Apple pie is such a wonderful fall dessert. Actually it is wonderful anytime but especially good when people are beginning to think and feel ‘fall’. That, of course, includes apples. I remember back years ago when my kids would take a cold lunch to school. One of the treats I often included was an individual, factory made, pre-wrapped fruit pie. Full of sugar, full of high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated fat and very little fruit – what was I thinking? Or better yet, why wasn’t I thinking? Meals and hard days deserve a dessert and lunch boxes deserve a dessert too. Lunchbox apple pies are easy, nutritious, and taste wonderful. Good for lunches for kids, lunches at home, or just good anytime. The crust is made with wonton wraps that have no fat. How handy! The pies are baked, not fried. You can fill them with canned apple pie filling. You can fill them with chunky applesauce that is easy to make and is available in stores in healthy, organic versions. Yes, of course, you can cook apples yourself with a bit of sugar and cinnamon and make even tastier lunchbox pies. Any way you choose they will be better, healthier, and less expensive than those little pies that you definitely should avoid. Sorry kids, I am still learning!
24 wonton wraps – they are available in the produce
department of your grocery store.
1 cup apple pie filling, or cooked apples, or chunky applesauce
3 tablespoons melted butter or canola oil
2 tablespoons sugar
On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper arrange 12 wonton wraps so they are not touching. On each wonton wrap center about 1 to 1 ½ tablespoons apple filling. Be careful not to spread near the edges. If your filling or sauce is watery allow it to drain in a small strainer prior to use for a few minutes. With a food brush dipped in water, brush edges of wonton that has filling in the center. Do one at a time. The water will allow the top wonton to stick to the bottom wonton. It is your ‘wonton glue’. Press the edges firmly around all four sides. Using a fork or sharp knife cut a small vent to allow steam to escape in top wonton. Continue until all lunchbox pies are completed. Brush each lunchbox pie with the melted butter or canola. Sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake the lunchbox pies in a preheated 375-degree oven for about 8 – 10 minutes, or until browned evenly. Remove to a cooling rack. Store in a container with a loose fitting cover.
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