Here is a recipe to make small single serve heart shaped pies with a traditional style apple strudel filling. The apples are spiced and the pies are made with shortcrust pastry and also sprinkled with spiced sugar. Wiltshire makes little heart shaped tart pans which are perfect for making these little mini pies. After baking the pies your kitchen will be filled with the delicious perfume of spiced apples. The pastry and spiced breadcrumbs can be made ahead to make the assembly of the pies quicker.

Heart Shaped Apple Strudel Pies

Ingredients:

Shortcrust Pastry:

• 2 cups plain flour
• 85 g butter
• 6-8 Tblsp chilled water
• 2 tsp of caster sugar

Apple Strudel Filling:

• 2 medium Granny Smith Apples, finely sliced
• 40 g fine bread crumbs
• 28 g of butter
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon plus extra for finishing off
• pinch of ground cloves
• 2 heaped Tblsp raisins
• 3 Tblsp brandy or rum
• 1 Tblsp of water at room temperature
• 4 Tblsp white sugar
• 1tsp of lemon juice

Method:

Shortcrust Pastry:

1. Using a food processor and the chopping blade, add flour and caster sugar to the bowl and securing the cover, process for 5 seconds. (equivalent to sifting)
2. Add butter and process until combined, about 10-12 seconds
3. Add water through the feed tube and process until the pastry forms a ball.
4. Cover the pastry ball with baking paper and place in a plastic bag and rest for half and hour in the fridge

Apple Strudel Filling:

1. Place the raisins in a small bowl
2. Mix the brandy or rum with the water and pour over the raisins making sure they are covered
3. Set aside at room temperature for 30 minutes
4. When the raisins are plump strain off the liquid and set aside
5. In a small saucepan melt butter over a low heat
6. Add the breadcrumb mix to the melted butter and stir till browned then set aside to cool
7. Stir together the sugar, cinnamon and pinch of cloves in a small bowl
8. When the breadcrumbs are cooled stir in the spiced sugar and mix till well combined
9. Peel and core the apples and cut into quarters then thinly slice each quarter into 6 or 7 slices and cut the slices in half
10. Sprinkle the apple slices with lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of sugar and a good sprinkle of cinnamon

Making the Apple Strudel Pies:

1. Preheat oven to 200º C F and place a heavy tray into middle of the oven
2. Remove the pastry from the fridge and divide into eighth portions
3. Roll the pastry portions into a ball with your hands then roll out into circles a little larger than the size of the heart shaped pans
4. Drape the pastry over the pans and press gently around each tin being careful not to pierce the pastry
5. Divide the breadcrumb mix into four portions and spoon into each of the pans
6. Place the apple slices over the breadcrumbs and sprinkle with a little extra cinnamon and sugar
7. Place a circle of pastry over the top of the pie pans
8. Carefully roll the edges of the lower pastry over the upper pastry to seal the pies into the pans being careful not to break the pastry
9. Using a fork gently press into the rolled edge supporting the edge with your other hand then cut vents into the tops of the pies
10. Brush the tops of the pies with milk and sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon
11. Place the pie pans onto the baking tray into the preheated oven and cook for 10 minutes
12. Lower the heat to 160º C F and bake for a further10 minutes until golden brown
13. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 2  minutes then remove to a cooling rack
14. The pies can be served hot from the oven or cold with double cream or ice cream
15. Depending on the size of your pans you may have some ingredients left over. Why not make a little apple crumble. Grease an oven proof dish or tin with butter, cut another apple, add another tablespoon of sugar and spread the remaining spiced breadcrumbs over the top. Add a 1/4 cup of water, dot with butter and bake for 30 minutes covering with foil if apples are not cooked and the top is browning too fast.