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- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1 tablespoon sugar - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed - 5-6 tablespoons ice water - 3 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced - 1/4 cup brown sugar - 1 teaspoon cinnamon - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - 1/4 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling) - 1 egg (for egg wash) - Sugar for sprinkling The base of these hand pies is simple and fresh. First, I use 2 cups of all-purpose flour to form the dough. I add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of sugar for flavor. The butter gives the dough a nice texture. I use 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, cold and cubed. Keep it cold for flakiness! I then add 5-6 tablespoons of ice water, just enough to bring the dough together. The filling is where the fun begins. I choose 3 medium apples, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. After peeling, coring, and dicing them, I mix them in a bowl with 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. The lemon juice brightens the flavors. Finally, I drizzle in 1/4 cup of caramel sauce to make each bite sweet and gooey. I brush the tops of the pies with 1 egg for a golden finish. A sprinkle of sugar adds a nice touch too. With these ingredients, we create a tasty fall treat everyone will love. To start, combine the dry ingredients. In a large bowl, mix 2 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. This blend gives your dough flavor. Next, add 1/2 cup of cold, cubed unsalted butter. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix until it looks like coarse crumbs. Slowly add 5-6 tablespoons of ice water, one tablespoon at a time. Mix until the dough holds together. Shape the dough into a disk, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Now let’s prepare the filling. Take 3 medium apples, like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp. Peel, core, and dice them. In a medium bowl, toss the apples with 1/4 cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. This mix brings out the apples' natural sweetness. Finally, drizzle in 1/4 cup of caramel sauce, and stir until the apples are well-coated. After chilling the dough, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about 1/8 inch thick. Use a round cutter or a drinking glass to cut out circles that are 4-5 inches in diameter. On one half of each circle, place a tablespoon of the apple filling. Leave some space around the edge. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges with a fork to seal. Make small slits on top to let steam escape. To bake, apply an egg wash. Beat 1 egg in a small bowl and brush it on top of the pies. Sprinkle some sugar on top for sweetness. Place the hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes until they turn golden brown. For perfect browning, watch them closely during the last few minutes. Enjoy your lovely caramel apple hand pies! - Overworking dough: Working the dough too much makes it tough. Mix until just combined. - Not sealing edges properly: A good seal keeps the filling inside. Use a fork to press the edges. - Temperature control for ingredients: Keep your butter cold. This helps create a flaky crust. - Resting time for dough: Let the dough chill for 30 minutes. This relaxes the gluten and improves texture. - Pairing with ice cream or whipped cream: A scoop of vanilla ice cream adds great creaminess. Whipped cream is light and fluffy. - Creative serving ideas: Serve the pies on a wooden board. Drizzle extra caramel sauce on top for a sweet touch. {{image_2}} You can change the taste of your caramel apple hand pies by using different apples. Granny Smith adds tartness, while Honeycrisp gives sweetness. Mixing varieties creates more depth in flavor. You can also add spices like nutmeg or ginger. A pinch of nutmeg adds warmth, while ginger brings a nice kick. Experiment with these flavors to find your perfect pie. If you need gluten-free hand pies, use gluten-free flour instead of all-purpose flour. Many brands offer great options that work well in recipes. For those who are dairy-free, swap unsalted butter for dairy-free butter. Coconut oil also works, adding a slight coconut flavor. These swaps keep the taste delicious while fitting your diet. You can also create fun sweet and savory hand pies. Add chocolate chips or nuts to the filling for an extra treat. Chocolate pairs well with caramel and apples. For a savory twist, try adding cheese and vegetables. Spinach and feta create a tasty filling. You can fill these pies with whatever you love. The options are endless, so get creative! To keep your caramel apple hand pies fresh, store them properly. Place leftover hand pies in an airtight container. They will stay fresh in the fridge for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them. Wrap each pie in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When you want to enjoy them, just thaw in the fridge overnight. When you’re ready to eat your hand pies, reheating is key. The best method is to use an oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the hand pies on a baking sheet. Heat them for about 10-15 minutes. This keeps the crust crispy and warm. You can also use an air fryer. Set it to 350°F (175°C) and cook for about 5 minutes. This method works great for keeping that perfect texture. Enjoy your delicious hand pies just like fresh! Yes, you can use store-bought pie crust. It saves time and effort. Pre-made dough is convenient. It can help you focus on the filling. However, store-bought crusts may lack the fresh taste of homemade. They can also be less flaky. If you wish for a special touch, try making your dough. It’s easy and fun! Look for a golden-brown color on the crust. This shows they are baked well. You can also check for bubbling filling. If you see steam escaping from slits, they are likely done. The crust should feel firm to the touch. If unsure, you can always bake them a bit longer. Absolutely! You can prepare the filling and dough ahead of time. Store them separately in the fridge. This makes for an easy assembly later. You can also freeze the unbaked hand pies. Just make sure to wrap them well. When ready to bake, no need to thaw. Just add a few extra minutes to the bake time. You can use either store-bought or homemade caramel sauce. Store-bought is quick and tasty. Look for high-quality options with real ingredients. If you want a personal touch, try making your own. Homemade caramel is rich and creamy. It adds a special flavor to your pies. Whichever you choose, make sure it’s smooth and pourable! You’ve learned how to make delicious apple hand pies from scratch. We covered the right ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and tips for the best results. You can even explore fun variations or serving ideas. Enjoying these tasty treats with ice cream or changing flavors keeps things interesting. Remember to store any leftovers properly so they stay fresh. Now, it’s time to try making your hand pies, impress your friends, and savor every bite!

Caramel Apple Hand Pies

Indulge in the sweet goodness of Caramel Apple Hand Pies with this easy recipe! Loaded with tender apples, warm spices, and rich caramel, these handheld desserts are perfect for any occasion. Follow our simple steps to create flaky, golden pies that your family will love. Ready to satisfy your sweet tooth? Click through to explore the full recipe and bring this delicious treat to your kitchen! #CaramelAppleHandPies #Baking #FallRecipes #Desserts
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Ingredients
  

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon sugar

1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed

5-6 tablespoons ice water

3 medium apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp), peeled, cored, and diced

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 cup caramel sauce (plus extra for drizzling)

1 egg (for egg wash)

Sugar for sprinkling

Instructions
 

Make the Dough: In a mixing bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add the cold, cubed butter and mix with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. Form into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

    Prepare the Filling: In a medium bowl, toss the diced apples with brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice until well combined. Drizzle in the caramel sauce and mix until the apples are coated.

      Roll Out the Dough: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out circles using a round cutter or a drinking glass, around 4-5 inches in diameter.

        Assemble the Hand Pies: On one half of each dough circle, place a tablespoon of the apple filling, leaving some space around the edge. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape and press the edges with a fork to seal. Make small slits on top of each pie to allow steam to escape.

          Apply Egg Wash: Beat the egg in a small bowl and brush the tops of the hand pies with the egg wash. Sprinkle a little sugar on top for added sweetness and texture.

            Bake: Place the hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

              Serve: Allow the pies to cool slightly before drizzling extra caramel sauce on top.

                Prep Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour | Servings: 6 hand pies

                  - Presentation Tips: Serve the hand pies warm on a wooden board, with a small bowl of caramel sauce for dipping and a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an extra touch!