Pioneer Woman Apple Pecan Mini Pies

Pioneer Woman apple pecan mini pies are a quick treat made with whole wheat English muffins, cinnamon sugar and toasted pecans, ready in 15 minutes. That makes them a go-to for busy weekday mornings or weekend brunch, since they come together before the oven even finishes preheating.

The broiler step at the end makes all the difference, because it caramelizes the sugar and browns the pecans in about a minute. Skip it and you get a warm muffin with toppings, but that crispy caramelized crust is what brings people back for seconds.

Ree uses whole wheat English muffins as the base instead of pie dough, so you skip the rolling and chilling entirely. The brown sugar layer underneath melts into the butter while it bakes, which creates a toffee-like bottom that regular pie crust can't match.

Pioneer Woman Apple Pecan Mini Pies

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Course: BreakfastCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

8

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking time

10

minutes

Calories

355

kcal

Buttery English muffin halves topped with thin apple slices and pecans, then baked and broiled until the cinnamon sugar bubbles into a crisp caramelized layer.

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. Sugar
  

• 2 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
  

• Dash Of Salt
  

• 8 whole Whole Wheat English Muffins
  

• 8 tbsp. Softened Butter
  

• 1/3 c. Brown Sugar
  

• 1 whole Large Granny Smith Apple, Sliced Thin
  

• Pecan Halves

Directions

• Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350 degrees F, then mix the sugar, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl and set it aside.
• Prep the muffins: Split all eight English muffins and spread each half with softened butter, then sprinkle the brown sugar evenly over the top.
• Add the toppings: Arrange thin apple slices and pecan halves on each muffin half, then sprinkle a good amount of the cinnamon sugar mixture over everything.
• Bake: Place the muffin halves on a baking sheet and bake for 7 to 8 minutes, so the butter and brown sugar melt together.
• Broil to finish: Turn on the broiler and broil for 1 to 2 minutes until the sugar caramelizes, watching the entire time so the pecans don't burn.
• Rest and serve: Remove from the oven and let them sit for about 5 minutes before serving, since the melted sugar is extremely hot. You can also serve them at room temperature.

Tools for this recipe

• Nordic Ware half sheet pan, Benriner Japanese mandoline. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

Can I use regular English muffins instead of whole wheat?

Regular white English muffins work just as well, since the cinnamon sugar and butter do most of the flavoring. Whole wheat adds a nuttier taste that pairs with the pecans, but the swap won't change cooking time at all.

How should I store leftover apple pecan mini pies?

Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in a 350 degree oven for 3 to 4 minutes, because the microwave makes the caramelized layer go soft.

Can I assemble these the night before and bake in the morning?

You can prep the muffin halves with butter and brown sugar the night before, then cover and refrigerate. Add the apple slices in the morning so they don't brown, and tack on one extra minute of bake time since the muffins start cold.

What can I use if I don't have a broiler?

You can bake at 425 degrees for the last 2 to 3 minutes instead, keeping a close eye on the pecans. The caramelization won't be quite as dramatic, but you'll still get a nicely browned and bubbly top.

Why did my pecans burn under the broiler?

Pecans have a high oil content and can go from golden to black in under 30 seconds under a broiler. Keep your oven rack about 6 inches from the element and pull them the moment the sugar starts to bubble.