Apple Pie Biscuits

 

🍎 Apple Pie Biscuits Recipe & Baking Guide

Word Count: ~2,000

(Includes the full recipe, baking tips, techniques, and variations.)

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🥧 Introduction: What Are Apple Pie Biscuits?

Apple Pie Biscuits combine the tender, flaky texture of a buttermilk biscuit with the sweet, spiced apple filling of a classic pie. They're perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a sweet snack. Think of them as hand pies, but fluffier and more rustic. They’re faster to make than a full pie and easier to portion and serve.

Whether you’re craving a cozy fall treat or just want something special with your morning coffee, these biscuits deliver all the flavors of homemade apple pie in a handheld, buttery form.

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🍏 Ingredients Breakdown

Let’s explore each component. The biscuit dough and apple pie filling are made separately, then combined.

🔸 For the Apple Pie Filling:

• 2 medium apples, peeled, cored, and diced (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work great)

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for thickening)

🔹 For the Biscuit Dough:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed

• 3/4 cup cold buttermilk, plus more for brushing

🔸 Optional Topping:

• 1 tablespoon coarse sugar

• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

• Melted butter (for brushing after baking)

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🧪 The Science Behind Perfect Apple Pie Biscuits

1. Butter:

Cold butter in biscuit dough creates steam during baking, which results in light, flaky layers. That’s why keeping the butter cold is essential.

2. Buttermilk:

Acid in buttermilk reacts with baking soda and powder, making the biscuits rise and adding tenderness.

3. Apple Filling:

Pre-cooking the apple mixture reduces excess moisture, avoiding soggy biscuits. The flour acts as a binder to create a pie-like consistency.

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👨‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions

Let’s dive into the process from start to finish.

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🔹 Step 1: Prepare the Apple Pie Filling

Ingredients:

• 2 medium apples, diced

• 2 tbsp butter

• 1/4 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon

• 1/8 tsp nutmeg

• 1/8 tsp salt

• 1 tsp lemon juice

• 1 tbsp flour

Method:

1. In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter.

2. Add diced apples, brown sugar, spices, salt, and lemon juice.

3. Cook for about 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft but not mushy.

4. Sprinkle in the flour and stir for 1–2 minutes until thickened.

5. Set aside to cool completely before using in the biscuits.

❗ Cooling Tip: Warm filling can melt the butter in your biscuit dough and ruin the flakiness, so give it time to cool.

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🔹 Step 2: Make the Biscuit Dough

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• 1/4 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp sugar

• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed

• 3/4 cup cold buttermilk

Method:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.

2. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs (pea-sized bits).

3. Pour in the cold buttermilk and gently mix with a spoon or spatula until just combined.

🔍 Don’t overmix! Overworking the dough leads to tough biscuits. Stop mixing as soon as the flour is incorporated.

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🔹 Step 3: Laminate the Dough (for Flaky Layers)

1. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface.

2. Gently flatten into a rectangle (about 1-inch thick).

3. Fold into thirds like a letter.

4. Turn the dough 90 degrees and repeat the fold 2 more times.

5. Finally, flatten into a 1/2-inch thick slab.

📚 Why laminate? This technique creates flaky, buttery layers — just like in croissants but simpler.

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🔹 Step 4: Assemble the Apple Pie Biscuits

1. Use a floured rolling pin to roll the dough into a 12x8-inch rectangle.

2. Spread the cooled apple pie filling over half of the rectangle.

3. Fold the dough over the filling and press down gently.

4. Using a floured knife or biscuit cutter, cut into 2.5-inch squares or rounds.

5. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, about 1 inch apart.

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🔹 Step 5: Bake

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Brush the tops of biscuits with buttermilk and sprinkle with a mix of cinnamon sugar (if desired).

3. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until golden brown on top and cooked through.

4. Brush with melted butter once they’re out of the oven for extra richness.

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🔄 Variations

Want to customize your Apple Pie Biscuits? Try these ideas:

🍐 1. Pear Pie Biscuits

Substitute apples with diced ripe pears. Add a dash of ginger for warmth.

🍓 2. Strawberry-Rhubarb Biscuits

Use chopped strawberries and rhubarb with sugar and cornstarch in the filling.

🥜 3. Caramel Apple Biscuits

Drizzle with caramel sauce before serving or mix 2 tbsp of caramel into the filling.

🧀 4. Cheddar Apple Biscuits

Add 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar to the biscuit dough for a savory twist.

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🕰️ Make-Ahead and Storage

🧊 To Make Ahead:

• Prepare the dough and filling separately, then refrigerate both for up to 24 hours.

• Assemble and bake when ready.

🧁 Storing Leftovers:

• Store cooled biscuits in an airtight container at room temp for up to 2 days.

• For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days.

🔥 Reheating:

• Reheat in a 300°F (150°C) oven for 5–7 minutes to restore crispness.

• Avoid microwaving as it softens the biscuit texture.

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🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Apple Pie Biscuits are versatile! Serve them:

• Warm with vanilla ice cream

• With a drizzle of maple syrup or honey

• Next to bacon and eggs for a sweet-savory breakfast

• With whipped cream or Greek yogurt for brunch

• As a dessert with caramel or cinnamon glaze

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🍂 Seasonal Twist: Autumn Apple Biscuits

For an autumn-inspired version:

• Add 1/4 tsp ground cloves or cardamom to the filling

• Mix pumpkin puree into the biscuit dough (1/4 cup) and reduce buttermilk slightly

• Top with chopped pecans before baking

These taste like a cozy fall morning in biscuit form!

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🧁 Apple Pie Biscuit Bites (Mini Version)

Perfect for parties or kids!

Method:

• Roll dough slightly thinner.

• Cut into 1.5-inch squares.

• Add 1 tsp filling and fold like ravioli.

• Crimp edges with a fork and bake for 12–14 minutes.

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📚 Pro Tips for Success

✅ 1. Use Cold Ingredients

Always keep butter and buttermilk cold until they hit the oven. This is key for flakiness.

✅ 2. Don’t Overwork the Dough

Handle it gently. Overmixing = tough biscuits.

✅ 3. Cool the Filling

Warm filling will melt the butter and ruin the texture. Let it cool completely before assembly.

✅ 4. Bake at High Heat

400°F is ideal—it quickly creates steam and sets the biscuit structure for maximum rise.

✅ 5. Use a Sharp Cutter

When cutting biscuits, use a sharp knife or cutter—dull edges compress the layers and prevent rising.

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🥇 Why These Are the Best Apple Pie Biscuits

• Fast: Faster than a full pie but just as satisfying.

• Flaky: Proper lamination gives you gorgeous layers.

• Flavorful: Warm spices, buttery crust, and real apple filling.

• Portable: Great for picnics, potlucks, and gifts.

• Customizable: Make them your own with easy flavor tweaks.

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🎁 Gift Idea

Wrap a few cooled biscuits in parchment and tie with twine. Add a cinnamon stick and a hand-written tag for a rustic homemade gift — perfect for autumn baskets, teacher gifts, or holiday platters.

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📝 Final Thoughts

Apple Pie Biscuits are more than just a hybrid dessert — they’re an experience. With every bite, you get the rich nostalgia of apple pie wrapped in the satisfying warmth of a buttery biscuit. And the best part? You don’t need to roll a pie crust or wait for a holiday. These biscuits are cozy, comforting, and downright addictive — and now you know exactly how to make them!

So preheat your oven, grab some apples, and bake up a batch of the World’s Best Apple Pie Biscuits.