Mini Apple Crostata

With some excess pastry crust and a few apples hanging around in my fridge at the end of last semester, I decided to throw this mini apple crostata together for one of my class parties. Although the original recipe states it would take 3 hours to make this dish, I was able to make it in 45 minutes, so it can be thrown together quickly in a pinch. Divide into 8 small pieces and you have the perfect one-bite party dessert.

Mini Apple Crostata
Adapted from Betty Crocker "Baking Basics"
8 servings

Ingredients:
Pastry crust for an 8 inch single crust pie
2 apples, I used Macintosh
1/8 cup, plus 1/2 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp cinnamon

1. Preheat the oven to 425F degrees.

2. Prepare pastry crust. Roll crust onto a large ungreased cookie sheet, or pizza dish. Gently cover with plastic wrap and set aside until apple mixture is ready.

3. Peel, core, and slice the apples.

4. In a medium bowl, mix 1/8 cup sugar and the flour. Stir in the apples.

5. Mound the apple mixture in the center of the pastry crust.

6. Fold over the edges of the pastry crust, making pleats as you go.

7. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 tbsp sugar and the cinnamon. Sprinkle over the apples and pastry.

8. Bake 20-30 minutes, or until the crust is a light golden brown. Given that this is a mini crostata, you will want to keep your eye on it during the baking process. To prevent the exposed center from becoming too browned, place a piece of aluminum foil over it while the edges gently brown in the last 5-10 minutes of cooking.

9. Enjoy!

Nutritional Info per Serving:
Calories 31; Total Fat 0g; Cholesterol 0mg; Sodium 0mg; Total Carbs 8g; Protein 0g