Muffin tin apple tarts

This treat began with a kitchen clean up.  You know, when you go through the fridge and start tossing things or seeing how they can be used up.  With left over pie pastry, some small apples, and a partial bag of caramel bits I came up with these.

These perfect little bites of apple goodness were quick and easy to make.  First, I rolled out my  dough and cut out flower shapes with one of my handy dandy cookie cutters.  I lightly sprayed a muffin tin, and pressed the dough inside.  Next I got out my 

APPLE THING-A-MA-JIG.

I adore my APPLE-THING-A-MA-JIG, and use it constantly through out the fall.  

This time, I did something different with it.  I left the apples in their spiral "slinky" form.  After dusting them with a little flour, sugar, and cinnamon, they were placed inside the pastry cups.

These were tiny apples, so they fit just right.  I had just enough caramel bits to fill the centers and then topped them with a small piece of butter.

Don't they look cozy and yummy cuddled up in their cups?  

They were popped into a 350 degree oven and when I checked them after 25 minutes, they were done.  

Perfect for a winter day and a nice pot of tea or coffee.  

If I was inclined to get fancy (or had any in the fridge...) I would have topped the centers with a cherry for a splash of color.  

You may have noticed that there hasn't been quite as much baking going on around here, and there is a reason.  As my austerity program progresses, it is downright dangerous to have too many goodies around.  I saw a kid the other day eating some chocolate and I fantasized about knocking them down, snatching it away from them, shoving it in my mouth, licking it off my fingers, and then cackling gleefully.  

Insert sound of heavy sigh.  

A little tart keeps me from getting too dangerous when I am out in public.  

Linking with
Mrs. Fox's Sweets
Sweetology 101