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Cute Little Apple Hand Pies Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 150 reviews
  • Author: Rafael
  • Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
  • Yield: 16 mini hand pies 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Cute Little Apple Hand Pies are charming, perfectly portioned pastries featuring a flaky, buttery crust and a warm, spiced apple filling. They are ideal for cozy fall gatherings or anytime you crave a delightful homemade treat that’s easy to share.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 and 1/2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, very cold, cut into cubes
  • 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream, cold

For the Apple Pie Filling:

  • 4 large apples, peeled and cored
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons apple pie spice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

For Assembly:

  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons sparkling sugar (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the crust dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and sugar to combine all dry ingredients evenly.
  2. Incorporate butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry mixture and work it in with your hands or a pastry cutter until the mixture forms a coarse meal texture with pea-sized butter pieces remaining.
  3. Add sour cream and form dough: Stir in the cold sour cream using a rubber spatula until the dough is shaggy. Turn it onto a floured surface and quickly knead it together into a cohesive dough.
  4. Roll and fold dough: Pat the dough into a 10-inch log, then roll it out into a 12″ x 14″ rectangle. Lightly dust with flour, fold into thirds from the short end like a letter, flip it over, and roll out again to 12″ x 14″. Fold again into thirds, then wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.
  5. Prepare the apple filling: Peel and core the apples, then dice into small pieces. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat until golden (about 1 minute), then add apples, salt, granulated sugar, and brown sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 8 minutes until apples soften.
  6. Spice and thicken filling: Mix in apple pie spice and lemon juice, cook an additional 1–2 minutes until sticky. Sprinkle flour over apples and stir well to thicken, cooking for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat and cool for at least 15 minutes.
  7. Preheat oven and prepare baking sheet: Heat oven to 425°F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  8. Cut out dough shapes: Roll chilled dough out into an 18″ x 18″ square. Using apple-shaped cookie cutters, cut 16 apples, or cut dough into 16 squares for pies.
  9. Fill pies: Place about 1 heaping tablespoon of apple filling on 8 dough pieces. Brush edges with beaten egg to help seal.
  10. Create vents for pies: On the remaining 8 dough pieces, cut small vents using a knife or cookie cutter to release steam during baking.
  11. Assemble pies: Top each filled piece with a vented piece and press edges firmly with a fork to seal completely.
  12. Prepare pies for baking: Brush the tops of each pie with beaten egg and sprinkle with sparkling sugar if desired for a sweet, crunchy finish.
  13. Bake: Place pies on the baking sheet and bake for 15–18 minutes until crusts are golden brown and filling bubbles through vents.
  14. Cool and serve: Remove pies from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack before serving for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use very cold butter and sour cream to achieve a flaky crust.
  • Folding the dough as described creates layers for a tender, flaky texture similar to puff pastry.
  • You can substitute apple pie spice with cinnamon and nutmeg if preferred.
  • Ensure apple filling is cooled before assembling the pies to prevent soggy dough.
  • Sparking sugar is optional but adds a lovely crunch and sparkle to the pies’ surface.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: apple hand pies, mini apple pies, flaky apple pastry, homemade apple pie, hand-held dessert, fall dessert recipe, apple pie filling, easy pie crust

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Find it online: https://tastewithrafael.com/cute-little-apple-hand-pies-recipe/