Thursday, October 28, 2010

Apple Florets

These are a perfect dessert for a dinner party.  1) They are adorable and 2) You can make them ahead of time and they will heat while you are eating your meal!  I adapted this recipe from a few different recipes to come up with this individual apple pie/tart.


Crust
2 c flour
1 tsp salt
1 tbsp sugar
1 ½ sticks cold butter and cubed
1 tbsp vinegar
1 egg
½ c ice cold water

Filling
5 granny smith apples
¼ c lemon juice
1 c water
3 tbsp Penzeys baking spice 
1/3 c sugar
1 tbsp flour

butter for greasing pan

6 tbsp butter, softened
1 egg
splash of milk

Sift flour salt and sugar together in a medium bowl.  Add cold, cubed butter and combine with a pastry blender or fork.





Blend until the mixture becomes course crumbs.  Wisk vinegar, egg, and cold water.  Add to butter mixture.  Knead until it becomes a dough, and form it into a ball.




Cover with plastic and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

Mix the lemon juice and water in a medium bowl.  Peal the apples and place in lemon water immediately after they are pealed.  Slice the apples and put them back in the lemon water. 





Strain the lemon water out, rinse out the bowl, and put the apple slices back in the bowl.  Toss with baking spice, sugar, and flour.




Quarter the dough and roll out a 3 foot section of plastic wrap.  Flatten the dough in the middle of one ½ of the plastic wrap.  Fold the plastic wrap over and roll out an 8 inch circle of dough.  Repeat for each quarter of dough.



Place the rolled out pieces of dough in the freezer for 3 minutes.  Butter individual dishes, tart pans, or a baking sheet…depending on what you want to use.


Form the rolled out dough into the dishes/tart pans or lay on a baking sheet.  Add the filling.



Fold the dough over the filling.  Divide the remaining butter into four and spread over the filling.  Wisk the egg and splash of milk, and brush over the dough.


Once you serve dinner, pop these in a preheated 350 degree oven for 15-20 minutes or until the dough is nicely browned.  Serve with vanilla bean or cinnamon ice cream and enjoy!!




***The amazing photos are courtesy of my friend Beth.  For more information about Beth's photography, you can contact her at beth.ellen.23@gmail.com.