Description
Delightful Apple Cinnamon Roll Hand Pies featuring a warm spiced apple filling encased in soft cinnamon roll dough, baked to golden perfection and topped with a sweet glaze. These individual hand pies blend classic apple pie flavors with the irresistible texture of cinnamon rolls, making them a perfect treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Apple Filling
- 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, finely chopped
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- 1 1/2 tsp. light brown sugar
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. ground allspice
- 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1/8 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/4 cup water
Dough and Assembly
- 2 (12-oz.) tubes cinnamon roll dough (such as Pillsbury)
- All-purpose flour, for dusting
- 1 large egg
- 1 Tbsp. water (divided from total 1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp.)
Glaze and Topping
- 1 cup (113 g) confectioners sugar
- 1 Tbsp. whole milk (or more as needed)
- 2 Tbsp. demerara sugar (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Apple Filling: In a small pot over medium heat, combine chopped apples, lemon juice, light brown sugar, ground cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, kosher salt, and 1/4 cup water. Cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the apples are extremely soft and the liquid thickens, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Prepare the Dough: Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350°F (175°C). On a lightly floured surface, separate the cinnamon roll dough tubes. Roll each dough piece into a thin circle approximately 4 inches in diameter, creating 16 total rounds.
- Assemble the Hand Pies: Place 8 dough rounds on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the apple pie filling onto the center of each round. In a small bowl, whisk together the large egg and the remaining 1 tablespoon water to create an egg wash. Brush the edges of the dough rounds around the filling. Top each with another dough round and gently press edges together, refrigerating the assembled pies for about 15 minutes to chill.
- Seal and Prepare for Baking: Crimp the edges of the hand pies with a fork to seal them properly. Using a paring knife, cut a small “X” on top of each pie for ventilation. Brush the tops with egg wash to promote even browning.
- Bake: Bake the hand pies in the preheated oven until golden brown on all sides and bubbling slightly in the center, approximately 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool for 15 minutes.
- Make the Glaze: In a small bowl, mix the confectioners sugar and milk until you achieve a smooth, spreadable consistency. If the frosting is too thick, add more milk one teaspoon at a time until desired texture is reached.
- Finish and Serve: Using the back of a spoon, spread the glaze over each hand pie. Optionally, sprinkle the tops with demerara sugar for added texture and sweetness. Allow glaze to set slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute Granny Smith apples with other tart apple varieties for a different flavor profile.
- Ensure the filling is thickened well to avoid soggy crusts.
- Chilling the assembled pies before baking helps maintain their shape.
- Demerara sugar adds a nice crunch, but it’s optional based on preference.
- The glaze can be adjusted for sweetness or consistency by varying the milk amount.
- These hand pies can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: apple cinnamon roll hand pies, apple hand pies, cinnamon roll dessert, apple pie hand pies, easy apple dessert
