These quick apple hand pies use store-bought puff pastry

About the recipe

Instead of taking the time to work with homemade pie dough, make these hand-held apple hand pies using store-bought puff pastry. Cook the apples so that their natural liquid is released to form a delicious caramel sauce.

Serves: 6

Hands on Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour and 0 minutes

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

2 large Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and diced

1/3 cup packed light brown sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed

2 egg yolks, beaten

Instructions

In a medium skillet over medium heat, melt the butter until foamy. Add the apples, brown sugar, spices and salt, and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated and sauce has formed a thick caramel, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool to room temperature before refrigerating for at least 15 minutes.

While apple filling is cooling, heat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

On a lightly floured work surface, use a rolling pin to roll out the puff pastry into slightly thinner rectangle shapes. Use a knife or pizza cutter to cut each sheet of pastry into six equal pieces.

Place 3 tablespoons of the cooled apple mixture into the center one piece of pastry, leaving at least a 3/4-inch border on each side. Top with another piece of pastry and seal the edges with a fork, making sure to push out any air pockets, and place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat until you have six individual hand pies.

Brush the tops of each hand pie with the beaten egg yolk, then bake until golden brown, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Serve while still warm.