Ingredients
- All-purpose flour: 2 1/2 cups
- Cold unsalted butter: 1 cup (2 sticks), cut into cubes
- Ice water: 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup
- Apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp): 4 medium, peeled, cored, and diced
- Granulated sugar: 1/2 cup
- Ground cinnamon: 1 teaspoon
- Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon
- Egg: 1 large, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the pie dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and a pinch of salt. Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Divide the dough in half, flatten each into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Step 2: Prepare the apple filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened and the juices have thickened slightly, about 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Step 3: Assemble the hand pies: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Use a cookie cutter or knife to cut out circles (about 4 inches in diameter). Repeat with the second disc of dough.
- Step 4: Fill and seal: Place a spoonful of the cooled apple filling in the center of each circle. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Cut a few slits in the top of each hand pie to allow steam to escape.
- Step 5: Bake: Place the hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with the beaten egg. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Store cooled hand pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- For a warm, crisp hand pie, reheat in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5-10 minutes.
- Serve these delightful hand pies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence.
- For the flakiest crust, ensure your butter and ice water are very cold when making the dough.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American