Mini Sugar Free Apple Tarts
In England and Ireland apples are as popular in Fall as pumpkin spice. Apples play a big role at Halloween. Bobbing for apples was our #1 sport on Halloween. As a kid growing up in the West of Ireland, we waited every fall for the apple man to arrive. He sold cooking or crab apples which were incredible for baking with. I have never seen these apples in the US and the closest I can get is granny smith apples. These Mini Sugar free apple tarts are a twist on regular apple pies, with crunchy walnuts and custard pastry.
Apple pie is one of my favorite fruit deserts and these mini tarts are a twist on my favorite apple pie and custard. I use Birds custard powder in this recipe. This can be bought in Fry’s in the US. I usually bring a few boxes from England and when I run out I also buy from Amazon.
I buy most of my baking ingredients from Amazon & Costco. The ingredients are linked to the products on amazon.com. Why? because I use a lot of niche ingredients in my baking which are difficult to find in local stores. I also bake a lot and it keeps my costs lower.
Note: This will make 20, 3 inch pies. I usually make half then freeze half the pastry and the apples mix to put together quickly at a later date. You can get 24 pies out of this recipe if you like a thinner crust.
Ingredients:
Pastry
14 oz. of Plain flour
2 oz. of Birds custard powder (If you do not have custard powder use 16 oZ. of Flour, I have also purchased at Fry’s in the International section.
8 oz cold butter
Pinch of salt
Ice cold water.


Filling:
6 granny smith apples
¼ cup of apple juice
¼ tsp ground cloves
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ cup crushed walnuts ( I buy in bulk at Costco)
1 tsp vanilla essence (I buy the large bottle at Costco)
Method:
Sieve the flour and custard powder into a metal bowl with the salt cold bowl, I put all my utensils in the freezer for ½ hour before I make pastry)
Cut the butter into small cubes. Add to the flour. Quickly rub the butter into the flour with the tips of your fingertips until the mixture looks like fine breadcrumbs.
Create a well in the center of the flour and slowly add the iced water mixing with a metal palette knife (yes, I put that in the freezer too)
Bring together to form a ball. Turn onto a floured board and lightly knead into a round shape. Cover with clingfilm and place in the fridge for at least 30 mins or give a quick blast in the freezer for 10 minutes.
I precook the apples for these small tarts. Peel slice and core the apples. Add the cloves, cinnamon, apple juice and vanilla. Simmer for about 15 mins until the apples have softened (be careful not to burn, there is very little liquid in the pan). Mix to break down the apples a bit and set aside to cool. Stir in the chopped walnuts.
Spray a tart pan or a cupcake pan with non-stick spray. Remove the pastry from the fridge and roll out to 1/8” thick. Use a 3.5” cutter for the base and a 3” cutter for the top. Push the large round into the pan. Fill with 1 tsp of apple mixture. Wet the edges of the pastry and gently press the lid of the pie into the bases. Using a fork push the pieces together. Using floured finger sand the back of a blunt knife gently create a rim around the tarts. Using floured fingers and the back of a knife pick the pastry to crimp the edges. Lightly brush with egg wash and bake in the middle of the oven for 25 minutes. Check if nicely browned if not leave for another 5 minutes.
Baked Dusted mini apple tarts ready to serve. Yummy!!!

Remove the Mini Sugar free apple tarts from the tray and cool on a wire tray. When cool dust with icing sugar. You can make these tarts into a tasty desert by serving with some fresh fruit and serve warm with pouring custard with vanilla ice cream.
See my fall recipe for Pumpkin Spice scones with spicy apple glaze