Apple Butter Hand Pies
These apple butter hand pies are perfect for fall! Made with flaky puff pastry and spiced apple butter, they’re easy to make and deliciously portable.
Apple Butter Hand Pies
Hand pies are such a great way to enjoy a snack on the go, especially during the fall months! Our apple butter hand pies combine a flaky puff pastry crust with a sweet, spiced apple butter filling. They bake up golden brown and crispy, making them an easy dessert to share with family or take to gatherings. Plus, they’re just as good warm as they are at room temperature!
Why Puff Pastry Works
Puff pastry is ideal for these hand pies because it’s light and flaky. When it bakes, it puffs into layers that are crispy on the outside but soft inside. This texture balances the smooth, rich apple butter filling perfectly. If you want to take things up a notch, drizzle them with some caramel sauce after baking, or try a sprinkle of apple pie spice for extra fall flavor.
Apple Butter as a Filling
Apple butter brings a rich, caramelized flavor to these pies, unlike regular applesauce. Mixed with apple pie spice, it becomes the perfect fall filling. If you love apple-based desserts, you might also enjoy our classic apple pie or easy-to-make cherry hand pies and pumpkin butter hand pies, which are just as portable and delicious.
How to Make Apple Butter Hand Pies
These hand pies are really simple to put together. Here’s how we make them:
- In a bowl, mix apple butter with apple pie spice.
- Unroll the puff pastry and cut each sheet into 6 rectangles. Add a spoonful of the apple butter mixture to the center of each one.
- Brush the edges with the egg wash, place another rectangle on top, and crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
- Brush the tops with more egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, and bake until golden and flaky. You’ll love the way these smell as they bake!
Is pastry dough the same as puff pastry?
Puff pastry has many thin layers that puff up when baked, giving it a light, flaky texture. Regular pastry dough, used for pies, is more solid and chewy.
Are hand pies the same as empanadas?
They’re similar in concept, but hand pies are usually sweet and made with puff pastry or pie crust, while empanadas often have savory fillings and a different, more doughy crust.
Do apple hand pies need to be refrigerated?
To keep them fresh longer, an airtight container in the fridge works best. They’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days.
More Apple Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 cup apple butter
- 1 teaspoon apple pie spice
- 17.3 ounces puff pastry, 2 sheets; thawed according to package directions
- 1 large egg, well beaten
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the apple butter and apple pie spice in a small bowl.1 cup apple butter1 teaspoon apple pie spice
- Unroll the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and cut each sheet into 6 rectangles (12 total).17.3 ounces puff pastry
- Place a spoonful of the apple butter mixture in the center of 6 rectangles, leaving space around the edges.
- Brush the edges of the filled rectangles with the beaten egg. Place the remaining 6 rectangles on top and press the edges with a fork to seal.1 large egg
- Brush the tops of the pies with the egg and sprinkle with sugar.1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- Bake for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and puffed.
- Let the pies cool for a few minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Suggested Equipment
Notes
- The calories listed are an approximation based on the ingredients in the recipe card and a serving size of 1 hand pie. Actual calories will vary.
- See our nutrition disclaimer.