How to Make Cinnamon Pinwheel Swirls for Pie
I perfected this pie for my dear friend Chester after he forwarded me a photo and got me interested in this crust design. I started thinking “How the heck do you make that?” Then I wanted amazing filling not just any filling. Many pies, many days, a full year later and “Nailed It” Happy to share with you.
Below is the full recipe directions written out. You can also watch the recipe on my Heartwindnest YouTube channel — My first ever cooking video — so exciting : )
VIDEO If you watch video can you please subscribe, give thumbs up if you like it, and/or comment I’d really appreciate it.
INGREDIENTS
Must have:
Pie Crust – 2 – I used Trader Joe’s
Apples 8-10 Medium – tart like granny smith
Butter – Unsalted – 8 Tablespoons
Egg Wash – I used one whole egg
Lemon Juice
Sugar 3/4 cup – 1 cup depending on how sweet you want it
Flour approx. 3 Tablespoons
Salt
Cinnamon
Optional:
Brown Sugar (I add to swirls and often do half brown sugar in filling)
Nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon
Cloves 1/4 teaspoon
You also can add: (I did not this time)
Vanilla extract or bean paste to filling
Lemon juice to filling but I feel what was in with apples is enough
Salt just a pinch to filling but I feel what was in with apples is enough
THE STEPS — Details for each Step Below — Also see video link above
1 PREPARE APPLES
2 MAKE CRUST & PINWHEEL SWIRLS
3 PREHEAT OVEN — EGG WASH & COOK EMPTY CRUST
4 MAKE FILLING/COOK APPLES
5 PUT PIE FILLING INTO CRUST
6 COVER PIE WITH TOP CRUST
7 EGG WASH TOP OF PIE
8 BAKE FOR 40 MINS
9 ENJOY — SHARE —ENJOY!
Eat alone or serve with ice cream and/or whip cream
STEP 1 — Prepare Apples
Peel and cut. Put cut pieces in bowl with a little water some lemon juice and little salt. (I use maybe 1/2 cup and it goes into filling) Turn apples as necessary to coat all.
STEP 2 MAKE CRUST
—Roll out dough
I usually re-roll my Trader Joes Pie Crust dough but you may not have too. It breaks in packaging but it is so good tasting and flaky I use it any way. It is worth it for the taste and being easy.
STEP 2 MAKE CRUST
—Roll out dough
I usually re-roll my Trader Joes Pie Crust dough but you may not have too. It breaks in packaging but it is so good tasting and flaky I use it any way. It is worth it for the taste and being easy.
Put butter and cinnamon on it
Tightly roll up
Slice off pieces
Create Crust in the pan or on your flat surface for the bottom
Create Top Crust on your flat surface for the top
—Put butter on top all over – thin layer
— Sprinkle cinnamon generously on to dough (this makes swirls)
—Sprinkle small amount of brown sugar
—Start rolling on one edge —Tightly roll up into a log type shape
(photo below of log shape)
—Slice off pieces – approximately 1/4inch thick
—Create Crust in the pan or on your flat surface for the bottom
YOU create this by placing swirls into a circle and pressing down and or rolling them
—Create Top Crust for the pie on your flat surface for the top
Make it on plastic that comes with pie crust or use wax paper or similar product (photo below of rolled out crust for top)
STEP 3 PREHEAT OVEN & COOK CRUST
Poke holes in crust with a fork and egg wash it
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Pre-Cook crust 15-20 mins watch it to be sure it does not brown or dry out too much (This extra step makes it so it is not under cooked or “doughy” later helps make it nice flaky crust.
STEP 4 — COOK APPLES
Put a skillet on stove top on a low/medium heat
Melt 8 Tablespoons of butter
Add in 3/4 cup—full cup sugar – I often use 1/2 cup white 1/2 cup brown
Add Spices 1/2 tsp each of: cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg (ok if only cinnamon)
Add 1/4 – 1/2 cup water depends how much you had with apples
Add Apples – about 6-8 cups of apples
Sauté until al dente – maybe 7 mins
Add in 3 Tablespoons of flour to thicken mixture
Add more flour over time if necessary – Want gooey and thick not too watery
5 PUT PIE FILLING INTO PIE CRUST
6 COVER PIE WITH TOP CRUST
7 EGG WASH TOP OF PIE
You can sprinkle with sugar if you desire – I do not to cut back on sugar.
8 BAKE FOR 40 MINS This is approximate time — watch pie in oven until golden brown
9 ENJOY — SHARE —ENJOY
I feel its important to share with others your home and things you make in your home its all part of nesting and creating a home to me.
SEE VIDEO If helpful to see me make it. Video >
FFED BACK I am very new to this and care very much about your experience and thoughts. Please reach out to me, comment, give constructive criticism or thoughts for any improvement. I’d love to see your photos.
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Thank you & have a fabulous day
If you heart is there, The Wind Will Take You —Marlisa
Flipping awesome recipe. My wife made it for her Birthday cake.
I made this today at my husband’s request. It was a little harder than I thought it would be, but I should have rolled out the crust between wax paper. I used honey instead of white sugar as well. It came out beautifully and we are enjoying it as I post. Thanks for the recipe!
In video I’m pretty sure I said to roll between wax paper or sheets dough came in. Did I not write in written recipe? What was harder than you thought I want to tweak and be as clear as I can. I like that you tried honey I’ll add as an option for recipe. I am so happy you made this and shared with me. Happy Birthday.