Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon and Lemon Glaze Recipe are those delightful little pockets of fall magic that you can whip up anytime you crave something warm, cozy, and perfectly portable. Whether it’s a chilly afternoon snack, a dessert after dinner, or a treat to bring to your next gathering, these hand pies hit the spot. Their tender, cinnamon-spiced apple filling wrapped in flaky dough, finished with a tangy lemon glaze, makes each bite a little moment of joy.
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In the Kitchen
This Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon and Lemon Glaze Recipe is one of my favorites because it combines simple ingredients into a comforting treat that's easy to make and always impresses. You'll enjoy the bright, tart contrast from the lemon glaze against the warmly spiced apple filling wrapped in golden, flaky pastry.
- Juicy and Tender Every Time: Cooking the apple filling gently with butter, sugar, and lemon juice ensures it’s soft but not mushy, locking in all those fresh apple flavors.
- Golden, Satisfying Finish: Brushing the hand pies with egg wash before baking creates a toasty, beautifully browned crust that’s just irresistible.
- Simple Ingredients, Big Impact: Using store-bought pie crust saves time, and combining Granny Smith with Honeycrisp apples adds both tartness and natural sweetness.
- Weeknight to Weekend Ready: This recipe is manageable for a quick dessert midweek but elegant enough for entertaining friends on weekends.
Ingredients at a Glance
Choosing the right apples and a good-quality pie crust takes your Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon and Lemon Glaze Recipe from average to exceptional. Each ingredient plays a role in texture and flavor, so picking fresh and just-right items helps a lot.
- Granny Smith apples: Opt for firm, tart ones to balance sweetness and hold shape after cooking.
- Honeycrisp apples: Pick crisp and juicy apples for natural sweetness and a tender bite.
- Store-bought pie crust: Use a good-quality, refrigerated crust for ease and reliable flakiness.
- Butter: Real butter adds creamy richness to the filling’s texture.
- Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed delivers bright, fresh acidity that lifts the filling.
Heads-Up: Exact measurements are in the printable recipe card at the bottom.
How to Make Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon and Lemon Glaze Recipe
Step 1 — Prepare the Apple Filling
First, melt the butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan. Add your peeled, cored, and diced Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples along with granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Cooking this mixture for about 5 to 7 minutes softens the apples just enough—you want them tender with a slight bite, not mushy. Stir occasionally and watch for a warm, fragrant aroma of cinnamon and caramelized sugar. When they're just ready, take the pan off the heat and let the filling cool completely before assembling the pies. This step is crucial so your dough doesn’t get soggy!
Step 2 — Assemble the Hand Pies
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the store-bought pie crust on a lightly floured surface to smooth it out. Use a 4–5 inch circular cutter or a glass to cut out even rounds. You’ll want pairs of circles for each pie. Place a generous spoonful of your cooled apple filling in the center of one circle, then top with the second circle. Gently press the edges to seal the filling inside—try not to spill the sides! Use a fork to crimp and seal the edges thoroughly; this ensures filling stays put and gives your pies a charming, classic look. Finally, cut two small slits on top of each pie to let steam escape while baking.
Step 3 — Bake to Golden Perfection
Brush the tops of each hand pie with beaten egg. This step guarantees that signature golden, shiny crust you’ll love to see. Pop the pies onto your prepared baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the crust turns a warm golden brown and releases a delicious, buttery scent. Once out of the oven, let them cool slightly so the filling firms up a bit—this makes them easier to handle and eat without burning your fingers.
Step 4 — Whisk and Drizzle the Lemon Glaze
While the pies cool, mix together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth. Adjust the milk quantity a little if the glaze feels too thick or thin—it should be just thick enough to hold its shape when drizzled. Drizzle this luscious lemon glaze over the hand pies and let it set for several minutes. This glaze adds a perfect sweet-tart finishing touch, balancing the deeper cinnamon flavors in the filling and cutting through the richness of the crust.
Things to Remember
Making this Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon and Lemon Glaze Recipe is straightforward, but a few key tips can help you nail it every time. Don’t rush the filling cooling and be sure to seal those edges tight to avoid leak-outs. The glaze is flexible, so tweak as needed to get your preferred texture and balance of sweetness.
- Doneness Cue: The pies should be golden all over and firm to touch but not hard.
- Temperature Trick: Keep your oven consistently at 400°F for even, crisp baking.
- Make-Ahead Move: You can assemble frozen hand pies in advance and bake them straight from the freezer—just add a few extra minutes.
- Common Pitfall: Avoid soggy crust by fully cooling the apple filling before assembly.
Ways to Serve It
Finishing Touches
Drizzling the lemon glaze generously over the cooled Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon and Lemon Glaze Recipe brightens the whole experience, bringing a tangy contrast that balances the warm spices and sweet apples. You could sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top of the glaze for an interesting twist that cuts through sweetness while highlighting layers of flavor.
Plays Well With
These hand pies pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream when you want something extra indulgent. For a more casual snack, a hot cup of chai tea or a cinnamon-spiced latte complements the warm cinnamon and apple notes beautifully.
Simple Plating Upgrades
For a quick upgrade, arrange your hand pies on a rustic wooden board dusted lightly with cinnamon powder. Garnish with fresh lemon zest or tiny edible flowers for a hint of color and freshness—perfect if you’re serving guests or need an Instagram-worthy shot.
Make-Ahead & Keeping Fresh
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover hand pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. For longer freshness, keep them in the fridge for up to 4 days, but expect the crust to soften slightly. Reheating helps regain some crispness.
Freezing Tips
This Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon and Lemon Glaze Recipe freezes really well. Freeze the assembled pies on a baking sheet until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag or airtight container. Bake straight from frozen, adding 5 to 7 extra minutes to the baking time so the filling heats through fully. It’s a lifesaver for busy days!
Reheating Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon and Lemon Glaze Recipe Without Drying Out
To reheat without drying the pies out, I recommend warming them in an oven at 325°F for about 8-10 minutes. This keeps the crust flaky and the filling moist. Using a microwave is faster but can make the crust soft; pop the pies for 20-30 seconds, then briefly toast in a toaster oven or under the broiler to crisp the crust. The air fryer also works wonders for crisping up leftovers—just 3-4 minutes at 350°F and you’re good.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! While Granny Smith and Honeycrisp offer a great balance of tartness and sweetness, you can substitute with Fuji, Pink Lady, or Braeburn. Just make sure they hold up well when cooked and aren’t too soft or watery.
Homemade pie crust brings that special personal touch and can be wonderful, but the store-bought crust is convenient and produces reliably flaky results. If pressed for time, don’t hesitate to go store-bought—they still shine beautifully with this recipe.
The slits allow steam from the hot apple filling to escape during baking, preventing the pies from bursting or becoming soggy. They also give a nice vented look that’s classic for hand pies.
Yes! Substitute the butter with a plant-based alternative like coconut oil or vegan butter, and use a dairy-free pie crust. The flavor might change slightly, but it’ll still be delicious.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoy making this Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon and Lemon Glaze Recipe as much as I do. It’s one of those comforting treats that’s just as fun to bake as it is to eat, with that warm cinnamon aroma filling your kitchen and the sweet-tart glaze making each bite sing. Whether you’re treating yourself or surprising your loved ones, these hand pies never fail to bring a bit of homemade happiness to the table. Give yourself plenty of time and savor every step — I promise the payoff is worth it!
PrintFull Printable Recipe
Apple Hand Pies with Cinnamon and Lemon Glaze Recipe
Delight in these homemade Apple Hand Pies featuring a warm, cinnamon-spiced apple filling sealed inside flaky store-bought pie crusts, finished with a sweet vanilla glaze. Perfect as a comforting dessert or snack.
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 hand pies
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 2 smaller Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 Honeycrisp apple, peeled, cored, and diced
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon butter
For the Assembly:
- 2 sheets of store-bought pie crust
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add diced Granny Smith and Honeycrisp apples, granulated sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and lemon juice. Cook for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until apples soften slightly. Remove from heat and allow the filling to cool completely.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even baking.
- Cut Dough Circles: Roll out the store-bought pie crust sheets, then use a 5-inch cookie cutter or glass rim to cut out circles for the hand pies.
- Fill and Seal Pies: Place a spoonful of cooled apple filling in the center of one dough circle. Top with a second dough circle and gently press the edges together. Crimp edges with a fork to seal fully.
- Prepare Pies for Baking: Brush the tops of each pie with beaten egg to achieve a golden-brown finish. Cut two small slits on top of each pie to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake the Hand Pies: Arrange hand pies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
- Make the Glaze: While pies bake, whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth.
- Glaze the Pies: After removing pies from the oven and allowing them to cool slightly, drizzle the vanilla glaze evenly over the top. Let the glaze set for several minutes before serving.
Notes
- Use tart apples like Granny Smith and sweet varieties like Honeycrisp for a balanced flavor.
- If store-bought pie crust is unavailable, homemade pie dough can be substituted.
- The glaze thickness can be adjusted by adding more milk or powdered sugar.
- Hand pies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerated for up to 4 days.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute butter for a plant-based margarine and use a non-dairy milk in the glaze.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
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