Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon Apple Filling and Vanillin Glaze Recipe
Delight in these homemade Apple Hand Pies featuring a sweet cinnamon apple filling encased in golden, flaky pie crust and finished with a smooth vanilla glaze. Perfect for a snack or dessert, these portable pies are easy to make and bake to perfection.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 hand pies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 2 smaller Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 Honeycrisp apple, peeled, cored, and diced
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter
For the Assembly:
- 2 sheets of store-bought pie crust
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Cook for 7 minutes until the apples soften slightly. Remove from heat and let the filling cool.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Cut and Assemble Pies: Roll out the store-bought pie crust and cut out 4–5 inch circles using a cookie cutter or the rim of a glass. Place a spoonful of the cooled apple filling in the center of one dough circle. Top with a second dough circle and gently press around the edges to seal.
- Seal and Vent Pies: Crimp the edges with a fork to fully seal the pies. Brush the tops with the beaten egg for a golden finish. Cut two small slits on top of each pie to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake the Hand Pies: Place the hand pies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes until golden brown.
- Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Glaze and Cool: Remove the pies from the oven and let them cool slightly. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled hand pies and let it set for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith mixed with sweeter varieties for balanced flavor and texture.
- The egg wash gives the pies a beautiful golden-brown finish—don’t skip it.
- Adjust the amount of milk in the glaze to reach your desired consistency for drizzling.
- Ensure the edges are well sealed to prevent filling from leaking during baking.
- Store leftover hand pies in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat gently before serving.
