Mini Apple and Almond Pies

Adapted from recipe by Gino D'Acampo (BBC UK). Examples of cooking apples are Cortland, Granny Smith, Braeburn, Macoun, Empire and Rome.

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 3  lbs cooking apples, peeled,cored and roughly sliced (1.4kg)
• 3 1⁄2 ounces brown sugar (100g)
• 3  eggs
• 3 1⁄2 ounces caster sugar (100g)
• 7  ounces unsalted butter, softened (200g)
• 7  ounces  ground almonds (200g)
•  sliced  almonds, for decoration

Directions

1. Combine the apples and brown sugar in a large pan and cook over a low heat until soft.
2. Beat eggs together with the caster sugar in a large bowl, then mix in the butter and ground almonds to create a smooth paste.
3. Divide the cooked apples between six ramekins and spread the almond paste on top.
4. Sprinkle some sliced almonds on top of each and and bake in a preheated oven at 160C/320F for about 50 minutes until golden brown.
5. Serve hot with whipped cream or ice cream.