Time for the best part of any holiday meal… dessert! After we’ve filled ourselves to the brim with turkey, mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole, and stuffing, the idea of heavy desserts like brownies, cake, or truffles is enough to send someone running to the bathroom.

For this year’s holidays, instead of spending hours preparing dessert, let’s just set aside ten minutes. This recipe for Personal Apple Pies is simple, quick, and scrum-diddly-umptious. You can enjoy a personal pie all by your onesome, or grab two spoons and share with a loved one.

One apple is enough for two personal pies… and of course enough to keep the doctor away. Core and slice your apple into bite-size pieces. Or if you’re state-of-the-art like me and have a handy apple slicer, join me in the lazy apple eating party.

I used store-bought pie dough (for shame!) for time’s sake. If it tickles your fancy, go ahead and make the dough from scratch. Roll out the dough into a circle and cut in half. I cut heart-shaped steam holes, but the gooey goodness of the pie took over and the hearts were indiscernible after they are baked. In other words, just pop a hole in the dough for steam and save yourself the five-minute hassle.

Melt your butter and brush the dough lightly. Mix your sugar and cinnamon together, then sprinkle over the half of the pie crust you just cut. Throw your apple pieces on one half of your cut pie crust (the other half of the crust will be used to seal the pie). Doesn’t it already look tasty?

Fold your pie crust in half and use a fork to seal around the edges. Fold the dough over itself if there is excess dough.

Brush the top of the pie with more butter, then sprinkle on a heaving helping of the cinnamon-sugar mixture. (Disclaimer: I do not condone the use of excessive butter except during holiday season. My name is Caitlin, not Paula Deen.)

Bake your treat at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve hot with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or just plain straight up. No matter how you eat this personal apple pie, your taste buds will thank you endlessly!

Personal Apple Pies

Yields: 2 personal pies

Ingredients

- 1 pie crust
– 1 apple (any variety)
– 1/2 cup sugar
– 3 tsp. cinnamon
– 4 Tbs. melted butter

Directions
1. Roll out pie dough and cut in half.
2. Mix sugar and cinnamon and set to the side. Cut apple into small bite-size chunks.
3. Melt the butter; brush one side of the pie crust with butter, sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mix, and top with apples.
4. Fold the pie crust in half and seal the pie with a fork around all three sides.
5. Brush the top of the pie with butter and sprinkle more cinnamon-sugar mixture.
6. Bake at 425 degrees for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown.