Mini Apple Hand Pies

$- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 tablespoon sugar - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed - 6-8 tablespoons ice water - 3 medium apples (e.g., Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and diced - 1/4 cup brown sugar - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash) - Optional: powdered sugar for dusting To make tasty mini apple hand pies, you need some basic ingredients. First, you need all-purpose flour to make the dough. The salt and sugar add flavor and help balance the taste. Cold butter is key for a flaky crust. The ice water helps bind the dough without making it tough. For the apple filling, you should choose good apples. Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work well because they are tart and sweet. Brown sugar adds a rich flavor, while cinnamon and nutmeg bring warmth and spice. Lemon juice keeps the apples fresh and bright. You also need an egg for the wash, which gives the pies a nice golden color. When you gather your ingredients, make sure everything is fresh. This will make your mini apple hand pies taste even better. Enjoy the process; cooking should be fun! - In a large bowl, mix 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. - Scatter 1/2 cup of cold, cubed unsalted butter over the flour mixture. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the flour until it looks like coarse crumbs. - Gradually add 6-8 tablespoons of ice water, one tablespoon at a time. Mix until the dough holds together. Take care not to overwork the dough. - Divide the dough into two equal discs. Wrap each one in plastic wrap. - Chill the dough in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. This helps to make the crust flaky. - On a floured surface, roll out one chilled disc to about 1/8 inch thick. Use a 4-inch round cutter or a glass to cut out circles. - For the filling, mix diced apples, 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in a medium bowl. - Place about 1 tablespoon of the apple filling in the center of each dough circle. - Brush the edges with a beaten egg for sealing. Fold the circle in half and pinch the edges to seal them. You can also use a fork to crimp the edges for a nice look. - Repeat this process with the second dough disc and the remaining filling. - Place the hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with the rest of the beaten egg and cut small slits in the top for steam. - Bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. - Let them cool slightly before serving. You can dust them with powdered sugar if you like. To make great dough, avoid overworking it. Mix the butter into the flour until it looks like coarse crumbs. This helps keep the crust flaky. When you add ice water, do it slowly. Use just enough to bring the dough together. A little water goes a long way. You can use different types of apples. Try Granny Smith for tartness or Honeycrisp for sweetness. If you want more flavor, add spices. A pinch of ginger or a splash of vanilla can work wonders. You can also mix in some raisins or nuts for extra texture. Flipping and crimping the edges of the pies is key. This helps seal in the filling and adds a nice look. After you fill and seal the pies, cut small slits on top. This allows steam to escape while baking. For serving, dust with powdered sugar for a sweet finish. Enjoy them warm with a scoop of ice cream! {{image_2}} You can switch up your mini apple hand pies with fun flavors. One great option is caramel apple hand pies. To make them, add a drizzle of caramel sauce to the apple filling. This makes them sweet and gooey. You can also use different fruits. Try mixing apples with berries like blueberries or raspberries. This adds a new twist. The tartness of berries pairs well with the sweet apples. If you're on a gluten-free diet, you can still enjoy these hand pies. Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour. Make sure the blend includes xanthan gum for texture. For vegan options, swap the butter for a plant-based butter. You can also replace the egg wash with almond milk or a flax egg. This keeps the crust golden and helps seal the pies. These modifications let everyone enjoy the tasty treat! To keep your mini apple hand pies fresh, store them in an airtight container. This way, they stay moist and tasty. If you plan to eat them soon, keep them in the fridge. They stay good for about 3 to 4 days. For longer storage, freezing is best. Wrap each hand pie in plastic wrap. Then, put them in a freezer bag or container. You can freeze them for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, just thaw them in the fridge overnight. When reheating your hand pies, you have two great options: the oven or the microwave. For the oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the pies on a baking sheet. Heat for 10 to 15 minutes until warm. This method keeps the crust nice and crisp. If you’re in a hurry, the microwave works too. Place the pie on a microwave-safe plate. Heat it for about 20 to 30 seconds. However, this may make the crust a bit soft. To keep it crisp, you might want to use the oven method instead. To make the dough less sticky, use a bit more flour. When mixing, add flour to your hands and the work surface. This helps keep the dough from sticking. If the dough feels too wet, sprinkle in a little flour while you work with it. Just be careful not to add too much. Overworking the dough can make it tough. Yes, you can use store-bought pie crust. It saves time and makes the process easier. Look for a high-quality crust that is easy to roll out. Some brands even offer whole wheat options. Just follow the package instructions for rolling and baking. You can still add your favorite spices to the filling for flavor. Mini apple hand pies last about 2-3 days at room temperature. Keep them in an airtight container to maintain freshness. If you want them to last longer, you can freeze them. They stay good for up to 3 months in the freezer. Just remember to thaw them before reheating. In this blog post, we explored making mini apple hand pies. We covered each step, from mixing the dough to baking the pies. I shared tips for a flaky crust and fun filling options. Remember, you can modify the recipe to fit your tastes. Whether you choose to add caramel or use a gluten-free option, these hand pies will delight everyone. Keep your pies fresh by following our storage tips, and enjoy them warm for the best flavor. Follow these steps, and you’ll impress your friends and family with your baking skills.$

Delight your taste buds with these Mini Apple Hand Pies! Perfectly flaky and filled with sweet, spiced apples, this easy recipe is a great way to enjoy a homemade treat. Whether for a party, a snack, or a cozy dessert, these mini pies are sure to impress. Don’t miss out on the fun—click through now to explore the full recipe and learn how to make these delicious hand pies that everyone will love!

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Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

6-8 tablespoons ice water

3 medium apples (e.g., Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled and diced

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Optional: powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, and sugar together.

Scatter the cold, cubed butter over the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, work the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Gradually add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. Don't overwork the dough.

Divide the dough into two equal discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

While the dough is chilling, prepare the filling. In a medium bowl, combine the diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice. Set aside.

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

On a floured surface, roll out one of the chilled dough discs to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out circles using a 4-inch round cutter or a glass.

Place about 1 tablespoon of the apple filling in the center of each circle.

Brush the edges of the dough with the beaten egg to help seal the pies. Fold the circle in half, pinching the edges to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative touch.

Repeat with the second dough disc and the rest of the filling.

Place the hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with the remaining beaten egg. Cut small slits in the top of each pie for steam to escape.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.

Allow to cool slightly before serving. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.

Prep Time: 40 min | Total Time: 1 hr | Servings: 12 mini pies