Blackberry and Apple Crumble or Spiked Apple Cider.

Stef’s Pumpkin Apple Muffins and Fried Apples are two other must-try recipes for apple lovers.

Of course there is nothing greater than a melty scoop of vanilla ice cream on an apple dessert. Have you tried Andrea’s no-churn vanilla bean ice cream yet? It is simple, full of flavor and way better than any store bought ice cream.

apple crisp on a plate

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For perfect results every time, here are answers to the most common questions about cooking this easy vegetarian apple crisp recipe .

What are the best apples for apple crisp?

There are lots of different kinds of apples that make great apple crisp. It basically comes down to your personal preference. You want to choose apples that hold their shape during baking and don’t turn to complete mush. We used Granny Smith with this recipe, but Honeycrisp apples, Pink Lady apples, Golden Delicious apples or Fuji apples work great for apple crisp.

Do I need to peel my apples?

Even though we recommend going the extra mile and peeling the apples, you can also leave the peel on. It does not change the flavor of the apple crumble. It just gives it a slightly different texture. If you decide to leave the peel on, make sure you wash your apples thoroughly.

What are the best toppings for apple crisp?

Even before baking your apple crumble, you can add some chopped nuts, such as walnuts or pecans to the topping.
We love topping baked apple crisp with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and maybe even a drizzle of caramel sauce.

Apple crisp without oats on a plate with ice cream.
Print

Apple Crisp Without Oats

This delicious apple crisp recipe without oats combines tender and juicy apples, a touch of cinnamon and a crumbly topping to make a perfect summer dessert.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword apple crisp recipe without oats, apple crumble without oats, easy apple crisp recipe, how to make apple crisp without oats
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6 servings
Calories 381kcal
Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

  • knife and cutting board
  • mixing bowls
  • 8×8 inch baking dish
  • pastry blender

Ingredients

Filling Ingredients:

  • 4-5 large Granny Smith apples (about 6 cups)
  • 2 teaspoon white sugar
  • 2 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon butter melted
  • 1 fresh lemon juiced
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch

Topping Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup softened butter not melted

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Peel, core and evenly slice the apples. Toss with lemon juice.
  • Place the apples into a 8×8-inch baking dish.
    peeled, cored and sliced apples in a baking dish
  • In a small bowl, combine white sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, corn starch and toss with the melted butter. Set aside.
    Dry ingredients with melted butter in a bowl.
  • To make the topping, in a small bowl, mix flour, sugar and butter together with a pastry blender until thoroughly mixed and in tiny crumbles.
    raw apple crisp topping in a bowl
  • Toss the apples with the cinnamon mixture. Make sure they are all well coated.
    Apples mixed with other ingredients.
  • Spread the topping evenly over the apple mixture.
    Apple crisp without oats in a baking dish before being cooked.
  • Cook for 45 minutes until topping begins to brown and the apple mixture is bubbling.
    Cooked apple crisp without oats in a baking dish.
  • Remove from oven. Allow to cool for 15-30 minutes. Juices will thicken up.
  • Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
    apple crisp on a plate topped with ice cream

Notes

  • If you love cinnamon, you can add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the topping mixture.
  • Double the recipe to cook in a 9×13 pan.

Nutrition

Calories: 381kcal | Carbohydrates: 61g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 128mg | Potassium: 187mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 43g | Vitamin A: 547IU | Vitamin C: 15mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

The post Apple Crisp Recipe Without Oats appeared first on Family Dinners.

]]> https://familydinners.com/apple-crisp-recipe-without-oats/feed/ 0 Caramel Apple Cheesecake Hand Pies https://familydinners.com/caramel-apple-cheesecake-hand-pies/ https://familydinners.com/caramel-apple-cheesecake-hand-pies/#respond Sun, 16 Jan 2022 00:06:42 +0000 https://familydinners.com/?p=3288 Easy caramel apple cheesecake hand pie made in the air fryer.

The post Caramel Apple Cheesecake Hand Pies appeared first on Family Dinners.

]]> Caramel Apple Cheesecake Hand Pies are crispy and flaky every time you bake them in your air fryer. You may think that making pies could be hard, but we promise with these simple ingredients, including a premade pie crust, they will be ready in no time.

These little tasty hand pies are a twist on traditional apple pie. The caramel has a flavor profile, that as you know, just goes well with apple. Not to mention when you combine a cheesecake filling and a homemade glaze, you get the ultimate dessert. If you serve the apple pies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream we won’t tell anyone!

If you are interested in baking your own pie crust, you will love the one we make.

apple hand pies on a wood plank
caramel apple cheesecake hand pies in a pile.
caramel apple cheesecake hand pies in a pile.

CARAMEL APPLE CHEESECAKE HAND PIE INGREDIENTS

You may have all of these ingredients for this easy air fryer dessert recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this delicious recipe you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

  • Pie: refrigerated pie crusts, water for sealing
  • Filling: apple pie filling, cream cheese, sugar, egg, caramel bits or squares
  • Glaze: powdered sugar, milk, corn syrup
ingredients labeled to make air fryer Caramel Apple Cheesecake Hand Pies
glazing pie crust
apple hand pie held open

POSSIBLE VARIATIONS

These are some popular variations of this tasty recipe. If you make any substitutions or additions to the recipe make sure you write them down for the next time you make it. Or try this apple pie pull apart bread recipe.

Turtle Hand Pies
Warm and delicious turtle hand pies cook quickly in the air fryer. Chocolate, pecan and caramel make the perfect filling for these easy to make pastries.
See Recipe
stacked, gooey turtle hand pies
Cherry Cheesecake Hand Pies
Quick and delicious individual pastry. Cherry cheesecake hand pies are cooked in an air fryer for a flaky sweet treat.
See Recipe
broken open cherry cheesecake hand pie
close up of air fried caramel apple hand pies with cheesecake filling
Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Hand Pie
Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Hand Pies are an easy 3 ingredient dessert that is snack size, almost mess free, and has just the right amount of filling.
See Recipe
Blueberry Hand Pies
Warm, flakey pie crust filled with sweet blueberry pie filling make a nostalgic, hand-held treat.
See Recipe

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES

Prepare your work surface and gather these kitchen tools and supplies before you begin this delicious, easy-to-make recipe so you don’t waste extra time trying to find things you need.

  • sharp knife or pastry cutter
  • basting brush
  • cutting board
  • whisk
  • air fryer
  • mixing bowl
  • electric mixer
  • parchment paper (optional)
  • rolling pin (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

Follow the full instructions and kitchen tips and quick tips for the best way to make this recipe. Don’t forget to check the prep time and cook time in the recipe card below before you begin.

THAW PIE CRUST: Allow the premade pie crust to come to room temperature. Remove it from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before you are ready to start.

MAKE CHEESECAKE FILLING: Combine the cream cheese, egg, and sugar, in a medium size mixing bowl, and beat together with an electric mixer until it’s smooth and creamy.

KITCHEN TIP

There will be extra cream cheese filling – since the recipe calls for 1 egg, it can be difficult to reduce the recipe.  You can measure a half of an egg (if you would like to halve the recipe) by beating the egg and then using half of the beaten mixture.

cream cheese and eggs in a bowl
cream cheese mixture with beaters in a bowl

CUT OUT PIES: Cut out 6 hand pies from each crust using a 4-inch cookie cutter. You should get about 4-5 from each crust. Make the extras from the scraps by re-rolling it out to cut it.

ADD CHEESECAKE FILLING: Add a spoonful of cheesecake filling in the middle of 6 of the pie pieces. Try to keep it in the center of each circle if possible.

KITCHEN TIP

It is easy to overfill these hand pies.  If the filling squishes out the sides, it can prevent them from sealing well.  Gently lift and stretch the top crust over the filling and try to seal without the filling getting too close to the sides.

cut out circles of pie crust
filling pie crust with cream cheese

ADD CARAMEL & APPLE: Place a small amount of caramel pieces on top of the cheesecake, followed by a spoonful of apple pie filling on each of the 6 pie cutouts. If you would like, you could sprinkle a little cinnamon in for extra flavor.

caramel bites and cream cheese on pie crust rounds
apple pie filling and cream cheese mixture and caramel on pie crust

SLIT THE CRUST: Make three small slits on the pie crusts that do not have filling on them. These act like a vent, so the pies don’t break their seal while cooking.

BRUSH WITH WATER: Dip your pastry brush in a little bit of water, then brush the vented pieces gently.

knife cutting three slits in pie crust
water washing pie crust with pastry brush

SEAL EDGES: Place the side of the pie that is wet with water down on the filling, while lining up the edges.

FINISH: Pinch the sides together all the way around each pie, so that they are sealed nicely.

KITCHEN TIP

We found that using your hand to seal yields better results than using a fork to crimp.

hand putting top on pie crust
crimpling edge of pie crust

PLACE IN AIR FRYER: Add the apple hand pies to the air fryer. Make sure there is a little bit of room between each one. If desired, line the basket with a parchment paper liner before placing the pies in.

BAKING TIME: Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes or until the pies are golden brown and flakey.

pies in air fryer
cooked air fryer caramel apple cheesecake hand pies

PREPARE THE GLAZE: In a small mixing bowl, combine the powdered sugar, milk, and corn syrup. Whisk together until the glaze is smooth.

KITCHEN TIP

The glaze sets quickly and has a bit of sheen from the corn syrup.

whisking glaze in a bowl
making glaze

GLAZE THE PIES: As soon as the little pies come out of the air fryer, you want to glaze them while they are warm. Dip your clean pastry brush into the homemade glaze, then gently brush each one. Place the caramel apple hand pies on the a piece of parchment pepper or a wire (cooling) rack while it dries.

glazing pie crust
hand holding pie
Caramel Apple Cheesecake Hand Pies after cooking topped with glaze

STORAGE TIPS

Storing your food properly is important to prevent spoiling or food poisoning.

Countertop: Store in an airtight container or ziploc bag and store on the counter for up to 3 days.

Reheat: Use the microwave, air fryer, or toaster oven to reheat leftovers.

Defrosting: A great way to defrost is in the refrigerator overnight.

Caramel Apple hand Pies on a wood cutting board next to whole apples and caramel pieces
Granny Smith Apple Pie Recipe
Pin Recipe
Classic apple pie recipe with the perfect balance of tart apples and a sweet filling in a sugar-sprinkled crust. Make this delicious apple pie dessert to accompany any meal.
1 hour 15 minutes
Check out this recipe
granny smith apple pie with one slice missing

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click the questions to see the answer.

, ,
little pies on a cutting board
Print

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Hand Pie

These caramel apple cheesecake hand pies are cute and fun to make in the air fryer.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Keyword apple hand pie, caramel apple cheesecake hand pie
Prep Time 40 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 577kcal
Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

Ingredients

Hand Pie Ingredients:

  • 1 package of two refrigerated pie crusts
  • 21 oz. can apple pie filling
  • 6 tablespoons caramel bits or caramel squares cut into pieces
  • Water for sealing crusts

Cream Cheese Filling Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg

Glaze Ingredients:

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ⅛ cup whole milk
  • 1 ½ teaspoons corn syrup

Instructions

  • Bring pie crusts to room temperature by setting them on the counter about 30 minutes prior to preparing hand pies.
  • Beat together the softened cream cheese, sugar, and egg until well blended to make the cheesecake filling. Set aside.
    cream cheese mixture with beaters in a bowl
  • Unroll the pie crusts and use a 4” biscuit or cookie cutter to cut out 6 rounds from each crust. We can typically get 4 or 5 rounds from each crust and then need to gather together the scraps and re roll to cut out the rest.
    cut out circles of pie crust
  • For each pie, place one spoonful of the cheesecake filling in the center of a pie crust round. Mound a spoonful of the caramel bits over the cream cheese mixture and top with a scoop of apple pie filling.
    apple pie filling and cream cheese mixture and caramel on pie crust
  • Cut two or three slits into a second pie crust piece (these will allow for venting). Moisten the top pie crust with water by brushing with a wet pastry brush. Place the top crust (wet side down) onto the filled crust and press firmly to seal around the edges.
    water washing pie crust with pastry brush
  • Turn up the edges around the hand pie for a decorative finish – this also helps maintain a good seal.
  • Place four hand pies (or however many fit) into the air fryer basket. Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes until the hand pies are golden and flakey.
    cooked air fryer caramel apple cheesecake hand pies
  • Make the glaze by whisking together the glaze ingredients until smooth. Brush the glaze over WARM hand pies as soon as they come out of the air fryer.
    whisking glaze in a bowl
  • Allow the glaze to set.
    glazing pie crust

Notes

Storage: 
Store leftover hand pies in an airtight container on the countertop.  Reheat in the microwave, air fryer, or toaster oven.
 
Notes:   
 
There will be extra cream cheese filling – since the recipe calls for 1 egg, it can be difficult to reduce the recipe.  You can measure a half of an egg (if you would like to halve the recipe) by beating the egg and then using half of the beaten mixture.
 
The glaze sets quickly and has a bit of sheen from the corn syrup.
 
It is easy to overfill these hand pies.  If the filling squishes out the sides, it can prevent them from sealing well.  Gently lift and stretch the top crust over the filling and try to seal without the filling getting too close to the sides.
 
This recipe works best in the air fryer.  Cooking time and temp, as well as the texture of the cheesecake filling, will vary if cooked in the oven.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 577kcal | Carbohydrates: 91g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 335mg | Potassium: 174mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 63g | Vitamin A: 586IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1mg

MORE RECIPES YOU MIGHT LIKE

, ,

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]]> https://familydinners.com/caramel-apple-cheesecake-hand-pies/feed/ 0 Spiked Apple Cider https://familydinners.com/spiked-apple-cider/ https://familydinners.com/spiked-apple-cider/#respond Fri, 12 Feb 2021 18:56:17 +0000 https://familydinners.com/?p=1387 This adult spiked apple cider cocktail recipe is SO delicious! These warm winter Tuaca cocktails have many variations!

The post Spiked Apple Cider appeared first on Family Dinners.

]]>

Spiked apple cider is ideal for parties. No mixing or shaking individual drinks plus you can make large quantities if you want. The adult apple cider cocktail is one of our favorite Tuaca cocktails, which is our go to apple cider alcohol. But read on for other alcohol and non-alcohol ideas.

Apple Cider Cocktail Ingredients:

  • 2 – 64 oz. jugs of apple juice or apple cider
  • 2 star anise
  • 2-3 cinnamon sticks – plus more for serving
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries – frozen okay
  • 1 apple – sliced
  • 1-2 oranges – sliced
  • 750 ml bottle of Tuaca 

POSSIBLE VARIATIONS

VODKA + SIMPLE SYRUP

Mix 18 oz. of vodka with 6 oz of simple syrup. Try Stef’s simple syrup recipe.

FIREBALL WHISKEY

Substitute Fireball in this recipe for an extra kick.

BOURBON

Add bourbon to the recipe instead of Tuaca.

MARGARITA CIDER

Add 6 oz. of lemon juice, 12 oz. of whiskey and 12 oz. of tequila with 3 cups of sugar to this apple cider recipe instead of Tuaca.

Essential

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES

Prepare your work surface and gather these kitchen tools and supplies before you begin this delicious, easy-to-make recipe so you don’t waste extra time trying to find things you need.

  • large stock pot or Crock Pot
  • ladle for scooping and serving
  • cutting board
  • knife

champagne being poured into two champagne glasses full of blackberry puree in bottom of glass. Bubbles foaming out of top of glass

BLACKBERRY COCKTAIL

CLICK FOR RECIPE
recommended recipe - red wine sangria being poured from large clear glass pitcher into wine glass full of fruit and ice

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INSTRUCTIONS

ADD CIDER TO POT: Pour two containers of apple juice/cider into a stockpot.

PREPARE FRUIT: Rinse and slice apple and orange. Slice the apples horizontally top to bottom for a pretty star effect in the center slices.

SIMMER: Add the fruit, star anise, and a couple cinnamon sticks to the juice. Heat over medium until mixture reaches a low simmer. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

ADD ALCOHOL: Ladle hot cider into mugs. Add 1-2 ounces of Tuaca to the mug. Serve with a cinnamon stick and a few cranberries.

  • two clear glass mugs filled with golden apple cider cocktail with cranberries, cinnamon sticks in them. Bottle of Tuaca pouring into one mug..
  • white large pot full of adult apple cider full of cranberries, cinnamon sticks, orange and apple slices

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click the questions to see the answer.

Enjoy spiked apple cocktails with a full meal with these other recipe:

Print

Spiked Apple Cider

A warm, spiced spiked apple cider with hints of orange, cinnamon, anise, and cranberries spiked with the subtle sweetness of Tuaca.
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Keyword spiked apple cider
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 16 Cups
Calories 227kcal
Author Andrea + Stef

Ingredients

  • 2 – 64 oz. jugs of apple juice or apple cider
  • 2 star anise
  • 2-3 cinnamon sticks plus more for serving
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries frozen okay
  • 1 apple sliced
  • 1-2 oranges sliced
  • 750 ml bottle of Tuaca (Brandy)

Instructions

  • Pour two containers of apple juice/cider into a stockpot.
  • Rinse and slice apple and orange. Slice the apples horizontally top to bottom for a pretty star effect in the center slices.
  • Add the fruit, star anise, and a couple cinnamon sticks to the juice. Heat over medium until mixture reaches a low simmer. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
  • Ladle hot cider into mugs. Add 1-2 ounces of Tuaca to the mug. Serve with a cinnamon stick and a few cranberries.

Nutrition

Calories: 227kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 266mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 32IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 28mg | Iron: 1mg
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]]> https://familydinners.com/spiked-apple-cider/feed/ 0 The Best Red Wine Sangria https://familydinners.com/red-wine-sangria/ https://familydinners.com/red-wine-sangria/#comments Sat, 02 Jan 2021 01:07:00 +0000 https://familydinners.com/?p=553 This is the absolute BEST red wine sangria! It's delicious and you'll want to drink the whole pitcher yourself. So good.

The post The Best Red Wine Sangria appeared first on Family Dinners.

]]>

If you’re looking for a delicious drink to serve on a warm summer evening or alongside a Spanish or Italian inspired meal, then this best red wine sangria recipe is perfect for you. This fruity cocktail is made with red wine, a little brandy, orange liquor, simple syrup, flavorful fruit and sprite. Serve this refreshing party drink in a pitcher or by the glass. If you love red wine cocktails you’ll love this. This is the absolute best sangria recipe and perfect for summer, winter, parties, brunches, date night or any time of year!

Stemless wine glasses full of red wine sangria.

You can make a non-alcoholic version of sangria as well! We have substitution recommendations for you below.

What is Sangria?

Sangria is a mixed alcoholic drink originally from Spain. It usually contains fruit juice, wine, liqueur, sweeteners, sparkling water and fruit, such as oranges, apples, lemons, pears, limes or pineapple. There are red or white wine sangrias. The color depends on the wine. Red sangria is made with red wine, and white sangria with white wine. Use different fruits and flavors to make a fall sangria, holiday sangria, summer sangria or sangria for any occasion.

Typical Sangria ingredients are:

  • Fruit juice, such as orange juice, apple juice, or pomegranate juice.
  • Sweeteners such as simple syrup, agave nectar, maple syrup or sugar.
  • Sparkling water, club soda or flavored soda.
  • Sliced fruit including oranges, apples, lemons, pears, limes, pineapple and more.
  • Flavored liqueurs, brandy, or cognac.
large glass pitcher with silver swizzle stick full of red wine sangria and chopped up fruit next to wine glass full of red wine sangria and fruit. Cut fruit on chopping board.

Why You’ll Love This

  • Notable: sweet cocktail that combines fresh fruity flavors with red wine and liqueurs, perfect for hot summer days or winter months
  • Main Ingredients: red Spanish wine, orange, strawberries, apple, Grand Marnier, brandy, simple syrup, Sprite
  • Cooking Method: no bake
  • Cooking Time: 15 minutes of prep time, 30 minutes chill time
  • Pairs well with: Spanish and Italian dishes
  • Diets: gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan
  • Special Equipment Needed: large pitcher, spoon or swizzle stick
large glass pitcher with silver swizzle stick full of red wine sangria and chopped up fruit next to wine glass full of red wine sangria and fruit. Cut fruit on chopping board.
birdseye view of pitcher with red wine sangria and cut up fruit

Ingredients

You may have all of these ingredients for this red wine sangria recipe in your refrigerator or pantry and not need to make a trip to the grocery store! If this is your first time making this best summer sangria recipe you might want to read the possible variations before deciding on your ingredients.

Sangria Ingredients

  • 750 ml red wine (one standard bottle of wine)
  • 1 navel orange (sliced)
  • 2 cups strawberries (stems removed)
  • 1 green apple (sliced)
  • ¼ cup Grand Marnier
  • ¼ cup brandy
  • ½ cup simple sirup
  • 8 oz. Sprite

Optional Garnish

whole strawberries

Variations and Substitutions

Wine: A Zinfandel, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rioja wine, Garnacha or other Spanish red wines would taste great in this recipe.

Fruit: Add any fruit you prefer. We recommend apple, orange and strawberries.

Alcohol: Orange liqueur and brandy really make this delicious Spanish drink perfect. We used Grand Marnier as the orange liqueur.

Sugar: Use a simple syrup (homemade) or store bought to sweeten the sangria. If you want to know more about how to make, flavor or store simple syrup, take a look at our detailed Simple Syrup post.

Sprite: We love using just plain sprite for this sangria recipe, but you can substitute club soda, 7up or Sierra Mist if you like. You could even try ginger ale, in a pinch.

  • Make it citrusy: Add the juice of a lime to your authentic Spanish sangria. Include a sliced up lime as well.
  • Make it berry: Use your favorite berries as fruit instead of the apple and oranges.
  • Make it less sweet: Eliminate the simple syrup.
red wine sangria ingredients - grand marnier, brandy, simple syrup, red wine, apple, orange, strawberries on white counter with white subway tile backgroundw

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you loved this red wine sangria recipe, then try our Holiday Cranberry Sangria. This fruity and boozy holiday sangria is a blend of easy cranberry simple syrup, cranberry juice, red wine, spiced rum and sparkling apple cider.

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Large Pitcher – We love making this recipe directly in a large glass sangria pitcher. This way you can make, chill and serve the sangria in the same container.

Instructions

This section shows how to make the best red wine sangria, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. For full step-by-step instructions, photos and nutritional information see the recipe in the recipe card below.

PREPARE FRUIT: Firstly, slice the fruit how large or small you like it to be. Then add sliced fruit to a pitcher or punch bowl. Keep in mind you’ll need to refrigerate once you mix it all together so your container will need to fit into your refrigerator.

red wine sangria ingredients

ADD ALCOHOL: Afterwards pour wine into the pitcher. Then add Grand Marnier (orange liqueur), brandy, and simply syrup and stir to combine. You can use a wooden spoon or a swizzle stick.

red wine sangria pouring ingredients into glass pitcher

CHILL: Cover and refrigerate sangria for at least 30 minutes. We recommend refrigerating for at least 2+ hours for best results. Definitely refrigerate before adding ice.

pouring grand marnier and soda into red wine sangria

FINISH AND SERVE: Finally, add Sprite and ice just before serving. Then serve the red sangria over ice cubes in a wine glass, or any type of glass you prefer.

two wine glasses full of red wine sangria with oranges and strawberries and apples floating in them. Glass pitcher in background full of red wine sangria and fruit

WHAT TO MAKE NEXT: If you love Italian food then you’ll love our Easy Dump and Bake Meatball Casserole. This delicious and saucy meatball pasta casserole comes together in only 10 minutes and bakes to al dente perfection in the oven. And goes perfectly with a pitcher of sangria.

Stef says….

I love serving fruity and refreshing sangria at summer parties and bbqs. Two of my absolute favorite flavors are Strawberry Sangria and Summer Peach Sangria. There is just nothing better than sipping a fun and fruity cocktail in the summer sun!

How to Make Sangria Non-Alcoholic

You can make this a virgin sangria by substituting all the alcohol. Here are substitutions we recommend.

  • Red Wine: Use pomegranate juice, cranberry juice, grape juice or a sparkling grape juice, for example.
  • Grand Marnier (orange liquor): Use ¼ cup of orange juice concentrate.
  • Brandy: Use a sweet fruit juice such as apple juice.

Recipe Tips

Follow these tips to make the best red wine sangria.

  • Tip: Use GOOD red wine. Your sangria will only be as good as the wine you use.
  • Tip: Use ripe, fresh fruit for best flavor.
  • Tip: If possible, make the sangria a couple of hours before serving. This allows the flavors to blend properly and intensify. Add the sprite right before serving.

Andrea says….

This “Best Ever” Sangria Recipe is always a big hit with friends at summer backyard gatherings. Even though there are a lot of ingredients in this recipe, it is absolutely worth making. Once you’ve invested in the ingredients you can make it all summer long!

What To Serve With The Best Red Wine Sangria

We love to drink this red sangria all by itself. But you can also serve it alongside a Spanish or Italian inspired meal. Try one of these delicious recipes:

Main Dishes: Serve this amazing red wine sangria with Italian Meatballs, Easy Lasagna, or Chicken in White Wine Sauce with Mushrooms. It also pairs well with our delicious homemade Marinara Sauce.

Salad:  Pair this easy sangria recipe with a fresh salad. A green salad like our amazing Italian Salad or even a Caprese Salad with tomatoes, mozzarella and basil or Tortellini Pasta Salad.

Bread: Traditionally, Italian dishes are served with  Garlic Bread made with fresh parmesan cheese and store-bought French bread. If you have extra time make Pizza Dough Garlic Knots.

More Cocktail Recipes

If you love fruity and boozy drinks as much as we do, then you have to try our other hot and cold cocktail recipes:

How To Store

Refrigerate: Sangria leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 or 4 days. Afterwards it will begin to sour. Additionally we recommend separating the fruit from the liquid for longer storage. Add fresh fruit before serving leftovers to avoid soggy and unappetizing fruit.

Freeze: Leftover sangria can be frozen. Firstly, separate the fruit from the liquid. Then you can freeze sangria in an airtight freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

Defrosting: A great way to thaw frozen sangria is in the refrigerator for a couple of hours or overnight.

red wine sangria in a pitcher and stemless wine glass.

Common Questions

Can I make this crowd-pleasing cocktail recipe non-alcoholic?

Yes! Simply use grape or pomegranate juice instead of the red wine, use apple juice instead of the brandy and orange juice concentrate instead of the orange liqueur.

Is it OK to add other fruits to this homemade sangria?

Of course. In fact you can add any kind of fruit to this traditional sangria you like. Try blackberries, peaches, pineapple, citrus fruits, or cherries, for example, or use whatever seasonal fruit you prefer.

red wine sangria in wine glasses with pitcher in background and sliced apples and oranges on cutting board
Print

The Best Red Wine Sangria

This Red Wine Sangria is a bold, fruity blend of red wine, citrus, and strawberry with a hint of booze and bubbles!
Course Drinks
Cuisine Spanish
Keyword best sangria recipe, best summer sangria recipe, how to make sangria with red wine and sprite, red wine sangria, summer sangria
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 277kcal
Author Andrea + Stef

Equipment

  • large pitcher or punch bowl
  • long spoon or swizzle stick

Ingredients

  • 750 ml red wine Zinfandel, Pinot Noir,

    Garnacha (one standard bottle)

  • 1 orange sliced
  • 2 cups strawberries stems removed
  • 1 apple sliced
  • ¼ cup Grand Marnier
  • ¼ cup brandy
  • ½ cup simple syrup
  • 8 oz. Sprite (or Club Soda)

Instructions

  • Add sliced fruit to a pitcher or punch bowl.
    red wine sangria ingredients
  • Pour wine into the pitcher.
    red wine sangria pouring ingredients into glass pitcher
  • Add Grand Marnier, brandy, and simply syrup and stir to combine.
    pouring grand marnier and soda into red wine sangria
  • Cover and refrigerate sangria for at least 30 minutes, but ideally 2+ hours.
  • Add Sprite or club soda and ice just before serving.
    recommended recipe - red wine sangria being poured from large clear glass pitcher into wine glass full of fruit and ice

Nutrition

Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 31mg | Potassium: 322mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 32g | Vitamin A: 66IU | Vitamin C: 41mg | Calcium: 34mg | Iron: 2mg

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