This simple little dessert is my pick for I Heart Cooking Clubs theme of the week, Let's Get Roasted. Giada's Roasted Apple Pies are a quick and easy dessert that ended up being pretty cute, kind of like a deconstructed apple pie. I couldn't leave well enough alone and had to switch up the recipe a touch, using homemade pie crust -- and also cutting hearts out for the top crust instead of a plain circle as per the recipe. I love hearts. They always make me smile, especially in desserts :)
Roasted Apple Pies
I called these Mini Apple Pie Stacks since it was easier for the kids to grasp ;)
Giada De Laurentiis
1 (9-inch) refrigerated rolled pie crust -- I used a pie crust dough disk that I had stashed in my freezer since Thanksgiving, recipe here at allrecipes
2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled -- I used 4 apples
1/4 cup granulated sugar -- doubled this to 1/2 cup for the 4 apples
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, plus extra for dusting -- doubled this to 2 tbsp, but could have done with less
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled -- I used 4 apples
1/4 cup granulated sugar -- doubled this to 1/2 cup for the 4 apples
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, plus extra for dusting -- doubled this to 2 tbsp, but could have done with less
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons powdered sugar
Special equipment: a 3-inch round cookie cutter (I also used a heart cookie cutter for the tops)
Place an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silpat or parchment paper sprayed with vegetable cooking spray.
Unroll the pie crust out on a work surface. Using a 3-inch round cookie cutter, cut out 8 disks of pastry.
Arrange the pastry disks on the prepared baking sheet. Using the tines of a fork, prick the pastry all over. -- I forgot to do this and it is important so please don't forget like I did! --Bake until brown and crispy, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely, about 10 minutes. 
In a medium bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the cream until thick, about 1 minute. Add the powdered sugar and continue to beat until the cream is very thick.
To assemble the pies: Place the pastry disks on a work surface. Divide the cooked apple slices among 4 of the disks. Dollop about 2 tablespoons of the cream on top of the apples and cover with the remaining disks.
Transfer the apple pies to dessert plates, dust with cinnamon and serve immediately.
Slice the bottom of the apples to create an even surface for cutting. Slice each apple into 6 (1/2-inch) slices. Cut each apple slice in half and remove any seeds or pieces of core. In a medium bowl, mix together the sugar and 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Add the apple slices and toss until coated.
Shake off any excess mixture. Arrange the apple slices on the same baking sheet in a single layer. Bake until dark brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes.
In a medium bowl, using an electric hand mixer, beat the cream until thick, about 1 minute. Add the powdered sugar and continue to beat until the cream is very thick.
To assemble the pies: Place the pastry disks on a work surface. Divide the cooked apple slices among 4 of the disks. Dollop about 2 tablespoons of the cream on top of the apples and cover with the remaining disks.
Transfer the apple pies to dessert plates, dust with cinnamon and serve immediately.
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These were a fun and easy treat and it was nice to do another Giada recipe that used up ingredients I already had on hand. I think if I would have remember to prick the pie crust rounds these would have turned out even better, mine ended up puffing up a lot and were thicker than I expected, even though I rolled them thin. There is a ton of cinnamon in these so be prepared. I would decrease it if you are not a huge cinnamon lover. Picky hubby was kind of scared of these because he said they smelled like potpourri :)
