Easy Apple Hand Pies

By Jen Paleracio | October 2, 2024 |

Easy Apple Hand Pies are a delightful treat. Which combines the classic flavors of apple pie with the convenience of a handheld snack. These mini pies are perfect for any occasion. It features a golden, flaky crust filled with a sweet and spiced apple filling. They’re simple to make and even easier to enjoy, making them a favorite for novice bakers and seasoned chefs. Whether you’re looking for a quick dessert. Or to whip up a charming addition to your next gathering. Easy Apple Hand Pies are sure to impress with their delicious taste and lovely presentation.

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TIPS ON MAKING EASY APPLE HAND PIES

  • Use Store-Bought Dough: To save time, use pre-made pie crust or puff pastry. This eliminates the need for making dough from scratch and simplifies the process.
  • Pick the Right Apples: Choose firm apples like Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji. These varieties hold their shape well during baking and provide a nice balance of sweet and tart flavors.
  • Prepare a Simple Filling: Peel, core, and dice the apples into small cubes. Mix them with sugar, cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg. Add a splash of lemon juice, and a bit of flour or cornstarch to thicken the filling.
  • Cut Even Circles or Squares: Roll out the dough. Use a cookie cutter or knife to cut even circles or squares. This ensures that your hand pies are uniform in size and bake evenly.
  • Seal Properly: Place a spoonful of apple filling in the center of each dough piece. Fold the dough over and press the edges with a fork to seal. This prevents the filling from leaking out during baking.
  • Brush with Egg Wash: Brush the tops of the hand pies with a beaten egg. This gives them a beautiful golden-brown color and a shiny finish.

TIME TO BAKE

  • Vent the Hand Pies: Cut small slits or poke holes in the top of each hand pie. This will allow steam to escape. This helps to prevent the pies from becoming soggy.
  • Bake on Parchment Paper: Place the hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. This makes for easy cleanup and prevents the pies from sticking to the pan.
  • Cool Before Serving: Allow the hand pies to cool slightly before serving. This helps the filling to set and makes them easier to handle.
  • Optional Glaze: For an extra touch, drizzle a simple glaze. Made from powdered sugar and a bit of milk over the cooled hand pies.

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INGREDIENTS YOU NEED

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Refrigerated Pie Crust

For convenience and ease, this recipe uses a package of refrigerated pie crusts. They provide a flaky, buttery base for the hand pies without the need for making dough from scratch.

Apples

Fresh and crisp apples are the star of the filling. Choose a variety like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a balance of tartness and sweetness.

Granulated Sugar

This sugar helps to sweeten the apple filling, enhancing the natural sugars found in the apples.

Light Brown Sugar

Light brown sugar adds a hint of molasses flavor and a deeper sweetness, complementing the granulated sugar.

Cinnamon

Ground cinnamon brings warmth and spice to the filling, a classic pairing with apples.

Nutmeg

A pinch of nutmeg adds a subtle, nutty depth to the filling, rounding out the spice profile.

Lemon Juice

Freshly squeezed lemon juice prevents the apples from browning and adds a touch of acidity to balance the sweetness.

Butter

Butter adds richness to the filling, making it luscious and flavorful.

Cornstarch

Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent, ensuring the filling is not too runny and holds together well inside the crust.

Egg

Beaten egg is used for an egg wash, which gives the pies a beautiful golden-brown finish when baked.

Turbinado Sugar

Sprinkling turbinado sugar on top of the pies before baking adds a delightful crunch and a touch of extra sweetness.

If you like to make these Apple Hand Pies making the dough from scratch, I have a recipe for you. Here’s the Pie Crust recipe for you.

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HOW TO MAKE EASY APPLE HAND PIES

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Here’s the instructions if you’re cooking the apple filling:

  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
  2. Add the diced apples, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
  3. Cook the apple mixture for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples have softened slightly.
  4. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the apple mixture and stir well.
  5. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the mixture has thickened. Remove from heat and let the filling cool to room temperature.

Here’s the instructions if you’re not cooking the apple filling:

Prepare the apple filling: In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and flour. Mix well until the apples are evenly coated.

For the hand pies:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Roll out the refrigerated pie crusts on a lightly floured surface. Using a round cutter or a glass (about 4 inches in diameter), cut out circles from the dough. You should get about 8 circles.
  3. Place a spoonful of the cooled apple filling in the center of each dough circle.
  4. Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together with a fork to seal.
  5. Transfer the hand pies to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the beaten egg and sprinkle with turbinado or granulated sugar, if using.
  6. Cut a small slit on the top of each hand pie to allow steam to escape.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pies are golden brown.
  8. Allow the hand pies to cool slightly before serving.

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RECOMMENDED RECIPES

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HOMEMADE APPLE HANDPIES
UBE HAND PIES
GRANDMA’S HOMEMADE APPLE PIE
MINI APPLE TARTS
HOMEMADE PIE CRUST
PUMPKIN PIE

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Easy Apple Hand Pies

Jen Paleracio
For convenience, use store-bought pastry crust. It's easy and very flaky. This Apple Hand Pie combines tart and sweet apples with a blend of spices. Baked until golden brown.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • baking sheet pan
  • Rolling Pin
  • Saucepan
  • Spatula
  • Bowls
  • Fork

Ingredients
  

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and diced
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup light brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 egg beaten (for egg wash)
  • Turbinado sugar (optional, for sprinkle)
  • 1 package of refrigerated pastry crust

Instructions
 

FOR THE FILLING:

  • In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. See note if you're not cooking the apples.
  • Add the diced apples, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and lemon juice. Stir to combine.
  • Cook the apple mixture for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the apples have softened slightly.
  • In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Pour the slurry into the apple mixture and stir well.
  • Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, until the mixture has thickened. Remove from heat and let the filling cool to room temperature.

FOR THE HAND PIES:

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Roll out the refrigerated pie crust on a lightly floured surface. Using a round cutter or a glass (about 4 inches in diameter), cut out circles from the dough. You should get about 8 circles.
  • Place a spoonful of the cooled apple filling in the center of each dough circle.
  • Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together with a fork to seal.
  • Transfer the hand pies to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the beaten egg and sprinkle with turbinado sugar, if using.
  • Cut a small slit on the top of each hand pie to allow steam to escape.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pies are golden brown.
  • Allow the hand pies to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

If you’re not cooking the filling, follow the below instructions:
  1. Prepare the apple filling: In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and flour. Mix well until the apples are evenly coated.
  2. Fill the hand pies: Place a spoonful of the apple filling in the center of each dough circle. Be careful not to overfill.
     
Keyword easy apple hand pies recipe, easy apple pie filling, fall desserts ideas, flaky crust apple hand pies, homemade apple hand pies, kid-friendly apple snacks, mini apple pie pastries, portable apple pie, quick apple desserts, simple apple pie bites

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Posted in Desserts, Recipes

2 Comments

  1. Crystal on October 26, 2024 at 5:11 pm

    How much butter do I use I don’t see it listed anywhere in your instructions



    • Jen Paleracio on October 28, 2024 at 1:27 am

      Hi Crystal,
      I’m sorry about that. I added it to the recipe now. You need 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter. For the pie crust, use 1 package store-bought pie crust. You might have leftover crust that you can use for later.