Apple Hand Pies
I love apples. I’m sure I’ve proclaimed my love for them easily several times. I love them plain. I love them covered in caramel, maybe even dipped in chocolate, though preferably not candy coated. But I especially love them in a pie. I simply cannot get enough apple pie. It’s delicious. Fall is a long ways away but I’m looking forward to jumbo local farm fresh apples. So juicy and amazing.
I’ve never made apple turnovers or hand pies of any kind. After seeing a French apple turnover recipe on Fine Cooking I couldn’t resist trying them. I decided to change it up just slightly by adding additional flavor but the biggest change was shape. In honor of Valentine’s Day I decided to make heart shaped pies. It’s really simple as long as you have some giant heart shaped cookie cutters and a rolling pin. Those are the only special tools needed. So simple, anyone can make this… and you’ll be glad you did!
The hand pies were super easy to make – a big plus! But even better is the taste, especially warm. The puff pastry gives a nice light exterior texture unlike how many pie crusts can be. The apples were of course incredible – cooked in butter and tossed with cinnamon and sugar. How can you go wrong there? Delicious and a clear winner.
Before I get to the recipe… how about that giveaway?
Do you like getting presents in the mail? I think of a great magazine subscription as just that – a present that arrives in the mail every few months. It’s exciting to get something that’s not a bill or junk. I’ve been enjoying my subscription to Fine Cooking and wanted to spread the love, so I asked the lovely people at Fine Cooking if they’d like to offer a subscription to one lucky reader for my blogiversary!
**This giveaway will run from Feb 11, 2011 – Feb 16, 2011 One randomly selected winner will be chosen and announced on Feb 17, 2011. All entries must include a valid email address. This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only. Winner will be signed up for a one year subscription to Fine Cooking magazine.**
***Giveaway is now closed***
Remember that insane bacon wrapped meatloaf recipe? Yep… that came from Fine Cooking. Their ideas and recipes are pretty incredible.
And now for that delicious apple hand pie recipe…
Apple Hand Pies
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided
- 1 large apple
- 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
- 1 large egg
- 2 Tbsp water
- Turbinado sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Thaw one sheet of puff pastry overnight in a plastic bag. When you're ready to begin making your hand pies, gently unfold puff pastry and lay flat on a clean surface. While the puff pastry warms to room temperature, melt 2 tbsp butter in a medium skillet over medium heat. Meanwhile, peel and chop apple into small pieces. Add apples to butter. Cook for 4-5 minutes stirring frequently. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, stir and continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes. Transfer apples to a clean bowl. Set aside.
- Using a rolling pin, carefully roll out puff pastry. It may stick slightly, do not force it. Rolling from the center out will give you the best results. Continue rolling until you have added an inch or two to each side. The puff pastry should be thin, but without holes or rips. Take a large cookie cutter, I used a large heart. Cut an equal number of bottoms and tops.
- Place half of the cut out shapes on a baking sheet prepared with a silpat or parchment paper. Add 2-3 spoonfuls of filling, being sure to leave a clean border.
- Top off with remaining cut out shapes. Gently press edges together with fingers. Then work your way around the entire pie with a fork, pressing down firmly. A good seal is essential to prevent large leaks as well as getting the puff pastry to puff as you want it to.
- Beat 1 egg with 2 tbsp water. Brush egg mixture over one pie at a time. Immediately, generously sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
- Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or until the tops are golden. Carefully transfer to a cooking rack. Let sit for at least 5-10 minutes prior to eating.
Those are the cutest and most perfect heart pies I’ve ever seen. love them
These are so cute! What a great idea for Valentine’s Day!
I LOVE caramel apple pie!
I “like” you on Facebook…
…and I follow Fine Cooking on Twitter!
My favorite pie is apple pie!
and of course I follow you on twitter (@whatmegansmakng)
favorite pie – sour cherry. the best.
My favorite pie is a mix of red berries. LOVE strawberries and raspberries.
I tweeted about this giveaway.
I follow BBR on FB.
I follow BBR on Twitter.
I follow FC on Twitter.
I love Dutch apple pie with vanilla ice cream on top. Your hand pie looks so cute!
I already follow you on twitter, I’m @thelittlekitchn
I already like you on fb
I already follow Fine Cooking on twitter, I’m @thelittlekitchn
Happy Blogiversary!!!
follow you on facebook found you by julieD these look so good
follow on twitter @cjsorel
tweeted http://twitter.com/#!/cjsorel/status/36072456913420288
Pumpkin pie is my favorite pie.
following you on twitter
like you on fb
My favourite pie is warm raspberry pie done with a cover and sprinkled with brown sugar on top…..
yum!
I follow you on Twitter @truehockeymom
but I do not have Facebook
I also follow and love FineCooking
and I will tweet the #giveaway message!
I LOVE the apple pie from Jullian. My whole family does. Whenever someone is passing through Jullian, everyone starts calling them with orders. My brother picked up over ten pies once!
I follow you on twitter
I follow finecooking on twitter
SO BEAUTIFUL!! I’ll have to try these!
And I tweeted!
Yay!! What I gr8 giveaway. I love coconut cream pie. I follow you and Finecooking everywhere and RT’d this on twitter. Believe it or not I used to have a subscription for years and years, it lapsed and now I pick up a copy at the checkout counter. A regular subscription will be nice again!!
these are so adorable! my favorite pie is hands down my grandma’s apple pie!
Your pies are adorable!! My favorite kind of pie is blueberry
I follow you on twitter:-)
Pecan Pie is my favorite.
I follow you on twitter.
I tweeted about the giveaway.
I like you on facebook.
I shared the giveaway on facebook.
I follow Fine Cooking on twitter.
These look amazing..I have to admit though- Chocolate Pecan Pie is my favorite!
I “Like” you and Fine Cooking and Twitter…
But I really love pecan pie and peach pie…
>: )
Peach Pie is my fave!
There are so many great pies it’s difficult to choose just one. But if I must, I’d have to say blueberry pie, but pumpkin is also really high on my list!
My favorite is chocolate cream!!! Great giveaway!
these are totally and perfectly cute. i too love a hand pie and cannot wait to try these!
tweeted, facebooked, left a comment. all is good!
Cherry is my favorite!
aubreyfick at yahoo dot com
I follow Fine Cooking on twitter.
I follow you on twitter
@aubreyfick
I like you on Facebook