Apple and Pear pies

Mini apple pie for the win
Previously I've had trouble making apple pies that were not too liquid. I had some pears and apples at home and decided to give it a try. I usually make my pie dough myself but the store bought stuff is just as awesome. This as of now is my favorite apple pie recipe. Enjoy!

The mold can be found here Williams Sonoma

Pie crust from Williams Sonoma

- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbs granulated sugar
- 2 sticks of butter, cut into 1/2 inch dice
- 6 to 8 tbs ice water

Add flour, salt, sugar and butter to a food processor. Pulse several times until dough is crumbly. Add 5 tbs of water, pulse. If dough is too crumbly add one tbs at a time until dough is firm and holds together when squeezed. Take dough out, separate in half, cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Spiced apple and pear filling:      Recipe tweaked from Food Network
- 1 tbs orange juice
- 6 apples
- 3 pears
- 2/3 cup sugar, plus extra for sprinkling later
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp salt
- pinch nutmeg
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Peal and core apples and pears. Cut into bite size pieces. Mix in orange juice to prevent browning and enhance flavor. In a saucepan over medium high heat melt butter. Add fruit with orange juice, sugar, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Stir until sugar dissolves and juices come to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and cook fruits until soft to liking, about 10-15 minutes. Add the flour and mix, cook until juice thickens slightly. Stir in vanilla, mix and remove from heat. The filling should look like a compote. Let cool before using in pie.

Making your pie:
- 1 egg
- sprinkling sugar

Take dough out and let rest for 5 mins, flour a work surface. Roll out dough to desired thickness. Cut out apple molds (in total about 16 pieces = 8 pies). Place filling about 2 tbs on top of bottom half of apple , brush outline of apple with egg wash. Add top piece of apple mold, use fork to seal edges. Brush top of apple pie with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar. Place pies on a parchment or aluminum line baking sheet. Place pies in freezer for 30 minutes. In the meantime preheat oven to 400 degrees. bake for 22 to 24 mins until golden brown and filling is bubbling. Let pies rest on cooling rack for 10 mins.

To reheat simply pop in the microwave about 45 seconds. Delicious with (lactose free) vanilla ice cream :)

For next time: