Sunday, October 7, 2012

Pie in a jar!


     My friend Katie C had posted a pic of Apple Pie in mason jars and I knew I had to try and make them! After visiting Happy Apple Farms yesterday and making a quick stop at the grocery store I thought I would make my own.  The temperature in Denver dropped from 82 to 43 this week and with a hint of snow in the air it felt like the perfect weekend to make apple pie.   I started 'googling' pies in mason jars and was amazed at the amount of blogs, posts and recipes I found...now that I've tried this recipe I'm excited to make more pies with blueberries, peaches and cherries! Watch out Hostess Pies, you've got a new baker in town!
     I found a recipe that seemed to be rather easy - just a few ingredients and I admit I cheated and used store bought pie crusts (Pillsbury - in the refrigeration section).  I did tweak the recipe a tad, added a little more brown sugar and cinnamon...and before I put the 'pastry lids' on the pie I had sprinkled a little more brown sugar.  The fact that we are above 5000 ft I wasn't sure if this recipe would need anything else but it seems to have turned out well. I want to thank the blog that I got the recipe from - www.cravingsofalunatic.com - she used a heart shape cookie cutter to make the top even more attractive.

Ingredients
For the Crust:
  • 2 and a half packages of ready-made crust
For the Apple Filling:
  • 6 Granny Smith apples, peeled and cut up
  • 2 Red Delicious apples, peeled and cut up
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons lemon juice to keep apples from browning
  • 1 cup of brown sugar
  • ¼ cup flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons of butter

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
For the Crust:
  1. Clean your mason jars.
  2. Spray the heck out of your mason jars with non stick spray.
  3. Roll out the dough a little thinner than it is in the package. Use a pizza wheel to cut into pieces. Now place the pieces in your jars and press them so you have very little gaps. Just keep working it till you get the groove going.
  4. Set aside.
For the Apple Pie Filling:
  1. Peel and cut up your apples. You want small cubes for jars. Sprinkle the lemon juice over them to keep them from browning while you measure out everything else.
  2. Combine brown sugar, flour and spices in another bowl and mix. Then pour over your apples and mix it all together.
  3. Spoon the apples into the 12 jars. Fill about ¾ of the way.
  4. Put a pat of butter on each one.
  5. Top with more crust.
  6. Pinch or use a fork to seal them up.
Cooking them:
  1. Place all the jars on a rimmed baking sheet. Carefully place that in your preheated oven. Cook for 35 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown.
  2. Remove and let cool or eat right away.

I mixed the dry ingredients and folded into the apples...this is where I added some extra brown sugar and cinnamon (whatever your taste preference)


I rolled out the Pillsbury crust and used the ring from the Ball jar as my 'pastry lid' cutter 
You can do the same thing for the bottom of the jar but I used the inside of the metal ring for the bottom and the outside for the top (hope that made sense)
Make sure to spray the inside of jar so the crusts don't stick.  For the 'walls' on the inside of the jar I  used the side of the jar to make a pattern and cut the dough with a pizza cutter. 

Fill the pastry lined jar with the apple mixture (make sure to stir a few times as the brown sugar mixture will settle on the bottom of the bowl) I sprinkled a little more sugar and a 1/2 tsp of butter before putting the pastry lid on top. I pinched the sides and used a paring knife to mark the top. 
I put the 12 jars on a cookie sheet (no water needed in bottom of pan) just place in the preheated oven and wait for smell of apple pie to fill the kitchen. I did bake for about 40 - 45. You need to check on the sides to make sure it looks like the pastry cooked through. 
Just pulled from the oven! Easy and delicious.

I waited for the jars to cool a little and put the metal lids on them... makes for a great gift or a treat later on!  You can freeze them before cooking (just need to a cook a little longer) To heat them later - I put it in the microwave (remove the lid) for 45-60 sec.
Enjoy this tasty treat! Thank you again Katie C for the idea, thanks Jacqui for going apple picking with me and thank you to www.cravingsofalunatic.com for the recipe!!
Can't wait to hear what everyone thinks! Enjoy this tasty treat and let me know if you make it using another fruit! I love the Fall and I love it more with APPLE PIE in a JAR!

P.S. I used the Ball quilted jelly jar - 8oz. 


2 comments:

  1. You are amazing! I love reading your blog and not just because I'm your mother.

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  2. I've seen these before and wondered how they would turn out. Now I have to try it!! They look delish!
    Btw, I'll give you a call soon. I did get your message. Phoenix was fun - maybe a little too much so one night!

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