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.
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.
- 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.
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.
More Easy Apple Dessert Recipes to Make
- My Apple Pie Cinnamon Rolls will take you from breakfast to dessert.
- Caramel Apple Crisp will make you feel warm and cozy inside.
- Stuffed Crust Skillet Apple Pie has a surprise hidden inside.
- Top this Apple Cobbler with vanilla ice cream for a comfort filled dessert.
- The kiddos will love this Toffee Apple Pizza.
- Yummy handheld Apple Pie Bars.
- Baked Caramel Apple Fritters from Averie Cook's.
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Caramel Apple Hand Pies
Ingredients
- 2 large Granny Smith apples peeled, cored & diced to equal 3 cups
- ¼ cup butter
- ½ cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoon granulated sugar divided
- 3 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon [or more to taste]
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla
- 2 10-inch rounds pie crusts refrigerated or homemade
- 1 large egg beaten with 2 teaspoon water
Instructions
- In a heavy bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat, cook apples, butter, brown sugar, lemon juice and 2 tablespoon 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. [I often made this the day before and refrigerate for a time saver.]
- To 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 tablespoon 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 tablespoon of granulated sugar.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes until golden. Some of the filling, may ooze from the pies while baking.
Nutrition
Jen
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!
Melissa
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.
Margaret
These were easy to make and so good. And made the house smell fantastic!
Melissa
Thanks so much!
Cornelia
Look yummy. Do you think you could freeze these??
Melissa
Sure!
Melissa
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.
Melissa
Great idea, thanks!
chubbybunny
I use a pot sticker press to make these. The bottom cuts out the circle of dough, and the top part is in two pieces with a hinge and two handles.
Faye
Where do u buy the pot sticker press? I do not know what they look like.
Melissa
Linda, I'd love to share them with you. Warm apple pie and vanilla ice cream, never gets old. ♥
Melissa
Linda, I'd love to share them with you. Warm apple pie and vanilla ice cream, never gets old. ♥
Linda
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!