Mini Baker: Apple Hand Pies

Come Springtime I feel the need to simply my life. That means cleaning out my closets, donating clothes, organizing ALL my baking stuff, and of course... get a new blog template. This one is clean, fresh and simple. So refreshing!

On a side-note, I just saw a commercial for African Cats. My fiance thinks I'm such a dork because I'm SO excited to see this movie. I'm obsessed with big cats, they are amazing. What are some good movies you all have seen lately? We are always looking for new additions for our Netflix queue.

Apple Hand Pies

Crust:

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1/8 teaspoon fine salt

1 1/2 tablespoons granulated white sugar

1/8 cup vegetable shortening, cold

6 tablespoons butter, cold and cubed

1/4 cup icewater

Filling:

INGREDIENTS:

2 granny smith apples (peeled, cored and diced)

1/3 cup brown sugar

2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ground cloves or nutmeg (your choice)

DIRECTIONS:

1. To make the crust first combine the flour, sugar and salt in a food processor. Add the cold cubed butter and cold shortening to the flour mixture. Pulse the food processor until the mixture until the mixture is fine and crumbly. Slowly add the chilled water to the mixture and mix until the crust comes into a large clump.

2. Set the dough aside in the refrigerator and chill for at least 30 minutes. This will make it easier to roll out.

3. While the dough is chilling, peel, core and dice the 2 apples. In a medium bowl mix the brown sugar, cinnamon, and cloves with the diced apples.

4. Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator and roll out onto a floured surface until it is about an 1/8" -1/4" thick. Use a large circle cookie cutter (or a tupperware that is 3-4" in radius).

5. Put 2-3 TBSP. of apple filling on one half of the crust circle. Fold over the side without the filling and use a fork to cinch the two raw ends together. I used some egg wash one the tops of my pies to give them that extra "golden" touch! (But this isn't necessary).

6. Bake at 375 for 20-30 minutes or until they are golden brown.

Note: This recipe yielded 10 mini pies for me, but it all depended on the size of your pies.