Apple Hand Pies

I know, I'm obsessed with apples right now, but I can't help it. We picked a LOT this year and I'm scrambling to find ways to use them up!

We love apple pie in our house. I make a few different versions of it for my family throughout the fall. This version is one of our favorites because it's so fun to eat. My kids think it's so cool that they each get their own little pie for dessert. I personally like to eat mine with a nice scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a little drizzle of caramel sauce :)

Apple Hand Pies
(The filling is a Jen original and the pie crust recipe is from King Arthur Flour)

For the pie crusts (recipe makes 2- 9 inch pie crusts):*

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
1/2 cup cold shortening
1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water

For the filling:

4-5 baking apples, cored and diced (I like to use gala apples)
1/2 tsp lemon juice
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar (scant)
3/4 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
1 T flour

Water
Egg wash
Cinnamon/sugar (1/4 cup granulated sugar mixed with 1/2 tsp cinnamon)


To begin, first make the pie crusts. Whisk together the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut in the shortening, using forks or a pastry cutter. Then, once the shortening is incorporated, cut in all of the butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Add ice water, one tablespoon at a time and mix using a fork. Continue to add water until the dough is moistened and just sticks together.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough in half and flatten the balls into a disc. Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
* You can skip this step and used store bought pie crusts if you prefer

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Make the filling: Peel, core, and dice the apples into very small pieces. Place into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Add the lemon juice, brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg and flour. Mix well using a spatula. Set aside.

Remove one pie dough disc from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to about a 1/6 inch thickness. Using a 5 inch diameter round cookie/biscuit cutter, cup, or bowl, (whatever you can find--can be slightly smaller too) cut circles out of the dough. Then continue to re-roll out the dough until you use it up.

Transfer the circles to a parchment lined baking sheet. I recommend placing the dough circles back into the fridge for about 5-10 minutes so the dough doesn't get too warm. Repeat with the remaining pie dough disc.

You should get 10-15 total dough circles.

Remove the dough circles from the fridge and let sit for a couple of minutes on the counter to warm up a bit. Then place a small scoop of apple filling (about a tablespoon or so) onto one half of each of the pie dough circles. Lightly brush around the edges of the circle with water. Then fold the dough over the top of the apples to create a half-moon shape. Using a fork, press around the edges to seal.

Repeat until all of the hand pies are assembled. Place back into the fridge for about 10 minutes (can skip this step, especially if using store bought pie dough).

Remove pies and lightly brush the tops with the egg wash. Sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar. Bake for about 20-30 minutes until golden brown and smell heavenly :)

Serve warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!