When you think about holiday baking, does your stress level start to climb? I totally get it. The pressure to create amazing thanksgiving desserts can feel like a lot. But what if I told you there’s a recipe that is both impressive and genuinely simple? Let me introduce you to these wonderful apple hand pies.
These little pockets of joy are one of my favorite Thanksgiving Baking Recipes. They pack all the flavor of a classic apple pie into a personal sized treat. This is one of those Thanksgiving desserts easy enough for everyone to enjoy making and eating.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, there are so many reasons to adore these hand pies. First off, they are incredibly convenient. No slicing, no serving utensils, just grab one and enjoy. This makes them fantastic for a bustling Thanksgiving gathering where people are mingling.
They are also so much fun to make. Getting your hands on the dough and shaping these little pies is a great activity. You can even get the kids involved. It’s a wonderful way to create some holiday memories in the kitchen.
Plus, the flavor is just out of this world. We are talking about a buttery, flaky crust wrapped around a warm, spiced apple filling. It is the taste of autumn in every single bite. These are truly some of the best Easy Thanksgiving Treats you can make.
And the best part? They are completely customizable. You can shape them in circles or rectangles. You can add a sprinkle of coarse sugar or a drizzle of caramel. They are one of those Thanksgiving Baking Ideas that you can truly make your own.
Ingredients
Here is what you will need to gather for these amazing Thanksgiving desserts easy hand pies. The list is simple, which is exactly what we want for holiday baking.
- Homemade Pie Crust (a recipe that makes 2 crusts, you will use both)
- 3 medium apples, peeled and diced into small bite size pieces (about 2 and 1/2 cups)
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- Egg wash: 1 large egg beaten with 1 Tablespoon milk
- Optional: homemade salted caramel for topping
Step By Step Instructions
Ready to get started? Let’s walk through the process of making these delicious Thanksgiving desserts easy hand pies together. It is simpler than you think!
Step 1: Prepare The Pie Crust
First things first, we need our pie crust. You will want to prepare your favorite homemade pie crust recipe through the step where it needs to chill. The dough must chill for at least two hours in the refrigerator. This step is super important for a flaky crust.
You can absolutely make the pie dough ahead of time to save yourself some work on baking day. Every little bit helps during the holidays, right?
Step 2: Make The Apple Filling
Now for the heart of our hand pies. Combine your diced apples, granulated sugar, butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice in a medium saucepan. Cook this mixture over low to medium heat.
You will want to stir it occasionally. Bring it to a simmer and let it bubble gently for about two minutes. The aroma in your kitchen will be absolutely amazing. After simmering, remove it from the heat.
Let the filling cool uncovered at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This helps it thicken up so it doesn’t make your pie crusts soggy. This is one of those crucial details for great thanksgiving desserts.
Step 3: Roll And Cut The Dough
Once your dough has chilled, it is time to roll it out. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one of the discs of dough. Keep the other one in the fridge so it stays cold. Turn the dough a quarter turn after every few rolls to prevent sticking.
Roll it until it is about 12 inches in diameter and about 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Using a 3.5 inch round cookie cutter, cut out your circles. Reroll any scraps to get as many circles as you can.
Place the cut circles in the refrigerator to keep them cold. The colder the dough, the easier it is to work with. Repeat this entire process with the second disc of pie dough. Let all the circles chill for at least 15 minutes before you start filling them.
While the dough is chilling, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Go ahead and line two large baking sheets with parchment paper too.
Step 4: Assembling Your Thanksgiving Desserts Easy Hand Pies
This is where the magic happens! Arrange half of your cold dough circles on the prepared baking sheets. These will be your bottom crusts. Leave about 3 inches of space between them.
Now take the remaining circles, which will be the top crusts. Use a sharp knife to cut a few small slits in each one. These vents allow steam to escape while the pies bake.
Place about two tablespoons of the cooled apple filling in the center of each bottom crust. Be careful not to overfill, leaving the edges bare. Place a top crust over the filling.
Press down around the edges with your fingers to seal the pie. Then, use a fork to crimp the edges. This gives them that classic hand pie look. It is okay if a little juice leaks out.
Lightly brush the top of each pie with your egg wash mixture. This will give them a beautiful, golden brown finish. A little sprinkle of coarse sugar on top adds a nice sparkle and crunch.
Step 5: Bake To Golden Perfection
At this point, your hand pies are ready for the oven. If they feel a bit warm to the touch, pop them in the freezer for 10 minutes before baking. Baking them cold helps them hold their shape.
Bake for about 28 to 32 minutes. You are looking for them to be golden brown on top and around the edges. Make sure to rotate the pans halfway through baking for even cooking.
Once they are done, remove them from the oven. Let the hand pies cool on the baking sheets for about five minutes. Then, carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool a bit more. You can serve them warm or at room temperature.
For an extra special touch, you can drizzle them with some warm salted caramel. This is one of those Thanksgiving Baking Ideas that takes a simple treat to a new level.
How To Store Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftovers, which is a big if, storing them is simple. Just cover the hand pies and keep them in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to five days.
You can enjoy them cold straight from the fridge. Or, you can warm them up for a few seconds in the microwave or a few minutes in a toaster oven to bring back that freshly baked warmth.
Tips
Want to make your hand pie experience even better? Here are a few tips I have learned along the way when making these Easy Thanksgiving Treats.
First, do not skip chilling the dough. I know it takes extra time, but it is the key to a flaky, tender crust that doesn’t get tough. Cold dough is happy dough.
Also, feel free to play with the spices. If you love cardamom or ginger, add a little pinch to the apple filling. This is a great way to customize the flavor to your liking.
Making a big batch? You can definitely prepare the filling and the dough a day or two in advance. Store the filling in an airtight container in the fridge and keep the dough discs wrapped tightly. This makes assembly day much quicker.
Finally, do not worry if they are not perfectly shaped. The charm of these Thanksgiving desserts easy hand pies is their rustic, homemade look. Each one will have its own unique personality.
Conclusion
And there you have it! A simple, delicious, and fun recipe for apple hand pies. They are one of the most approachable Thanksgiving Baking Recipes out there. They are certain to be a huge hit with your family and friends.
This holiday season, give yourself a break from complicated recipes. Embrace the joy of creating something simple and wonderful. These Thanksgiving Desserts Easy hand pies prove that you do not need to be a professional baker to make amazing thanksgiving desserts.
FAQ
Can I Use Store Bought Pie Crust?
Absolutely! If you are short on time, using a good quality store bought refrigerated pie crust is a great shortcut. It makes this recipe even easier. No one will ever know the difference.
Can I Freeze These Hand Pies?
Yes, these are great for making ahead. You can freeze them either before or after baking. To freeze unbaked pies, assemble them completely but do not add the egg wash. Freeze them on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. You can bake them straight from frozen, just add a few extra minutes to the bake time.
What Kind Of Apples Are Best?
A firm, tart apple like a Granny Smith or Honeycrisp works wonderfully. They hold their shape well during cooking and provide a nice balance to the sweetness of the filling. Using a mix of apples can also add great complexity to the flavor.
What If I Do Not Have A Round Cookie Cutter?
No problem at all! You can use the rim of a glass to cut circles. Or, you can use a knife and a ruler to cut the dough into rectangles, maybe about 3 by 4 inches. Just be sure to vent the top pieces and crimp the edges.
Easy Apple Hand Pies
These simple apple hand pies pack all the flavor of a classic apple pie into a personal-sized treat. With a buttery, flaky crust and a warm, spiced apple filling, they are a fantastic dessert for any occasion, especially Thanksgiving.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Prepare your pie crust dough and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
- In a medium saucepan, combine diced apples, sugar, butter, and spices. Cook over low-medium heat until simmering. Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and let the filling cool for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. On a floured surface, roll out dough and use a 3.5-inch round cutter to cut circles. Chill the circles for 15 minutes.
- Arrange half of the circles on the baking sheets. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of filling onto each. Cut slits in the remaining circles for vents.
- Place a top crust over each filled pie, press edges to seal, and crimp with a fork.
- Brush the tops with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar, if desired.
- Bake for 28-32 minutes until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack and serve warm.
Notes
Keeping the dough cold is crucial for a flaky crust. Don’t skip the chilling steps!
Firm, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp hold their shape well and balance the sweetness.
For a shortcut, a good quality store-bought refrigerated pie crust works well.
You can freeze unbaked hand pies (without egg wash) on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the time.
Nutrition
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