Baking: Pastries, Pies, Tarts: Mini Chocolate Spiced Pies

Looking for a sweet treat or gift idea that's light on calories? Try these delicious tarts!

Author: CalorieKing
Date: December 27, 2012

Suggestions: For holiday gifts, wrap pies in plastic wrap and place in colorful gift bags or boxes, or use wrapping paper and bows.

Note: Refrigeration of some ingredients for several days is required for enhanced flavor.

*** Please carefully check the ingredients of cocoa to ensure it contains no dairy, if a dairy-free recipe is required.

Serves: 24 person(s)
Yield: 24 x mini pies

Preparation Time: 25 mins
Cooking Time: 25 mins
Extra Time: 96 hrs (about 3 - 5 days, for refrigeration)

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup dried mixed fruit (crudely chopped, if larger fruits)
1 medium apple, finely diced
1/4 cup crushed pineapple, in natural juice
2 Tbsp orange juice
2/3 tsp ground coriander *
1/3 tsp ground cinnamon *
1/2 tsp ground allspice *
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg *
1/8 tsp ground ginger *
1/8 tsp ground cloves *
3 Tbsp sugar substitute, divided **
1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup self-rising flour
1 1/2 cup almond flour or meal (finely ground blanched almonds)
1 Tbsp cocoa powder, unsweetened ***
2 1/8 oz reduced-fat buttery spread
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup iced water
1 tsp powdered or superfine sugar (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F.

FILLING: Mix together well the spices: coriander, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. In an airtight container, place dried mixed fruit, apple, pineapple, orange juice, and mixed spices and refrigerate for 3 to 5 days, stirring occasionally.

PASTRY: To make pastry, sift flours, almond flour, cocoa powder, and one tablespoon of sugar substitute into a large bowl. Rub in buttery spread with your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the egg, then just enough water to make the ingredients come together. Knead quickly and lightly on a floured surface until smooth. Wrap in saran wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before rolling.

MINI PIES: Roll out pastry to 1-inch thickness and cut into 24 rounds using a 3-inch cutter. Gently ease into lightly oiled muffin tins. Stir remaining 2 tablespoons sugar substitute into fruit mixture and divide the mixture evenly between the pastry cases.

Decorate with leftover pastry, cut into star shapes. Bake in preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until pastry is crisp. Lightly sprinkle with powdered sugar for further decoration, if desired.

Variations:

* 2 teaspoons "Mixed Spice" product can substituted for ground coriander, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves (or see Mixed Spice recipe link).

** NOTE: If desired, 3 Tbsp sugar substitute can be replaced by equivalent amount of granulated or brown sugar, if desired (serving suggestion is not included in the nutritional analysis).

Related Recipes:

Mixed Spice
Spiced Hot Cocoa