How to Make Mini Apple Pies in Ball Jars

My family loves apple pie. I own a gazillion Ball canning jars so I thought it might be fun to make mini apple pies in ball jars.

Today I am really excited to show you how I made these mini apple pies in Ball jars. These Mini Apple Pies are easy to make and filled with a simple homemade apple pie filling. They taste just like apple pie except they are smaller and taste as cute as they look.

Last year I made my first floral pie crust and I love how it makes my pies look so unique! So I decided to make more flowers out of crust for my mini apple pies. Aren’t they cute?

Before I get into the “how to make” these mini apple pies, I thought I would answer a few questions that I think you might have about mini apple pies.

What apples are best for apple pie?

There are so many apple varieties to choose from so don’t get overwhelmed. The most common apple used for apple pies is Granny Smith. They are tart and firm apples and I use them all of the time. Most experts suggest you use a combination of two types of apples to add depth to the taste.

These seven apple varieties are the most popular apples for apple pie. 

• Granny Smith
• Pink Pearl
• Ginger Gold
• Golden Delicious
• Jazz
• Jonagold
• Pink Lady

Can you use any apple pie recipe to make mini apple pies?

Yes! Just be sure to modify your cooking time. Smaller pies often take less time to cook, so I always deleted ten minutes from the recommended baking time and check the pies every minute thereafter to see if they are done.

How can you prevent runny apple pie?

There are a few things you can do to prevent runny apple pie. The best solution is to precook your apple filling. You can also reduce the juice and experiment with thickeners. Venting the top crust or using a decorative or lattice crust will also help.

Tips for making mini apple pies

Roll out your pie crust and cut circles about 2″ larger than the rim of your ball jars. Press the crust into the jar. I rolled an extra piece of dough and placed it around the top of the ball jar for a more “finished” look.

How to make the rose flowers out of pie crust

To make the flowers for the top of your pies, cut your pie dough into 2 – 3″ circles using a biscuit cutter.

Overlap three pastry circles.

Gently roll them up.

Cut in the center of the rolled-up pastry. You now have two flowers.

Squeeze the bottom of the flat edge of each flower so that the crust pieces will stay together.

Gently spread the pasty petals to give the flower more of a “rose” appearance.

I made eight flowers for each of the mini pies. So that is four circles that were cut in half,  many of which were made from 12 round pieces of dough.

When it comes to peeling apples, I think the first step is to remove the core. I love using my apple corer as it works every time!

Apple pies differ when it comes to how you prepare the pie filling. I love the pre-cooking my filling more than making uncooked. I use to make an apple pie filling that wasn’t pre-cooked but the apples were usually dry and too tart. Pre-cooking the apples makes for a much better filling. 

Fill the crusts with the pie filling.

Then place the rosettes on top and bake! It’s that simple.

Continue to Content

Yield: Six mini ball jar apple pies

Mini Apple Pies in Ball Jars

Print

The mini pies not only look adorable but they also taste great.

Prep Time 1 hour

Cook Time 20 minutes 18 seconds

Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes 18 seconds

Ingredients

• Pie Crust:
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 sticks unsalted butter
• 5 tablespoons margarine or chilled vegetable shortening
• Apple Pie Filling:
• 5 granny smith apples (feel free to combine types of apples)
• 3 TBL butter
• 1 1/2 tsp. Cinnamon
• 1 TBL cornstarch
• 1/3 cup sugar

Instructions

1. To make the pie crust by hand: In a large bowl, sift the flour and salt. Cut the chilled butter and margarine into 1-tablespoon bits and add to the flour. With a pastry cutter, work flour and shortening together until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the ice water little by little pressing the pastry together into a ball. Wrap and chill for at least 1 hour.
2. It is very important to work the pastry as little as possible. Don't overhandle and add as little water as possible, and mix only as much as necessary.
3. To make the pie crust with a Food Processor: Put flour and salt in the bowl of machine. Cut butter and margarine into flour. Process a few seconds until mixture resembles coarse meal. Drop by drop add the water, processing very briefly. The whole process would take 20 to 30 seconds. Wrap and chill the pastry for at least 1 hour.
4. If pastry has been chilled for a long time, let it sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before rolling.

5. Lightly flour a pastry board, marble counter, or kitchen counter. Divide the pastry in half. Pat each piece of pastry into a flat round. Lightly flour the rolling pin. Roll pastry in one direction only, turning pastry continually to prevent it from sticking to the surface. Cut pastry into circles with a biscuit cutter. Make flowers as seen in blog post.
Prepare the apples
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Met 3TBL butter in a fry pan. Add apples and cook 3 -4 minutes.
3. Add the cornstarch and the sugar and cook the apples until just softened. Add sugar and cornstarch a cook three minutes longer.
4. Spoon mixture into prepared crust and top with flower-shaped crusts.
5. Bake for approximately 15 - 20 minutes. Enjoy!

Now, it’s time to try more amazing apple recipes! These are incredible!

Apple Cinnamon Streusel Muffins by Ella Claire & Co. | Puff Pastry Apple Strudel by Inspired by Charm | Apple Crumb Pie Bars by Tidy Mom | Stovetop Applesauce by Tidbits | Apple Cheesecake Tart by Rooms for Rent

Gluten/Dairy Free Apple Crisp by Zevy Joy | Apple Pie Chocolate Chip Cookies by Anderson + Grant | Easy Apple Dumpling Dessert by Happy Happy Nester | Gluten Free Apple Fritters by Home Made Lovely | Sheet Pan Apple Crumble by My Sweet Savannah

Salted Caramel Apple Tart by Shabby Fu Fu | Cinnamon Apple Bread by Julie Blanner | Apple & Blackberry Topped Waffles by French Country Cottage | Sugar Free Apple Butter by Farmhouse on Boone | Puff Pastry Apple Pie by Jenna Kate at Home

Apple Walnut Bread by On Sutton Place | Apple Cake with Homemade Caramel Sauce by Town and Country Living | Mini Apple Pies by My 100 Year Old Home | Apple Scones by Boxwood Avenue

Pin the image below to your Craft or fall decor boards on Pinterest (just click the Pin button in the top left corner). You can also follow along with me on Pinterest!

For more real-time updates, follow me on Instagram @My100YearOldHome