Baked Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze
Flaky hand pies filled with tender spiced apples, glazed with a sweet cinnamon sugar topping for a portable autumn dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 58 minutes layers all-purpose flour, salt, ice water into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 280 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks), cold and cubed unsalted butter
- 6 tbsp ice water
- 3 medium, peeled, cored, diced Granny Smith apples
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 large, beaten for egg wash egg
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon (for glaze)
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour and 1/2 tsp salt. Add 1 cup cold cubed unsalted butter and cut in with a pastry blender or your fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add 6 tbsp ice water, tossing with a fork until dough just comes together. Form into a disk, wrap in plastic, and chill for 1 hour.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, toss 3 diced peeled Granny Smith apples with 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp cornstarch until evenly coated.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Cut into 4-inch circles using a biscuit cutter.
- Step 4: Place 2 tbsp apple filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold dough over to form a half-moon and press edges to seal using a fork. Brush each hand pie with 1 beaten large egg. Place pies on prepared baking sheet.
- Step 5: Bake for 25-28 minutes or until golden brown and filling is bubbling. Remove from oven and cool slightly.
- Step 6: For glaze, whisk together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk, and 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon until smooth. Drizzle over warm hand pies before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze take to make?
Total time is about 58 minutes (30 min prep + 28 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Baked Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Baked Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Baked Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon Sugar Glaze?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
