Category: Desserts

CHOCOLATE HAUPIA BARS

These bars have the best of both worlds; a rich, delicious chocolate layer topped with creamy smooth haupia. The macadamia nuts in the shortbread crust complement the other flavors in the dessert perfectly, creating a dessert that promises to be a real crowd-pleaser.

I love creating desserts that combine haupia with other desserts. Haupia is so versatile and goes well with so many different flavors. I’ve made a Chocolate Haupia Cream pie, which this dessert is based on, and a Pumpkin Haupia Pie. But, of course, haupia is delicious enough as a stand-alone dessert.

What is Haupia?

Haupia is a classic Hawaiian dessert made with coconut milk, sugar, and a thickener, usually cornstarch. Haupia thickens into a Jell-O-like consistency that is smooth, delicate, and creamy. Haupia is often served as a stand-alone dessert eaten at luaus or served with Hawaiian plate lunches. But you will also find haupia layered on other desserts, like this one, for unique and delicious combinations. Combining chocolate and haupia is a winning combination as the chocolate and coconut from the haupia complement each other perfectly.

How to Make Chocolate Haupia Bars?

You start with the amazing macadamia nut crust. The crust is a shortbread crust with chopped macadamia nuts added. You’ll need:

  • sugar
  • flour
  • macadamia nuts
  • butter

I like to use a nut chopper to chop my nuts. It can be quicker than using a knife, and you will have more uniform pieces. You also often have a measuring cup built into the chopper, so it is easy to tell when you’ve chopped enough.

  • To make the crust, combine the sugar, flour, and chopped nut. Add the melted butter and stir with a fork until evenly moist.
  • Press the crust into a parchment paper-lined 9×13-inch pan.
  • Bake at 350°F for 15 to 20 minutes. The edges should be golden brown. Allow the crust to cool before adding the haupia filling.

Making the Haupia Filling

  • Combine the cornstarch and water, stirring until smooth. Set aside.
  • Chop up 8 ounces of baker’s chocolate into small pieces. Add to a microwave-safe bowl and set aside for now.

  • In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, coconut milk, salt, and sugar. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, and bring almost to a boil (you should start to see bubbles, but do not allow it to come to a full boil).
  • Immediately remove it from the heat and whisk in the cornstarch mixture. Return the pan to the stovetop and turn the heat down to medium-low. Continually whisk for 15 minutes. The mixture should thicken to the consistency of thick yogurt. Be sure to cook the haupia for the full 15 minutes!

  • Remove from the heat and stir in the coconut extract. Allow to cool for a few minutes.
  • While the haupia cools slightly, microwave the chopped-up chocolate in 15-20 second intervals, stirring between each interval. The chocolate is done when only a few small chunks of chocolate remain (stopping at this point prevents scorching the chocolate). Then stir the chocolate until it’s completely melted and smooth.

  • Add 3 cups of haupia to the melted chocolate. Stir until thoroughly combined, with no more streaks of white.
  • Pour the chocolate haupia onto the crust, smoothing it into a flat, even layer. Place the pan in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the chocolate layer to set up a bit.

  • Meanwhile, whisk the remaining haupia to prevent lumps from forming. After the chocolate layer has chilled for 5 to 10 minutes, remove it from the refrigerator and pour the remaining haupia on top of the chocolate layer. Smooth the haupia into an even layer.

  • Cover the pan tightly with foil and return it to the refrigerator and allow it to chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  • To serve, pull up on the parchment paper overhang and remove the bars from the pan. Cut to the desired size, add cool whip or whipped cream, and a little shaved chocolate.

Chocolate Haupia Bars

These bars have the best of both worlds; a rich, delicious chocolate layer topped with creamy smooth haupia. The macadamia nuts in the shortbread crust complement the other flavors in the dessert perfectly, creating a dessert that promises to be a real crowd-pleaser.
4.89 from 9 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Chill Time 4 hours
Total Time 5 hours
Course Dessert
Servings 16 servings

Ingredients
 

Crust

  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1¾ cups flour
  • 1 cup finely chopped macadamia nuts
  • ¾ cup butter, melted

Haupia

  • ¾ cup + 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • â…” cup water
  • 3 cups milk
  • 2 - 14 ounce cans coconut milk, full fat
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 tablespoon coconut extract
  • 8 ounces semi-sweet bakers chocolate, (do not use chocolate chips)

Garnish

  • whipped cream or cool whip
  • shaved chocolate

Instructions
 

Crust

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  • Prepare the 9x13-inch pan by lining it with parchment paper. Leave enough overhang on the ends to be able to lift the finished bars out of the pan.
  • Mix together the sugar, flour, and chopped macadamia nuts in a medium bowl. Add the melted butter and stir with a fork. Mix until the crust ingredients are evenly moist.
  • Add the crust to the prepared pan and press into the bottom of the pan.
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until the crust begins to lightly brown around the edges.
  • Allow the crust to cool while you prepare the haupia.

Haupia

  • Chop up 8 ounces of baker's chocolate into small pieces. Add to a microwave-safe bowl and set aside for now.
  • Combine the cornstarch and water, stirring until smooth. Set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, coconut milk, salt, and sugar. Heat over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, bring almost to a boil (you should start to see bubbles, but do not allow it to come to a full boil).
  • Immediately remove it from the heat. Give the cornstarch one more quick stir, then pour it slowly into the coconut milk mixture, whisking as you pour. Return the pan to the stovetop and turn the heat down to medium-low. Continually whisk for 15 minutes. The mixture should thicken to the consistency of thick yogurt. Be sure to cook the haupia for the full 15 minutes; even if it thickens up before then time is up!
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the coconut extract. Allow it to cool for a few minutes.
  • While the haupia cools slightly, microwave the chopped-up chocolate in 15-20 second intervals, stirring between intervals. The chocolate is done when only a few small chunks of chocolate remain (stopping at this point prevents scorching the chocolate). Then stir the chocolate until it's completely melted and smooth.
  • Add 3 cups of haupia to the melted chocolate. Stir until thoroughly combined, and you do not see any white streaks. Pour the chocolate haupia onto the crust, smoothing it into a flat, even layer. Place the pan in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the chocolate layer to set up a bit.
  • Meanwhile, whisk the remaining haupia to prevent lumps from forming. After the chocolate layer has chilled for 5 to 10 minutes, remove it from the refrigerator and pour the remaining haupia on top of the chocolate layer. Smooth the haupia into an even layer.
  • Cover the pan tightly with foil and return it to the refrigerator and allow it to chill for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  • To serve, pull up on the parchment paper overhang and remove the bars from the pan. Cut to the desired size, wiping the knife after each cut. Add cool whip or whipped cream and a little shaved chocolate.
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CANDY CORN JELLO CUPS

Candy Corn Jello Cups are an easy and festive fall treat that the kids will go crazy for! Perfect for all your fall get-togethers or Halloween parties.

I’ll be honest; I am not a fan of candy corn. But these festive candy corn jello cups are too good to pass up!! Made with layered jello, sweetened condensed milk, and topped with cool whip, what’s not to love!!

What Kind of Dessert Cup to Use?

The number of individual dessert cups this recipe makes depends on what style and size of cup you use. For this recipe, I used 5.5-ounce plastic dessert cups. You can purchase these cups here. Using these cups will yield about 16 servings. Of course, you can use any small, preferably transparent, dessert cup.

You Only Need a Few Simple Ingredients:

  • 6 ounces of yellow jello
  • 6 ounces of orange jello
  • Sweetened condensed milk
  • Unflavored gelatine
  • Cool whip
  • Candy corn

Putting it All Together:

Don’t follow the instructions on the box for making the jello. My instructions are slightly different.

Step 1: Start by mixing 2 cups of boiling water with the yellow jello. Mix until the jello is completely dissolved. Then add 1½ cups of cold water, and stir.

Step 2: Pour the yellow jello into the dessert cups, filling each one only about â…“ full. Place the dessert cups in the refrigerator until completely set, about 2 hours.

*It is easiest to place all the dessert cups on a baking sheet and move them all at once versus moving individual cups to and from the refrigerator.

Step 3: While the yellow jello is chilling, prepare the orange jello. Mix 2 cups of boiling water with the orange jello. Mix until the jello is completely dissolved. Then add 1½ cups cold water and stir.

Allow the orange jello to sit on the counter and cool to room temperature before adding it to the yellow jello. If you add the orange jello while still warm, it will mix into the yellow layer.

Step 4: Once the yellow jello is set and the orange jello is cooled, gently pour the orange jello on top of the yellow layer, filling the cups â…” full. Place the jello back into the refrigerator to set up for about an hour or more if needed.

*This is a shorter time than the yellow jello because the yellow jello went into the refrigerator hot and the orange jello went in at room temperature.

Step 5: While the orange jello is chilling, make the white layer. In a medium bowl or large measuring cup, combine the sweetened condensed milk with 1 cup of boiling water and set it aside. In a separate small bowl, combine one envelope of unflavored gelatin with ½ cup of cold water. Stir to moisten all the gelatin. Let the gelatin soak for 3 minutes, and then add ½ cup of boiling water to dissolve the gelatin; stir. Add the dissolved gelatin to the milk mixture and stir to combine. Allow it to cool to room temperature.
Step 6: Once the milk mixture is cooled and the orange layer is set, gently pour the milk mixture over the orange jello, filling the cups almost to the top. Return the jello cups to the refrigerator until chilled and firm. Chill for 1 to 2 hours.
When ready to serve, add Cool Whip or whipped cream with a piping bag and decorating tip and garnish with Candy Corn (optional).

Making a smaller batch:

If you want to make a smaller batch of jello cups, this recipe is easy to cut in half. Just use 3-ounce boxes of jello, half a can of sweetened condensed milk, half an envelope of unflavored gelatin, and cut all the water measurements in half.

**You can purchase these 5.5-ounce dessert cups here**

Candy Corn Jello Cups

Candy Corn Jello Cups are an easy and festive fall treat that the kids will go crazy for! Perfect for all your fall get-togethers or Halloween parties.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Chill Time 5 hours
Course Dessert

Equipment

  • **The number of individual dessert cups this recipe makes depends on what style and size of cup you use. For this recipe, I used 5.5-ounce dessert cups. There is a link in the blog post for purchasing these cups. Using these cups will yield about 16 servings.

Ingredients
 

  • 1 6-ounces yellow jello (or two 3-ounce boxes)
  • 1 6-ounces orange jello (or two 3-ounce boxes)
  • 1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 envelope Knox unflavored gelatin

Garnish (optional)

  • Candy Corns
  • Cool Whip or whipped cream

Instructions
 

  • Mix 2 cups of boiling water with the yellow jello. Mix until the jello is completely dissolved. Add 1½ cups cold water (this is different from the box instructions), and stir.
  • Pour the yellow jello into the dessert cups, filling each one only about â…“ full. Place the dessert cups in the refrigerator until completely set, about 2 hours.
    *It is easiest to place all the dessert cups on a baking sheet and move them all at once versus moving individual cups to and from the refrigerator.
  • While the yellow jello is chilling, prepare the orange jello. Mix 2 cups of boiling water with the orange jello. Mix until the jello is completely dissolved. Add 1½ cups cold water and stir.
    Allow the orange jello to sit on the counter and cool to room temperature before adding it to the yellow jello.
  • Once the yellow jello is set and the orange jello is cooled, gently pour the orange jello on top of the yellow, filling the cups â…” full.
  • Place the jello back into the refrigerator to set up for about an hour or more if needed.
    *This is a shorter time than the yellow jello because the yellow jello went into the refrigerator hot and the orange jello went in at room temperature.
  • While the jello is chilling, make the white layer. In a bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk with 1 cup of boiling water and set it aside. In a separate small bowl, combine one envelope of unflavored gelatin with ½ cup cold water. Stir to moisten all the gelatin. Let the gelatin soak for 3 minutes, and then add ½ cup of boiling water to dissolve the gelatin; stir. Add the dissolved gelatin to the milk mixture and stir to combine. Allow it to cool to room temperature.
  • Once the milk mixture is cooled and the orange layer is set, gently pour the milk mixture over the orange jello. Return the jello cups to the refrigerator until chilled and firm, about 1 to 2 hours.
  • When ready to serve, add Cool Whip or whipped cream with a piping bag and decorating tip and garnish with Candy Corn (optional).

Notes

Making a smaller batch: If you want to make a smaller batch of jello cups, this recipe is easy to cut in half. Just use 3-ounce boxes of jello, half a can of sweetened condensed milk, and half an envelope of unflavored gelatin. Then cut all the water measurements in half.
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PUMPKIN PIE MILKSHAKE

Everything you love about pumpkin pie, but without the work. It only takes about 5 minutes to make this incredible pumpkin pie milkshake. 

If you love the taste of pumpkin pie, then this is your milkshake! It really tastes like pumpkin pie, just minus all the work that goes into making a pie. So if you have 5 minutes, you have enough time to create this delicious, refreshing, and satisfying treat.

When I first created this recipe, I asked my kids to sample the milkshake and give me some feedback. They immediately commented how great it was and promptly asked me to make them another one. They have asked me several times over the last two weeks to make pumpkin pie milkshakes…So I think it is safe to say this recipe is a winner!

Making Pumpkin Pie Milkshakes:

  • Vanilla Ice Cream
  • Milk
  • Pumpkin Puree (chilled)
  • Pumpkin pie spice
  • Maple Syrup
  • Crushed Graham Crackers

*I recommend chilling the pumpkin puree ahead of time. This will help keep the milkshake cold and prevent the ice cream from melting so quickly.

Place all the ingredients in the blender and process until smooth. Pour into two separate glasses and garnish with whipped cream and a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs.

That’s it. So easy and so delicious!!

Pumpkin Pie Milkshake

5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Dessert, Drinks
Servings 2 servings

Equipment

  • Blender

Ingredients
 

  • 3 cups vanilla ice cream
  • ¾ cup milk
  • ¾ cup pumpkin puree, chilled
  • 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • â…“ cup crushed graham crackers (about 1½ whole crackers), reserve a little for garnish

Garnish (optional):

  • Graham Cracker Crumbs
  • whipped cream

Instructions
 

  • *I recommend chilling the pumpkin puree ahead of time. This will help keep the milkshake cold and prevent the ice cream from melting so quickly.
  • Add all ingredients to a blender a process until smooth.
  • Pour into serving glasses, top with whipped cream, and sprinkle with graham cracker crumbs. Serve immediately.
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LIME BARS

If you love lemon bars, then you’ll love these lime bars. Made with a shortbread crust and topped with a delicious lime custard with the perfect balance between sweet and tart! 

I am a huge fan of lemon bars! So when my husband bought a large bag of limes from Costco, I knew just how to use them. So over the next few days, I put together a delicious lime bar recipe.

I decided to add lime zest to both the shortbread and the custard to really capture the delicious flavor of the limes. I enjoy my lemon and lime bars to be a little tangy and not too sweet. And these bars balance the two perfectly.

The shortbread is a sweet, buttery base for these delicious bars and sturdy enough to hold the extra thick custard layer. And don’t forget to top these delicious bars off with a dusting of powdered sugar.

How to Make Lime Bars:

Lime bars are quite easy to make, with a few simple steps.

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F.
  • Prepare the 9×13-inch pan by lining it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to make it easier to remove the bars after they have cooled.

Crust:

  • Combine the melted butter, sugar, vanilla, lime zest, and salt in a medium bowl. Then add the flour and stir until completely incorporated.
  • Using your hands, press the crust firmly into the pan in an even layer.
  • Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the edges just begin to brown slightly. Remove from the oven. Poke the crust lightly with a fork, piercing the top but not going all the way to the bottom. This step helps the filling hold better to the crust.

Filling:

  • Sift the sugar and the flour together in a large bowl. This step helps to create a smooth, creamy custard. Next, whisk in the eggs, lime juice, and lime zest. Whisk until thoroughly combined.
  • Pour carefully over the warm crust and return to the oven. Bake the bars for 22-25 minutes or until the center is set and no longer jiggly. Test by tapping the side of the pan.

  • Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely at room temperature (about 2 hours). Once cooled to room temperature, place the bars in the refrigerator to chill for another 2 hours.
  • When you are ready to cut the bars, pull up on the parchment paper and place the bars on a cutting board. Using a knife, cut the bars, wiping the knife off with a damp paper towel after each slice. Return to the refrigerator until ready to serve.
  • Don’t forget to dust your bars with powdered sugar before serving them.

The Problem with Powdered Sugar (confectioners’ sugar)

If you use powdered sugar very often, you know just how finicky it can be. Within minutes a perfectly dusted dessert can go from stunning to sloppy, and all of the powdered sugar can disappear right before your eyes. This is especially true if your dessert is moist, like these bars.

If your dessert presentation is important or it needs to be pretty for any length of time (more than five minutes), you can purchase non-melting powdered sugar that will literally never melt. It’s almost completely unaffected by moisture, meaning it can sit on top of a moist dessert for several hours without dissolving. This is a baker’s dream come true!! Well, it is for me at least…

This type of powdered sugar tastes just like the regular kind you get at the grocery store, but it’s less prone to dissolving. The ingredient list includes several added ingredients like palm oil and cornstarch. Non-melting powdered sugar can be rather pricey, so I only use it for desserts that need to look pretty. I use regular powdered sugar if I’m mixing it into a dessert or making a glaze or frosting. When buying non-melting powdered sugar, make sure it says “non-melting”  on the outside of the container. It can also easily be purchased online.

Lime Bars

If you love lemon bars, then you'll love these lime bars. Made with a shortbread crust and topped with a delicious lime custard with the perfect balance of sweet and tart! 
4.88 from 8 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Chilling Time 3 hours
Total Time 4 hours
Course bars, Dessert
Servings 24 bars

Ingredients
 

Shortbread Crust

  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

Lime Filling

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons lime zest
  • 1 cup fresh lime juice
  • optional: confectioners' sugar for dusting finished bars

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F.
  • Prepare the 9x13-inch pan by lining it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to make it easier to remove the bars after they have cooled.

Crust:

  • In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter, sugar, vanilla, lime zest, and salt. Then add the flour and stir until completely incorporated.
  • Using your hands, press the crust firmly into the pan in an even layer.
  • Bake for 20-22 minutes or until the edges begin to lightly brown. Remove from the oven. Poke the crust lightly with a fork, piercing the top but not going all the way to the bottom. This helps the filling hold better to the crust.

Filling:

  • Sift the sugar and the flour together in a large bowl. Whisk in the eggs, lime juice, and lime zest. Whisk until completely combined.
  • Pour carefully over the warm crust and return to the oven. Bake the bars for 22-25 minutes or until the center is set and no longer jiggly. Test by tapping the side of the pan.
  • Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely at room temperature (about 2 hours). Once cooled to room temperature, place the bars in the refrigerator to chill for another 2 hours.
  • When you are ready to cut the bars, pull up on the parchment paper and place the bars on a cutting board. Using a knife, cut the bars, wiping the knife off with a damp paper towel after each slice. Return to the refrigerator until ready to serve.
  • Optional - Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving (See notes)
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Notes

Non-melting confectioners' sugar: If the presentation of your dessert is important or it needs to be pretty for any length of time (more than five minutes), you can purchase non-melting powdered sugar that will literally never melt. It’s pretty much completely unaffected by moisture, meaning it can sit on top of a moist dessert for several hours without dissolving. This type of powdered sugar tastes just like the kind you get at the grocery store, but it’s less prone to dissolving. When buying non-melting powdered sugar, make sure it says "non-melting"  on the outside of the container. It can also easily be purchased online.
Freezing Bars: Cut the chilled bars (do not use confectioners' sugar), place them in a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 6 months. When you are ready to eat them, thaw them in the refrigerator, then dust with confectioner's sugar.
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MINI APPLE PIE TARTS

These mini apple pie tarts are a fun twist on the classic apple pie. Filled with a homemade apple pie filling and topped off with a spiced crumble topping, you have a dessert that not only tastes amazing but is also fun to make and fun to eat! 

I love apple pie, and I thought it would be fun to develop a recipe for a mini tart version. These came out so delicious and are almost as fun to make as they are to eat. These are easy enough for kids to help with too.

The Tart Molds:

These particular tart molds are my absolute favorite. Why? For one, they are the perfect size, measuring 3-inches across, making them the ideal size for a handheld dessert. And the best part is they have a removable/push-up bottom, allowing the tarts to come out so easily with really no effort at all.  You can find these great mini-tart pans here.

I’ve written this recipe and the instructions using these tart molds, but you can also use a standard muffin pan. Of course, the finished product will look slightly different, but the taste will be the same.

Step by Step Instructions (with photos):

To start, you’ll need two pie crusts, either homemade or store-bought.

If you use store-bought pie crusts, let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, then carefully unroll them. If you use a homemade pie crust, roll it out into a â…›” thick circle on a lightly floured surface.

Using a 3½-inch pastry cutter, cut twelve circles. Center a dough circle over a mini tart mold and gently press the dough down. Then gently press the dough against the fluted edges. Repeat for remaining tart molds. Place the dough-filled tart molds on a baking sheet for easier handling. Place the tarts in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to chill the dough.

While the dough is chilling, dice 2½ cups of apples (about two apples), then mix together the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and vanilla. Add to the apples and stir to coat the apples evenly. Set aside.

Next, in a separate bowl, combine the brown sugar, oats, flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt.

It’s always better to mix your dry ingredients before adding the butter. It helps to ensure that the dry ingredients are evenly mixed together.

Once your dry ingredients are well combined, add the melted butter, stirring with a fork. Using a fork helps you to fluff the topping as you stir. Using a spoon or spatula can compact your topping and cause large clumps.

Remove the tarts from the refrigerator and fill each tart with two rounded tablespoons of apples (stirring the apples frequently to mix in the liquid that collects at the bottom of the bowl). Then add one tablespoon of the topping.

Bake in a preheated oven (400°F) for 20 to 25 minutes. The crust should be beginning to brown, and the filling should be hot and bubbly.

Move the pan to a cooling rack and allow the tarts to cool for 15 minutes. When the molds are cool enough to touch, pick one up and press up on the bottom with your fingers, lifting the tart out of the mold. Remove the round mold circle from the bottom of the tart and allow the tart to finish cooling on the cooling rack. Repeat with the remaining tarts.

Serve warm or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Freezing the Tarts:

If you want to make a large batch to have on hand or make them ahead of time to prep for a party, these tarts freeze well. Just allow them to cool completely and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Then, when ready to use them, thaw to room temperature, and they are ready to serve.

Tart Pans:

Mini Apple Pie Tarts

These mini apple pie tarts are a fun twist on the classic apple pie. Filled with a homemade apple pie filling and topped off with a spiced crumble topping, you have a dessert that not only tastes amazing but is also fun to make and fun to eat! 
4.96 from 24 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 12 Mini Pies

Ingredients
 

  • 2 pie crusts, store-bought or homemade
  • 2½ cups diced apples, about 2 apples
  • â…“ cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 tablespoons flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Crumble Top:

  • ¼ cup flour
  • ½ cup quick-cooking oats
  • ¼ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • â…› teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • â…› teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F
  • If you use store-bought pie crusts, let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes, then carefully unroll them.
    If you use a homemade pie crust, roll it out into a â…›" thick circle on a lightly floured surface.
  • Using a 3½-inch pastry cutter, cut twelve circles. Center a dough circle over a mini tart mold and gently press the dough down. Then gently press the dough against the fluted edges. Repeat for remaining tart molds. Place the dough-filled tart molds on a baking sheet for easier handling.
    **If you don't have mini tart molds, you can use a standard muffin pan.
  • Place the tarts in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to allow the dough to chill before adding the filling.

Filling:

  • While the dough is chilling, prepare the filling. Start by peeling and dicing the apples.
  • Mix together the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and vanilla. Add to the apples and stir until the apples are thoroughly coated. Set aside.

Topping:

  • In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and salt. Once combined, add the melted butter and stir with a fork, fluffing the topping as you mix.

Putting Tarts Together:

  • Remove the tarts from the refrigerator. Fill each tart with two rounded tablespoons of apples (stirring the apples frequently to mix in the liquid that collects at the bottom of the bowl).
  • Top each tart with one tablespoon of topping.
  • Place the pan of tarts in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crust begins to brown and the filling is bubbly.
  • Remove the tarts from the oven and set them on a cooling rack for 15 minutes.
  • Once the molds are cool enough to handle, remove the tarts by pressing up on the bottom of the molds and lifting out the tarts. Allow the tarts to finish cooling on the cooling racks.
  • Store cooled tarts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Notes

**There is a link to buy these mini tart pans in the blog post.
Freezing the Tarts: If you want to make a large batch to have on hand or want to make them ahead of time to prep for a party, these tarts freeze well. Just allow them to cool completely and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. Then, when you are ready to use them, thaw to room temperature, and they are ready to serve.
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CAMPFIRE APPLE CRISP

Look out s’mores; you’ve got competition! This just might become your new favorite campfire dessert! So whether you are camping in the woods or gathered around a fire pit in your backyard, you can enjoy the warm, comforting flavor of apple crisp. 

Our family loves to go camping, and I mean hard-core tent camping where all of your food is cooked over a campfire! And every year, I try to keep the food interesting by thinking outside the box. Of course, S’mores are a given, and my kids would be really bummed if I left them out. But I like to add something new and different to keep it interesting (and keep them guessing)! So last year, I surprised my family with campfire apple crisp. My favorite comment of the evening was, “This is the fanciest camping dessert I’ve ever had!” I call that success!

Campfire apple crisp is not just for camping but will also work great for those fun evenings when you are gathered around your backyard fire pit or grilling with friends and family.

You can prepare the ingredients ahead of time and pack them in the cooler to put together at camp or make them right away for your backyard gathering. Either way, these are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser!

How to make Campfire Apple Crisp:

You’ll Need:

  • Heavy-duty aluminum foil
  • Apples, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices
  • lemon juice, **only if making ahead of time**
  • Brown sugar
  • Cinnamon

For the Topping:

  • Brown Sugar
  • Flour
  • Quick-cooking oats
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Baking powder
  • Melted butter

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Tear off four sheets of aluminum foil, about 8-inches x 12-inches. Set aside.
  • Peel and cut the apples into ¼-inch slices. Set aside.

  • Mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon. Then sprinkle the mixture on the sliced apples, stirring to coat the apples evenly.

  • Evenly divide the apples between the four pieces of aluminum foil.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, oatmeal, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking powder.
  • Add the melted butter and stir with a fork, fluffing the topping as you stir. Stir until the butter is evenly distributed and the topping is completely moist.

  • Evenly sprinkle the topping on the top of the apples.

Baking the Crisp:

  • Fold each of the foil packets up and seal.

  • Place on the grate over the campfire or on a pre-heated grill. Bake for about 20 – 30 minutes. The apple crisp is done when the topping is golden brown and the apples are soft. If you don’t have a grate over your fire, place the packets next to the coals (not in the coals), and rotate every 5 minutes until done, to help them cook evenly,

  • Carefully open the foil packets (be careful of the escaping steam) and top with ice cream if desired.

To Prepare Ahead of Time (to take on a camping trip):

If you are planning to make the apple crisp while camping, I suggest preparing all your ingredients ahead of time at home and assembling the crisp packets right before baking them at camp. The instructions are pretty much the same, except you will put everything in separate airtight containers until ready to assemble. You will also want to add a little lemon juice to the apples to prevent them from browning.

  • Cut up the apples and sprinkle with 2-3 teaspoons of lemon juice, toss to coat. Store in an airtight container and place in the cooler. The lemon juice helps to keep the apples from browning.
  • Place brown sugar and cinnamon mixture in a small airtight container.
  • Follow the instructions for making the topping. And also store in an airtight container.
  • When you are ready to bake the apple crisp, drain off any liquid in the apples, then mix the sugar and cinnamon with the apples. Next, divide the apples evenly over four (8-inch x 12-inch) foil sheets. Then, evenly divide the topping amongst the four packets, seal, and bake as instructed.

Campfire Apple Crisp

Look out s'mores; you've got competition! This just might become your new favorite campfire dessert! So whether you are camping in the woods or gathered around a fire pit in your backyard, you can enjoy the warm, comforting flavor of apple crisp. 
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
 

  • 4 cups apples (2 to 3 large apples), peeled and cut into ¼-inch thick slices
  • 2-3 teaspoons lemon juice, **only if making ahead of time, see instructions**
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Topping:

  • ½ cup brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup flour
  • ¾ cup quick-cooking oats
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ cup butter, melted
  • Aluminum Foil, heavy-duty

Instructions
 

  • Tear off four sheets of aluminum foil, about 8-inches x 12-inches. Set aside.
  • Peel and cut the apples into ¼-inch slices. Set aside.
  • Mix together the brown sugar and cinnamon. Then sprinkle the mixture on the sliced apples, stirring to coat the apples evenly.
  • Evenly divide the apples between the four pieces of aluminum foil.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, oatmeal, cinnamon, nutmeg, and baking powder.
  • Add the melted butter and stir with a fork, fluffing the topping as you stir. Stir until the butter is evenly distributed and the topping is completely moist.
  • Evenly sprinkle the topping on the top of the apples.

Baking the Crisp:

  • Fold each of the foil packets up and seal. Place on the grate over the campfire or on a preheated grill. Bake for about 20 minutes. The apple crisp is done when the topping is golden brown and the apples are soft.
  • Carefully open the foil packets (be careful of the escaping steam) and top with ice cream if desired.

**To Prepare Ahead of Time (to take on a camping trip):**

  • Cut up the apples and sprinkle with 2-3 teaspoons of lemon juice, toss to coat. Store in an airtight container.
  • Place brown sugar and cinnamon mixture in a small airtight container.
  • Follow the instructions above for making the topping. And also store in a separate airtight container.
  • When you are ready to bake the apple crisp, drain off any liquid in the apples, then mix the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture with the apples. Next, divide the apples evenly over four (8-inch x 12-inch) foil sheets. Finally, evenly divide the topping amongst the four packets, seal, and bake as instructed above.

Notes

For best results and even cooking, place the foil packets on a grate above the coals or use a grill. Don't place the apple crisp directly in the coals as the extreme heat will burn the crisp. If you don't have a grate for the fire, you can place the foil packets next to the fire or coals and rotate the foils every 5 minutes to evenly cook the crisp. 
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