Name: Apple Pie in an Apple
Prep time: 45 min
Total time: 65 min
Ingredients: 2 medium red apples or 4 very small red apples; 0.25 cup apple cider; 4 tablespoons water; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons sugar (see Tips); 0.25 teaspoon apple pie spice; 1 egg, lightly beaten; 0.125 teaspoon coarse sugar (see Tips); Nonstick cooking spray; 1.3333333730698 cups all-purpose flour; 0.25 teaspoon salt; 0.25 cup vegetable oil; 0.25 cup milk

Prep Time:

45 mins

Additional Time:

20 mins

Total Time:

1 hr 5 mins

Servings:

Yield:

4 servings

Nutrition Profile:

Diabetes-Appropriate Nut-Free Low-Sodium Low-Fat Soy-Free High-Fiber Heart-Healthy Vegetarian Low-Calorie

Jump to Nutrition Facts

This one goes out to all the fall lovers who get more excited for in-season apples than the ever-popular pumpkin. Because really, what could be more fall fabulous than an apple pie that's baked right inside an apple? It brings together the best of fall desserts—warm, cozy baked stuffed apples plus classic pie-in one portion-controlled treat. So skip the hassle of making a full pie crust (and skip all the extra carbs too) and go for this Instagram-worthy cute dessert instead.

Creative Pie Crust Ideas

Here's where you add your own twist. You can weave a lattice crust or place the whole circle on top, crimping edges and cutting vents. Play with the shape and design. Have fun with it!

Lattice Crust

Create a lattice top like the one pictured above by cutting dough circles into ¼-inch-thick strips. Lay half the strips over the filling about ⅛ inch apart. Fold alternating strips back halfway. Place a strip in the center across the strips already in place. Unfold the folded strips. Place another strip across the first set of strips parallel to the strip in the center. Repeat until covered.

Crimped Crust

To crimp edges, such as the middle pie pictured above, place an index finger underneath the outside edge of the dough circle and gently fold and press the dough upward to create half-moon shapes. Cut slits on top before baking.

Shape Play

You can use just about any cookie cutter to create fun pie crust shapes, as long as it's about 3½ inches in diameter. We love the shape a scalloped cookie cutter creates, like the pie on the far right pictured above, but get creative with other cutters like leaves, hearts and more! Cut slits on top before baking.

Bonus: Tiny Trimmings

You will probably have some dough scraps left over with this recipe.They're great for experimenting! Use a very small cookie cutter to create shapes. Adhere shapes to pie crust with a dab of water. Cut slits in the dough before baking.

Why vent? Cutting slits in the top of a pie crust allows steam to escape so the filling does not bubble out or overflow.

Additional reporting by Caitlyn Diimig, RD

Ingredients

2 medium red apples or 4 very small red apples
¼ cup apple cider
4 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons sugar (see Tips) (Optional)
¼ teaspoon apple pie spice
1 egg, lightly beaten
⅛ teaspoon coarse sugar (see Tips) (Optional)
Nonstick cooking spray

Oil Pastry:

1 ⅓ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ cup vegetable oil
¼ cup milk

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut two apples in half crosswise (or cut top third off four very small apples). Use a melon baller or small spoon to scoop out the flesh of each apple half, leaving an 1/8-inch-thick shell. Remove and discard seeds and core. Chop apple flesh into small pieces. In a small saucepan combine chopped apple, cider, 3 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon flour, 2 teaspoons sugar, and apple pie spice. Cook and stir over medium heat until apples are softened and liquid is thickened and bubbly, 3 to 5 minutes. Return filling to apple shells.
To prepare Oil Pastry: In a medium bowl stir together flour and salt. Add oil and milk; stir lightly with a fork until combined (dough will appear crumbly). Gather the mixture into a ball, kneading gently until it holds together. Flatten into a disk, then roll out into a large circle, about 10 inches in diameter. Using a 3 1/2-inch cookie cutter, cut four circles from the pastry. (Discard trimmings or save for another use.) Cut pastry circles into 1/4-inch-thick strips.
Lay pastry strips in a lattice pattern over the top of the apples. (Or place full pastry circles over the tops of the apples and crimp edges). In a bowl whisk together the egg and remaining 1 tablespoon water. Brush egg mixture over pastry and, if desired, sprinkle with coarse sugar.
Line a 15x10-inch baking pan with foil; coat foil with cooking spray. Place pies on prepared baking sheet. If using very small apples, place apple tops on foil next to pies.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until apples are soft, filling is bubbly, and crust is golden. Serve immediately.

Tips

Sugar Substitute: We do not recommend a sugar sub for this recipe.

You can substitute 1 rolled refrigerated pie crust (1/2 of a 15-oz. pkg.) for the oil pastry.

Originally appeared: Diabetic Living Magazine

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

131	Calories
3g	Fat
27g	Carbs
1g	Protein

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 apple pie
Calories 131
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 27g	10%
Dietary Fiber 3g	11%
Total Sugars 16g
Protein 1g	3%
Total Fat 3g	3%
Saturated Fat 0g	2%
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Vitamin A 67IU	1%
Vitamin C 5mg	6%
Folate 30mcg	8%
Sodium 30mg	1%
Calcium 14mg	1%
Iron 1mg	3%
Magnesium 8mg	2%
Potassium 137mg	3%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Apple Pie in an Apple