Apple Pie Pocket Treats

Indulge in the delightful experience of crafting homemade Apple Pie Hand Pies! These perfectly portioned treats are bursting with warm, cinnamon-spiced apples encased in a flaky, golden crust. Ideal for a convenient snack on the go, a charming addition to any party, or a comforting dessert to savor at home.

Apple pie hand pies offer a delectable and portable take on the beloved classic American dessert. These individually crafted delights showcase a tender, flaky pastry filled with a sweet, spiced apple medley. Whether you’re seeking a satisfying snack for your travels, a delightful breakfast treat, or an elegant dessert option, these hand pies are the perfect solution.

The allure of hand pies lies in their effortless enjoyment – no plates or forks required! These homemade apple hand pies surpass any fast-food alternative in flavor and quality. Their convenient size and individual servings make them an excellent choice for parties, gatherings, or a simple indulgence.

One of the best aspects of apple hand pies is their accessibility for bakers of all skill levels. Even novice bakers can achieve impressive results with this recipe. The straightforward steps make it nearly impossible to make significant errors. So, embrace the process and don’t be discouraged by the number of steps involved. It’s all about intuition – cook the apples, blend in the spices, and adjust to your taste!

Whether enjoyed straight from the oven while still warm, or at room temperature, apple pie hand pies are guaranteed to quench your cravings for apple pie or apple cobbler. The warm spices and sweet apple filling will transport you to an autumnal paradise.

Ingredients for Apple Pie Hand Pies

Pastry Dough Ingredients:

• All-purpose flour: The base for a perfectly flaky crust.
• Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
• Ice-cold water: Crucial for creating a tender, not tough, dough.
• Unsalted butter: Use chilled and cubed butter for the best flakiness.
• Egg: Beaten egg is used for an egg wash to give the hand pies a golden-brown finish.

Apple Filling Ingredients:

• Apples: Peeled, cored, and diced. Experiment with various apple types to discover your favorite blend of sweet and tart. A mixture of Granny Smith and Honeycrisp provides a delightful balance.
• White sugar: Sweetens the apple filling to perfection.
• Unsalted butter: Adds richness and depth to the apple mixture.
• Brown sugar: Imparts a warm, caramel-like flavor.
• Ground cinnamon: A quintessential spice for apple pie.
• Ground ginger: Adds a subtle warmth and complexity.
• Ground nutmeg: Complements the other spices, creating a cozy aroma.

How to Make the Pastry Pie Dough

Crafting the perfect flaky crust is essential for these apple pie hand pies. Follow these simple steps to create a dough that is both tender and delicious:

1. Combine dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and salt. This ensures even distribution of the salt throughout the dough.
2. Incorporate the butter: Add the chilled, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingertips, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, similar to wet sand. This step is crucial for creating layers of fat within the dough, which will result in a flaky crust.
3. Add water gradually: Gradually add ice-cold water, one tablespoon at a time, to the flour and butter mixture. Mix gently until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix, as this can develop the gluten in the flour and result in a tough crust.
4. Chill the dough: Form the dough into a disc, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or preferably longer, while you prepare the apple filling. Chilling the dough allows the gluten to relax and the butter to solidify, which will contribute to a flakier crust.
5. Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures that the hand pies will bake evenly and achieve a golden-brown crust.

Prepare the Apple Pie Filling

The heart of these hand pies lies in the flavorful apple filling. Here’s how to create a sweet and spiced apple mixture that will tantalize your taste buds:

1. Sauté the apples: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Allow the butter to cook until it begins to turn a golden-brown color, which takes about 1 minute. This step adds a nutty richness to the filling.
2. Combine ingredients: Add the diced apples, white sugar, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, until the apples soften, which typically takes 5-7 minutes. Stirring prevents the apples from sticking to the pan and ensures even cooking.
3. Add spices: Incorporate the ground cinnamon, ground ginger, and ground nutmeg into the apple mixture. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the spices to meld with the apples. Remove the skillet from the heat and let the filling cool completely before assembling the hand pies.

Assemble the Apple Pie Hand Pies

Now for the fun part – assembling your delicious apple pie hand pies! Follow these steps to create perfectly shaped and flavorful treats:

1. Roll out the dough: On a lightly floured work surface, roll out the chilled dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch. This ensures that the crust will be flaky and not too thick.
2. Cut out circles: You have two options for shaping the hand pies. For a rustic, “imperfect” look, use a knife to cut out circles from the dough. Alternatively, for a more uniform appearance, use a round cookie cutter, biscuit cutter, a large glass, or a small bowl to cut out circles.
3. Fill and seal: Place a spoonful of the cooled apple filling onto the center of each pastry circle. Fold the other half of the dough over the filling, creating a half-moon shape. Crimp the edges to seal the hand pies tightly. You can also use a fork to press the edges together.
4. Create ventilation holes: Use a sharp knife to make two small ventilation holes on the top of each hand pie. These holes allow steam to escape during baking, preventing the filling from bursting out.
5. Egg wash and bake: In a small bowl, whisk an egg. Brush the top of each hand pie with the egg wash to create a beautiful golden finish. Place the hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
6. Bake to perfection: Bake the hand pies for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Let them cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set and prevents burns.

Recipe Notes and Tips

To elevate your apple pie hand pies to the next level, consider these helpful tips and variations:

• Shortcut option: If you’re short on time, feel free to use store-bought pie crust, dough sheet, or puff pastry. While homemade dough is delicious, these options can save you considerable time.
• Chill the dough: Ensure that your pastry dough is thoroughly chilled before rolling it out. This is crucial for achieving a flaky and tender crust. Chilling your dough while making the filling is a good practice, but ideally, allow it to chill for 1-2 hours.
• Adjust sweetness: Customize the sweetness of the filling to your preference by adjusting the amount of sugar. Taste the filling as you cook it and add more sugar if desired.
• Brighten with lemon: A touch of lemon juice can enhance the apple filling’s flavor by providing a bright and tangy contrast to the sweetness. If using lemon juice, add about 1/2 tablespoon to the filling mixture.
• Prevent soggy crusts: To prevent a soggy bottom crust, pat the diced apples with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture before mixing them with the sugar and spices. This helps to keep the crust crisp.
• Get creative with fillings: Feel free to experiment with the filling by adding ingredients such as caramel, chopped nuts (like pecans or walnuts), or raisins for a personalized twist.
• Explore different fruits: Once you’ve mastered the apple version, try this recipe with other fruits such as blackberries, cherries, or blueberries for a delightful variation.
• The magic of egg wash: Brushing the hand pies with an egg wash before baking is essential for achieving a beautiful golden finish on the crust. Don’t skip this step for an attractive presentation.
• Optional sugar sparkle: If desired, sprinkle turbinado sugar over the tops of the hand pies before baking for a sweet, crunchy texture.
• Make ahead and freeze: These hand pies can be made ahead of time and frozen before baking for future use. Simply assemble the hand pies, freeze them on a baking sheet, and then transfer them to a freezer bag for storage. When ready to bake, thaw them slightly and bake as directed.
• Adult twist: For an adults-only dessert, add a splash of whiskey or bourbon to the apple filling. This will add a warm, boozy kick to the hand pies.
• Proper storage: Store any leftover hand pies in an airtight container at room temperature for a day or two. For longer storage, freeze them and reheat as needed. Reheating in an oven or toaster oven will help to restore the crust’s crispness.

More Apple-Flavored Recipes to Try

Looking for more ways to enjoy the delicious flavor of apples? These recipes are also excellent for Thanksgiving desserts. Check out some of our favorite apple-centric recipes below:

• Apple Yogurt Salad: A refreshing and healthy salad with crisp apples, creamy yogurt, and a touch of sweetness.
• Spiced Cinnamon Apple Waffles with Bourbon Syrup: Indulgent waffles infused with warm spices and topped with a decadent bourbon syrup.
• Caramel Apple Crumble Ice Cream: A delightful combination of caramel apples, crunchy crumble topping, and creamy ice cream.
• Apple Cider Mocktail and Cocktail: A festive and flavorful drink perfect for autumn gatherings, with options for both non-alcoholic and alcoholic versions.

Print Recipe

Apple Pie Hand Pies Recipe

Portable pockets of cinnamon-spiced apples in flaky crust—a delicious twist on tradition.

Prep Time
45 mins

Cook Time
25 mins

Total Time
1 hr 10 mins

Course
Desserts

Cuisine
Pies

Equipment

• Large mixing bowl
• Large skillet
• Whisk
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper

Servings:
6

Ingredients

For the dough:

• 1 ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ cup ice cold water
• ½ cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
• 1 egg, for egg wash

For the filling:

• 2 large apples, peeled, cored and diced
• ⅛ cup white granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

Instructions

To make the pastry dough:

1. In a large bowl, mix flour and salt.
2. Add chilled, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to combine the mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs, like wet sand.
3. Gradually add ice-cold water (a tablespoon at a time) and mix just until the dough comes together. Do not overmix.
4. Form the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate while you are prepping the filling.
5. Preheat oven to 400°F.

To make the filling:

1. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Cook until butter begins to turn a golden brown color, about 1 minute.
2. Add apples, sugars, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring often until apples are soft, about 5-7 minutes.
3. Add in spices and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

To assemble the hand pies:

1. Roll out the chilled dough on a floured work surface to about 1/8 inch thickness.
2. With a knife, cut circles into the dough for a more rustic “imperfect” look like ours. Or with a round cookie cutter, biscuit cutter, large glass or a small bowl, cut the dough into circles to resemble miniature pies.
3. Place spoonfuls of the apple filling onto the center of each pastry circle. Fold the other half over the filling, creating a half-moon shape. Crimp to close. Or seal the edges by pressing with a fork.To make the edge as pictured here fold the overhanging bottom part of the dough up over the top edge, working your way around the crust. Crimp the edge tightly closed, pinching a little bit of dough with the thumb and forefinger of one hand and using your index finger on the other hand to push a small notch into the pinched dough.
4. Use a sharp knife to make 2 small ventilation holes on top of each hand pie.
5. In a small bowl, whisk an egg and brush each hand pie for a golden finish. Place them on lined baking sheet with parchment paper.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool at least 10 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 346kcal
|
Carbohydrates: 39g
|
Protein: 4g
|
Fat: 20g
|
Saturated Fat: 12g
|
Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g
|
Monounsaturated Fat: 5g
|
Trans Fat: 1g
|
Cholesterol: 78mg
|
Sodium: 262mg
|
Potassium: 119mg
|
Fiber: 2g
|
Sugar: 16g
|
Vitamin A: 663IU
|
Vitamin C: 3mg
|
Calcium: 26mg
|
Iron: 2mg

Calories:

346
kcal

We’d love to see your take on these Apple Hand Pies! Share your creations on Instagram using the hashtag #sugarandclothloves. For more easy and delicious recipes, check out our recipes section!