Apple Hand Pies
Homemade apple hand pies are a delightful treat that combines flaky pastry with sweet, spiced apple filling. Perfect for dessert or a snack.
Ingredients
For the pastry
- 2.5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed Ensure the butter is very cold for a flakier crust.
- 6-8 tablespoons ice water Add ice water gradually until the dough comes together.
For the filling
- 3-4 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp) Peeled, cored, and diced.
- 0.5 cup sugar Adjust according to taste.
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 large egg For egg wash.
- to taste tablespoons extra sugar For sprinkling on top.
Instructions
Preparation
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, salt, and sugar.
- Add the chilled, cubed butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Slowly add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together.
- Shape it into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
Filling Preparation
- While the dough chills, peel, core, and dice the apples.
- In a medium bowl, combine diced apples, sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Toss well to coat the apples and let it sit for about 10 minutes.
Assembly and Baking
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness.
- Cut out circles, approximately 5-6 inches in diameter.
- Place a generous tablespoon of the apple filling in the center of each circle.
- Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape, pressing the edges to seal.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the filled hand pies on the prepared sheet.
- In a small bowl, whisk the egg and brush it over the tops of the hand pies. Sprinkle extra sugar on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Allow the hand pies to cool on a wire rack before serving.
Notes
Store any leftover hand pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate them for about a week. You can also freeze unbaked hand pies; just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. Bake them directly from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. Feel free to mix different types of apples for varied flavors, and consider adding nuts or raisins to the apple mixture for new textures and flavors.