Chai spiced apple tartlets

The days are shorter, the air is colder and the smell of chai lattes is all around: it’s autumn. With the UK weather ranging from an average of 10-16 degrees, and the entire UK rainfall for this month averaging 13 days of rain, totalling 92 millimetres (3.6 inches), we’ve got to find something to warm and cheer us up! I have just the thing. These indulgent tartlets taste just how autumn should. Apple picking. Chai tea in coffee shops on a rainy day. Coming home to your grandmothers freshly baked ginger biscuits. The gentle crunch of leaves under your shoes. Served warm with some whipped coconut cream, they are crème de la crème of autumn bakes.

Ingredients(makes about 24 tartlets)

-500g vegan shortcrust pastry

-3 or 4 Granny Smith apples

-1 tablespoon chai spice mix (recipe will be up soon if you want to make your own)

-2 tablespoons brown sugar (give or take depending on how sweet you would like it)

-1 cup raisins/sultanas

-2 tsp cinnamon

Method

Firstly, cut and peel your apples, cutting them up into relatively small squares. Add the chai spice, brown sugar and raisins and simmer gently, on low heat (covered) for about 15 minutes until the apples are soft, but not disintegrating. Roll out the pastry until quite thin and place into tart or cupcake molds, after lightly dusting with oil so that it doesn’t stick. Spoon the filling into your pastries and cover how you like. I covered some of mine with a sort of criss cross lattice pattern, some i make little leaf shapes, some had love hearts and some I just completely covered in pastry(I really love pastry lol). Bake them at 200 degrees for about 20 minutes, then at about 180-190 degrees for another 50-60 minutes or until the pastry is nice and brown and crumbly.

Coconut whip can be made with canned coconut milk refrigerated overnight. Just use an electric whisk to whisk it until it peaks- it is a delicious vegan and healthier alternative to double cream or whippy cream.

I really hope you enjoy this recipe. Let me know how it goes if you try it out- tag me on instagram @earthyelena

Have a wonderful week,

Elena xxx