I’ve heard there are people out there in the world who don’t like chocolate. I know, right? While that’s a foreign concept to me, I definitely respect it. February might be a tough one for you guys. If January is all about hitting the gym and eating right, then February might be equivalent of sticking your mouth directly under a chocolate fountain, no pretzel or strawberry required.
If you happen to fall into that category, or, let’s be real, even if you don’t – this one’s for you! A recipe for apple pie shortcakes that’s scaled down to serve just two.
B and I must have been trying to figure out our favorite pie flavors for years now, and we’re not one bit closer to an answer. You have seasonally perfect strawberry rhubarb, tart cherry, and deep dark blueberry pie all thrown in the mix…and don’t even get me started on lemon meringue. YUM. While we respectfully disagree on our individual rankings, one pie in particular always comes out near the top – apple!
Warm, spiced, and filled with sort-of-crisp-sort-of-soft apple chunks, these shortcakes have all the best characteristics of its pie brethren. Plus the added benefit of built-in portion control. 🙂
These shortcakes seriously couldn’t be easier. Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl and there ya go! I’ve made these with cream and milk and both ways worked wonderfully, so use what you prefer and have on hand. The little bit of cinnamon in the batter and the dusting of cinnamon + sugar over top jazz up a traditionally basic shortcake recipe perfectly to complement all that apple goodness that’ll be piled high in the middle.
Besides devouring them, one of the best parts of sauteing apples for pie and pie-like desserts is the smell that will fill your kitchen. Butter, brown sugar, cinnamon…yes, yes, and yes. I don’t need to sell you on that. ♥
Assembling these bad boys is also pretty simple. You’ll cut the shortcakes in half (be a little careful, they’re prone to crumbling) and spoon the apple mixture in between. But do you know what makes them eeeeven more special? Caramel sauce, of course! I used store-bought caramel sauce for the shortcakes pictured here, but can I tell you what these taste like with a drizzle of cinnamon brown sugar caramel sauce over top? Oh. em. gee. You’ll be forgetting all about chocolate…momentarily. 🙂
Ingredients
For the Shortcakes:
- 1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp all-purpose baking mix (such as Bisquick)
- 2 tbsp cream or milk
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of granulated sugar for sprinkling
- Pinch of ground cinnamon for sprinkling
For the Apples:
- 1 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 apple, peeled and chopped
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 - 3/4 tbsp flour (as needed)
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
Instructions
For the shortcakes:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, mix together all ingredients for the shortcakes. The batter should be a cohesive dough without many crumbly bits. If dough is a little crumbly still, add a small drizzle of milk until it reaches the desired consistency.
- Form dough into two round, equally-sized mounds on an ungreased baking sheet. Sprinkle cinnamon sugar mixture over top of each shortcake. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the outsides are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove shortcakes to cool completely on a wire rack.
For the apples:
- Add butter to a saucepan set over low-medium heat and let melt. Add brown sugar and stir until brown sugar is melted and combined. Add apples and cinnamon to saucepan and stir so that apple pieces are coated evenly. Let apples cook for a few minutes, then sprinkle 1/4 tbsp flour over top and stir so it dissolves. If the brown sugar/butter mixture needs a bit more thickening, add up to an additional 1/2 tbsp. Allow apples to cook for 10 or so more minutes, stirring occasionally, or until apples have softened and the brown sugar/butter mixture has thickened and coats the apples. Remove apples from heat.
- Cut shortcakes in half horizontally and spoon half of apple mixture over bottom of each. Drizzle caramel sauce over apple pieces and top with other half of shortcake.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as an estimate. As it can vary due to many factors (brands used, quantities, etc.), we cannot guarantee its accuracy.
Food Safety and Nutrition Disclaimer
marcie says
All the pies you’ve listed are among my favorites, and apple tops the list! I love this shortcake version that’s so much easier than pie crust but it looks just as delicious! And I’m ready to cut down on sweets now the rest of February! 🙂
Alyssa says
It was hard to choose which type of pie filling to use here Marcie! But apple was just too good to pass up. I’m definitely craving more savory things vs. sweet too, though that hasn’t stopped me from craving chocolate the past few days! 🙂
Annie @Maebells says
Oh my gaaaahhhhh! This looks so good! I love this idea for a shortcake! And I love that it is a version for two! 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks Annie! We gobbled these babies up fast! 🙂
Mary Frances says
This is freakin genius. Oh my gosh, apple pie and shortcakes together?? Alyssa, this deserves an award! Pinned!
Alyssa says
Thanks Mary Frances! I pretty much couldn’t stop eating these. So many flavors I love! Good thing each batch only makes two. 🙂
Caitlin @ teaspoon says
I don’t understand people that don’t like chocolate. It just doesn’t make any sense to me. And my husband doesn’t like pie, which is also unexplainable. but I do! So I’ll be making two and eating two but that is fine by me.
Alyssa says
Thanks Caitlin! I certainly would be a crankier person without chocolate in my life (and pie – eeek!). Making + eating two sounds like the perrrrfect plan! 🙂
Christine @ Cooking with Cakes says
ahh Alyssa I LOVE this recipe, from the flavors to the pics this looks so damn good, and that shortbread recipe is a total keeper!! yummss sista 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks girl! I could eat it for dayyyss!! 🙂
taylor @ greens & chocolate says
Yeah I personally don’t get those people who don’t like chocolate but I’d still go for apple pie any day! These shortcakes are adorable!
Alyssa says
Thanks Taylor! And I agree…without chocolate I think I’d be preeetty cranky! I definitely wouldn’t turn down apple pie though. 🙂
Danielle says
I totally don’t get how people can say they don’t like chocolate?! I feel like chocolate is necessary to survive haha. I love these shortcakes, they look so perfect! Love that it’s just enough for two!
Alyssa says
Haha! I know at least for me, chocolate is sometimes one of my main food group. 🙂 Thanks Danielle!
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
These are so creative, Alyssa! Love all the apple pie flavors here…and laughing at the image of you (or anyone) with an open mouth under a chocolate fountain 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks Denise! And I have to fend off the urge to dive into a chocolate fountain pretty much every time I see one. 🙂
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
Aren’t these apple pie shortcakes just divine! I love that you have made this into a small batch recipe – I have to make it!
Alyssa says
Thank you Thalia!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
I think apple pie is hands down my favorite pie. Actually, to be super specific, it’s my apple crumble pie that you so nicely linked to, thanks Alyssa! It’s just a classic. I love this shortcake version! I’ve made strawberry shortcakes before and loved them, and apple pie is so smart too! And as I was reading this post, I was thinking how good your cinnamon caramel would be on this. Mmmmm!
Alyssa says
That pie sounds SO good, Natalie. I must try it! And I couldn’t help myself once I realized we still had cinnamon caramel around…there were a lot of test batches of these babies made. 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Wow these look amazing, Alyssa! Apple pie is my favorite, so I’m loving these shortcakes! Such a creative recipe. I could totally dig right into this for breakfast. Pinned!
Alyssa says
Thanks Gayle – I’m with you on that. I think I could eat apple pie-flavored things for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Snacks too!
Sues says
What a cute idea!! Apple pie is definitely me favorite pie and I love the idea of an apple pie shortcake instead!
Alyssa says
Thanks Sues! The more ways I can find to consume apple pie, the better. 🙂