Apple Hand Pies are delicious little pastries filled with sweet, spiced apples. They are perfect for a snack, dessert, or even breakfast on the go. Easy to make and fun to eat, these hand pies are sure to become a favorite in your household.
Why Make This Recipe
Making Apple Hand Pies is a wonderful way to enjoy fresh apples. They are not only tasty but also portable, making them ideal for parties, picnics, or a simple treat at home. Plus, you can customize the filling to suit your taste. This recipe brings a classic dessert into a fun, hand-held form that everyone will love.
How to Make Apple Hand Pies
Creating Apple Hand Pies is simple and straightforward. Follow these easy steps to make your own delicious hand-held treats.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
- 2 medium apples (peel, core, and chop)
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 Homemade pie crusts (click link for recipe)
- 1 egg
- Coarse sugar (for sprinkling, optional)
Directions
- Make apple pie filling: In a medium pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped apples, sugar, salt, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Cook for about 5 minutes until the apples are slightly tender.
- Shape hand pies: Roll out the pie crusts and cut them into circles. Spoon the apple filling onto one half of each circle. Fold the other half over the filling and press the edges to seal.
- Bake in oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the hand pies on a baking sheet. Beat the egg and brush it over each pie. Sprinkle coarse sugar on top if you like. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Air fry: If you prefer, you can also air fry the hand pies. Set the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook for about 10-12 minutes until crispy and golden.
How to Serve Apple Hand Pies
Apple Hand Pies are best served warm. You can enjoy them as they are, or dust them with powdered sugar for extra sweetness. They pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for an extra special treat.
How to Store Apple Hand Pies
To store Apple Hand Pies, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for about a week or freeze them for up to 2 months. Just make sure to wrap them well to prevent freezer burn.
Tips to Make Apple Hand Pies
- Make sure to chop the apples into small, even pieces for consistent cooking.
- You can add a splash of lemon juice to the filling to enhance the flavor.
- Feel free to mix in other spices like nutmeg or cloves for a different taste.
- If the dough becomes too soft while working, chill it for a bit to make it easier to handle.
Variation
You can easily change the filling of your Apple Hand Pies. Try adding berries, pears, or even chocolate for a different flavor. You can also experiment with different spices to create your unique twist on this classic recipe.
FAQs
Q: Can I use store-bought pie crusts?
A: Yes, store-bought pie crusts work just fine if you want to save time.
Q: How do I know when the hand pies are done?
A: They are done when they are golden brown on top and the filling is bubbling.
Q: Can I freeze unbaked hand pies?
A: Yes, you can freeze unbaked hand pies. Just assemble them, freeze them on a baking sheet, and then transfer them to a freezer bag. Bake them directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Apple Hand Pies
Ingredients
Apple Filling
- 1.5 tablespoons butter For cooking the apple filling
- 2 medium apples, peel, core, and chop Use your favorite apple variety
- 0.25 cup white sugar For sweetness
- ⅛ teaspoon salt Balances sweetness
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch Helps thicken the filling
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon For spiciness
Pie Crust
- 2 crusts Homemade pie crusts Click link for recipe or use store-bought
Egg Wash
- 1 large egg For brushing over hand pies
- to taste Coarse sugar For sprinkling on top, optional
Instructions
Preparation
- In a medium pan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the chopped apples, sugar, salt, cornstarch, and cinnamon. Cook for about 5 minutes until the apples are slightly tender.
Shaping Hand Pies
- Roll out the pie crusts and cut them into circles.
- Spoon the apple filling onto one half of each circle.
- Fold the other half over the filling and press the edges to seal.
Baking
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Place the hand pies on a baking sheet.
- Beat the egg and brush it over each pie. Sprinkle coarse sugar on top if desired.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Air Frying Option
- Set the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and cook for about 10-12 minutes until crispy and golden.
