Of all the miniature rose-shaped pies roaming around the internet, this recipe combines the simplest method with the tastiest results. And the trick to turning a regular apple pie into a miniaturized version that looks like a rose is simpler than you might think.

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This recipe makes 6 individual mini apple pies.

Things You\’ll Need

• 4 gala apples

• Juice of 1 lemon

• 2 tablespoons butter

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 2 tablespoons strawberry jam

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

• Optional: Apple corer, pastry brush, and mandoline slicer (while not mandatory, it's helpful to have these!)

Step 1: Core and Slice Apples

You'll need apple slices that are pliable enough to bend, so cooking them for just one minute will help. Core the apples then slice them in a half-moon shape, about 1/16th of an inch thick. To keep them from browning, squeeze the lemon juice into a medium sized sauce pan and place each stack of apple slices in the juice. Gently move them around to coat.

Once all the apples are sliced, add enough water to just cover the slices. Cover with a lid and simmer for about 60 seconds, or until you see the apple slices start to become translucent.

Tip

Sprinkle an extra half a teaspoon of cinnamon into the pan as you boil the apples. It'll start infusing the apples with flavor.

Step 2: Combine the Jam and Cinnamon Mixture

Using a microwave-safe dish, heat the butter, cinnamon, brown sugar and jam for about 25 to 30 seconds in the microwave. Stir until a paste forms.

Tip

The strawberry jam brings out the red in the "roses'" edges.

Step 3: Prepare the Dough

Use a rolling pin to flatten out the puff pastry, and then cut into six long strips.

Step 4: Add the Apples

Brush a layer of the cinnamon mixture onto one strip of dough, then position about 10 of the soft apple slices so they overlap slightly on the edges. Apply another layer of cinnamon mixture on top.

Step 5: Roll up

Carefully holding the apple slices in place, roll up your strip. Place the rolled-up strip in a muffin pan, and then start on the next apple.

Tip

Each rose takes a couple of minutes to assemble but puff pastry works best when it's cool, so store your muffin pan in the fridge in between.

Step 6: Bake for 25 Minutes

Once the pan of rose-shaped pies is ready, bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 25 minutes. The pastry should be flakey and cooked through. Everyone will be impressed with your mini rose-shaped apple pies… and no one will ever guess how easy these are to make!

Things You\’ll Need

• stick of very cold butter

• knife

Cubing your butter is the best way to evenly disperse it in a dish.

Butter has many properties that enhance nearly every aspect of food: flavor, texture, appearance and more. In a pie crust, cold butter melts slowly, creating crisp, flaky layers. Cold butter sprinkled on top of a casserole browns and crisps the topping. In these dishes and others, even dispersion of butter is key, and cubing the butter is the best way to achieve that.

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Step 1

Unwrap the butter. It should be very cold, but not frozen.

Step 2

Cut the butter in half lengthwise, so you have two long slabs. Do not separate the halves.

Step 3

Turn the butter over so an uncut long plane faces up. Slice the butter into three long slices. Do not separate the slices.

Step 4

Slice the stick of butter thinly, starting at one of the short ends. This will result in many small cubes of butter.

Step 5

Separate the cubes with your fingers.

Tip

You can make your cubes smaller or larger by making more or fewer slices, respectively.

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Kill it at your Halloween party with these three deadly but delicious desserts. Whether you use store-bought, box mix, or made from scratch, you can easily transform plain cupcakes into terrifying treats — and all it takes is a bit of white fondant and red icing. Here, we're sharing three simple but spooky ways to decorate cupcakes to look as if they were attacked by creepy creatures of the night.

Things You\’ll Need

• Cupcakes

• White frosting

• White fondant

• Powdered sugar

• Rolling pin

• Circle cookie cutter or jar

• Straw

• Red gel icing

• Toothpick

• Serrated knife

• Pecan halves

Frost the Cupcakes

Step 1

First, frost your cupcakes with white frosting (all three cupcake variations start with the same frosting base). You want to create a somewhat flat layer of frosting so the fondant can lay on top.

Step 2

Roll out the white fondant with a rolling pin until it's about 1/4-inch thick. To prevent the fondant from sticking, it helps to lightly dust your surface and rolling pin with powdered sugar first.

Step 3

Cut out circles using either a round cookie cutter or the rim of a jar or glass.

Step 4

Place a white fondant circle on top of each cupcake, and gently press it into the frosting to secure it.

Vampire Bite

Step 1

Use a straw to poke two holes through the fondant that are spaced apart like two fangs. You need to poke all the way through the frosting into the cupcake to create deep impressions.

Step 2

Use a toothpick to fill the holes with red gel icing.

Step 3

Drag some red icing around the holes and downwards to look as though blood is dripping from them.

Monster Claw

Step 1

Use a serrated knife to cut a long vertical slit in the center of the fondant. Then make three smaller slits so you have four vertical slits across the cupcake. You want the edges to be a bit jagged versus perfect incisions.

Step 2

Push against the sides of each slit with the knife to open them up and make them less straight.

Step 3

Use a toothpick to fill each slit with red gel icing.

Zombie Brains

Step 1

Mix a teaspoon of red gel icing with a teaspoon of water to create a watery red icing.

Step 2

Place a pecan on top of the fondant, and secure it in place with a bit of white frosting underneath.

Step 3

Use a spoon to drizzle the watery red icing on top of the pecan, and let it run down the sides. You can also use a toothpick to flick some icing on top to look like droplets of blood.

And that's all it takes to create three ghoulish goodies for your Halloween table that will certainly impress your guests!

If you're obsessed with all things pumpkin, you'll fall for these spiced pumpkin whoopie pies. With ingredients like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and clove, these pies feature the best flavors of the season. The batter also calls for pumpkin puree, which makes the cookies wonderfully moist. Top it off with maple cream cheese frosting and you have the ultimate fall dessert. If you're feeling extra festive, you can even mix chopped walnuts or pecans into the filling. Let's get baking!

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Spiced Pumpkin Cookies

Things You\’ll Need

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

• 2 teaspoons ground ginger

• 2 teaspoons ground cloves

• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1 cup vegetable oil

• 2 cups brown sugar (light or dark)

• 2 eggs

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 1/2 cups canned pumpkin puree

Step 1

Pre-heat the oven to 375° Fahrenheit.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and spices. Feel free to add more or less spices, depending on your taste buds. Mix well and set aside.

Step 2

In another large bowl, combine the brown sugar and oil. Stir until combined.

Step 3

Add the pumpkin puree, eggs and vanilla extract. Mix well.

Step 4

To the wet ingredients, add 1/3 of the flour mixture. Stir until fully combined. Repeat with the second and last third.

Once you have added all the dry ingredients, the batter should be tacky and thick.

Step 5

Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper. With an ice cream scoop, drop the batter about two inches apart. You'll get about 24 cookies for a total of 12 whoopie pies. If you prefer smaller pies, use a smaller scoop.

Tip

To shape each pie, dip your finger in water and smooth out the tops.

Step 6

Bake for 15 to 17 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean and the tops spring back to touch. Set aside to cool.

Maple Cream Cheese Frosting

Things You\’ll Need

• 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

• 1/2 teaspoon maple extract

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/8 teaspoon salt

• 3 cups powdered sugar

Step 1

Add the cream cheese and melted butter to a large bowl. With a hand mixer, beat until combined and smooth.

Step 2

Add the maple extract, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Continue beating the mixture while slowly adding the powdered sugar.

When the cookies are completely cool, it's time to add the frosting. Flip half the cookies upside down. Spread a tablespoon of frosting onto each cookie and add another cookie on top. Repeat with the remaining cookies and enjoy.