Mini Maple Pumpkin Pies

Name: Mini Maple Pumpkin Pies
Prep time: 1 h 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 10 mini pies.
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon cold butter; 4-1/2 teaspoons maple syrup; 2 teaspoons cider vinegar; 5 to 6 tablespoons cold 2% milk; FILLING:; 2 tablespoons butter; 3 cups chopped peeled apples (about 3 medium); 1/4 cup maple syrup; 4-1/2 teaspoons sugar; 1 tablespoon lemon juice; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 4-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch; 1 tablespoon cold water

I love to bake with my children, and this is one recipe my 3-year-old can help me make. We use our own maple syrup. Create your own designs for eyes and grins on these pumpkins, just like when you carve a jack-o'-lantern! —Allison Wilmarth, Forest City, Pennsylvania

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon cold butter
4-1/2 teaspoons maple syrup
2 teaspoons cider vinegar
5 to 6 tablespoons cold 2% milk
FILLING:
2 tablespoons butter
3 cups chopped peeled apples (about 3 medium)
1/4 cup maple syrup
4-1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
4-1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon cold water

Directions

In a large bowl, mix flour and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Gradually add maple syrup, vinegar and milk, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed. Divide dough in half. Shape each into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 1 hour or overnight.
Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in apples, maple syrup, sugar, lemon juice and cinnamon. Bring to a boil. Cook until apples are almost tender, about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth; stir into apple mixture. Return to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir 1-2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350°. On a lightly floured surface, roll each portion of dough to 1/8 in. thickness. Cut with a floured 3-1/2-in. pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter. Using a sharp knife, cut out pumpkin faces from half of the cutouts.
Place about 2 tablespoons filling on each of the uncut pastries. Moisten pastry edges with water. Place remaining cutouts over filling. Press edges with a fork to seal.
Transfer to greased baking sheets. Bake 22-24 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove from pans to wire racks.

Originally published as maple mini pies in Halloween Bookazine 2015