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.
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
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!
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
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar.
- Cut Crisco® Baking Sticks All-Vegetable Shortening into flour mixture using pastry blender or fork.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- In a medium bowl, toss the apples with the sugars and apple pie spice.
Assemble the Pies
- Remove dough from refrigerator and remove from the plastic wrap.
- On a generously-floured work surface, roll the dough until it is about 1/8-inch thick.
- Use a 5 inch round cookie cutter to cut the dough into circles. Reroll dough as needed in order to create 8-10 circles.
- Add one heaping tablespoon of filling to the center of each dough circle, leaving as much liquid behind as possible.
- Fold the dough in half and use your fingers or a fork to seal the edges.
- Place hand pies on prepared baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water.
- Use the tip of a sharp knife to cut 2 small slits into the tops of each pie.
- Use a pastry brush to lightly brush the tops of the hand pies with the egg wash. If desired, top with sparkling sugar.
- Bake in preheated for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown.
- Allow hand pies to cool. If desired, serve with homemade salted caramel sauce.
Nutrition Information
Yield 10 Serving Size 1 hand pieAmount Per Serving Calories 169Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 1gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 19mgSodium 223mgCarbohydrates 34gFiber 2gSugar 13gProtein 3g
Nancy
Sunday 7th of November 2021
Hi, and Happy Apple Dayz. Jamie ~
What would be the ingredients in Apple Pie spice? If I can purchase it at the grocers, just tell me I'm a lazy old broad!!
The pies are adorable -- on my list of To Bake This Holiday Season.
Many thanks,
Nancy
Jamie
Wednesday 10th of November 2021
Hi Nancy- Here is a link to the recipe: https://www.mybakingaddiction.com/apple-pie-spice/ -Jamie
deborah long
Wednesday 4th of December 2019
Can I use strawberries and strawberry filling?
Jamie
Sunday 8th of December 2019
Hello! If you have a strawberry filling recipe you like, you should be able to use that in place of the apple filling. Hope this helps! Jamie
Kim
Friday 9th of November 2018
can i premake the pies and store in freezer? for how long can i keep in freezer? if so, do i defrost before baking?
Jamie
Friday 9th of November 2018
Hello! I haven't attempted freezing these, so I am not sure of the result but I think they should be fine. If you happen to give it a try, I'd love to know how they turned out. Thanks so much for stopping by. -Jamie
Shirley Furlong
Monday 27th of August 2018
we pick a lot of apples in the fall. I freeze crisps and pies to cook during the year. I think hand pies would be great for we empty-nesters who don't want a whole pie. A hand pie, a scoop of ice cream ,and caramel sauce would make an attractive dessert. Thanks!
Jamie
Tuesday 28th of August 2018
Thanks so much for stopping by, Shirley! I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Happy Baking! -Jamie
Nevin
Thursday 19th of October 2017
Can I fry it cause I love fried Apple pies
Jamie
Sunday 19th of November 2017
Sure, I think that's a great idea!