Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Caramel Apple Mini Pie Cups are the ultimate sweet and savory treat. They combine the best elements of apple pie—crisp, cinnamon-spiced apples, buttery pie crust, and gooey caramel sauce—into adorable, perfectly-portioned mini pies. The individual servings make them perfect for sharing at parties, serving as a fun dessert at a family dinner, or even enjoying with a warm cup of tea or coffee. The addition of caramel elevates the flavor, turning a classic dessert into a truly decadent bite-sized indulgence. Plus, they’re easy to make, so even novice bakers can enjoy creating these delicious treats.

Ingredients

For the pie cups:

1 package refrigerated pie crusts (or homemade pie crust)
4 medium apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter, cut into small pieces

For the caramel sauce:

1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Preparing the apple filling:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with non-stick spray or butter.
In a medium saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the diced apples, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft but still hold their shape. Remove from heat and set aside.

Preparing the caramel sauce:

In a small saucepan, combine the heavy cream, butter, brown sugar, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a gentle simmer.
Let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes, or until it thickens slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Allow the sauce to cool slightly.

Assembling the mini pie cups:

Roll out the pie crust on a lightly floured surface. Use a round cutter (about 3 inches in diameter) to cut out circles of dough. You’ll need about 12 circles.
Press each dough circle into the muffin tin, gently pressing the edges to fit each cup.
Spoon the prepared apple filling evenly into each pie crust, pressing down lightly to pack the apples in.
Add a small piece of butter on top of each filled pie cup (about 1/4 teaspoon per cup).

Baking the mini pie cups:

Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the apples are bubbling.
While the mini pies are baking, give the caramel sauce another quick stir.
Once baked, remove the pies from the oven and let them cool in the muffin tin for 5-10 minutes. Carefully remove the pies and place them on a serving platter.

Drizzling with caramel:

Drizzle the warm caramel sauce generously over the top of each mini pie cup before serving. If you like, you can also drizzle extra caramel on individual servings.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 12 mini pie cups
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Total time: 45 minutes

Variations

Add nuts: For an extra crunch, sprinkle some chopped pecans or walnuts over the apples before baking, or add them to the caramel sauce.
Use different fruits: While apples are traditional, you can mix in pears, peaches, or even berries for a different twist.
Make them extra indulgent: Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on top for a more decadent dessert.
Vegan version: Use dairy-free butter and coconut milk or almond milk in place of the heavy cream for a dairy-free caramel sauce.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store any leftover mini pie cups in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 4 days.
Reheating: To reheat, place the mini pie cups in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-10 minutes, or microwave them for 15-20 seconds until warm. Drizzle with extra caramel sauce before serving.

FAQs

1. Can I make these mini pies ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the apple filling and caramel sauce ahead of time, and store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble and bake the mini pie cups when you’re ready to serve them.

2. Can I freeze these mini pie cups?

Yes, you can freeze the unbaked mini pies. Assemble them, then wrap the muffin tin tightly in plastic wrap and freeze. When ready to bake, simply pop them directly from the freezer into the oven, adding an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time.

3. Can I use a different pie crust?

Absolutely! You can use a store-bought graham cracker crust, puff pastry, or even a shortbread crust if you prefer. Just make sure to adjust the baking time if you use a different type of dough.

4. Can I use a different sweetener for the filling?

Yes, you can use honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar as alternatives to granulated sugar in the apple filling. Keep in mind that the flavor may vary slightly, but it will still be delicious!

5. Can I add other spices to the apple filling?

Yes, feel free to experiment with other spices like nutmeg, ground ginger, or allspice to enhance the flavor of the apples.

6. How do I know when the mini pies are done?

The mini pies are done when the crust is golden brown and the apples are bubbling in the center. You can also test the apples with a fork to ensure they are soft and tender.

7. Can I serve these with ice cream?

Absolutely! A scoop of vanilla ice cream or cinnamon ice cream would pair perfectly with these caramel apple mini pie cups for an extra indulgent treat.

8. How do I make sure the caramel doesn’t harden too much?

Be sure to make the caramel sauce just before serving and drizzle it on the pies while it’s still warm. If it thickens too much, gently reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop with a little extra cream.

9. Can I add a streusel topping?

Yes, you can add a streusel topping to these mini pies! Combine flour, butter, sugar, and oats, then sprinkle it over the apple filling before baking for an extra crunchy, sweet topping.

10. Can I make these mini pies without caramel sauce?

Yes, you can skip the caramel sauce if you prefer a lighter version of the dessert, or try a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk instead.

Conclusion

Caramel Apple Mini Pie Cups are a fun and delicious twist on traditional apple pie. With warm, cinnamon-spiced apples, buttery pie crust, and gooey caramel, these mini pies offer all the flavors you love in a bite-sized portion. Whether you’re serving them for a party or just as a treat to enjoy at home, they’re sure to be a crowd-pleaser. Easy to make and incredibly tasty, these mini pie cups will become your new favorite fall dessert. Enjoy them with a scoop of ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or on their own—either way, they’re irresistible!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ingredients

Directions

Preparing the apple filling:

Preparing the caramel sauce:

Assembling the mini pie cups:

Baking the mini pie cups:

Drizzling with caramel:

Servings and Timing

Variations

Storage/Reheating

FAQs

1. Can I make these mini pies ahead of time?

2. Can I freeze these mini pie cups?

3. Can I use a different pie crust?

4. Can I use a different sweetener for the filling?

5. Can I add other spices to the apple filling?

6. How do I know when the mini pies are done?

7. Can I serve these with ice cream?

8. How do I make sure the caramel doesn’t harden too much?

9. Can I add a streusel topping?

10. Can I make these mini pies without caramel sauce?

Conclusion

Caramel Apple Mini Pie Cups

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition