All American Cooking

Our last Dinner Diva's group was actually back in May, but I'm just catching up finally (shocker, I know) . Last month it was Gina's turn to host and she chose to do "All American BBQ" in honor of the summer quickly approaching (at that time anyway). Michele started us off with some great vegetable fritters that I loved using some of the delicious typical summer produce in them. Then as usual Gina had a fantastic menu from pulled pork, to coleslaw, corn on the cob, baked beans and more! The pulled pork was awesome, I absolutely loved it. I think she said it was a Pioneer Woman recipe. If I ever decide to make pulled pork I plan to get the recipe, and I am not a pulled pork person.

I was in charge of dessert this month. When Janet pinned a recipe for apple pie cookies I saw them and knew that would be perfect, what's more American than apple pie, and better yet a mini version, because who is going to eat the rest of the pie once we had our slices that night, I knew I wasn't. These cookies were a little tricky to make and def very messy. I rushed a little bit and it was my first time making a lattice top, so I had no expertise there, but taste wise they turned out great! (Not the most appetizing pictures, but as usual I was in a rush). It was a fun little twist on apple pie and everyone enjoyed them!

Apple Pie Cookies
Source: Oh Bite It
Serving Size: 6-8 good sized Pie Cookies:

1 Box of frozen Pillsbury Pie Crust (2 sheets per box)
Approx. 1 Can of Apple Pie Filling (just enough for a thin layer)
Approx. 1 Cup of Caramel Sauce (just enough for a light coating)
1 Egg (for egg-wash)
2 tbsp. Cinnamon/Sugar
1 tbsp. Nutmeg
Flour just for sprinkling
A round cookie cutter (any size you like - I used the bottom of a glass)

Lay out a sheet of Pie Crust, sprinkle it with some flour and slightly roll it out, just to increase its surface area. Pour some of the Caramel Sauce (Just enough to coat the crust) onto the crust and evenly spread it around, creating a thin layer of caramel. Coarsely chop the Apple Pie Filling into small pieces. Top the caramel layer  with a layer of the chopped up Apple Pie Filling, making sure not to add too much pie filling. Roll out the second sheet of Pie Crust the same size as the first sheet, and slice it into strips. Create a lattice crust (just like on a pie) for the top of the pie filling (create your lattice on top of the actual filling, as if it were a pie!). Dip your cookie cutter into some egg wash and cut out your Pie Cookies. Brush the tops of them with some egg wash and sprinkle them with the Cinnamon Sugar and Nutmeg. Place them onto a baking sheet and bake them at 350 degrees for approx. 20-25 minutes, until they’re golden and firm. Let them cool just a little.