Delightful Apple Hand Pies
This delightful apple hand pie recipe combines the tangy sweetness of tart apples with a flaky cream cheese pastry that's sure to impress. Inspired by autumn's bounty, these hand pies are perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a cozy snack. They boast a delicious filling encased in a tender crust, promising to be a favorite at any gathering. Don't miss the opportunity to treat yourself to one before they all vanish!
24
Servings
150
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cream cheese
8 ounces (softened)
Butter or margarine
3/4 cup (softened)
Egg
1 (separated)
Cold water
3 tablespoons (divided)
All-purpose flour
2 cups
Tart apples
7 cups (thinly sliced)
Sugar
3/4 cup
Ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons
Additional sugar
optional
Vanilla ice cream
optional
Instructions
1
In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
2
Separate the egg, refrigerating the egg white for later use.
3
Add the egg yolk and 2 tablespoons of cold water to the cream cheese mixture, beating until fully incorporated.
4
Gradually blend in the all-purpose flour until the mixture forms a smooth dough.
5
Shape the dough into a ball, cover, and refrigerate for approximately 1 hour to ensure firmness.
6
While the dough chills, prepare the filling. In a large skillet, combine the sliced tart apples with sugar and ground cinnamon.
7
Heat the mixture over medium heat until it begins to boil.
8
Lower the heat and cover; simmer for 8-10 minutes until the apples are tender but not mushy.
9
Take the skillet off the heat and allow the apple mixture to cool slightly.
10
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
11
On a lightly floured surface, roll the pastry dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch.
12
Using a 4-inch round cutter, cut out circles from the dough.
13
Place a tablespoon of the apple mixture onto each dough circle.
14
Moisten the edges of the pastry circles with water, fold them over the filling to form semi-circles, and press the edges firmly to seal.
15
In a small bowl, whisk together the reserved egg white with the remaining tablespoon of water.
16
Brush the tops of the sealed pastries with this egg wash.
17
Lightly sprinkle additional sugar over the pastries for a hint of extra sweetness, if desired.
18
Arrange the pastries on a greased baking sheet.
19
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes or until the pastries are golden brown.
20
Remove from the oven and let them cool on wire racks.
21
Serve warm, optionally accompanied by a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Nutrition Information
9.6g
Fat
15.4g
Carbs
1.8g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Delightful Apple Hand Pies?
These are small, portable pastries featuring a filling of tart apples, sugar, and cinnamon inside a flaky cream cheese crust.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 24 individual hand pies.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each hand pie contains approximately 150 calories.
What are the main ingredients for the crust?
The crust is made using cream cheese, butter, egg yolk, cold water, and all-purpose flour.
How much cream cheese is required?
The recipe requires 8 ounces of softened cream cheese.
How much butter is used in the dough?
You will need 3/4 cup of softened butter or margarine.
How many eggs are used and how are they prepared?
The recipe uses one egg, which must be separated into a yolk for the dough and a white for the wash.
How much flour is needed?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of all-purpose flour.
How many apples are needed for the filling?
You will need 7 cups of thinly sliced tart apples.
What type of apples should I use?
Tart apples are recommended for the best flavor balance with the sweet filling.
How much cinnamon is in the filling?
The filling uses 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
How long should the dough be chilled?
The dough should be refrigerated for approximately 1 hour to ensure it is firm enough to roll.
What is the first step in preparing the dough?
Begin by beating together the softened cream cheese and butter until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
When do I add the egg yolk?
Add the egg yolk and 2 tablespoons of cold water to the cream cheese mixture after it has been beaten smooth.
How do I prepare the apple filling?
Combine sliced apples, sugar, and cinnamon in a skillet over medium heat until the mixture boils.
How long do the apples need to simmer?
Simmer the apples covered for 8-10 minutes until they are tender but not mushy.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
How thin should I roll the pastry dough?
The pastry dough should be rolled to a thickness of about 1/8 inch.
What size should the dough circles be?
Use a 4-inch round cutter to create the circles for the hand pies.
How much filling goes into each pie?
Place one tablespoon of the prepared apple mixture onto each dough circle.
How do I seal the hand pies?
Moisten the edges with water, fold the dough over the filling to make a semi-circle, and press the edges firmly.
What is the egg wash made of?
The egg wash is a mixture of the reserved egg white and one tablespoon of water.
When do I apply the egg wash?
Brush the egg wash over the tops of the sealed pastries just before baking.
Can I add extra sugar to the crust?
Yes, you can lightly sprinkle additional sugar over the egg-washed pastries for extra sweetness.
Should the baking sheet be greased?
Yes, arrange the pastries on a greased baking sheet to prevent sticking.
How long do the hand pies take to bake?
The pies should bake for 18 to 22 minutes.
How do I know when the pies are done?
The pastries are finished when they have turned a golden brown color.
How should the pies be cooled?
Remove them from the oven and let them cool on wire racks.
What are the serving suggestions?
Serve the pies warm, and optionally add a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
What are the nutritional facts for fat and protein?
Each serving contains 9.6g of fat and 1.8g of protein.