Apple Hand Pies

We have these a lot at our house so when we had these again on Thanksgiving, I realized that I have never posted the recipe.  I just made up this recipe for the grandkids because it's so much easier for them to eat pie like this.  It's sort of like a pop tart.  Nick requested these on Thanksgiving because the grandkids don't like pumpkin or pecan pie, the two types of pies I make for Thanksgiving and these are their favorite dessert.  They usually help me make them and they think it's great fun.  

                        



So, we made them again for Thanksgiving.  We ate them on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and again on Thanksgiving so it was an extra special time for them. 

                      

Since the kids spent the night before Thanksgiving, we had barbecued cheeseburgers for dinner and I  brought out some of the "sides" that I'd already prepared for Thanksgiving to get a head start.  We hardly even put a dent in all the food on Thanksgiving so I thought this was a great plan. They taste so good when you're not already full from turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy!  I told Bruce we ought to do this every year.  And the kids were thrilled to get their Apple Hand Pies two nights in a row.  A win-win situation for eveybody! 

  

Makes 4-6 hand pies (or double the recipe for more)

2 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored and cut-up
sugar and cinnamon to taste 

1 pre-made or store-bought pie crust or homemade pie crust for single-crust pie:

1-1/4 cups flour, plus extra for rolling out the dough
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
3 Tbsp. shortening, cut into 1/2-inch pieces and chilled
4 Tbsp. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces and chilled
4-6 Tbsp. ice water

Egg Wash:

1 egg

1 Tbsp. cream or milk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a sheet pan with parchment paper. 

1.  Mix the apple, cinnamon and sugar in bowl. 

2.  Roll out the dough and cut into squares until all the dough is used up, about 8-12 squares.  You will need two squares of dough for each hand pie. 

3.  Place 1-2 Tbsp. of apple filling in the middle of each square and place the second square of dough on top.   Crimp the edges with a fork dipped in flour.  Make a little slit with knife for steam to escape on top of each pie. 

4.  Whisk egg and cream together in a bowl with a fork and brush with the egg wash.

5.  Bake in 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes.  Let cool for 15 minutes before serving. 

Enjoy your Apple Hand Pies!  The kids will be thrilled to eat their own creations.