Apple Hand Pies are everything you love about fall, in one tiny, edible package. Flaky, tender pie crust with warm and spicy apple pie filling will just make your day!

This post is sponsored recipe development on behalf of Crisco©. All opinions are my own. Thank you for continuing to sponsor the brands that make My Baking Addiction possible.

Crisper temperatures are finally here, and with it, my desire to make apple and pumpkin everything. I feel like this is the first fall where Elle will sort of get it, and I’m excited to capitalize on that by starting our fall traditions early.

One of the recipes that’s been on my mind is pie crust, and apple pies. For years, I’ve considered myself no good at pie crust. But that didn’t really mesh with memories I have of baking pies with my Nana, of which there are plenty.

When I was a kid, we’d spend one of the first crisp fall weekends baking up pies that would see us through the season – potlucks, parties, and holiday get-togethers. My job was to help Nana roll and place the silky pie crusts into each pie pan, ready to be filled with all sorts of good stuff.

I remembered her crusts always being so soft and supple. But in the years since, my homemade experimentations have typically been neither of those things. Crumbly and fall-apart-y is what I’m saying. You too?

I really don’t want Elle to thing that pie crust only comes from a box at the grocery store’s refrigerator section, so I decided it was time to give it another whirl. I even found Nana’s well-worn recipe card that included pie crust. And her secret ingredient? Crisco.

Nana used All-Vegetable Crisco Shortening in the big tub when I was a kid, but I’ve tried both Butter Flavor and All-Vegetable Crisco Shortening and Baking Sticks with this recipe now, and I have to tell you – I love baking with the sticks! They deliver a lighter, higher textured pie crust, and are definitely now my best advice for perfect pie crust.

Elle’s a little small to tackle a wedge of apple pie all on her own, so Apple Hand Pies are the order of the day. Perfect for little hands or big hands to hold and eat during a walk through the neighborhood, kicking up leaves.

Oh, how the memories flooded back as I put together this dough. Sometimes, there’s nothing more important than reveling in everything Nana managed to pass down. Brand loyalty and all. Biting into a delectable Apple Hand Pie with perfectly flaky, everything-you-ever-want-in-a-slice-of-pie crust made my whole day.

It’s been a long while since I’ve been able to spend a day in the kitchen with my Nana. But making these little hand pies made me feel like I gave a little of that to my baby girl. Not to get all sappy or anything, but it’s true. Funny how food does that for you, isn’t it?

I plan on tackling many a pie this holiday season, because now I know the secret ingredients, to all of Nana’s pie recipes. It’s Crisco – and love.

If you’re feeling a little nervous about tackling pie baking after a long time away like I was, Crisco has you covered. This year they’re celebrating their 10th year of the Crisco Pie & Baking Hotline! It’s a great resource for home bakers. You can call 24 hours a day and get answers to all sorts of questions, like “How do I keep my hand pies from getting soggy?”. Even better for this technology-loving girl, you can now get help online at http://www.piehotline.com/.

I’ve teamed up with Crisco as part of the Crisco Scratch Academy baking school to show you how easy it is to make delicious pie crust from scratch. Find new pie recipes and other inspiration for your next baking adventure at the Crisco Heritage Kitchen.

Video filmed and edited in collaboration with Emily Caruso.

Apple Hand Pies

Yield: 8-10 hand pies

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 22 minutes

Total Time: 42 minutes

Apple Hand Pies are everything you love about fall, in one tiny, edible package. Flaky, tender pie crust with warm and spicy apple pie filling will just make your day!

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Ingredients

• 2 cups Pillsbury BEST™ All Purpose Flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3/4 stick (3/4 cup) well-chilled Crisco® Baking Sticks All-Vegetable Shortening, cubed
• 4 to 8 tablespoons ice cold water

For the Filling

• 2 large baking apples, cored, and diced
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons apple pie spice
• 1 teaspoon all-purpose flour

For Topping

• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon water
• sparkling sugar, optional

Instructions

For the Crust

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar.
2. Cut Crisco® Baking Sticks All-Vegetable Shortening into flour mixture using pastry blender or fork.
3. Stir in just enough water with fork until dough holds together. TIP: Test dough for proper moistness by squeezing a marble-sized ball of dough in your hand. If it holds together firmly, do not add any additional water. If the dough crumbles, add more water by the tablespoonful, until dough is moist enough to form a smooth ball when pressed together.
4. Shape dough into a ball and flatten into a round disk. For ease in rolling, wrap dough in plastic wrap. Chill for 30 minutes or up to 2 days.
5. Once dough is chilled and you’re ready to assemble the pies, preheat oven to 400°F, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and prepare the filling.

For the Filling

1. In a medium bowl, toss the apples with the sugars and apple pie spice. 

Assemble the Pies

1. Remove dough from refrigerator and remove from the plastic wrap.
2. On a generously-floured work surface, roll the dough until it is about 1/8-inch thick.
3. Use a 5 inch round cookie cutter to cut the dough into circles. Reroll dough as needed in order to create 8-10 circles.
4. Add one heaping tablespoon of filling to the center of each dough circle, leaving as much liquid behind as possible.
5. Fold the dough in half and use your fingers or a fork to seal the edges.
6. Place hand pies on prepared baking sheet.
7. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water.
8. Use the tip of a sharp knife to cut 2 small slits into the tops of each pie.
9. Use a pastry brush to lightly brush the tops of the hand pies with the egg wash. If desired, top with sparkling sugar.
10. Bake in preheated for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown.
11. Allow hand pies to cool. If desired, serve with homemade salted caramel sauce.

Nutrition Information

Yield 10 Serving Size 1 hand pie
Amount Per Serving Calories 169Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 19mgSodium 223mgCarbohydrates 34gFiber 2gSugar 13gProtein 3g