Irresistible Apple Hand Pies: Your Easy, Flaky, Portable Dessert Solution
As Thanksgiving week rolls around, I’m always filled with a mix of excitement and anticipation. It’s truly one of my favorite holidays, primarily because it offers the perfect excuse to gather with loved ones and indulge in an absolutely glorious, gluttonous feast. Who isn’t thrilled about that? While the main course often gets all the glory, for me, the desserts are where the real magic happens. This year, to balance the chaos of holiday travel and a packed schedule, I’m leaning into simplicity and deliciousness with these incredible Apple Hand Pies.
The past weekend reminded me just how quickly time flies and how unpredictable life can be, especially during the holidays. My oldest son embarked on his first solo flight as a non-unaccompanied minor. It’s hard to believe he’s already old enough to navigate airport security and board a plane entirely by himself. Just yesterday, it felt like I was holding him as a baby, and now he’s a responsible twelve-year-old. I recall feeling so grown-up at twelve, begging for pierced ears and contact lenses, certain I could handle any responsibility. Now, seeing my own twelve-year-old, I realize how much of a child he still is – albeit a remarkably responsible one, like my Justin.
He’s currently visiting his dad in Utah, and we’ll be driving over to Salt Lake later this week. Our journey to LAX on Saturday, about an hour before his flight, proved to be an unforgettable experience. Saying we should have arrived earlier is a massive understatement. My heart nearly stopped when I saw the monstrous lines for bag checks and security. How did I not anticipate that millions of people would be traveling for the holidays?! It was a classic pre-holiday rush, and we were right in the thick of it.
We had no choice but to check his bag, which meant joining a winding line that snaked through countless switchbacks and almost spilled out the door. His flight was scheduled for 10:50 AM, and by the time we finally reached the counter to check his bag, it was already 10:30 AM. Panic was setting in. I was absolutely certain we were going to miss his flight.
Surprisingly, amidst my rising anxiety, my usually excitable pre-teen became the calm voice of reason. He kept reassuring me, “Mom, calm down! We’re fine.” It was quite a moment, having my twelve-year-old “know-it-all” comforting me!
Even though he’s technically old enough to fly alone, the incredibly kind lady at the baggage check counter printed me off a pass to escort him to his gate. I was so incredibly grateful for that small act of kindness. We then dashed to the security line, and thankfully, a few genuinely nice people recognized our predicament and let us cut in front, knowing we had mere precious minutes to spare. We finally cleared security and booked it straight to his gate, arriving just as he was supposed to board. Lesson learned, loud and clear: always get to the airport early, or risk missing your flight, experiencing extreme anxiety, or a combination of both!
He arrived safely in Utah, and I can’t wait to see him on Wednesday. We’re planning to rent a car and make the long drive ourselves, likely splitting the almost 11-hour journey into two days with an overnight stay in Vegas. While I’m not exactly thrilled about an 11-hour car ride with three kids, I am definitely looking forward to escaping town, spending quality time with family, and most importantly, not having to cook the entire Thanksgiving turkey dinner by myself this year!
The Perfect Thanksgiving Dessert: Why Apple Hand Pies Are a Must-Try
Speaking of Thanksgiving dinner, what’s your favorite part? It’s truly impossible for me to pick just one. I love every single dish, from the savory turkey to the creamy mashed potatoes. However, if I had to choose, the desserts would always win. Pies, in particular, are just divine. I adore pumpkin, apple, cherry, chocolate… probably all of them, except maybe pecan. (If you’re a pecan pie enthusiast, please don’t hate me for that comment! We can still be friends.)
My mom, bless her heart, makes the most amazing chocolate pie with the best homemade pie crust I’ve ever tasted. I’m still striving to master the art of pie crust from scratch. Until I achieve that level of baking prowess, I’ll happily stick to using convenient puff pastry, especially for these delightful Apple Hand Pies.
These Apple Hand Pies are incredibly simple to make, yet they deliver all the comfort and deliciousness of a traditional apple pie without all the fuss. They eliminate the most challenging aspects of pie baking while still providing that wonderfully flaky crust and warm, sweet apple filling. For an even quicker shortcut, you can easily use canned apple pie filling instead of making it from scratch. The beauty of hand pies lies in their perfect, portable portion size. Each one is a self-contained pouch of deliciousness, making them ideal for gatherings, school lunches, or simply a grab-and-go sweet treat. And the best part? They don’t need to look absolutely perfect. Mine often have a charmingly “wonky” appearance, but their irresistible taste always proves that it’s truly what’s on the inside that counts. These easy apple pastries are a testament to the joy of homemade desserts, even when you’re short on time.
Mastering Your Apple Hand Pies: Tips for Success
Crafting the perfect Apple Hand Pie is surprisingly easy, and with a few simple tips, you can ensure a flaky, flavorful, and satisfying dessert every time. Using store-bought puff pastry is a fantastic shortcut that guarantees a crisp, buttery crust without the effort of making dough from scratch. Ensure your puff pastry is properly thawed but still cold enough to work with; this prevents it from becoming sticky and hard to handle. When rolling out the pastry, aim for an even 1/8-inch thickness to ensure consistent baking and flakiness.
For the apple filling, Granny Smith apples are often recommended because their tartness provides a wonderful balance to the sweetness of the sugar and spices, and they hold their shape well during baking. However, feel free to experiment with other apple varieties or a blend for a more complex flavor. Allowing the filling to cool completely before adding it to the pastry is crucial. Hot filling will melt the butter in the puff pastry, making it difficult to seal and resulting in a less flaky crust.
The egg wash is your secret weapon for a beautiful golden-brown finish. Brushing the tops of the hand pies just before baking not only gives them a lovely color but also a slight sheen. Don’t forget to cut a few small vents into the top of each pie; this allows steam to escape during baking, preventing the pies from bursting and ensuring the pastry cooks through evenly. Chilling the assembled pies for 30 minutes before baking helps the puff pastry maintain its shape and ensures maximum flakiness.
These easy apple pastries are perfect for any occasion. They are ideal for Thanksgiving dessert tables, potlucks, picnics, or simply as a comforting treat with a cup of coffee. Their individual size makes serving a breeze, and they are always a crowd-pleaser. Whether you opt for a fully homemade filling or a convenient canned option, these Apple Hand Pies are sure to become a beloved addition to your recipe repertoire. Enjoy the process of creating these delicious, portable parcels of apple goodness!
Apple Hand Pies
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Ingredients
- Filling Ingredients:
- 3-2/3 cups thinly sliced & peeled Granny Smith Apples
- 1-3/4 tsp. lemon juice
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 2 cups water
- Pastry Ingredients:
- 1 lb. puff pastry thawed
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 Tbsp. water
- 1 cup Frosted Flakes cereal crushed
Instructions
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For filling: Place peeled and sliced apples in lemon juice and stir to coat. Set aside. Combine sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add apples and return to a boil. Reduce heat. Cover and simmer until apples are tender, about 6 minutes. Set aside to cool.
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To assemble: Make egg wash by whisking egg yolk and 2 Tbsp. water with a fork. With a rolling pin, roll out pastry halves to 1/8″. Cut each half into 4-5 rectangles. Place 1-2 Tbsp. of apple filling on half of one side of each pastry rectangle. Sprinkle about 1-2 Tbsp. crushed Frosted Flakes over top of apple filling. Brush the edges of the pastry with egg wash and fold pastry in half, sealing in the apples. Press the edges together then crimp with a fork. Place on cookie sheet(s) covered with parchment paper.
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Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, preheat oven to 375º and pull out cookie sheet(s) from fridge. Brush tops with egg wash. Slice about three vents in the top of each pie to allow steam to escape. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden and the pastry is cooked though. Makes 8-10 hand pies. Can cut recipe in half to make 4-5 hand pies if desired. Enjoy!
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