Nothing says "I care" like a homemade gift, and what could be more delightful than apple hand pies? These small, portable, and incredibly delicious pastries are perfect for sharing joy with friends and family. Follow this step-by-step guide to create and gift these tasty treats.
Ingredients
- For the Dough:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water
- For the Filling:
- 3 cups peeled, cored, and diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- For the Egg Wash:
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 tbsp milk
Equipment
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheets
- Parchment paper
- Pastry brush
- Fork
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar.
- Add Butter:
Add the cold, cubed butter to the bowl. Use a pastry cutter or your hands to work the butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Ice Water:
Gradually add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough begins to come together. It should be slightly sticky but manageable.
- Chill Dough:
Divide the dough into two discs, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least one hour.
Step 2: Make the Filling
- Prepare Apples:
In a large bowl, toss the diced apples with granulated sugar, brown sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and flour. Set aside.
Step 3: Assemble the Hand Pies
- Preheat Oven:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Roll Out Dough:
On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a round cutter or a glass to cut out circles (about 4 inches in diameter). We made our pies into rectangles but to each their own!
- Fill Pies:
Place a tablespoon of apple filling in the center of each dough circle. Brush the edges with the beaten egg wash.
- Seal and Crimp:
Place another dough circle on top of the filling. Press the edges together with a fork to seal.
- Brush and Vent:
Brush the tops with egg wash and cut small slits in the top of each pie to allow steam to escape.
Step 4: Bake the Hand Pies
- Bake:
Place the assembled hand pies on the prepared baking sheets. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pies are golden brown.
- Cool:
Allow the pies to cool on a wire rack before handling them.
Step 5: Gift the Hand Pies
- Presentation:
Place the cooled hand pies in a decorative box. Add a personal gift tag to make the gift extra special.
- Deliver:
Hand-deliver your apple hand pies to friends and family, or package them securely for mailing.
Tips for Success
- Keep Dough Cold:
Ensure your dough and butter stay cold throughout the process to achieve a flaky crust.
- Adjust Sweetness:
Depending on your apples' sweetness, adjust the amount of sugar in the filling to suit your taste.
- Experiment with Spices:
Feel free to experiment with other spices like cardamom or allspice for a unique flavor twist.
Creating and gifting apple hand pies is a heartfelt way to show you care. With their delicious flavor and charming presentation, they are sure to bring smiles to anyone lucky enough to receive them. Happy baking!