Sweet & Buttery Caramel Apple Hand Pies Recipe: Grab-and-Go Joy

Sweet memories of autumn bloom when this caramel apple hand pie captures your imagination with its golden, flaky crust.

Crisp orchards whisper inspiration behind every delectable bite.

Buttery pastry wraps tender fruit in a warm embrace of comfort.

Childhood nostalgia dances through each carefully crafted morsel.

Seasonal ingredients sing a melody of warmth and home.

Compact and perfect for sharing, these little pies promise delightful moments of pure happiness.

Why Caramel Apple Hand Pies Make the Perfect Snack

• Craft Gourmet Treats: Transform simple ingredients into delightful handheld pies that look like they came from a bakery, impressing friends and family with your culinary skills.
• Master Flexible Cooking: Adapt the recipe easily by switching apple varieties or experimenting with different spices, making it perfect for creative home cooks who love customization.
• Serve Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Portable and perfectly portioned hand pies work wonderfully for potlucks, picnics, school lunches, or casual gatherings where everyone wants a sweet bite.
• Enjoy Beginner-Friendly Preparation: Follow straightforward steps that guide you through each stage, ensuring even novice bakers can successfully create delicious caramel apple hand pies without feeling overwhelmed.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Caramel Apple Hand Pies

• Pie Crusts: Ready-made crusts that form the base and top of the hand pies.

• Honeycrisp Apples: Sweet and crisp apples that provide a delightful texture and flavor to the hand pies.
• Caramel Syrup: A rich, sweet sauce that adds a luxurious caramel flavor to the apple filling.
• Brown Sugar: Adds depth and sweetness to the apple mixture.
• Butter: Enhances the richness and provides a smooth consistency to the filling.
• Allspice: A warm spice that complements the apple and caramel flavors.

• Egg, Heavy Cream: Create a golden, glossy finish on the surface of the hand pies when brushed before baking.

Easy Steps to Make Caramel Apple Hand Pies

Step 1: Prepare Baking Station

Set your oven to roar at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper for a smooth baking adventure.

Step 2: Create Caramel Apple Filling

• Honeycrisp apples (finely diced)
• Caramel syrup
• Brown sugar
• Butter
• Allspice

Sizzle the mixture over medium-high heat until apples become wonderfully tender, about five minutes. Let the mixture cool down for ten minutes.

Step 3: Roll Out Pie Crusts

Dust your work surface with flour. Gently roll out pie crusts and flatten them with a rolling pin.

Use a 3-4 inch cookie cutter or sandwich sealer to create 8 perfect circles from each crust.

Step 4: Mark Filling Spots

Create gentle indentations on the bottom pie crust to guide your filling placement.

Step 5: Fill and Layer

Spoon about 1 ½ tablespoons of caramel apple mixture into each marked indent. Layer the second pie crust on top, ensuring enough overhang to seal completely.

Step 6: Seal the Pies

Press edges gently to seal the pies. Use a sandwich sealer or fork to create a beautiful crimped border.

These little pockets of joy need a tight seal!

Step 7: Add Ventilation

Slice three small slits in the top crust to let steam escape during baking.

Step 8: Apply Egg Wash

Whisk egg and heavy cream together. Lovingly brush the tops of your hand pies with this golden mixture.

Step 9: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pies into the preheated oven. Bake for 13-16 minutes until they turn a gorgeous golden brown.

Step 10: Cool and Serve

Remove the pies from the oven and let them rest. These little treats are best enjoyed slightly warm, with all their caramel apple goodness ready to delight your taste buds.

Pro Tips for Flaky and Delicious Caramel Apple Hand Pies

• Select ripe, firm Honeycrisp apples for the best flavor and texture in your hand pies, ensuring they hold their shape during cooking.
• Prevent soggy crusts by allowing the apple filling to cool completely before assembling the hand pies, which helps maintain a crisp pastry.
• Create a tight seal on the hand pies by pressing edges firmly with a fork or using a sandwich sealer to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
• Try spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to enhance the caramel apple flavor profile and add depth to the filling.
• Brush the egg wash generously for a beautiful golden-brown finish that gives the hand pies a professional bakery-style appearance.

Creative Twists on Caramel Apple Hand Pies

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace traditional pie crust with gluten-free pastry dough made from almond or rice flour, ensuring celiac-friendly enjoyment.
• Vegan Variation: Swap butter with coconut oil, use plant-based pie crust, and replace egg wash with almond milk for a completely dairy-free and egg-free option.
• Tropical Transformation: Substitute Honeycrisp apples with ripe mangoes or pineapples, adding a hint of cinnamon and coconut sugar for a tropical-inspired hand pie experience.
• Low-Sugar Alternative: Use sugar-free caramel syrup, replace brown sugar with stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and select a tart apple variety like Granny Smith to reduce overall sugar content.

Pairing Ideas for Caramel Apple Hand Pies

• Complement the caramel apple hand pies with a smooth Kentucky bourbon that highlights the dessert's rich, warm spices and enhances the caramel undertones.
• Top each hand pie with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream, creating a delightful temperature contrast and adding creamy richness to the flaky pastry.
• Brew a spiced chai latte with extra cinnamon to mirror the allspice in the hand pies, providing a warming beverage that echoes the dessert's comforting flavors.
• Finish the hand pies with an elegant drizzle of salted caramel sauce, intensifying the existing caramel notes and adding a sophisticated gourmet touch.

How to Store Caramel Apple Hand Pies for Freshness

• Store cooled hand pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Cover each pie with plastic wrap or parchment paper to prevent sticking and maintain freshness.
• Wrap individual hand pies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. Label the bag with the date to track storage time.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove frozen or refrigerated pies from packaging. Place on a baking sheet and warm for 10-12 minutes until heated through. Crisp the crust by baking directly from frozen state.

FAQs

• What type of apples work best for this recipe?

Honeycrisp apples are ideal due to their sweet-tart flavor and firm texture that holds up well during cooking, creating perfect caramelized filling for hand pies.

• Can I make the hand pies ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the hand pies in advance and refrigerate them before baking. Just add an extra 2-3 minutes to the baking time when cooking from a chilled state.

• How do I prevent the hand pies from leaking?

Ensure you seal the edges thoroughly by pressing with a fork or using a sandwich sealer. Also, avoid overfilling the pies and leave a small border around the edges when sealing.

• Is it necessary to use an egg wash?

The egg wash helps create a beautiful golden-brown color and gives the hand pies a glossy, professional appearance.

Caramel Apple Hand Pies Recipe

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4.9 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Homemade caramel apple hand pies deliver classic autumn comfort with compact pastry perfection. Buttery crust, sweet-tart apple filling, and rich caramel drizzle invite warm memories of seasonal gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 2 honeycrisp apples (small-sized, peeled, cored, and finely diced)
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) dark brown sugar
• 1/3 cup (80 ml) caramel syrup
• 1/4 cup (60 g) salted butter
• 14.1 oz (400 g) refrigerated pie crust
• 1 large egg
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) heavy cream
• 1/2 tsp allspice

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F and line two sheet pans with parchment paper for optimal baking preparation.
2. In a medium skillet, combine diced Honeycrisp apples with caramel syrup, brown sugar, butter, and allspice over medium-high heat.
3. Simmer the apple mixture until tender, approximately 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 10 minutes, letting flavors meld together.
4. Roll out pie crusts on a floured surface and use a 3-4 inch cookie cutter to create 8 circles from each crust.
5. Gently mark indentations on the bottom crust to guide filling placement, ensuring even distribution.
6. Carefully spoon apple filling into each marked circle, leaving a small border around the edges for sealing.
7. Layer the second pie crust over the filled circles, creating a complete coverage for each hand pie.
8. Use a sandwich sealer or fork to crimp and seal the edges, preventing filling from leaking during baking.
9. Create three small vents on the top of each pie to allow steam to escape and promote even cooking.
10. Whisk egg and heavy cream together to create a golden egg wash. Brush the surface of each hand pie generously.
11. Bake for 13-16 minutes until the pies turn a rich, golden brown color with crisp edges.
12. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving to allow filling to set and prevent burns.

Notes

• Choose Honeycrisp apples for their perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, ensuring a robust flavor profile in your hand pies.
• Keep apple pieces uniformly small to guarantee even cooking and a smooth filling texture that won’t puncture the delicate pie crust.
• Chill the prepared hand pies for 15 minutes before baking to help maintain their structural integrity and prevent filling leakage during cooking.
• Experiment with alternative spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to customize the flavor and match personal taste preferences.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 327 kcal
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 190 mg
• Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 40 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 45 mg