I think it’s high time you baked yourself a pie.
You know why? Because you deserve it. This might be a totally foreign concept to you (as in why would you make yourself a pie) but I promise you, it’s the right thing to do.
If you’re still not convinced, let me give you a few more reasons why this is a good idea.
Say you’re single. You live alone and even though you love to bake, you never do because who would eat everything? Cookies and muffins would clearly just go to waste and what girl needs three dozen cookies in her kitchen anyway? There’s only so much you can freeze.
Therefore, a mini pie is definitely the way to go.
Or, say you have no plans tonight and intended to spend the evening eating Thai take-out and watching re-runs of Mad Men with your cat. (purely hypothetical here…I swear)
You should totally bake a mini pie. Why not?
For this project you don’t really need too much. Just some apples, sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice and pie dough. Never made your own? Try my recipe…it’s easy!
You could also use Pillsbury. I won’t judge.
Now, because we are only making a pie for one, we don’t need many apples. Just one, actually! Start by peeling and coring it.
Once you do that, slice it into really thin little slices. About an eight of an inch thick but no need to measure!
Toss the thin apples slices into a bowl with a tablespoon of sugar, a teaspoon of lemon juice and half a teaspoon of cinnamon and toss well.
Now, set that aside and start working on your pie dough. Like I said before, you could totally use Pillsbury. However, I’m a big advocate of homemade dough not only because it’s so easy to make, but because you can freeze extras and use it for months! Perfect for those Friday night pie and dumpling cravings.
So, if you are using homemade dough, you just need a really small chunk because we’re making a really small pie. The chunk below is probably the size of two golf balls combined.
Roll it out using the wine bottle technique or, if you’re a normal person, with a rolling pin. Place a miniature tart pan on top of the dough and gently cut around to form a circle.
Everyone needs one of these mini tart pans in their life. Highly recommended for your solo pie baking adventures.
Once you’ve cut around the tart pan, gently lift up the dough and place it inside (make sure you grease the pan first!).
Um yeah….it definitely does not need to be perfect. If your pie crust looks like my pie crust, no need to worry! Just press some extra dough around the edges and all will be well in the world again.
See? Disaster averted. Perfect crusts are way overrated.
Poke the pie crust with a fork and then pour in your apples…nothin’ fancy!
After you do this, you really should dot the top of the pie with butter. It just seems like a good idea.
And then bake the little guy at 425 for twenty minutes, or until the edges of the crust start to turn golden brown.
Voila! I’m so proud of you!
Now grab yourself a fork and take your pie to the couch. No need to cut into slices, just relish each and every bite. Ice cream is optional but (always) recommended.
Happy Friday.
Apple Pie for One
1 apple
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp lemon juice
pie dough (preferably homemade)
Preheat the oven to 425.
Peel, core and slice the apple into thin slices. Toss in a bowl with the lemon juice, cinnamon and sugar. Let sit while you roll out the crust.
Fit the crust into a miniature tart pan (grease it first!). Pour in apples and dot with butter. Bake for twenty minutes or until crust starts to look golden brown.
Lauren
October 1, 2010 at 1:56 pmone lonely comment… 😛
looks amazing!
Allie (Live Laugh Eat)
October 1, 2010 at 1:57 pmI now need to get a pastry bag tip AND a mini tart pan. Are they even called those names?
jenna
October 1, 2010 at 1:58 pmyes! Michaels has the tips for only ninety nine cents and you can get the mini tart pan from Amazon or from Sur la Table, William Sonoma or maybe even Target.
courtney
October 1, 2010 at 2:00 pmI’m so excited to make this. I love individual desserts! yum.
R @ Learning As I Chop
October 1, 2010 at 2:03 pmI love that you put butter in everything and still look great. You are an inspiration
Jae
October 1, 2010 at 2:03 pmJenna, you make some of the most delicious comfort treats ever! 🙂
lola
October 1, 2010 at 2:15 pmi love this post. i need to get one of those mini tart pans now!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is
October 1, 2010 at 2:18 pmI think I would need make 2 – for myself!
Bethany @ More Fruit Please
October 1, 2010 at 2:19 pmI need a mini tart pan stat! I already have the apple that’s just begging to be turned into a pie.
Katie G.
October 1, 2010 at 2:24 pmOk, where do I get a mini tart pan? I NEED to make myself a mini apple pie! Looks amazing!!
stacey-healthylife
October 1, 2010 at 2:26 pmI love the cute mini portion controlled pie.
Em the Lady Pastor
October 1, 2010 at 2:27 pmADORABLE!
I will have a new roomie starting Monday (my mom)! She’s going through a divorce, and I think I will make two cutie-pie mini-pies to welcome her! 🙂
Thanks Jenna.
Happy weekend.
Kendra
October 1, 2010 at 2:29 pmAh yes, now I have weekend plans.
Kelly
October 1, 2010 at 2:38 pmDEEEELISH!!!!!
hippierunner
October 1, 2010 at 2:42 pmThat is the cutest thing! I’d love to make one for someone as a treat as I’m not really a pie-lover.
katy @ a shot of life
October 1, 2010 at 2:46 pmmmmm mini desserts are the best! i will totally be confiscating my mom’s mini pans 🙂
Jillian @ Reshape Your Life
October 1, 2010 at 2:52 pmhow cute is that little pie! And that seems like a safe option for people with a sweet tooth… 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey
October 1, 2010 at 2:56 pmOh goodness – this looks absolutely geat! You are right.. how many cookies/muffins/baked goods can one really stuff into a freezer? I’ve got about 2 varieties of muffins and a couple of cookies hidden in there somewhere. I do bust out that container every night though.. but I’m just sayin’.
Carolyn @ lovinlosing
October 1, 2010 at 3:10 pmLooks delicious! I did apple pie for one (or two) using Nature’s Pride hamburger buns as the crust for the Foodbuzz contest and they were awesome!
eatmovelove
October 1, 2010 at 3:34 pmI love this. I would probably still bake the whole pie for me though…;)
BUT this would be wiser! Why do you poke holes in the dough?
And first I was thinking that this would take too long to make dough…on a weeknight…a Friday night?! – BUT, yes, making it ahead and freezing it – genius.
…your really making me wonder about this Mad Men show…
jenna
October 1, 2010 at 3:37 pmyou poke holes to let out the steam so the crust doesn’t bubble up!
emily hall
October 1, 2010 at 3:36 pmThis is soooo cute! I love it! Perfect for the fall season!
Stephanie @ Off The Eaten Path
October 1, 2010 at 3:44 pmThat is the CUTEST pie! It looks tasty, too 🙂
Maribeth
October 1, 2010 at 3:45 pmThat looks so good! I want to know how to make a full sized one with crust over the apples… you know, in case a one-person apple pie just isn’t enough. 😉
Heather (Heather's Dish)
October 1, 2010 at 3:48 pmcutest thing ever…and you’re right, i DO deserve my own apple pie! 🙂
The Wife of a Dairyman
October 1, 2010 at 4:06 pmOkay, I was so proud of myself for not having a maple donut today, but now I want apple pie!
Claudia
October 1, 2010 at 4:17 pmwell, I’ve got an oven safe bowl & therefore a mini pie in the oven. No cats yet, though
Cynthia (It All Changes)
October 1, 2010 at 5:20 pmThis is perfect! Hunni wants apple pie for thanksgiving but I can’t eat it. Now he can!
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin
October 1, 2010 at 5:30 pmI love single serving desserts like this! I definitely don’t have freezer room for baked goods since I share a tiny freezer with my two roommates, so this is perfect. 😀
lauren @ laurenINlawrence
October 1, 2010 at 5:55 pmJenna – just a little praise for your blog. I know you wanted to mix things up and focus more on the “culinary arts” rather than daily eats and I think you are doing a fantastic job. I look forward to clicking on your blog in Google Reader and actually reading it instead of some of the other blogs where I quickly skim through. I love oatmeal, peanut butter and salads just as much as the next girl, but sometimes they just get a little dull to look at, ya know?
So thanks for the little bits of kitchen inspiration every day. I think you’re the next Smitten Kitchen…enjoy your weekend!
sherri
October 1, 2010 at 6:07 pmsweet!! i picked apples this afternoon and i have 6 mini tarts baking in the oven. first it was pulled chicken and now mini apple tarts… my husband is so impressed with my culinary skills. thank you, jenna!
Lori Lynn
October 1, 2010 at 6:21 pmThat looks really good. I’ll have to try it. 🙂 It would be perfect for me.
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
October 1, 2010 at 6:32 pmMmmm…I would totally add a dollop of homemade whipped cream on top of that beauty. 😀
I love baking apple pies, but the idea of cooking one *just* for me sounds like a very good idea indeed. 😀
Morgan @ Life After Bagels
October 1, 2010 at 7:13 pmI totally need that tarte pan . . . I only like apple pie and my bf only likes pumpkin so we could make little pie partners in crime!
Averie (LoveVeggiesAndYoga)
October 1, 2010 at 7:29 pmWhen I was a little girl my grandma and I used to make apple pies together. She would make a real size pie and give me the extra dough to make a mini pie like you made…I have great memories when i see mini-pies 🙂
Rolling pin by way of wine bottle? Omg you’re a genius! I always have wine bottles but never have had a rolling pin in my kitchen arsenal.
What a great tip, and clearly, a great recipe!
Have a stellar weekend!
🙂
Jessica@tastyandtrim
October 1, 2010 at 7:37 pmI absolutely LOVE this idea! I adore reading your posts. You are not only amazing at cooking and baking, but you are a great writer!
Chase @ The Chase Project
October 1, 2010 at 7:42 pmThis is perfection!! I might as well be single because the live-in boyfriend actually doesn’t like sweet things, ‘cept me, of course 😉 — so this is perfect! Because you’re right. You can only freeze so much!
Thetreadmilldiaries
October 1, 2010 at 7:47 pmThe pie for one idea – fabulous. Going apple picking tomorrow – know what to do with one of them. 😉
Caitlin
October 1, 2010 at 7:55 pmI haven’t made this yet, but I still felt so good when you said you were proud of us!
Ariffa
October 1, 2010 at 8:06 pmThat tart is adorable, and who wouldn’t feel amazing being able to eat an entire pie to themselves! clever, clever girl 😉
Amber K
October 1, 2010 at 8:07 pmIt’s so cute! What a cool idea. I never would have thought to bake an individual pie.
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
October 1, 2010 at 8:08 pmGirl, you are now officially my hero.
Ann
October 1, 2010 at 9:30 pmI’ve been obsessed with apple pie since I was little. That and peanut butter pie! Thanks for the post. It’s a gentle nudge to remind me to eat more pie! Very critical 🙂
Amy
October 1, 2010 at 9:55 pmWow, you were really talking to me tonight. I just finished watching a Lifetime movie while drinking wine with my roommates. And I never bake even though love to for each of those reasons you list above. I think you are right. A mini tart pan is JUST what I need! I just added Sur la Table to tomorrow’s errand run list. Excellent suggestion!
Jil
October 2, 2010 at 5:36 amhaha I love the tone of this post – and of course the pie looks awesome!
Richard
October 2, 2010 at 5:44 amOMG. It reminds me of the fabulous tartes aux pommes that were in a little patisserie on the Ile St-Louis. Thanks for posting your recipe!
Salah@myhealthiestlifestyle
October 2, 2010 at 6:31 amI love this b/c I am someone who only cooks for one 🙂
cathy b. @ brightbakes.com
October 2, 2010 at 7:15 amthis is adorable! I totally do this for my husband and myself all the time. We llllloooove pie(obviously) but I can’t always justify making a whole 8-serving one! Enter those little pot pie dishes…and voila! Pie for two…(or, one 🙂 )
Love ya,
cathy B. @ brightbakes
kat
October 2, 2010 at 7:23 amwhat a wonderful idea! Perfect for a fall evening in. I need to find a small pie tin!
Samantha @ Food Edu
October 2, 2010 at 7:34 amSo cute–this is a great idea. Whenever I bake, I have to give most of it away because I can’t possibly eat it all–this is perfect.
Lindsey @ Morningstar Project
October 2, 2010 at 7:47 amOk you have convinced me I NEED to make one of these little guys! But as for buying a rolling pin that might come secondary – I like wine included in my baking 😉
Indi
October 2, 2010 at 8:14 amAh that is too awesome! I love the new blog format/style, I liked the old way too but a mini apple pie recipe is more interesting than oatmeal photos 🙂
Natalia - a side of simple
October 2, 2010 at 8:27 amI appreciate you trying to convince me that I deserve to bake myself a pie, but really, Jenna, I was sold on that first picture 😉
Camille
October 2, 2010 at 8:29 amOh my, that looks fabulous!
Marina
October 2, 2010 at 10:28 amSeriously, if I wasn’t too lazy to scale the dough recipe for one pie, I would so do it right now.
I’m home-alone, bored, and not in a good mood. And this post made it so obvious I need to make a pie now :))
Paige @Running Around Normal
October 2, 2010 at 10:44 amPerfect! I should probably add Mad Men to my list of shows to watch. I’ve heard many good things about this show!
Kelsey
October 2, 2010 at 10:56 amIn light of this. I made flour-less peanut butter cookies. Absolutely amazing!!
Kelly
October 2, 2010 at 12:19 pmWow. It looks easy enough and amazing! Can’t wait to try it out!!
Marie-JourneyToBodyZen
October 2, 2010 at 12:23 pmSuper cute!
*Andrea*
October 2, 2010 at 12:55 pmso cute!!! i love single portions of things b/c i am definitely the (single) girl who can’t keep big amounts of sweets in the house… 😉
Elizabeth
October 2, 2010 at 1:21 pmA personal pie! That’s such a cute idea. Thank you for the link to where you can find the mini pie tart because I was just wondering that to myself scrolled up and wala.
Maren
October 2, 2010 at 4:06 pmBeing someone who loves all things mini this is perfect! especially for all us single living girls out there 😉
Joey
October 2, 2010 at 5:39 pmi hope this doesn’t mean that almanzo isn’t in the picture!!!!
Melissa @ MebecomesMe
October 2, 2010 at 5:50 pmHow. Absolutely. Adorable. I MUST get a tart pan immediately!
Susan@MomSwimBikeRun
October 2, 2010 at 7:20 pmThis is just way too cute and definitely celebrating life one crumb at a time. Well done Miss Jenna.
amanda
October 3, 2010 at 4:29 amMini pie is a great idea!!
Allison
October 3, 2010 at 10:38 amAll of your recipes have turned out delicious! I cannot WAIT for your book!
It’s so refreshing to know there’s someone else out there who loves food and cooking food as much as I do. I’m going through a form of culinary school now actually and look forward to your blog/ideas everyday. Keep it up!
Lisa
October 3, 2010 at 2:40 pmWhat a great idea for a treat! Then you don’t risk eating an entire pie. 😉
Katelynn
October 3, 2010 at 3:01 pmSuch a good idea. I never thought of making a mini-pie! So, I am a sucker and just ordered a few of these mini-tart pans on amazon. Perfect size for one or two! 🙂
Thanks for the idea.
Heidi - Apples Under My Bed
October 4, 2010 at 6:59 pmLove it! Solo pie baking adventures are the best 🙂 Great pics.
Heidi xo
Lunch in Paris
October 6, 2010 at 1:04 amMini tart pans are heaven sent. You’ve got me thinking about mini fig tarts. One of the many pleasures of our recent move to Provence – fig season lasts longer!
Becca
October 7, 2010 at 12:35 pmOh YUM! This looks delicious. I must go get a mini tart pan ASAP.
Kelly
March 13, 2011 at 11:21 amI just wanted you to know that I made this last night (x2) for me and my husband. So easy and so cute!! We loved them.
NotesFromAMessyCook
April 27, 2011 at 8:08 pmI just picked up some mini tart pans at Marshalls and this is the first thing I am making in them! They are in the oven and smelling delicious!
looking forward. | The Daily Crumb
September 29, 2011 at 8:45 am[…] when you get home, keep the fruit cool until you decide what to do with it. the possibilities are endless, but some options: homemade apple juice, cinnamon spiked apple butter, or homemade apple pie for one. […]
dini
November 13, 2011 at 8:41 pmHI, im dini from Indonesia. I do love your blog…those recipe are easy to understand because you attached the ingredient’s pix as well. Inspired me to cook more on my weekend! I definitely bookmark your page….happy to see those recipes…..yeayyy!
Julie
June 6, 2012 at 7:58 pmIf I was going to be crazy and try to make 130 of these for my daughter’s wedding, could I make them ahead of time and freeze them? unbaked or baked? Probably would make a few different favors too. Peach? Cherry?
100 Sweet Fall Treats: A Recipe Round Up on FamilyFreshCooking.com — Family Fresh Cooking
September 15, 2012 at 10:56 am[…] Apple Pie for One Eat, Live, Run […]
Loraine
January 30, 2013 at 3:57 pmI made this for myself tonight and it was wonderful! I think next time I will toss some chopped walnuts in with the apple…yum!! 🙂
Joanna
September 27, 2013 at 5:48 pmThanks! Just what I wanted on a Friday night. Yep – planning on enjoying it with some good TV.
Far
June 1, 2017 at 5:03 pmWhat’s the amounts for a pie crust for one mini pie? I clicked the link and it was for a bigger whole pie. Thanks!