The 5-Minute "Apple Pie" I'm Making All Autumn Long

It's my new emergency dessert.

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Last month, while researching apple dessert recipes, I came across Joy Bauer's 5-Minute Apple Pie, and I was surprised I hadn't seen it before. The 14-time New York Times bestselling author and Today Show resident dietitian's gift is making delicious food that also happens to be healthy.

So, when I stumbled upon this quick apple "pie" recipe, I was more than intrigued. Every Joy recipe I've tried has been a hit, so I figured this one would be no different; she promised all the cozy goodness of the dessert without any of the fuss.

One hectic weeknight, when my kids were asking for dessert and I had about 15 minutes before bath time, I decided to give it a shot. It turns out that Joy has cracked the code on an ultra-fast apple pie dessert—and it only requires five common ingredients. It's now become my official "emergency" dessert.

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How To Make Joy Bauer's 5-Minute Apple Pie

The recipe starts with dicing a large, unpeeled apple (keeping the skin is easier and provides more nutrients and fiber). Her version doesn't specify apple size, but trust me, you'll want more apple. The pieces should be on the smaller side because they'll cook faster and more evenly in the microwave.

In a microwave-safe bowl, toss the apple with a tablespoon of brown sugar and a generous pinch of cinnamon. In a separate bowl, mix two teaspoons of cornstarch with a couple of tablespoons of cold water; this will give it that thick and glossy pie filling-like feel. The cornstarch mixture is stirred into the spiced apples and microwaved for a minute.

About 60 seconds later, the apples will soften, the cornstarch will thicken, and the whole thing will taste like it's been baking for an hour. Finally, divide the apples into two bowls, crumble the graham crackers on top, and serve immediately.

While Joy's dessert doesn't have the classic pastry I long for with pie, I couldn't believe how close it came to the real thing. It's decidedly good: warm and fragrant with tender apples and the subtle, toothsome texture of the unevenly crumbled grahams. This recipe is fall dessert perfection, made even better with a dollop of homemade whipped or vanilla ice cream.

Simply Recipes / Kris Osborne

Tips for Making Joy's Quick Dessert

What I love most about this recipe is how forgiving and flexible it is. I've mostly made it with the Gala apples we had kicking around. But I've also tried it with Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, and Fuji varieties; they all hold their shape well but offer differing textures and flavors.

Depending on the type of apple you use, you may need to cook it for a slightly longer time to achieve tender pieces. Continue microwaving in 30-second increments until they reach your preferred temperature.

Don't stress if your graham crackers look messy—a mix of bigger chunks and smaller crumbles makes the dish more enjoyable to eat. Larger pieces offer textural contrast while the finer crumbs help bind everything together and distribute the flavor throughout each bite.

I generally prefer my fruit crisps and pies to be very pastry-forward. However, with these minis, I love letting the apples take center stage. The fruit is truly the star, and outside this dessert, they'd be excellent swirled into yogurt, dolloped onto pancakes, or spooned onto warm oats.

The magic of Joy's recipe goes beyond the fact that it's delicious; that's undeniable. It's more that this dessert feels like a trick up my sleeve for the days I want something special but don't have the time or energy to pull it off. In about five minutes, I can whip up an apple pie recipe knowing it will taste like the real deal.

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Simply Recipes / Kris Osborne

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