Easy Cinnamon Apple Hand Pies

Cinnamon-scented brown sugar apple filling and flaky pastry make these apple hand pies a delicious, easy dessert recipe the entire family will love.

Ingredients

Full recipe + amounts can be found in the recipe card below. 

• Apples. I used Granny Smith apples but Fuji, Pink Lady or Honeycrisp apples will all work.
• Brown sugar.
• Butter.
• Cinnamon.
• Shortcrust pastry. I used frozen, store-bought pastry but you can use any pie dough you like.
• Egg.
• Sugar, for sprinkling (optional).

How to make apple hand pies

1. Prepare the filling: Peel and chop the apples into 1cm (½in) dice. Melt butter in a large pan then add the apples and cook, stirring regularly, for 5 minutes. Add the brown sugar and cinnamon and cook for 7-10 minutes until the apples are cooked and the sauce has thickened. Remove from the heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
2. Fill the hand pies: Roll the pastry out on a floured surface (I used two rolls of shop-bought pastry)  and using a cookie cutter or glass, cut 24 discs of pastry out. Once the filling is cool, place a tablespoon of filling into the center of 12 of the pastry discs. Beat the egg and carefully brush some of the egg around the edge then cover with the remaining pastry discs. Carefully press the pastry together then crimp with a fork.
3. Bake: Transfer the pies to two sheetpans lined with parchment paper. Using a sharp knife, cut slits into the top of each pie to allow steam to escape. Brush the pies with the remaining egg and sprinkle with sugar. Place in a preheated oven and allow to bake for 15-20 minutes or until the pies are gold brown and crisp. Remove from the oven, allow to cool for 10 minutes then serve.

Make ahead and freezing instructions

1. Make ahead: These pies can be made up to 2 days in advance. They are delicious served at room temperature but can be reheated in a warm oven until hot throughout. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
2. Freezing: Unbaked pies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Assemble the pies and place on a parchment-lined sheet pan then freeze until solid. Transfer to freezer bags. Bake from frozen until golden brown and hot throughout.

Apple recipes

1. Apple tarte tatin
2. Spiced apple muffins with honey butter
3. Apple fritters with masala sugar