Monday, September 10, 2012

Apple, Cranberry & Walnut Pie with Apple Crisps

It's beginning to 'smell' a lot like Christmas [humming the tune in my head] in early September in my kitchen. Ahh! the aroma of cinnamon, vanilla bean, apple, cranberry and walnut lingered throughout the day as I prepared my APPLE, CRANBERRY & WALNUT PIE with homemade APPLE CRISPS. Don't you just love the classics? Rich classic flavours with a twist. Not only these pies are made to individual portions shaping like individual gifts, they are served freshly baked out of the oven; each topped with good ole' fashion vanilla ice-cream, caramel syrup and apple crisps.


As I gaze upon my draft, thinking deeper in my thoughts while reading my favourite food-travel blogs, my desire wanting to be just like them grows deeper in my heart. I do feel small at times, yet I think my voice and reflection in my food-o-graphy lies in me, at the same time exposes the person I am in small significant ways.
There were those moments, a lot of times I must say that I suddenly am left wondering alone, not knowing where I am heading to, where things at the far end looked blurry. Then there is that little voice which occasionally pop into my head just like an "A-HA!" lightbulb moment navigating my every action. As I walk further and venture deeper into my thoughts, I naturally end up standing in the kitchen eagerly waiting for an inspiration to pop through. So here I went rummaging the fridge and found a bag of apples, walnuts and some dried cranberry. In the freezer, in a corner of my eye, I noticed a packet of spring roll and to my luck, a small tub of vanilla ice-cream. I knew at that very moment I was going to make my dad's favourite treat. An old fashion Apple Pie. Everything becomes clearer and that is when I basically turned into a machine that works non-stop; peeling, slicing, mixing, stirring; anticipating on the final outcome.
Hang on, rewind back a few steps. As you all may or may not know me, I love to take old fashion treats and jazz them up for a spin. Instead of a regular pie pastry dough, I thought why not use the spring roll wraps. They are light, tasty and crunchy. While I am aware that spring roll is meant to look like a spring roll and deep fried, I took another detour. I melted some butter, glaze my cupcake or muffin pans, then place each spring roll wrap into each mould, gently pressing it down moulding it in a shape of a cup, and baked them in the oven. The spring roll cup would hold the Apple, Cranberry and Walnut filling. To serve, what better way to serve a freshly baked warm Apple, Cranberry Walnut pie with a scoop of good Vanilla ice-cream and garnish it with 2 slices of Apple Crisps. Now is that Christmas in a bite or what?



Apple, Cranberry & Walnut Pie with Apple Crisps
by Chic & Gorgeous Treats


* Makes 8 individual pies.
* Apple, cranberry and walnut filling can be made a day in advance.
* Serve with vanilla ice-cream, caramel syrup (optional) and apple crisps.
* Pie is to be served immediately.

  INGREDIENTS
Apple, Cranberry & Walnut Filling
5 Macintosh apples, core and cut into small cubes
1/3  cup dried cranberry,  cut into small bite size
1/2  cup walnut, chopped into medium small pieces
1/4  cup brown sugar, packed
1/4  cup caster sugar
1 1/4  teaspoon cinnamon powder
1 1/4  teaspoon vanilla bean paste
a knob of butter

Pie Cup
8 pieces of 12 x 12 spring roll wrap
1/3  cup melted unsalted butter

Apple Crisps
1/2  cup caster sugar
1/2  cup water
3 Macintosh or Paula Red apples, thinly sliced

DIRECTIONS
1. To prepare Apple Crisps, preheat oven to 160°C. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Prepare
another tray with a wire rack seated on top of it, and set aside.

2. Meanwhile, to prepare sugar syrup, in a medium saucepan, bring sugar and water up to a boil
until sugar has completely dissolved. Turn heat down to low, allowing the sugar syrup to simmer.
Add a few slices of apple at a go, allowing it to sit and cook in the syrup for about 2 minutes.
Using a slotted spoon, lay each apple slices apart on a wire rack to allow excess sugar to drip off.

3. Transfer cooled apple slices onto prepared baking tray and bake for about 15 minutes or until the
edges of the apple curls slightly or turn light golden brown. Take out from the oven, and allow apple
crisps to cool completely. Apple crisps will become crunchy and chewable once it is cooled. To
store, place apple crisps in an airtight container.

4. To prepare Apple, Cranberry and Walnut filling; in a skillet over medium heat add a knob of butter.
Then followed by apples stirring them gently. Add brown and white sugar, cinnamon, vanilla bean paste, and then the chopped walnuts. Cook them by stirring it gently for a couple of minutes. (Apples should only be slightly soft and still have bite to it).  Take it off the heat, and fold in chopped cranberries. Set aside to let filling cool.

5. To bake the pie cups, preheat oven to 180°C. Glaze muffin pan and spring roll wrap with melted
butter. Place slices of spring roll wrap apart from one another, skipping a muffin mould. Gently press
them down forming into rough cups. The edges should stick out slightly. Bake for about 5 minutes, or until the edges are slightly golden in colour. Take it out and fill each of the cups with the pie filling. Transfer it back to the oven and bake for another 5-7 minutes or until it becomes golden brown in colour. Let it cool slightly before transferring onto your plate or platter. To assemble and serve, scoop some vanilla ice-cream and garnish with apple crisps. Serve immediately and ENJOY!                                                                                                                   






P/S: The Apple, Cranberry & Walnut Pie with Apple Crisps does not require you to make it at Christmas time. Make it anytime day, week or weekend and share it with your family or friends ;).

Have a great week!

xx

51 comments:

  1. Oh, my dear Jo! This is fantastic! Warm individual pies served with vanilla ice cream is simply out of this world. And the use of spring roll wrap is ingenious! Christmas will be upon us soon and this recipe is so timely. I admire the time and effort you put into this. You do have lots of energy :)

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    1. Aww.. thanks ;)! I try to keep myself busy. Otherwise, being a couch potato is another fun past time of mine. LOL..

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  2. I really like your blog and this recipe sounds amazing! I can't wait to have a look at some more :) thank you.

    http://lullabyforpies.blogspot.co.at/

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    1. Hi Magdalena! Thanks for coming over. Appreciate the support. Will pop over to check out your blog too. Cheers~

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  3. it looks amazing! Every ingredient goes well with the rest. What a great idea!

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  4. Jo, these are so stunning and they sound just delicious! Love the apple on top!

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    1. Hi Stephanie! Glad you popped over. The apple crisps was so good that it made the Apple Pie a tastier, with the extra crunch and sweetness. Stay in touch.

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  5. Funny you note Christmas because I know summer is ending when I stepped into Macy's three weeks ago and saw green wreaths with red bows and faux snow. Your pies look good.

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    1. Wow, they sure start really early over at the other side of the Pacific. Malls here don't start displaying Christmas decor until early or late November. I guess I was just in mood since December is one of my favourite time of the year. Cheers~

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  6. I see no reason as to why you cannot bring Christmas early my friend, especially with cooking as stunning as this :D

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

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    1. LOL.. you sure know how to make this girl [me] smile!

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  7. So beautiful! I just love apple desserts...and this is a winner :)

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    1. Aww Lizzy! You are too kind.. I just hope that you all enjoy reading the recipe and give it a try. Till then, cheerios!

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  8. Your blog really is chic and gorgeous!!! I'm so glad I found it--it's a sight for sore eyes!!!

    XOXO
    The Squishy Monster ^.~

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    1. Thanks Squishy Monster! I will be coming over to check out yours.

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  9. This looks DELICIOUS! Have to try it soon.
    So glad to have found your lovely blog!

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    1. Thanks! Do stay in touch and I will be buzzing you over at your blog.. Cheers~

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  10. Oh love the idea with the spring roll wraps, thats brilliant Joanna! I wish I could get those wraps here, I d try it out right away! Thanks for sharing your great creation.

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    1. Thanks Helene! Perhaps you could try those Asian grocer? Ot it can be substituted with Phyllo pastry too ;)

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  11. WOW! These blow me away! What a gorgeous treat and I'm sure irresistibly delicious! What a beautiful presentation and your pictures - well, I'm speechless!

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  12. Using spring roll wraps is such a fantastic idea, Jo! the crisp looks amazing!! :)

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    1. Glad that most of you liked the idea. I thought it was a great substitution to the regular pie dough.

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  13. It's crazy that it's just 16 weeks until Christmas! But I know I'd love one of these under the Xmas tree! ;)

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    1. Yeah! I can't believe that December is coming soon again. Time is really flying and can't believe that I will be turning from 20+ to 3-0. Yikes!!!

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  14. oh my gosh, this is just brilliant! i love the homemade apple crisps and i love the use of the spring rolls! definitely need to make these soon!

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  15. oh my gosh, this is amazing! i love the homemade apple crisps and i love the use of the spring rolls! definitely bookmarking this treat!

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  16. These are the cutest pies I've ever seen. Soooo adorable. Well done.

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  17. Jo, your adorable little pies are so pretty, and inviting. Love the thin apple crisps, the ooey-goey filling, and the light spring roll for the crust. This way it seems to be lighter than with the actual apple pie crust...genius!

    Your photos are superb...as always:)
    Big huggss...sorry I haven't been visiting lately; every day there's so much to do and I rarely get to my computer:(

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  18. Thanks Elisabeth! It's okay, it's understandable. Everyone has been occupied too am sure, but it's great that you all kept blogging, which means I get to catch up on reading. Do take care, and if time is right, I am sure I will be visiting the USA again. Huggss, Jo

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  19. I love your twist of the spring roll wrappers. I made a traditional apple, cranberry last year, but you know how I love to mix it up. Love you apple slices too. I'm trying to be good around here and you are making it extremely difficult for me, lol. Big Hugs and have yourself a wonderful relaxing weekend.
    -Gina-

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    1. Hi Gina! Weekend was slightly hectic visiting relatives together along with family. Hope all is well with you and have a wonderful week ahead!!! xoxo

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  20. I love the presentation on these guys. So pretty and such a combination of flavors!

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    1. Hello there! I am always happy to hear from you and glad you popped over. Hope all is well with you at your end and do stay in touch!! xoxo

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  21. I just found your gorgeous blog through a mutual twitter friend :) Guess I have a lot of your past posts to catch up to.

    I feel like we are kindred spirits because like you, I also love food and travel. Sometimes I do feel insignificant, but it's these little moments like these (like finding a precious new blog) that keeps me inspired.

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    1. Hi Jen! So happy you found my blog and I am totally in love with yours too. Photos are STUNNING and surely inspirational to me. Will buzz you over at your blog instead and do stay in touch. It's always nice to meet new friends who shares my passion. Till then, have a wonderful week ahead!! xoxo

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  22. Hallo, what a great dessert....Wish I could have a bite right now!!! Happy I found your great blog, I'll follow you from now :) Visit me if you wish...I am looking forward to it....Cheers, Letizia

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    1. Hi Letizia! Glad you found my blog too.. and now I get to pop over your blog filled with delicious goodies. Do stay in touch and looking forward to hearing from you too. Cheers~

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  23. The spring roll wrapper are just brilliant JO! And apples will be falling our of our ears in a minute so the timing is marvelous and so is your creativity and those oven crispened apples and you. You're fab all around Jo!

    chow! Devaki @ weavethousandflavors

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    1. Awweee.. THANKS Devaki! You sure know how to make this girl smile always.. I love apple crisps and I wouldn't mind making these again. xoxo, Jo

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  24. So Pretty!!!
    this looks like a perfectly delicious and elegant dessert...

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    1. Thanks Reem, I am trying to be more sophisticated while prepping my treats. LOL.. will continue to strive to improve further ;). xoxo

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  25. Joanna, this is simple beauty! I looooove apple crisp on top. It reminds me of those fancy decorative hats! Absolutely gorgeous and you always share such a beautiful treat. Hope all is well with you!

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    1. Thanks Nami ;). It's been crazy here at work, but everything seems to be okay so far. Keeping fingers crossed. Have a good week!! xoxo

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  26. Hi There, Wow...this recipe is looking wonderful and so good. I'm loving it so much...!!! A very well made post with beautiful pictures.Today I was out of ideas and was wandering what to make. Got the answer now :) I can't wait to try it on my island. Thanks for sharing awesome recipes. Have a wonderful week ahead. Love & Regards, Sonia !!!

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  27. Home sweet home!!!! my favorite aroma in the kitchen, apples, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla.
    The apple pie looks very tempting gorgeous and delicious. Love the idea of using spring rolls wrap and the apple crisp.
    Well done!

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  28. I love individual pies :) I'm not a sharer ;)

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  29. I am so glad to have found your blog, I am so impressed by your amazing dessert recipes!! I haven't made homemade apple crisps so far, this has to be changed right away!! Highly decorative, and such a wonderful idea!

    Have a great week!:)
    Tanja

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Hey foodies! THANK YOU for leaving me with sweet comments. I hope to inspire you like how you inspire me. Cheers~

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