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Apple Hand Pies

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Apple hand pies are like apple pie in individual portions. They feature a sweet apple cinnamon filling inside an irresistible flaky crust.
  • Author: Delphine Fortin
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 25 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 12 hand pies 1x
  • Category: Cakes and pies
  • Cuisine: American

These adorable apple hand pies are like apple pie in individual portions. They feature a sweet apple cinnamon filling inside an irresistible flaky crust sprinkled with sugar. They’re super fun to make and perfect for fall baking.

Ingredients

Scale

For the crust:

  • 3 cup (380g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar + extra for sprinkling
  • 1 cup (230g) cold unsalted butter, diced
  • ½ cup (120 ml) ice water, plus more as needed
  • 1 egg, beaten, for brushing

For the filling:

  • 4 small apples, peeled, cored and diced into small pieces*
  • 3 Tablespoons (45g) unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup (50g) white sugar
  • ¼ cup (45g) light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • A pinch of salt
  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour

Instructions

For the crust:

  1. Whisk the flour, sugar and salt together in a medium bowl. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse, pea-sized crumbs. Add ice cold water, and gently knead the dough a few times in the bowl until it all comes together.
  2. Divide in 2 equal parts, flatten each ball into a thick disk, and wrap them separately in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Filling and assembling:

  1. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced apples, and cook for about 5-8 minutes, stirring often, until apples are soft and tender. Mix in white and brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, all spice, and a pinch of salt. Pour in the lemon juice, and continue cooking for about 2 minutes, until apples are soft and sticky. Add the flour, mix well, and allow mixture to thicken. Remove from heat and let cool at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  2. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the first chilled dough. Using a 3.5-inch/9cm cookie cutter**, cut into 12 circles (these are the bottom crusts). Re-roll any scraps as needed, and transfer to the baking sheet. Repeat with the second pie dough, and cut slits into each of the remaining 12 circles, using a small knife, so that steam can escape while baking***.
  4. Divide the apple filling into the 12 bottom circles (no slits), leaving a border all around. Gently brush the edge with water, then cover with the remaining 12 circles (with a slit). Press your fingers all around the edges to seal, then crimp with a fork. Lightly brush the top with egg wash, and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
  5. Bake for 25 minutes or until hand pies are golden brown, rotating the pan halfway through baking. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

 

 

Notes

* You can use any apples you like (Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, Gala, Fuji, Golden, etc.). Make sure you dice apple into small pieces that will fit inside the circles.

** In order to get 12 hand pies, you need a 3.5-inch (9 cm) round cookie cutter or slightly smaller.

*** If at any time the dough becomes too soft or warm, place it in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes before using it again and cut circles.