Description
Delight in these homemade Apple Cinnamon Hand Pies, featuring a flaky buttery crust filled with sweet and spiced Granny Smith apples. Perfectly baked to golden perfection, these hand pies make a delicious treat for any occasion, combining the warm flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg with crisp apples in a portable pastry.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 4-6 tablespoons cold water
For the Filling:
- 3 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water
- Additional sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Prepare the Apple Filling: In a bowl, combine the diced Granny Smith apples with 1/4 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg. Mix well and let the mixture sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the apples to release some juice.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cut in the cold, cubed unsalted butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add 4 to 6 tablespoons of cold water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough just comes together. Form the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to chill.
- Assemble the Hand Pies: Lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a round cutter or a glass about 4 inches in diameter to cut out circles. Place a spoonful of the apple filling onto the center of half of the dough circles, leaving space around the edges. Brush the edges with water, then place another dough circle on top of each filled circle. Press down around the edges and crimp with a fork to seal the pies securely.
- Apply Egg Wash and Bake: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Transfer the assembled hand pies to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops of the pies with the beaten egg wash for a glossy finish and sprinkle a little sugar on top for extra sweetness and crunch. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the pies are golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use cold butter and cold water to ensure a flaky crust.
- Granny Smith apples work best for a balance of tartness and sweetness, but you can substitute with other firm apples if preferred.
- Let the pies cool slightly before eating as the filling will be very hot right out of the oven.
- You can freeze assembled hand pies before baking; bake from frozen adding extra 5-10 minutes to baking time.
- For a vegan option, substitute butter with a cold plant-based margarine and use a flax egg wash.
