Description
Home bakers can master this delightful apple hand pies recipe with simple ingredients and classic techniques. Crisp pastry envelops sweet, spiced apple filling, creating a portable dessert perfect for autumn gatherings and family celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boxes store-bought pie crust dough
- 1 homemade pie crust recipe
- 1 can (21 oz / 595 g) store-bought apple pie filling
- 2 cups apple pie filling
- 4 cups (250 g) confectioners’ sugar
- 5–7 tbsps whole milk, room temperature
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Dough Preparation: Roll out pastry dough to a thin ⅛-inch thickness and cut into 4-5-inch circular rounds using a precise circular cutter, aiming for 26-28 total pastry circles.
- Filling and Sealing: Distribute cooled apple filling at the center of each round, carefully folding pastry into half-moon shapes. Moisten edges with water, then crimp firmly with fork tines to create a robust seal.
- Oil Heating: Warm oil in a deep skillet to 375°F, using a cooking thermometer to ensure precise temperature control for optimal frying conditions.
- Frying Process: Gently submerge 2-3 hand pies into hot oil, allowing them to transform into crisp, golden-brown pastries through 3-4 minutes of careful frying. Transfer immediately to paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Glazing Technique: Whisk confectioners’ sugar with milk to create a smooth, pourable glaze. While hand pies remain warm, generously coat with glaze by drizzling or full immersion, ensuring complete coverage.
- Serving: Present hand pies immediately to maintain peak texture and temperature, showcasing the delicate balance of crisp pastry and luscious apple filling.
Notes
- Dough Thickness Matters: Roll pastry precisely to ⅛-inch for consistent, delicate texture that ensures even cooking and crispy edges.
- Cooling Filling Prevents Disaster: Allow apple mixture to completely cool before adding to pastry to avoid soggy, weak dough structure.
- Sealing Technique is Critical: Use water and fork crimping to create tight, leak-proof edges that prevent filling from escaping during frying.
- Temperature Control Ensures Perfection: Maintain oil at exact 375°F using a cooking thermometer to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning or undercooking.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 15 min
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 5 mg