Activity Days: Mini Pies

We had Activity Days last night. I taught the girls how to make mini apple pies. They seemed to enjoy themselves and they had fun pies to take home!

Mini Apple Pies
Makes: 3 mini pies 2 servings each. Prep: 20 minutes
Bake at 400 for 10 minutes, then 350 for 30 to 35 minutes.

4 apples, peeled, cored and diced (4 cups)
1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tsp sugar
4 1/2 tsp Cornstarch
1/2 tsp Cinnamon
Pinch Ground Cloves
1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 box piecrust mix or 1 recipe double pie crust
1 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 Tbsp milk

1. Heat oven 400. In large bowl, combine apple pieces, 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch, 1/4 tsp cinnamon, cloves and lemon juice. Toss to combine; set aside.
2. Prepare piecrust as directed, adding remaining 1/4 tsp cinnamon. Divide dough into 6 pieces. Roll out 3 pieces to 7-inch circles. Fit into three 5-inch ceramic pie plates (we used pot pie pans). Roll out remaining dough to three 6 1/2-inch circles.
3. Divide apple mixture evenly among pie plates, about a generous 1 cup per pie plate. Cut butter into 3 pieces and place 1 piece on top of filling in each dish. Top with rolled-out doughs, and crimp edges to seal. Cut a few vent holes in each. Brush all crust with milk, and sprinkle each with 1/2 tsp sugar.
4. Bake pies at 400 for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to 350; bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until golden. Cool on racks for 20 minutes before serving.

It took long enough with 7 girls that we ended up sending them home with instructions for baking. Hopefully they enjoy their homemade pies!