Irresistible Dulce de Leche Apple Hand Pies: The Ultimate Portable Thanksgiving Dessert Recipe
Welcome to an exciting culinary journey as we kick off Pie Week! This fantastic event, masterminded by Audra and Brandy, is a celebration of all things pie, bringing together a community of food lovers and bakers. While Pie Week officially began on Monday, my schedule had me tied up, preventing me from joining the festivities right at the start. But I’m here now, and I’m thrilled to share a recipe that’s sure to become a new favorite: Dulce de Leche Apple Hand Pies.
What makes Pie Week even more special are the daily giveaways, offering fantastic prizes to lucky winners. Seriously, who can resist the allure of delicious pie recipes coupled with the chance to win free goodies? Today’s prizes are truly exceptional, coming from esteemed brands like OXO and Le Creuset, with a total of four winners to be selected! So, after you’ve explored this delightful recipe, make sure to scroll down to the very bottom of the page to enter the giveaway and discover all the other incredible pie creations being shared by my fellow bloggers.
A Twist on Thanksgiving Desserts: Why Hand Pies are Perfect
Thanksgiving dinner is a feast for the senses, and dessert is always a highlight. In my family, the classic pumpkin pie is a non-negotiable staple. However, depending on the size of our gathering, we often find ourselves needing a second, equally impressive dessert. I am a firm believer in the “second dessert” philosophy; after all, there’s always room for more sweetness!
Last year, I created a Pumpkin Dream Cake that was utterly divine and received rave reviews. This year, I’ve been contemplating what to serve as our special secondary dessert, and these Dulce de Leche Apple Hand Pies have emerged as a strong contender. The combination of dulce de leche and apples is an absolute revelation – truly a match made in heaven that brings together the comforting warmth of apples with the rich, creamy sweetness of caramel. If you’re not yet familiar with dulce de leche, imagine a decadent, gooey caramel sauce, but with an even deeper, more complex flavor profile. It’s simply irresistible!
Crafting Your Hand Pies: Homemade vs. Store-Bought Dulce de Leche
The beauty of these hand pies lies in their delightful filling and convenient, single-serving format. You have options when it comes to the dulce de leche component. While you can easily purchase pre-made dulce de leche at most grocery stores, making it from scratch is incredibly rewarding and surprisingly simple. My friend Erin shared this method for homemade dulce de leche, which I highly recommend if you have the time and desire for a truly bespoke flavor. Whether store-bought or homemade, the rich, caramelized milk base pairs perfectly with the tender apples.
One of my perennial struggles in the kitchen is getting a perfectly neat slice of pie. Does anyone else relate to this? Despite my best efforts, I can never achieve that magazine-worthy slice! This is precisely why I adore hand pies. They eliminate the need for tricky slicing altogether. Each pie is a perfect, self-contained serving, making them ideal for gatherings, picnics, or even a simple dessert after dinner. Their portability also means they’re fantastic for sending home with guests as a sweet leftover treat, ensuring everyone gets to enjoy a little bit of Thanksgiving joy the next day.
These individual apple pies are an excellent addition to any holiday table, especially Thanksgiving. Imagine your guests delighting in their own personal pie, filled with warm, spiced apples and creamy dulce de leche, encased in a flaky, golden crust. They’re elegant, easy to handle, and wonderfully comforting.
Tips for Perfect Dulce de Leche Apple Hand Pies
Achieving the perfect hand pie is simpler than you might think. Here are a few tips to ensure your pies turn out beautifully:
- Choose the Right Apples: While I used Fuji apples for their crispness and sweet-tart flavor, other excellent baking apples include Honeycrisp, Granny Smith (for a tarter pie), Braeburn, or a mix of varieties for a more complex flavor. Dice them uniformly so they cook evenly.
- Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Ensure your pie crust is chilled before cutting and baking. The flour in the apple filling also helps absorb excess moisture, preventing a soggy crust.
- Seal the Edges Well: When crimping the edges with a fork, press firmly to ensure a good seal. This prevents the delicious filling from leaking out during baking. You can also lightly brush the inside edges of the bottom crust with a little water or egg wash before placing the top crust on for extra adhesion.
- Ventilation is Key: Don’t skip the two slits on top of each pie! These vents allow steam to escape, preventing the pies from bursting and ensuring an even bake.
- Egg Wash for Golden Perfection: The egg wash not only gives the pies a beautiful golden-brown finish but also adds a lovely sheen and helps the crust crisp up.
- Don’t Overfill: While tempting, overfilling the hand pies can lead to leaks and make them harder to seal. Stick to about 1 tablespoon of dulce de leche and a modest amount of apple filling.
- Serving Suggestions: These hand pies are best served warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent treat. A light dusting of powdered sugar before serving also adds a nice touch.
These hand pies are not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. You can prepare the apple filling and shape the pies ahead of time, refrigerating them until you’re ready to bake. This makes them an ideal make-ahead dessert for busy holiday schedules, allowing you to spend more time enjoying your guests and less time in the kitchen.
Dulce de Leche Apple Hand Pies
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Ingredients
- 2 9-inch pie crusts
Filling
- 2 cups apples, diced (I used Fuji)
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoon all-purpose flour
- Dulce de Leche, (store bought or homemade)
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tablespoon water
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
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Roll out pie crust. Using a 3 inch biscuit cutter, or glass cut out circles. You should get about 12 per crust (enough for 6 pies).
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Lay out circles. Place about 1 Tbls of dulce de leche in the center of each circle. Top with apple filling. Cover with another circle of dough, and use a fork to crimp the edges shut.
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Place on a greased or lined baking sheet.
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Whisk together egg and water. Brush over the top of the pies.
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Using a sharp knife, slice 2 slits in the top of the pies.
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Bake for 15 minutes, until golden brown.
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Best served warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
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More Pie Inspiration for Your Baking Adventures
We hope you love these Dulce de Leche Apple Hand Pies as much as we do! They truly embody the spirit of comforting, homemade desserts perfect for any occasion, especially during the festive holiday season. Don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win amazing prizes from OXO and Le Creuset. Your kitchen will thank you!
And if you’re looking for even more pie inspiration, you’ve come to the right place. Our fellow bakers have created a stunning array of delicious pies, each with its own unique charm and flavor. Make sure to check them out and find your next favorite:
- Lattice-topped Cranberry Blueberry Pie – The Baker Chick
- Amish Peanut Butter Pie – Nutmeg Nanny
- Whole Wheat Blueberry Hand Pies – Chocolate and Carrots
- Chocolate Cream Pie with Meringue Crust (gluten free) – Dessert for Two
- Bourbon Maple Pumpkin Pie – Eats Well with Others
- Apple Pear Butter Pie with Gingersnap Crust – Bake or Break
- Frosted Slab Apple Pie – Tracey’s Culinary Adventures
- Dulce de Leche Apple Hand Pies – Dinners Dishes and Desserts
- Chipotle Southwest Mini Turkey Pot-Pies – Country Cleaver
- Biscoff Ice Cream Pie – Carla’s Confections
- Apple Pie with Apple Pie Moonshine – Foodie with Family