Delightful Apple Butter Hand Pies are the perfect fall treat, combining homemade pie crust, flavorful apple butter, and a touch of sweetness. Enjoy them during lunch, at a picnic or as dessert with a scoop of ice cream.
In a mixing bowl, combine the diced apple, lemon juice, brown sugar, apple pie spice, and salt. Set aside.
2
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon unsalted butter and add the apple mixture. Cook for about 5 minutes until the sugar dissolves and the apples start to soften.
3
Mix the cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water, then add it to the saucepan. Stir until the filling thickens, then remove from heat and let it cool completely.
4
In a food processor, pulse together the flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Add cubed cold butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs and butter is about pea size.
5
Add 3 tablespoons cold water, one at a time, and pulse until the dough comes together. Dump the dough onto a lightly floured surface, shape into a disk, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for an hour.
6
Preheat the oven to 425°F. Roll out the dough to between 1/8” to 1/4” thick on a lightly floured surface, then cut into circles using a 4.5” cookie cutter. Reroll scraps and continue cutting into circles.
7
Place 8 circles onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, and spread 1 tablespoon of apple butter onto each. Add a heaping tablespoon of cooled apple pie filling on top.
8
Beat an egg with 1 tablespoon of milk or water to make the egg wash. Brush egg wash around the bottom edges of the dough circles, fold the top half over to cover the filling, and press the edges together to seal.
9
Use a fork to crimp the edges, then brush egg wash on the assembled hand pies. Create steam vents on top with a paring knife, and sprinkle with Turbinado sugar. Refrigerate or freeze for 15-30 minutes.
10
Bake for 18-19 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the hand pies cool on a wire rack before serving.