Caramel Sea Salt Mini Apple Hand Pies.

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I’m on a mini kick lately.  My family can’t seem to get enough of the cute, bite-sized food and I love that everyone gets their own.  The size and amount of filling can be adjusted to what you have on hand. Apple pie epitomizes fall and that my dear, is perfection in my eyes.

You can make this recipe super easy by using store-bought pie crust and candy caramels or jarred caramel.  

Ingredients for pie crust:
2.5 cups of all-purpose flour (I used King Arthur)
1.5 tablespoons of sugar
1 teaspoon of salt
1 cup (yes it’s a lot of butter), use the best butter you can attain (I used Irish butter), ice cold and cut into small cubes
3/4 cup of ice water

Directions:

If you have a pastry cutter you will mix the ingredients into a bowl and use the pastry cutter to incorporate the ingredients.  If you don’t have a pastry cutter, place the ingredients (minus the water) into your food processor and process until the butter and flour are lumpy and still retaining the texture (think crumbles).  Then drizzle the cold water through the spout and process until incorporated.  Divide the dough, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1.5-2 hours.

Place all of the ingredients into a bowl and using your pastry cutter/knife, cut the cold butter into the flour – breaking it down as much as you can.  Then add the water.  Knead with your hand – working the dough until no flour remains at the bottom of your bowl.  This will take a few minutes.  Then divide the dough into two balls, wrap individually with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1.5-2 hours.  You will visually see chunks of butter in the dough and that is expected.  That will make the pastry crust so flaky and absolute perfection!

Ingredients for apple pie filling:

2 larger size firm apples (I used one fugi and one cameo), cored, peeled and diced finely
1 tablespoon of all purpose flour
1 teaspoon of apple pie seasoning
Pinch of salt (1/8 tsp)
Caramel candies, caramel from a jar or my caramel recipe found here.
1 egg, beaten
Sugar
Sea salt

Directions:

Mix all of the ingredients through the salt and blend well.

Assembly:

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.  Line your baking sheet with parchment or a silpat liner.  Set that aside.

Roll out your dough until about 1/8-1/4 inch thick.  With a large mouth glass or biscuit cutter, cut the individual pieces.  Lay the bottom pieces out on your prepared pan.  With a teaspoon, spoon out a bit of the apple filling onto each dough slice.  Then cut enough tops to cover.  I try to cut the top pieces slightly larger to cover over the apples.  Add a bit of caramel to each apple filling mound.  If using the candy caramel – chop it up first and add a few pieces, if using melted caramel – spoon about 1 teaspoon over the top of the chopped apple filling.  Then top with your top piece of crust.  Press the edges together so it forms a seal.  Then pierce the top of each hand pie with a knife to let the steam escape while cooking.  Brush a bit of the egg wash over top and sprinkle with sugar if you wish.  Bake for 18 minutes or so or until golden and the juices are flowing (hence the baking mat to protect your pan).  Spoon additional melted caramel and dust with sea salt if you wish. Let cool completely before handling.

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I found a jar of this in my cupboard and opted to use it.

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— Knead to Cook

Comments

  1. I wish you could hear the sounds I was making as I scrolled down through your photos. If I had to describe it I would say it sounded like I was watching the fourth of July fireworks! Ha ha. I love this idea, and is so in line with my whole philosophy of eating. Eat the best yummiest treats, but in moderation. That way you’ll never feel deprived. I love how these are portion controlled in such a fun cute way.

    • I love you girl and the support is so appreciated. Your package is going out this weekend. Busy week. I miss you and you need to find a race for us to do this spring!!! I’ll come up to VT. oxo

  2. I am never not in a mini-kick. At 5′ flat it’s sort of a running theme in my life. If you can take something and shrink it down, I am probably going to love it. These look to be no exception.

  3. these look delish!

  4. What adorable mini apple pie-lets. I love them. I think they would be great on the buffet table for a dinner party. Not that I wouldn’t love them for Sunday family dinner.

  5. I will be traveling for Thanksgiving. Do you think these could be made a day or two before? I would probably warm them and then add the topping.

    • Joey, You can make and freeze (without baking) then bake when you arrive for sure. If not bake (the caramel is inside and drizzled on top) – just reheat until thoroughly warmed and drizzle more on top with the sea salt. Enjoy!

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