Flaky Apple Hand Pies For Valentine’s Day and Beyond

But don’t think that this recipe is only for Valentine’s Day. Oh no. You can make these apple hand pies for any day of the year simply by using a different cookie cutter and, I promise, you’ll love them no matter what the occasion. Maybe even just because it’s Monday 🙂

This pie crust has got to be the easiest and best tasting pie crust I’ve ever made. In the past, I’d never been that good at making crust, but now I think I can safely say that I’ve got it down. Light and flaky, this is the perfect crust, and  it is sure to make you a pie making hero to your family and friends! No more store bought pie crusts for us…not when making it at home, from scratch, is SO easy and delicious!

Let’s start with the crust, shall we?

PERFECT PIE CRUST    {PRINT THIS RECIPE}
Yield: 2 crusts       Prep Time: 5 minutes      Chill Time: 45 minutes or longer

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (I use unbleached)
2 sticks cold butter, cut into 16 pieces (I use salted butter)
1/2 teaspoon salt
7-8 tablespoons ice water
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

-In a food processor, pulse together the flour, butter and salt until it resembles coarse crumbs.
-Add in 7 tablespoons of the ice water and the apple cider vinegar. Pulse until the mixture comes together in a ball. If additional water is needed, add the last tablespoon sparingly until the mixture just comes together. *Note – The less you work the dough, the more tender and flaky the crust will be.
-Divide the dough in half and flatten each half into a disc. Wrap each disc with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator at least 45 minutes.

APPLE HAND PIES   {PRINT THIS RECIPE}
Makes: 10-12  4″ pies      Prep Time: 90 minutes including chill time      Bake Time: 35-40 minutes

1 recipe for perfect pie crust (above), chilled

For the filling:
2 granny Smith apples, peeled and diced into 1/4″ cubes (see photo below for how-to steps)
4 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

For the icing:
1 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 -2 tablespoons milk (depending on your preferred consistency)
sanding sugar if desired

-Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
-In a medium size bowl, combine all of the filling ingredients and mix well.
-Unwrap one dough disc at a time. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough to 1/8″ thickness.
-Using large cookie cutters of your choice, cut out two of each shape for each hand pie.
-Place one of the cut crusts onto a parchment lined baking sheet.
-Place approximately 1 – 1 1/2 tablespoons of apple filling into the center of each crust.
-Top the apple filling with the corresponding 2nd cut crust and crimp the edges shut with the tines of a fork.
-Continue the same process with the remaining dough. *Note – the scraps can be re-rolled and used again to make additional pies.
-Using a sharp paring knife, cut a small vent hole into the top of each pie.
-Bake in preheated oven for approximately 35-40 minutes or until the pies are a nice golden brown.
-Cool completely on a baking rack and then ice or dust with powdered sugar.
-To make the icing, mix together the powdered sugar, vanilla and 1 tablespoon of the milk. If the consistency is too thick, add a splash more milk until you come up with a thick yet drizzling consistency.
-Place the icing into a zip lock bag and snip the corner with a scissors. Or you can use a parchment triangle or piping bag. Drizzle (or pipe) the icing over the tops of the baked pies.
-Sprinkle the wet icing with sanding sugar, if desired, and serve!

So there you have it folks. A simply delicious, flaky apple hand pie that you can pick up and eat on-the-go or sit down and savor, slowly, with the ones you love!

Speaking of love, I think these hand pies would pair up nicely with a glass or two of champagne and maybe a proposal…. after all, it is Valentine’s Day you know…

If there is ever anything I can paint for you, please don’t hesitate to contact me or visit my shop which is located in the navigation bar. Custom orders are always welcome and I can work from any photo or description you send my way.