I made these hand pies the other day and I’m absolutely positive they’ll be making a comeback to my kitchen.

Tommy and Molly are my taste testers when I’m trying new recipes or putting a new twist on an old recipe.  And this one met the approval of both of them.

Tommy was going to be going on a guys weekend as he usually does when I have my primary call weekend at work.  It gives him a chance to do guy stuff while I’m on my 48 hour weekend call.  So I thought I would make these to send with him for a treat over the weekend.  The thought was that he could take them to share and they wouldn’t be tempting me all weekend (although I did save a couple back for Molly and me).

Citrus Apple Hand Pies

  • 8 Cups frozen apple slices (I had 4 containers each with 2 cups apples and 1/8 cup sugar added)
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • zest from 1 clementine or 1/2 an orange
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1-2 tsp ground cinnamon or to taste
  • a good pinch of nutmeg
  • 3 TBSP butter
  • 1 recipe of pie crust for a double crust

I had sliced apples in my freezer that I had gotten at the apple orchard last fall.  I made applesauce with most of them but decided to freeze some apple slices for baking this winter.  I had never used frozen apples to bake with before so I wasn’t sure how this would work.  But, I will definitely do it again!

When I froze them, I covered the top of the apples with 1/8 cup of sugar and waxed paper to keep them from turning brown.  So each container holding 2 cups of apples had 1/8 cup of sugar which meant I didn’t need to add any white granulated sugar to the recipe.  Although I did add just 1/4 cup of brown sugar mostly to add a more depth to the color of the apple filling.

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Partially thaw apples (it’s not necessary to completely thaw.  Just be sure they will break apart easily when you put them in the skillet).

If you use fresh apples you will need to add about 1/2 cup of white sugar and a little water to skillet when you cook the apples.

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Melt butter in skillet till it begins to turn a little brown.  Add apples (be careful as they will splatter a bit if still partially frozen), brown sugar, salt, clementine zest.

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The clementine zest just adds a little something extra to the flavor without an overwhelming citrus flavor.

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Cook down till liquid is evaporated and apples are getting soft enough to chop a little with your spoon.  Add cinnamon and nutmeg.

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Cook till the apples are sticky in appearance (just a couple minutes).  Then transfer to a bowl to cool (I put mine in the fridge while I made the pie crust).

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For the Crust:

  • 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1Tbsp sugar
  • 1 cup cold unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup water

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Put 2 cups of flour in a mixing bowl along with salt and sugar and mix together.

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Cut cold butter into cubes and add to flour.

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Cut the butter into the flour till crumbly in appearance.

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Add ice cold water and mix with a spoon.  Then work a little with hands till it hold together in a ball.  Try not to spend too much time mixing with hands to avoid warming the butter too much.

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Divide crust mixture into 8 portions and roll out into approx. 6 inch rounds.  It doesn’t have to be exactly round or exactly 6 inches.  Approximates will do here.

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Place about 1/3 cup of apple mixture close to the center of the crust.

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Fold one side of the round over onto the apple mixture do not take it all the way to the edge.

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Bring bottom edge of crust up and over to seal.

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Then crimp the edges.

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Place a couple of vents in the top of each.

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Coat with an egg wash made from 1 egg and a little milk and sprinkle sugar over the top.

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Bake on a parchment paper lined cookie sheet at 400 degrees F for 30 to 35 minutes till browned.  I know that many times people will fry these in oil or shortening.  I’m sure they’re delicious, but I feel that there is already enough fat in the crust as it is.  Why add insult to injury when they are just as delicious baked?  Even a couple days later, the crust was still flakey and crisp.

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Then cool on a cooling rack.

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Serve warm or cold (although I think they are best a little warm).  Makes 8 pies.

citrus apple hand pies

P.S.  I found out when the weekend was over that Tommy didn’t share any of these over the weekend.  He ate them all himself!

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© 2014 – 2016, Pamela. All rights reserved.

Pamela

Taking control of life and learning to live a more intentional, holistic, minimalistic lifestyle from the heart of my inner 70's flower child.

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