Easy Apple Hand Pies

$To make your hand pies, gather these key ingredients: - 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed - 1/4 cup sugar - 1/4 teaspoon salt These ingredients form the base for a perfect crust. The flour gives structure, while the butter adds flakiness. Sugar balances the flavor, and salt enhances everything. Next, let's prepare the apple filling. You will need: - 3 medium-sized apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg - 2 tablespoons brown sugar - 1 tablespoon lemon juice These apples are tart and sweet. The spices and sugar add warmth. Lemon juice brightens the taste and helps with browning. For a nice finish, consider these optional ingredients: - 1 egg (for egg wash) - 1 tablespoon milk Using an egg wash gives the pies a golden crust. Milk helps make the wash smooth. If you want to skip these, your pies will still be tasty! To make the dough, start by combining the flour, sugar, and salt in a mixing bowl. This blend brings out the sweet and savory flavors. Next, take your chilled butter and cut it into small cubes. Add these cubes to your flour mix. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to blend until it looks like coarse crumbs. This step is key for a flaky crust. Then, add ice water gradually, one tablespoon at a time. Mix until the dough just holds together. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the butter firm up, giving you that perfect texture. While your dough chills, you can prepare the apple filling. Start by peeling, coring, and dicing your apples. I recommend using Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples for their balance of tartness and sweetness. In a medium saucepan, combine the diced apples with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes. You want the apples to soften a bit but not turn mushy. Once cooked, remove from heat and let the mixture cool. This step is important to avoid a soggy crust later. After the dough has chilled, it’s time to assemble your hand pies. On a floured surface, roll out one disc of dough until it’s about 1/8-inch thick. Use a cookie cutter or a glass to cut out circles, about 4-5 inches in diameter. Place a spoonful of the apple filling in the center of each circle. Be careful not to overfill, or they will burst open while baking. Fold the dough over the filling, creating a half-moon shape. Seal the edges by crimping with a fork or pinching tightly with your fingers. For a golden finish, whisk together an egg and milk to make an egg wash. Brush this mixture over the tops of the hand pies. Finally, cut small slits in the top to let steam escape. Now, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Place your hand pies on the prepared sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown. The aroma of baked apples and spices will fill your kitchen! After baking, let them cool slightly before serving. Enjoy the crisp crust and warm filling! - Use cold butter for a flaky texture. - Don’t overwork the dough. To get that perfect crust, cold butter is key. When you mix it into the flour, it should stay in chunks. This helps create those nice, flaky layers. If the butter warms up, the dough will not be as light. Also, handle the dough gently. If you work it too much, it gets tough. Just mix until it comes together. - Choose the right apple variety. - Experiment with additional spices like allspice. The type of apple you use makes a big difference. Granny Smith apples are tart and hold their shape well. Honeycrisp apples are sweet and juicy. You can mix both for a great flavor. Don’t forget to add spices! Cinnamon is classic, but try adding allspice for a warm kick. This will make your hand pies extra tasty. - Dust with powdered sugar. - Serve with vanilla ice cream. How you present your hand pies can wow your guests. A light dusting of powdered sugar looks lovely. It also adds a sweet touch. Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The creaminess pairs perfectly with the warm, spiced apples. This makes every bite special! {{image_2}} You can switch up the filling for fun. Use pears or mixed berries instead of apples. Both fruits offer a sweet and juicy taste. If you want something different, try a savory version. Mix cheese with caramelized onions for a unique flavor. This combo creates a rich, creamy filling. You can serve these pies as a tasty appetizer or snack. The crust can also change how your hand pies taste. For more flakiness, try using puff pastry. It adds a nice crunch that many people love. If you're looking for a healthier option, use whole wheat flour. This change gives your pies a nutty flavor. Whole wheat crusts are also more filling. Choose your crust based on what you enjoy most! To keep your apple hand pies fresh, store them in an airtight container. This method helps retain moisture and keeps the crust crisp. If you have leftover pies, place parchment paper between each pie to avoid sticking. Store at room temperature for up to two days. For longer storage, refrigerate them. This helps maintain their flavor and texture. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in the fridge. When it's time to enjoy your leftovers, you have options. You can reheat hand pies in the oven or microwave. For the oven, preheat it to 350°F. Place the pies on a baking sheet and warm them for about 10-15 minutes. This method keeps the crust flaky and delicious. If you use a microwave, place the pie on a microwave-safe plate. Heat for about 30 seconds. This method is faster but might make the crust a bit soft. To maintain texture, stick with the oven when possible. Easy apple hand pies last about 3 to 5 days when stored properly. Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate them. They may lose some crispness, but they will still taste great. Yes, you can freeze these hand pies before baking. After you assemble them, place them on a baking sheet. Freeze until firm, then transfer them to a freezer bag. They can last about 2 to 3 months in the freezer. When you're ready to bake, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time. If you want to replace butter, use coconut oil or vegetable shortening. Both options work well. You may need to adjust the amount slightly. Use the same amount by weight for best results. Absolutely! You can make the dough ahead of time. After mixing, wrap it in plastic wrap. Store it in the fridge for up to 2 days. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it for up to 3 months. Just let it thaw in the fridge before rolling it out. In this post, we covered how to make easy apple hand pies. You learned about essential ingredients, like flour and apples, plus tips for the perfect pie crust. I shared step-by-step instructions and ways to store your pies. Now, it’s time to enjoy your tasty treats! With a bit of practice, you’ll impress everyone with your baking skills. So gather your ingredients and start making these delicious hand pies today!$

Indulge in the deliciousness of Sweet & Spicy Apple Hand Pies with this easy recipe! Perfect for dessert lovers, these hand pies combine the tartness of fresh apples with the warmth of spices for a tantalizing treat. Follow simple steps to create flaky pastry and a mouthwatering filling that will delight your taste buds. Click through to explore the full recipe now! #AppleHandPies #DessertRecipe #BakingFun #FallTreats

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

6-8 tablespoons ice water

3 medium-sized apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 egg (for egg wash)

1 tablespoon milk

Instructions

In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

While the dough is chilling, prepare the apple filling. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the diced apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, brown sugar, and lemon juice. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the apples are slightly softened. Remove from heat and let cool.

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Roll out one disc of dough on a floured surface into a 1/8-inch thick sheet. Cut into circles (about 4-5 inches in diameter) using a cookie cutter or glass.

Place a spoonful of the apple filling onto the center of each circle. Be careful not to overfill.

Fold the circle in half, sealing the edges by crimping with a fork or pinching tightly with your fingers.

In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk to create an egg wash. Brush the tops of the hand pies with the egg wash for a golden finish.

Cut small slits in the top of each hand pie to allow steam to escape.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the hand pies are golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.

Prep Time: 45 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes | Servings: 8

- Presentation Tips: Dust the finished apple hand pies with powdered sugar and serve them warm on a rustic wooden board or a colorful plate, accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat!