Bite-sized bacon-wrapped apple pie is the American dream dessert

bite-sized apple pie beauty

While trying to think of unique dessert ideas for Father’s Day, I texted my brother to ask what he’d consider an ideal dessert. His answer: “Something with bacon!” My first thought was wrapping something in bacon. Obviously. There are recipes for wrapped meatloaves and turkeys, so surely, I could come up with something sweet to wrap in salty goodness. I had seen an idea for using a cupcake tin upside down to form bacon baskets… and thus the idea for bite-sized bacon-wrapped apple pies was born.

Before we get to the recipe, here are a few tips I learned while experimenting with this fun idea:

1. You don’t need to cook the bacon upside down on the pan first. Because pies take a little longer to bake, there’s plenty of time for the bacon to cook at the same time. Lesson happily learned!

2. Keep the fattier side of the bacon on top as you line the cupcake cavities, especially if you like crispy bacon. 

bacon lined cupcake tin

2. If you’ve ever watched “The Great British Baking Show,” you know that judges Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry frequently critique soggy-bottom pies. And because of the fat from the bacon, this was a concern as I was testing this recipe. My big secret: Using a 1:1 ratio of ice-cold water and vodka. The alcohol content evaporates fast, helping minimize sogginess and creating a super-flaky crust. Even with the bacon cooking under the pie crust, there was no sogginess at the end of my bake. Hooray!

To make these bacon-wrapped apple pies, you’ll need:

  • Pack of bacon, set aside for lining cupcake cavities
  • Egg white
  • 2-1/2 cups flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup butter, chilled and cut into small pieces
  • 3 tablespoons chilled water
  • 3 tablespoons chilled vodka
  • 6 apples (Pink Lady and/or Granny Smith)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

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Start by making the dough, since it needs time to chill first.

pizza dough ingredients

STEP 1:

Mix the dry ingredients and add the cubed, chilled butter.

STEP 2:

Using a pastry cutter or a fork, work the butter into the flour mixture. 

pastry cutter flour mixture

STEP 3:

Add the ice-cold water and vodka, and work the dough together by hand. Once it’s smooth and incorporated, cover and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.  

pie dough combined

STEP 4:

While it chills, prep the apples. Sprinkle the sugar and spices over the diced apples, and stir so they’re evenly coated. Set them aside.

spice coated apples

STEP 5:

Line each cupcake cavity with a single piece of bacon. It will partially overlap, but that’s OK!  

bacon lined cupcake tin

STEP 6:

After the dough has chilled, roll it out and cut it into 3-inch circles. (A silicone cupcake liner works well here to help you press the dough into the cupcake cavities.) Once they’re all lined with bacon and pie dough, scoop the apples into the center. 

pie crust and bacon cupcake liners

STEP 7:

Now, here’s where you can get creative. You can create the standard circle of dough to cover the top — but you can also personalize the pie crust with messages to Dad, add dough and bacon rosettes, or even add something to symbolize his favorite sports team, superhero or movie characters. You can get the kids involved in personalizing the toppers for Dad, too. 

apple pie pre baked

STEP 8:

Want Dad to have an extra-big portion? Weave the bacon into the bottom of a cast iron or tapas dish and build the rest of the pie in there. 

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STEP 9:

Lastly, you’ll add an egg wash to the top of the pie dough. When you stick the pan into the oven, cover it loosely with foil so the tops don’t brown too quickly.

STEP 10:

Bake the pies for 50–60 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to make sure you get an even bake. After you take them out of the oven, place the pies on a cooling rack.

apple pie feature

Enjoy!

Bite-sized Bacon-wrapped apple pies

Ingredients

  • Pack of bacon, set aside for lining cupcake cavities
  • Egg white
  • 2-1/2 cups flour
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 cup butter, chilled and cut into small pieces  
  • 3 tablespoons chilled water
  • 3 tablespoons chilled vodka
  • 6 apples (Pink Lady and/or Granny Smith)
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Instructions

  1. Mix dry ingredients.
  2. Add chilled butter, cubed into small pieces.
  3. Work butter into flour mixture with pastry cutter or fork.
  4. Add ice-cold water and vodka. Work dough together by hand until smooth and incorporated.
  5. Cover and chill in fridge for at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
  6. Wash, peel and dice apples. Place into bowl.
  7. Sprinkle sugar and spices over apples and stir to evenly coat. Set aside.
  8. Preheat oven to 375F.
  9. Wrap each cupcake cavity with single piece of bacon.
  10. Roll out dough and cut into 3-inch circles. Press dough into cupcake cavities.
  11. Spoon in apple filling.
  12. Place pie crust decorations on top.
  13. Brush egg wash on exposed pie crust.
  14. Tent with foil so crust doesn’t brown too quickly. Bake for 50–60 minutes, rotating pan halfway through bake time.