• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Homemade In The Kitchen

Small Batch Recipes and Recipes For Two

  • About
  • Recipes
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest

October 9, 2017

Apple Hand Pies (Small Batch)

Jump to Recipe

These small batch Apple Hand Pies made with pie crust are a taste of fall in every bite! This recipe freezes well, so you can make them ahead of time and bake when ready.


These small batch Apple Hand Pies made with pie crust are a taste of fall in every bite! This recipe freezes well, so you can make them ahead of time and bake when ready.

This year was the first year in a long time I’m missing the local apple festival. Technically I missed it probably about 5 years ago when Dad and I went to a different apple festival located near where I was living at the time, which was pretty much the middle of nowhere. At least it still had apples.

This weekend, however, other plans came up. Pittsburgh did this event last year called Doors Open where you can tour buildings normally not open to the public. Buildings where you pretty much need to work there or have a reason for visiting in order to go inside.

These kinds of events excite me because it means I’d have access to different vantage points around the city for photos, especially the ones that’ll let you up on a top floor. If you’re lucky, I may upload them eventually to @citylifeadventures (I have such a backlog of editing photos, I still have yet to share vacation from May).

Last year I missed it because it was the same weekend as the apple festival. This year it was also the same weekend. Standing (sitting?) at a crossroad, I decided to go to Doors Open on both days, missing the apple festival as a result. Get it all out of my system. If they do Doors Open again next year, I can hit up any places I missed then spend the other day eating apples.


These small batch Apple Hand Pies made with pie crust are a taste of fall in every bite! This recipe freezes well, so you can make them ahead of time and bake when ready.

I feel guilty since Dad and I always go to the apple festival, and he won’t go without me (I told him to, but he wasn’t listening). Hopefully he’ll forgive me with these small batch Apple Hand Pies (which if you’re reading Dad, there are some in my freezer right now).

Since I’ve been blogging for over 10 (!!!) years, it becomes harder and harder to think of new apple recipes. I’ve made apple pie for two, apple dumplings, apple bread. You name it – I’ve probably made it.

They’re similar to apple turnovers but are round and made with pie crust. And since the recipe is small batch, it makes only 4 hand pies. Eat half now. Eat half later.


Small Batch Apple Hand Pies for fall baking

Apple hand pies are the best because of their flaky, buttery crust and sweet apple pie filling. Plus you get your own individual pie! Whether you share the remaining three is up to you.

Most recipes make a dozen (or more!) hand pies. As tempting as it is, you and I certainly don’t need to eat 12 hand pies. Or maybe we want to, but our bodies say no. A small batch is great compromise, don’t you agree?


Small Batch Apple Hand Pies for fall baking

Apple hand pies also freeze well. In fact, it’s encouraged because warm dough is sad dough. To store them long term, wrap each one in plastic wrap then place the group in a freezer bag. Make all four at once or one at a time.

Continue to Content
Small Batch Apple Hand Pies for fall baking

Apple Hand Pies (Small Batch)

Yield: 4 hand pies

These small batch Apple Hand Pies made with pie crust are a taste of fall in every bite! This recipe freezes well, so you can make them ahead of time and bake when ready.

Ingredients

Pie Dough

  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 4 tablespoons vegetable shortening, cold
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold
  • 3-4 tablespoons cold water
  • 1 egg lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon water (optional but helps with browning)

Apple Pie Filling

  • 2 tablespoons granulate sugar
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider, juice, or water
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground clove
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1/3 cup chopped peeled apple (roughly 1 small apple)
  • 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions


  1. For the dough: In the bowl of a food processor, add the flour, sugar, and salt.
  2. Add the cold butter and shortening then pulse until they are cut into the flour, looking like large pebbles.
  3. Add 3 tablespoons cold water then pulse until the dough comes together. If it's too dry, add the remaining water. Alternatively, you can cut in the butter and shortening by hand in a large bowl with a pastry blender.
  4. Flatten the dough into an evenly round disk and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until cold.
  5. For the filling: In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, cider, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cornstarch. Stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly.
  6. Remove from the heat and stir in vanilla and apples. Cool until room temperature, about 15 minutes.
  7. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough until 1/8 inch thick. Using a 3-inch cookie cutter or round glass, cut out as many circles as you can and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
  8. Gather up the dough scraps and reroll. Repeat until all of the dough is gone. You should get 8 circles. If the dough gets too warm and sticks, refrigerate until cold again.
  9. Spoon roughly 2 teaspoons of filling in the center of half the circles. Top with the unfilled circles, forming 4 pies. Seal the edges with a floured fork then cut 3 slits into the top. If the dough sticks too much while assembling, refrigerate until cold again.
  10. Once fully assembled, freeze for a minimum of 15 minutes. If you're freezing longer than an hour, wrap each one in plastic wrap then store in a freezer bag until ready to bake.
  11. When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350F.
  12. Brush each pie with the beaten egg. Bake 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Remove to a cooling rack and cool for at least 15 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you think! Rate the recipe above, leave a comment below, and/or share a photo on Instagram using #HITKrecipesAll recipes are tested in a U.S. kitchen with U.S. ingredients at normal elevation using a conventional gas oven. Results may vary.

© Carla Cardello

Filed Under: Pies + Tarts Tagged With: apple cider, apples, cinnamon, clove, fall, lemon, nutmeg, small batch

Did you make my recipe?

Please let me know by sharing a photo in my private Facebook group or uploading and tagging me on Instagram using #HITKrecipes (Note: If your Instagram account is private, I won't be able to see your photo)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. DanLaubach says

    October 9, 2017 at 10:31 AM

    Why don’t you have a printable. Receipt without printing 14 pages???????FIX your website

    Reply
    • Carla says

      October 9, 2017 at 10:40 AM

      Are you using the print button on the recipe card itself??????? Go to the recipe card, look under the thumbnail, and hit the print button. If you don’t see it, please send me a screenshot and which browser you’re using so I can help troubleshoot.

      Reply
  2. Sandy H. says

    October 15, 2017 at 7:08 AM

    Great recipe! So happy to find a recipe for small batch hand pies. The Apple version was delicious! I’m looking forward to experimenting with other fruit versions. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Carla says

      October 16, 2017 at 9:52 AM

      Glad you enjoyed them, Sandy! My favorite filling is cherry, so I vote that next :D

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Nice To Meet You!
I’m Carla, a 30-some childfree woman from Pittsburgh, PA learning how to adult alone. I'm sharing recipes for two and small batch recipes made from scratch because not everybody cooks for a crowd.

Learn more →
Subscribe
Disclosures and Disclaimers

Footer

Stay Updated

Subscribe to new recipes via email:

Other Sites By Carla

  • City Life Adventures
  • Carla Cardello

Latest Recipes

Small Lemon Cake with slice taken out

Small Lemon Cake Recipe

This Small Lemon Cake recipe is a 6 inch lemon cake for two from scratch then decorated with homemade lemon buttercream frosting. Yesterday I brought you my lemon buttercream frosting. Today ...

Read More

Blue bowl of Lemon Buttercream Frosting with lemon slices

Lemon Buttercream Frosting (Small Batch)

Need the best lemon frosting recipe for your small cake? This small batch Lemon Buttercream Frosting makes enough to frost a small cake or 6 cupcakes. Spring is finally in the air in ...

Read More

Baked Fish and Chips

Baked Fish And Chips

This Baked Fish And Chips recipe without beer is panko crusted cod and potato wedges made healthier by baking everything together as a sheet pan meal. Serve as a dinner for two for a fish fry at home ...

Read More

4 Inch Chocolate Cheesecake recipe

4 Inch Chocolate Cheesecake

Looking to bake cheesecake for two? This 4 Inch Chocolate Cheesecake recipe makes two mini chocolate cheesecakes in springform pans. Garnish with chocolate ganache and cherry pie filling. Last ...

Read More

4 Inch Cheesecake Recipe

4 Inch Cheesecake Recipe

Looking to bake cheesecake for two? This 4 Inch Cheesecake recipe makes two mini cheesecakes in springform pans. Garnish with cherry pie filling, strawberry sauce, and more! With Valentine's ...

Read More

Lasagna For Two

Lasagna For Two

Love lasagna but hate leftovers? Lasagna For Two baked in a loaf pan is a small baked pasta dish that makes only 4 slices. Made with a beef and ricotta cheese filling. Back in 2015, I posted my ...

Read More

Red Velvet Cupcakes (Small Batch)

Small Batch Red Velvet Cupcakes

Small Batch Red Velvet Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting are moist and delicious homemade cupcakes from scratch without a cake mix. Recipe makes 6 cupcakes. I’m backkkkk! Did you miss ...

Read More

6 Inch Gingerbread Cake

6 Inch Gingerbread Cake

This small 6 Inch Gingerbread Cake recipe made from scratch without cake mix is a moist and fluffy cake that tastes like Christmas in every bite. Despite being under a stay at home advisory in ...

Read More

Easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes

Easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes (Small Batch)

Dessert for two ideas for easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes made in a muffin pan. Small batch recipes make 6 mini cheesecakes. Once upon a time I used to be known as the Cheesecake Queen among my ...

Read More

Copyright © 2007–2021 · Chocolate Moosey LLC
All Rights Reserved. All images are registered with the United States Copyright Office.
Please do not use images without permission. To republish a recipe, please link back to the post.
Privacy Policy

Footer

Stay Updated

Subscribe to new recipes via email:

Other Sites By Carla

  • City Life Adventures
  • Carla Cardello

Latest Recipes

Small Lemon Cake with slice taken out

Small Lemon Cake Recipe

This Small Lemon Cake recipe is a 6 inch lemon cake for two from scratch then decorated with homemade lemon buttercream frosting. Yesterday I brought you my lemon buttercream frosting. Today ...

Read More

Blue bowl of Lemon Buttercream Frosting with lemon slices

Lemon Buttercream Frosting (Small Batch)

Need the best lemon frosting recipe for your small cake? This small batch Lemon Buttercream Frosting makes enough to frost a small cake or 6 cupcakes. Spring is finally in the air in ...

Read More

Baked Fish and Chips

Baked Fish And Chips

This Baked Fish And Chips recipe without beer is panko crusted cod and potato wedges made healthier by baking everything together as a sheet pan meal. Serve as a dinner for two for a fish fry at home ...

Read More

4 Inch Chocolate Cheesecake recipe

4 Inch Chocolate Cheesecake

Looking to bake cheesecake for two? This 4 Inch Chocolate Cheesecake recipe makes two mini chocolate cheesecakes in springform pans. Garnish with chocolate ganache and cherry pie filling. Last ...

Read More

4 Inch Cheesecake Recipe

4 Inch Cheesecake Recipe

Looking to bake cheesecake for two? This 4 Inch Cheesecake recipe makes two mini cheesecakes in springform pans. Garnish with cherry pie filling, strawberry sauce, and more! With Valentine's ...

Read More

Lasagna For Two

Lasagna For Two

Love lasagna but hate leftovers? Lasagna For Two baked in a loaf pan is a small baked pasta dish that makes only 4 slices. Made with a beef and ricotta cheese filling. Back in 2015, I posted my ...

Read More

Red Velvet Cupcakes (Small Batch)

Small Batch Red Velvet Cupcakes

Small Batch Red Velvet Cupcakes with cream cheese frosting are moist and delicious homemade cupcakes from scratch without a cake mix. Recipe makes 6 cupcakes. I’m backkkkk! Did you miss ...

Read More

6 Inch Gingerbread Cake

6 Inch Gingerbread Cake

This small 6 Inch Gingerbread Cake recipe made from scratch without cake mix is a moist and fluffy cake that tastes like Christmas in every bite. Despite being under a stay at home advisory in ...

Read More

Easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes

Easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes (Small Batch)

Dessert for two ideas for easy Mini Cheesecake Recipes made in a muffin pan. Small batch recipes make 6 mini cheesecakes. Once upon a time I used to be known as the Cheesecake Queen among my ...

Read More

Copyright © 2007–2021 · Chocolate Moosey LLC
All Rights Reserved. All images are registered with the United States Copyright Office.
Please do not use images without permission. To republish a recipe, please link back to the post.
Privacy Policy