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I have a tendency to bake through whatever’s on my mind (grief, nostalgia, sheer ridiculousness), so as I started researching everything that’s on the ballot in this presidential election, my thoughts started swirling. There’s something methodical about baking; it keeps my hands busy as my brain processes things. Plus, I thought it might be nice to have a good snack on hand as I waited in line at the polls (though, with a mask on, I doubt I’ll be doing any munching). Or as I watched the debates, (because chewing on caramelized pie dough is a whole lot better than my fingernails).
These Apple Pie Ballot Bites are an Election Day riff on the Love Notes pies you see everywhere online. The filling is a twist on my all-time favorite apple pie, Grandma Ople’s, only simplified, so this project doesn’t take over your whole afternoon. I freehand-cut the boxes and check marks with a paring knife; you could also use a tiny flag-shaped cookie cutter (Etsy sells ’em for $1.69!) to trick out your envelopes, as long as it ships in time.
Whatever you do, exercise your right to vote on Nov. 3—or skip the lines and vote early, if your state allows it, or vote by mail. The National Conference of State Legislatures has a great state-by-state guide as to when you can vote in your area. You can also use USA.gov to find your local election office and see exactly what’s on the ballot where you are.
Apple Pie Ballot Bites
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (1/2 stick)
- 3 tbsp flour
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar, plus more for dusting
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and sliced into thin wedges
- refrigerated pie crust dough (2 nine-inch rounds)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour, stirring to form a paste. Add water, sugar and cinnamon. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat, then let it simmer for about 5 minutes. The mixture will turn glossy and less gritty as the sugar breaks down, forming a caramelized sauce. Toss apples in sauce. Let sit.
- Roll out the refrigerated pie dough. Cut off edges, forming a large square. (You'll use the rounded edges to make the check boxes.) Cut the large square into four squares total. Repeat with other crust.
- Place the pie dough squares on a baking sheet, turning them 90 degrees so they look like diamond shapes on the sheet. Place 3 to 4 apple slices in the center of each piece of pie dough. Flip up the bottom of the dough, then the sides, so all three points meet in the center. It should look like an open envelope. Using the pie scraps and a paring knife, cut out a checkmark and a check for each mini pie. Lightly brush pie crusts with remaining sauce from the pie filling. Sprinkle with sugar, if desired. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, or until pies are lightly golden.