I was in my kitchen making all kinds of sweet concoctions.
Today I was experimenting with a new recipe. It is definitely in need of some refining, aesthetically speaking that is. Taste wise... it's a winner. I was wanting something apple pie-ish but I didn't want an apple pie. So I took what I had and I did what I do best. I improvised.
Peel 3-4 medium sized Gala apples.
If you don't like Gala, use what you like.
Slice and dice 'em.
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter.
Add in a heaping helping of brown sugar.
Chop some pecans.
I personally loooove pecans!
But you could also use walnuts.
They don't have to be perfect.
Once the brown sugar and the butter get all melty add the apples.
Stir it around!
Let it get all bubbly.
Add some ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves.
You will become intoxicated with the smell of sweet, heavenly spices.
I'm just warning you now.
You might be tempted to test an apple or 5...
Let it bubble a little longer.
Get your cinnamon rolls ready.
I broke off 2 so I could have little ones.
Then unroll the big one.
Fold it in half and smush it all together so it doesn't fall apart.
Then stretch it out until it's about 6 inches in diameter.
I really had no idea what I was doing.
I made a mess.
Turn off the heat and add your nuts.
Mix it all together.
Add the apple mixture to the center of the stretched dough.
Pull up and pinch the edges to create a bowl-like, eh, thing.
Note: It's a good idea to have the dough on the baking sheet when you do this.
I did not.
I had to transfer it and everything almost came out of the bottom.
And there's my little one.
Ain't he cute!!
Same concept here.
Smush it all together and then stretch it out.
I tell you, he's just precious!
Didn't quite stay in cup form but it works.
This one turned out better.
It was like a waterfall of apple filling coming out of the dough.
YUM!
That little cup of caramel frosting that comes with the cinnamon rolls...
We're using it.
Put it in a bowl and microwave it for 10 seconds.
This is the best part!!
Drizzle on some caramel happiness.
And say, "Ahhh".
Uh, yum!
Again, YUM!
That Grand Canyon of apple filling is begging you to dig in.
Sooo, the next time I make this I will probably use a muffin tin. Then it can really be "cups".
However, if you want to make a Jabba the Hutt monstrosity like I did... Feel free!
Despite it's now ogre-ish looks, it tastes fantastic. Something quick and easy when you want apple pie but don't want to wait for pie.
Caramel Apple Pie Cups
3-4 gala apples, peeled and diced
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 heaping cup light brown sugar, not packed
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
a little pinch of ground cloves
1 cup chopped pecans
1 8 count package caramel cinnamon rolls
powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Stir the brown sugar into the melted butter. Mix in apples and spices. Cook until tender, 3-5 minutes. Turn off the heat and add the pecans.
Break apart the cinnamon rolls and sprinkle each side with powdered sugar. Using your hands or the bottom of a glass, smash down and stretch out each rolls until they are about 3-4 inches in diameter. Sprinkle on more powdered sugar as needed so it's not so sticky.
Place one over each cup on a greased muffin tin. Gently lay them down into the cups. There should be some overhang. Fill each cup 3/4 of the way full with the apple filling. Bake until the rolls are golden brown, about 12-15 minutes.
Take the cup of caramel frosting from the cinnamon roll package and microwave it for 10 seconds. Pour the melted frosting over the apple pie cups.
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