Handheld Apple Pies

Yield
16
item(s)
Oven temp
375
Ingredients

Apple Filling

  • 3 pounds apples
  • 4 teaspoons lemon juice
  • 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 dash nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Halved

  • 1.5 pounds apples

  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice

  • 3/8 cup packed light brown sugar

  • 1/4 cup sugar

  • 1.5 tablespoons cornstarch

  • 1/2 dash nutmeg

  • 1/2 pinch salt

  • 3/8 teaspoon cinnamon

  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Pastry

  • 2 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons (13 ounces) all-purpose flour

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1 tablespoon sugar

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla powder

  • 8 ounces (1 cup) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces, chilled in freezer

  • 7 to 11 tablespoons ice water

Egg Wash and Topping

  • 1 large egg yolk

  • 2 teaspoons light cream, or milk

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar, or vanilla sugar

Directions
  1. Peel the apples; core and dice. Toss the apples in a bowl with the lemon juice.
  2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine the brown sugar, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and cornstarch; stir to blend. Add the apples, nutmeg, pinch of salt, and 3/4 teaspoon of cinnamon. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, for about 20 to 30 minutes, or until apples are tender and the mixture is very thick. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  3. Let the filling cool. If not making the pies right away, store in the refrigerator for up to two days. The filling may also be frozen for up to nine months. 
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon sugar, and vanilla powder, if using.
  5. Add the butter pieces to the flour mixture and mix using a pastry blender, fingers, or a food processor just enough to make a crumbly mixture with some pea-sized pieces of butter still intact, about 8 to 10 pulses using a food processor. 
  6. If using the food processor, transfer the flour and butter mixture to a large bowl. Add about 6 tablespoons of the ice water to the flour and butter mixture and toss together until moistened. Continue adding small amounts of water until the mixture begins to form clumps. 
  7. Turn the mixture out onto a lightly floured surface and knead a few times until a dough is formed. If necessary, moisten hands a few times, but don't overwork the dough or add more water than is necessary to hold together. Shape into 2 rectangles about 12 ounces each and 1-inch thick, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 to 45 minutes.
  8. Roll the chilled dough out to a rectangle about 16 inches by 12 inches. With a pizza cutter or knife, cut out 8 rectangles about 4 inches wide and 6 inches in length. 
  9. Put about 2 heaping tablespoons of apple filling in the center of the bottom half of 1 of the rectangles. With your finger, dab a little water around the edge. Fold the top over the filling and pat gently to seal. Take a fork and crimp the entire edge with the tines. Set on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and repeat with the remaining 7 rectangles. Roll out the remaining dough and repeat for 8 more pies. Refrigerate the baking sheets for about 20 to 30 minutes.
  10. At this point, if you want to, you can freeze all or half of the prepared pies then transfer to freezer bags. On baking day, arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and continue with the recipe. 
  11. Heat the oven to 375 F.
  12. Take the pies out of the refrigerator. 
  13. Combine the egg yolk and cream. Brush the egg mixture lightly over each pie. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar or vanilla sugar and cut a vent or a few vents in the top of each pie. 
  14. Bake for about 24 to 30 minutes or until nicely browned and the filling is bubbly. 
Attribution
adapted from https://www.thespruceeats.com/hand-held-apple-pies-3050777