Best Apple Tassies Recipes

Apple tassies are a small pastry or tart that is perfect for snack time or as a dessert. It has a delicious filling made from fresh apples, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon, which gives it a sweet and slightly tangy flavor. The pastry shell of apple tassies is crispy and buttery, which adds to its overall fabulous taste. Apple tassies are a classic addition to any dessert table and can make a great hostess gift or potluck addition. This article delves further into what is apple tassies recipe, its origin, and popularity.

Origin of Apple Tassies

The tart-like apple tassies have their origin from Southwestern England, where they were known as Cornish pasties or Hoggan. Pasties were initially a meal for Cornish miners, who needed a hearty dish that could be easily carried underground. The pasties would have a savory filling of beef, potato, onion, and seasoning, and it could be baked at home and taken to the mine. However, pasties slowly evolved to sweet versions of the same, and eventually, small tarts came to be known as tassies. Over time, the tassies went further and further from the original dishes' crusty and thick crust and became more delicate, more sugary, and fruit-filled.

Ingredients for Apple Tassies

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup cream cheese
• 2 tbsp granulated white sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped apples
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp cloves powder
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp grated lemon zest

Preparation of Apple Tassies

For the pastry:

1. In a food processor, pulse the flour and butter until a coarse crumb is formed.
2. Add the cream cheese and granulated sugar, and pulse until the dough comes together.
3. Shape the dough into a disk and wrap it with plastic wrap, then chill it for at least an hour before use.

For the filling:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 ℉.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, mix the brown sugar, chopped apples, salt, cinnamon powder, nutmeg, cloves powder, and lemon zest.
3. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and lemon juice and mix well.
4. Set aside the mixture while rolling out the pastry dough.

Assembly:

1. Roll out the pastry dough and use a cookie cutter or small glass to cut out small circles of dough.
2. Place the circles into a mini muffin tin, pressing it to the bottom and up the sides.
3. Spoon the filling into each pastry cup leaving a little space at the top.
4. Bake the muffins for around 25 minutes or until the pastry is golden brown and the filling sets.
5. Allow the apple tassies to cool for a few minutes before taking them out of the muffin tin and placing them onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Popularity of Apple Tassies

Apple tassies are popular due to several reasons, including their delicious taste, easy preparation, and the fact that they are small and easy to handle, making them convenient to serve at parties, or even as a snack on-the-go. They are also versatile, and you can add your preferred fruits or nuts to the filling, giving you a chance to customize the recipe. Another factor contributing to their popularity is the simple ingredients required, which makes apple tassies affordable to make, even on a budget.

Conclusion

Apple tassies are a delightful pastry that has maintained their popularity for centuries. It is a perfect addition to any dessert table, hosting gifts, or potluck. Its origin in Southwestern England has transformed from a savory meal for miners to sweet tarts we know today. The tarts' popularity is due to their delicious taste, easy preparation, and versatile ingredient list. Give apple tassies a try, and they will quickly become a favorite!

Valuable Tips When Making Apple Tassies Recipes

Apple tassies are miniature apple pies that are perfect for serving as snacks or desserts. They are made with a rich, buttery crust and a spiced apple filling that is baked until golden brown. To ensure that your apple tassies come out perfectly every time, follow these valuable tips.

Tip #1: Use High-Quality Ingredients

The key to making delicious apple tassies is to use high-quality ingredients. Use fresh apples that are firm and free from bruises or blemishes. Choose apples that are sweet and slightly tart, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Use unsalted butter, which provides richness and flavor to the crust. It is also important to use high-quality flour, sugar, and spices to ensure that your tassies have a rich, buttery flavor and a delicious aroma.

Tip #2: Chill the Dough

Chilling the dough before baking is an essential step to producing a flaky, buttery crust. Once you have mixed the dough, wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour or overnight. This allows the gluten to relax, which makes it easier to roll out the dough and prevents it from shrinking during baking.

Tip #3: Roll Out the Dough Thinly

When rolling out the dough, make sure that it is thin but not too thin. The ideal thickness of the dough is about 1/8 inch. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough on a floured surface, starting from the center and rolling outwards. Roll the dough out evenly, and make sure that it is large enough to fit into the muffin tins.

Tip #4: Use a Muffin Tin

Using a muffin tin helps to shape the apple tassies and ensures that they cook evenly. Grease the muffin tin with butter or cooking spray before placing the dough into it. Gently press the dough into the muffin cups, making sure that the dough covers the bottom and sides of each cup.

Tip #5: Precook the Apple Filling

To prevent the apple filling from being too watery, precook it before adding it to the tassies. Cut the apples into small pieces and sauté them in butter, sugar, and spices until they are tender and have absorbed the flavors of the spices. This step also makes it easier to fill the tassies as the filling is already cooked and can be spooned directly into the pastry cups.

Tip #6: Add a Delicious Topping

Apple tassies taste even better when topped with a sweet and flavorful glaze. Drizzle a simple glaze made with powdered sugar and milk over the tassies, or top them with caramel sauce or whipped cream. Alternatively, you can sprinkle them with cinnamon sugar for added flavor and crunch.

Tip #7: Store Them Properly

Apple tassies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. To freeze, place the tassies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Then, transfer them to a freezer bag and store in the freezer until ready to eat. To reheat frozen tassies, remove them from the freezer and place them in a preheated oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.

Conclusion

Making apple tassies is a fun and delicious way to enjoy the flavors of fall. By using high-quality ingredients, chilling the dough, rolling it out thinly, using a muffin tin, precooking the apple filling, adding a delicious topping, and storing them properly, you can ensure that your apple tassies come out perfectly every time.