This is a bit of a loosey-goosey recipe, so if that worries you, I’d try a different one. I based it on two recipes that had very different instructions. I’ve made this one twice, following the instructions I came up with below, but because I’m not working from my home kitchen, the ingredient amounts aren’t exact.

INGREDIENTSEnough pie dough to make one crust. (I recommend Trader Joe’s or make your own. If you have two crusts, double the apple filling amounts.)2 or 3 crisp, tart apples1/8-1/4 cup white or brown sugar (or a combination of the two) plus more for sprinkling½ teaspoon cinnamon1/8 teaspoon nutmegPinch salt1 tablespoon butter1 egg or a few tablespoons milk or cream[image error]Make the Filling:Mix sugar(s), cinnamon and spices in a medium glass or metal bowl.Peel, core and dice apples.Toss apples with sugar mixture and taste. Add more sugar as needed.Brown butter in a large skillet.Cook apples in butter about 5 minutes, until soft and sticky but not mushy. Transfer back to the bowl to cool.Improvising with a bowl to cut the dough into circles works, but improvising the amounts means I cooked up too many apples and then overstuffed my pies.

Prepare crust:Preheat oven to 400°. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.Roll out dough on a floured surface or between sheets of waxed paper until about 1/8” thick. Cut into 4-5” circles or squares, as desired. Don’t re-roll more than twice. Chill cut pieces on the baking sheet for 10 – 15 minutes.Beat egg (if using) in a small bowl with a dash of water or milk. Brush a small amount of the egg mixture (or cream) along the edges of each piece of chilled dough.Spoon ¼ – 1/3 cup of apple mixture into the center of each piece of dough, leaving any liquid behind. Don’t overfill.Fold dough over (into a half-moon or triangle) and crimp edges to close. Brush each pie with egg mixture and sprinkle with sugar. Poke a few vent holes in the top of each pie.Bake for 20-25 minutes until crust is golden brown. Let cool slightly before filling.This is why you want parchment paper. Especially if you, like me, tend to overfill.Drag and drop the above for a printable version.

The post APPLE HAND PIES appeared first on Home Cooked Books.