"Caramelized" Apple Pies

Have you ever heard of apple pie in an apple?  If you have not, it is an apple baked inside of it's own beautiful self and caramelized from the whole baking process.  Surely delightful to see the "apple caramel"  on the bottom of the pan after these little ones are finished cooking.    These mini apple pies are delicious and some may even call them healthy.

Some of the recipes I found for these used plain pie dough.  I thought it would fancy up the dough to put speculaas cookie dough on top instead.  Speculaas cookies are Dutch and dainty.  They are spiced and full of almond flavor.  I used fuji apples, but any will do.   Here is my version of them.  Enjoy!

"Caramelized" Apple Pies
Makes 5 apple pies

5 apples, hollowed out with a spoon carefully, reserve the inside
dash of sugar (I prefer the natural apple sweetness, but you can add more if desired)
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon lemon zest
raisins for the filling (optional)
lemon juice

1 egg
dash of water
sugar for sprinkling

speculaas cookie dough (gluten-free) or pie dough (gluten)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Grease baking sheet.
With the apple filling, cut into small pieces.  Add sugar, spices, raisins and lemon zest to the apple filling.  Sprinkle the inside of each apple "bowl" with a little lemon juice.  Add the filling into each apple.  On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough 1/4" thick.  Then cut circles a little bit bigger than the apple. Cut 3 small teardrops into each round if desired. Place (do not press) onto the prepared apples. Incorporate together the egg and water, and quickly brush onto the crust. Sprinkle the top with a bit of sugar.
If you are using the speculaas dough, place on the apple about five minutes before they are finished cooking.  The speculaas dough cooks pretty quick.
Bake the apples for 15 – 20 minutes, or until the dough has turned golden brown and apples are tender.

~Victoria