Sweet Apple Sugar Cookie Tarts

Have you ever been to an apple orchard? Now imagine every time you look out your back window seeing a mini apple orchard, because that is what I see. It is very helpful to have an abundance of apples, especially when you are a baker like me. This week I decided to put some of those apples to use, by making apple tarts. Traditionally you are supposed to use a pie crust to make these tarts, but I thought I would use a sugar cookie dough to sweeten them up.

Cookie dough:

1 1/2 c sugar

2 1/2 c flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

12 tbs butter (1 and 3/4 stick) room temp

2 tsp vanilla

2 large eggs

Filling:

3 c small apple cubes (1/4 inch)

1/2 c white sugar

1/2 c water

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp allspice

Glaze:

3 Tbs Water from the apple pan

1/4-1/2 c Powdered sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

1. The first thing you want to do do is preheat your oven to 350 degrees, then start on make your sugar cookie dough. Cream butter and sugar together on low in a stand mixer.

2. Add in your eggs( Tip: add in your eggs one at a time and fully combine each).

3. Combine all of your dry ingredients in a separate bowl, and then when your egg is incorporated add the dry ingredients. Be sure to not over mix your cookie dough.

4. Next roll your dough in sugar, then spray your tart pans with any non-stick cooking spray, (Tip: put aluminum foil around the bottom of your pans to make the tarts come out of the pan)and gently press your cookie dough into the pans. Make sure that the dough is thin enough so after they bake and puff up you still have room for the filling.
5. 

Tip: Just to get more of a sugar cookie appearance you can roll your dough into a ball then roll in sugar and press into your tart pan.

5. Bake at 350 for 10- 15 mins or until just brown.

6. Next you want to start on your filling, chop up 5-6 large apples, or enough until you have 3 cups of finely chopped apples. Add to a large sauce pan.

7. Add in water and sugar and stir. (Tip: Have some extra water in the pan to make the glaze)

8. Add in all of your spices and mix. Put cover on pan and cook on medium heat until apples are soft (about 15 mins).

To make a glaze mix some of the water with spices from your apple pan with some powdered sugar and a dash of vanilla.

               

10. Take tarts out of pans and assemble.

11. Enjoy!

Using these quick easy tips will help you make this recipe a success. They are a delicious sweet treat that takes a little effort but it sure does pay off.