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

Easy homemade apple hand pies. A fun portable version of your favorite Fall pie!
Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time15 mins
12 hrs
Total Time12 hrs 25 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Apple
Servings: 4

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.
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97 Responses to “Apple Hand Pies”

  1. #
    1
    sara — February 12, 2011 at 2:12 am

    I already subscribe to fine cooking so I’m not entering the giveaway, but I just wanted to say that I love that heart-shaped apple pie…it looks really delicious!!!

  2. #
    2
    N. — February 12, 2011 at 8:00 am

    wild blueberry pie is my fave, hands down!

  3. #
    3
    Sarah J — February 12, 2011 at 11:55 am

    Apple pie!

  4. #
    4
    Lara — February 13, 2011 at 10:33 am

    I love all pie – but especially my grandpa’s apple pie and my grandmother’s pecan pie. Mmmm… but always with the ice cream on the side, never on top.

  5. #
    5
    Lara — February 13, 2011 at 10:33 am

    I follow on twitter (@goodcookdoris)

  6. #
    6
    Tracy — February 13, 2011 at 10:52 am

    Usually apple, but I’m craving sour cream raisin today for some reason.

  7. #
    7
    Tracy — February 13, 2011 at 10:52 am

    Already follow you on Twitter.

  8. #
    8
    Tracy — February 13, 2011 at 10:53 am
  9. #
    9
    Tracy — February 13, 2011 at 10:54 am

    Already following @finecooking on Twitter.

  10. #
    10
    ikkinlala — February 13, 2011 at 10:42 pm

    My favourite kind of pie is huckleberry (but those hand pies look delicious too!).

    Happy blogiversary!

  11. #
    11
    Karen — February 14, 2011 at 8:44 am

    follow you on Twitter

  12. #
    12
    Karen — February 14, 2011 at 8:45 am

    and on Facebook

  13. #
    13
    Karen — February 14, 2011 at 8:45 am

    already follow Fine Cooking too :)

  14. #
    14
    Karen — February 14, 2011 at 8:45 am

    tweeted your tweet

  15. #
    15
    Karen — February 14, 2011 at 8:46 am

    posted it on FB too

  16. #
    16
    Karen — February 14, 2011 at 8:47 am

    and my favorite pie is apple, warm with vanilla ice cream…and this little cutie dessert of yours looks well, amazing!

  17. #
    17
    Scott — February 14, 2011 at 8:48 am

    A combination of blackberry and raspberry is my favorite pie!

  18. #
    18
    Michelle @ Italian Mama Chef — February 14, 2011 at 10:33 am

    My favorite pie is peanut butter and chocolate fluff but as for fruit pies, I love cherry best.

  19. #
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    Michelle @ Italian Mama Chef — February 14, 2011 at 10:33 am

    I’m now following on facebook.

  20. #
    20
    Michelle @ Italian Mama Chef — February 14, 2011 at 10:34 am

    I follow you on Twitter.

  21. #
    21
    Michelle @ Italian Mama Chef — February 14, 2011 at 10:35 am

    I’m following Fine Cooking on Twitter.

  22. #
    22
    michelle — February 14, 2011 at 12:40 pm

    I LOVE Buttermilk pie. (with pecans!)

  23. #
    23
    Meagan — February 14, 2011 at 1:06 pm

    i love strawberry rhubarb pie!

  24. #
    24
    Micha — February 14, 2011 at 2:19 pm

    Oh, I don’t know if I have a favorite pie, I just kinda like pie, but we will go with top 3, lemon meringue, cherry berry and chocolate silk pie.

  25. #
    25
    Micha — February 14, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    I follow Fine cooking on twitter

  26. #
    26
    Micha — February 14, 2011 at 2:22 pm

    I just tweeted about the giveaway @mnsorensen

  27. #
    27
    Micha — February 14, 2011 at 2:23 pm

    I know follow you on twitter :)

  28. #
    28
    Linda @ Lemon Drop — February 15, 2011 at 10:07 am

    It would have to be pecan pie !

  29. #
    29
    Melody — February 15, 2011 at 10:13 pm

    Apple pie is the best!

  30. #
    30
    Jessica — February 16, 2011 at 1:28 am

    Razzleberry pie is my favorite! And your apple hand pies look amazing!

  31. #
    31
    la — February 16, 2011 at 2:10 am

    hi. my favourite pie is buttermilk and currrants.(though your beautiful hand pies might be able to take top position. hehe)
    i liked you on facebook (pepper edyvane), followed you and retweeted the contest on twitter, and i am currently following fine cooking, whom i love.

    thanks!

  32. #
    32
    nicole — February 16, 2011 at 5:32 pm

    I already follow you on Twitter

  33. #
    33
    nicole — February 16, 2011 at 5:32 pm

    I already like you on FB

  34. #
    34
    nicole — February 16, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    my favorite kind of pie is apple. but NO ice cream or whipped cream, just plain pie.

  35. #
    35
    nicole — February 16, 2011 at 5:35 pm

    I follow Fine Cooking on Twitter!

  36. #
    36
    Jonna — February 16, 2011 at 6:12 pm

    These look adorable!!!

    My favorite pie is Nestle Tollhouse Pie… but my favorite fruit pie is Apple :- )

  37. #
    37
    Jonna — February 16, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    P.S. I shared that just to share… don’t enter me since I won the cookbook ;- )

  38. #
    38
    Caren — February 16, 2011 at 8:02 pm

    I follow you on Twitter and Facebook. And will repost this on Facebook.

  39. #
    39
    Renee {eat.live.blog} — February 16, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    My favorite kind of pie is anything with fresh cranberries in it!

  40. #
    40
    Renee {eat.live.blog} — February 16, 2011 at 9:05 pm

    I follow on twitter @renh77

  41. #
    41
    Renee {eat.live.blog} — February 16, 2011 at 9:06 pm

    I like you on FB too!

  42. #
    42
    Quyen - Kitchen Runway — February 16, 2011 at 9:17 pm

    What a fun giveaway! Of course I follow you on twitter! =)

  43. #
    43
    Quyen - Kitchen Runway — February 16, 2011 at 9:17 pm

    and…I follow Fine Cooking on twitter as well.

  44. #
    44
    Clarice — February 16, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    I love all kinds of pie, but especially apple with a really good crust.

  45. #
    45
    Clarice — February 16, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    I follow you on Twitter.

  46. #
    46
    Delishhh — February 17, 2011 at 11:08 am

    Sorry i missed the giveaway but your turnovers look amazing!!

  47. #
    47
    Connie Bolick Lee — February 12, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    My favorite kind of pie is apple, love it!!

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