Spiced Apple Cups

Ingredients

2 tbsp Butter
3 Crisp fall seasonal apples, peeled, cored and diced
Pinch Salt
2 tsp Cinnamon, Ground (separated)
1 Lemon, zested and juiced
1 4 oz. pkg Almonds, Slivered
8 oz. Mascarpone cheese
12 2.5 oz. Tart Shells, such as DuFour Pastry Cups

Directions

For the Apple Filling:

1.  Toast the almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat, or on a sheet pan in the over at 350 degrees, until just golden brown
2. Heat an open skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add 2 tbsp of butter
3. Add the apples and sauté until the liquid is released and they are golden brown, about 5-8 minutes. Season with salt and cinnamon. Add zest and juice from lemon. Reduce heat to medium-low.
4. Add 2 tbsp grade B maple syrup, toss in with cooked apples to glaze.

For the DuFour Pastry Cups:

1.  Bake to package directions.

For the Sweetened Mascarpone:

1.  For the Sweetened Mascarpone Mix 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 tbsp grade B maple syrup into 8 oz package of mascarpone
2. Put mascarpone in a re-sealable zipper storage bag and cut corner for piping.
3. Fill tart shells half way with mascarpone mixture.
4. Spoon the cooked spiced apple mixture into cups and top with slivered almonds