Baked Apple Surprise

INGREDIENTS -- Pie Dough

1 1/4

cups

all-purpose flour

1/4

tsp

salt

1/2

cup

shortening, chilled

3

Tbs

ice water

or you can use pre-made pie dough or puff pastry dough

INGREDIENTS -- Apple Filling

2 1/2

lbs

apples (about 6 large), peeled, cored, and sliced 1/4 inch thick (about 8 cups sliced) cut each slice into 2-3 pieces

1/4

cup

granulated white sugar

1/4

cup

light brown sugar

1

Tbs

lemon juice

3/4

tsp

ground cinnamon

1/4

tsp

ground nutmeg

1

Tbs

plus 1 teaspoon cornstarch (corn flour)

1/4

cup

raisins or berries ( opt )

or use canned pie filling ( Comstock )

INGREDIENTS -- Crumb Topping

1

cup

brown sugar

1

cup

all-purpose flour

1/4

cup

butter, diced

1

DIRECTIONS -- Pie Dough

2

Whisk the flour and salt together in a medium size bowl. With a pastry blender, cut in the cold shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Drizzle 2 to 3 tablespoons ice water over flour. Toss mixture with a fork to moisten, adding more water a few drops at a time until the dough comes together.

3

Gently gather dough particles together into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes before rolling.

4

Roll out dough, and line ramekins. Fill with desired filling and bake.

5

DIRECTIONS -- Pie Filling

6

In a large bowl, toss the apples with the sugar-flour-spice mixture.

7

Transfer the filling to a pastry-lined ramekins. The flour in the mixture will mix with the juices of the apple to form a thick cinnamon sauce for the apples to stew in as they bake.

8

DIRECTIONS -- Crumb Topping

9

In a medium bowl, mix together the sugar and flour. Mix in butter with a fork or stand mixer just until the topping is crumbly.

10

DIRECTIONS -- Baking

11

Line ramekins with pie dough, fill with filling, and then top with crumb topping

12

Place cookie sheet in oven and pre-heat to 375°

13

Bake for approximately 35-45 minutes or until bubbly and the topping is golden brown and crisp.

14

Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving.

Tips

Serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream with a sprinkle of cinnamon on top.

We make these with all types of fruit and berry fillings.

Using a pre-made crust and canned pie filling will save a lot of time and work. No-one will know if you do.