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Caramel Apple Hand Pies

Individual pies like these Caramel Apple Hand Pies are fun to make and even more fun to eat. The homemade filling is stuffed into refrigerated pie dough, brushed with egg wash and baked until beautifully golden. Enjoy them on the run or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an any time treat.

Caramel Apple Hand Pies

How to Make the BEST Caramel Apple Hand Pies Recipe

  • Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Caramel Apple Hand Pies: Pie crust pastry, Granny Smith apples, butter, all purpose flour, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, lemon juice, salt and a large egg for the egg wash.
  • Kitchen gadgets you’ll need: A rolling pin, medium saucepan, sheet pans for baking, measuring cups and spoons, an apple peeler and corer or a sharp knife and cutting board, mixing bowls, a whisk and pastry brush.
  • The caramel in this recipe is formed when cooking brown sugar and butter together. We’re really cooking hrfe folks.
  • For these, pies, I prefer to cook the filling ahead of time and then fill the pie pastry when I’m ready to bake them. This gives us the option to grab and go or serve them warm with a scoop of scrumptious vanilla ice cream.
  • You can use a homemade or refrigerated pie crust, depending on how much time you have to spend on preparation. If you have my cookbook, I have a detailed walk through of how to make pie crust successfully.
  • If you don’t, checkout my flaky pie crust recipe to make it from scratch.
  • Even though these little pies are designed to be held and eaten, there’s always some premium vanilla ice cream nearby for the a la mode fans at our house. Okay, I’ll level with you, that would be me. For most, they make superb little hand held treats on the go.
  • You can fully assemble these easy apple pies and freeze them prior to baking. Bake them per the recipe from frozen waiting to brush with egg wash until just before baking. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the bake time when frozen.
  • Otherwise, store baked Caramel Apple Hand Pies chilled in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Caramel Apple Hand Pies

What’s the Best Variety of Apples to Use for Apple Hand Pies?

I use the gold standard Granny Smith apples to prepare this pie filling. The tartness of a Granny Smith plus the fact it holds up well and maintains a pleasing texture when cooked makes it ideal. That being said, you could adapt using your favorite variety of apples or a mix of different types apples for the filling. That’s precisely what I do when I make an apple crisp or slow cooker filled with homemade apple butter. The recipe will certainly still work but, the texture will be a bit different. When in doubt, follow the recipe for the very best results. How to make Caramel Apple Hand Pies: (Scroll down for full printable recipe.)

  • Caramel Apples – Cook apples, butter, brown sugar, lemon juice and 2 Tbsp of granulated sugar. Cook for 5 minutes to allow the apples to release their juice.
  • Combine – Add flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Stir until the flour has been absorbed by the juice, then lower the heat and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until thickened and reduced. Remove from the heat and add vanilla. Cool completely.
  • Assemble – On a lightly floured counter, roll out the pie crust. Cut into 10 [5″] rounds re-rolling the scrap pieces as needed.
  • Egg Wash – Brush the edge of each round with the beaten egg wash. Spoon onto one side of each round.
  • Fold – Gently fold the dough over the filling and press the edges together using a fork to seal.
  • Place onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Cut a slit in the top of each hand pie, and brush with beaten egg wash. Sprinkle with the remaining granulated sugar.
  • Bake for 20-22 minutes until golden.
Caramel Apple Hand Pies

More Easy Apple Dessert Recipes to Make

Caramel Apple Hand Pies

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

Caramel Apple Hand Pies

Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time22 minutes
Cooling time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 42 minutes
Course: Dessert, Pie
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: apple-pie, caramel-apple-hand-pies, easy-apple-pie-recipes
Servings: 10 hand pies
Calories: 305kcal
Author: Melissa Sperka

Ingredients

  • 2 large Granny Smith apples peeled, cored & diced to equal 3 cups
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp lemon juice
  • 3 Tbsp granulated sugar divided
  • 3 Tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon [or more to taste]
  • 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla
  • 2 10-inch rounds pie crusts refrigerated or homemade
  • 1 large egg beaten with 2 tsp water

Instructions

  • In a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat cook apples, butter, brown sugar, lemon juice and 2 Tbsp of granulated sugar. Cook for 5 minutes to allow the apples to release their juice.
  • Add flour, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Stir until the flour has been absorbed by the juice, then lower the heat and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until thickened and reduced. Remove from the heat and add vanilla. Cool completely.
  • Assemble Pies: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • On a lightly floured counter, roll out the pie crust. Cut into 10 [5″] rounds re-rolling the scrap pieces as needed.
  • Brush the edge of each round with the beaten egg wash then spoon 2 Tbsp of the filling onto one side of each round.
  • Gently fold the dough over the filling and press the edges together using a fork to seal.
  • Place onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Cut a slit in the top of each hand pie, and brush with beaten egg wash.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining 1 Tbsp of granulated sugar.
  • Bake for 20-22 minutes until golden. Some of the filling, may ooze from the pies while baking. Let stand on the pan for 5-10 minutes, then serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 305kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 39mg | Sodium: 333mg | Potassium: 78mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 19g | Vitamin A: 194IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Mention @melissassk or tag #melissassk!

13 Comments

  1. Do you think I can prepare them ahead of time and just bake them when ready? I’m concerned the filling may make the dough soggy? Or is there a way to reheat them? Thank you!

    1. You can fully assemble these easy apple pies and freeze them prior to baking. Bake them per the recipe from frozen waiting to brush with egg wash until just before baking. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the bake time when frozen.

  2. I didn’t use one for this recipe but you can purchase them at Williams Sonoma or any kitchen gadget store. I’ve even seen them at Target in the past.

  3. Melissa, I love the simplicity of this recipe and I can already taste the cooked apples, spices and brown sugar. You rock my friend, always something new cooking in your kitchen!

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