Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies Recipe

These Salted Caramel Apple Hand Pies are a delightful, individually-portioned dessert that combines the warmth of autumn with the indulgence of caramel. Each bite is a perfect blend of tender, flaky all-butter pie dough, juicy cinnamon apples, and rich, buttery salted caramel sauce. These hand pies are not only delicious but also adorable, making them a perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday or simply enjoying a cozy evening, these pies are sure to bring a smile to your face and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Ingredients:

• For the Pie Dough:

  • 2½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 sticks cubed butter, very cold
  • 6–8 tablespoons of ice water

• For the Filling:

  • 3 apples, cubed (a mix of sweet-tart apples such as Golden Delicious, Fuji, Jonagolds)
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• For the Salted Caramel Sauce:

• 1 cup sugar

• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

• 1/2 cup heavy cream, warmed

• 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt

• Egg Wash:
  • 1 large egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon milk

Instructions:

1. Make the Pie Dough:

   • Combine flour, salt, and sugar in a food processor. Add cubed, very cold butter and pulse until butter is the size of large peas. Add 6 tablespoons of ice water and pulse until the mixture is combined and moist but not wet. Add additional ice water if needed.
   • Remove from food processor and gently knead on a floured surface until combined. Split dough in half and wrap each half in plastic wrap, forming into a square. Chill overnight or for at least 2 hours.

2. Make the Salted Caramel Sauce:

   • Sprinkle the sugar in a large sauté pan in an even layer. Heat over medium heat. Do not mess with it or stir it at all. Once the sugar begins to dissolve and caramelize, start to stir where the sugar is caramelizing. Continue to stir the sugar until it is evenly dissolved and amber brown. Be careful not to let the sugar darken too much or burn.
   • Once caramelized, remove from heat and stir in the room temperature butter until fully incorporated. Add the warmed heavy cream and flaky sea salt, stirring until smooth.

3. Prepare the Apple Filling:

• In a small bowl, combine the cubed apples, lemon juice, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Stir until thoroughly mixed.

4. Assemble the Pies:

   • Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Remove the dough from the refrigerator and unfold it onto a well-floured surface, rolling it out to a 14×14-inch square.
   • Using a 3-inch circular cookie cutter or cup, cut out as many circles as possible. Re-roll the scraps and continue cutting out circles until you run out of dough, ensuring you end up with an even number of circles (approximately 20).
   • Place six of the dough circles on a Silpat or parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Spoon a small portion of the apple filling into the center of each circle, leaving enough of a border around the filling. Top the apple filling with a portion of the chopped caramels and a pinch of sea salt.
   • Place a second dough circle atop each filled circle then use a fork to crimp the edges together, sealing each pie.
   • Brush each pie with the egg wash, and using a sharp knife, cut two or three vents on the top of each pie. Sprinkle the pies with crystal sanding sugar (optional).

5. Bake the Pies:

   • Bake the pies for about 15 minutes, or until they’re golden brown. Remove the pies from the oven and allow them to rest for 10 minutes before serving.

6. Repeat the Filling and Baking Process:

• Repeat the filling and baking process with the remaining dough circles.

Top Tips:

1. Use the Right Apples: A mix of sweet-tart apples like Golden Delicious, Fuji, and Jonagold works best for this recipe. The combination of flavors will enhance the overall taste of your hand pies.

2. Don’t Overwork the Dough: Keep your pie dough cold and handle it gently to prevent it from becoming tough.

3. Caramelize Sugar Carefully: Stir the sugar carefully to avoid burning it, which can ruin the caramel sauce.

4. Add a Pinch of Sea Salt: A pinch of flaky sea salt adds a savory balance to the sweetness of the caramel and apples.

5. Use High-Quality Ingredients: Fresh, high-quality ingredients like organic sugar and Irish grass-fed butter will elevate the flavor of your hand pies.

6. Freeze for Later: You can freeze the assembled pies before baking for up to 2 months. Simply thaw and bake when you’re ready.

Variations:

1. Blueberry Hand Pies: Replace the apple filling with a blueberry filling made from fresh blueberries, cornstarch, granulated sugar, and lemon juice.

2. Strawberry Hand Pies: Use fresh strawberries instead of apples and add a splash of lemon juice for extra flavor.

3. Cherry Hand Pies: Fill the pies with a cherry filling made from cherries, sugar, and cornstarch.

4. Jam-Filled Hand Pies: Fill the pies with your favorite jam or preserves for a quick and easy dessert.

5. Brown Sugar Cinnamon Hand Pies: Replace the caramel sauce with a brown sugar cinnamon filling for a simpler yet delicious dessert.

6. Pumpkin Hand Pies: Add pumpkin puree to the apple filling for a seasonal twist.

Nutritional Guide:

Additional Nutritional Notes:
These hand pies are a treat that should be enjoyed in moderation. The all-butter pie dough and rich caramel sauce contribute to the high calorie and fat content. However, the use of fresh apples and minimal added sugars keeps the nutritional profile relatively balanced. Pairing these hand pies with a side of fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream can help balance out the indulgence.