Nici Wickes: Individual Apple Pies

An apple pie, plain and simple, with no sugar added – these are a real favourite served with ice cream, cream, and cinnamon.   Makes 6 individual pies      Ingredients  1 kg apples, granny smith   1 cup water    2 x 400g blocks sweet short pastry   Ice cream to serve    Cream to serve   Cinnamon to serve      Method  Set the oven at 200 C fan bake with an oven tray already in the oven to heat up. Grease large-sized (Texan) muffin tin.    Prepare the apples by peeling, coring, and slicing, and placing with 1 cup of water into a saucepan with the lid on and gently cook for about 15 minutes. They should retain their shape without turning into pulp.   Drain in a colander, reserving the juice which can be reduced to a syrup by simmering it for 5-8 minutes. Cool the apples completely before you start filling the pies. Please note apples do not need added sugar, as they are sweet enough.   Now roll your pastry out and cut into circles about the size of a small saucer. Gently line the muffin tin holes with pastry. Patch up any tears or holes.   Fill to 3/4 with the apples and then cover with another smaller round of pastry and pinch top to bottom to seal. Use a sharp knife to make a small cross on the top (this lets the steam out).    Place on hot tray and bake for approx. 25 minutes near the bottom of the oven, as this makes sure the bottoms cooks. The pastry should be a lovely golden colour. Keep checking to making sure the edges of the pies aren't burning.  Cool in tins then gently remove from their tins.    Serve with ice cream and clouds of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon with a small jug of the reserved apple syrup.     LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.