I love making sweet apple treats, especially when the air gets a little crisp. There’s something so comforting about the smell of baked apples filling your kitchen.
Today, I’m sharing two easy apple dessert recipes that you’ll want to make right away. They’re perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself!
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Easy Apple Hand Pies
These apple hand pies are just like a small, portable apple pie. They are great for taking on the go or serving at a casual get-together.
I think you will really enjoy the flaky crust and warm, spiced apple filling in every bite.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Hand Pies
- Puff Pastry Shortcut: Using store-bought puff pastry sheets saves a lot of time and gives you a wonderfully flaky crust easily.
- Apple Choice: Firm apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp work best as they hold their shape during baking and offer a nice tartness.
- Crimping Edges: Make sure to press the edges firmly with a fork to seal the hand pies so the filling doesn’t leak out while baking.
What You Need for Apple Hand Pies
- 1 box (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 2 medium apples (like Granny Smith), peeled, cored, and finely diced
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
⏱️ Time: 45 minutes🍽️ Yields: 8 hand pies
How to Make Apple Hand Pies
Step 1: Prep the Apple Filling
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a medium bowl, mix the finely diced apples with sugar, cinnamon, lemon juice, and melted butter. Stir everything well so the apples are coated.
Step 2: Cut and Fill Pastry
Unfold one puff pastry sheet onto a lightly floured surface. Cut it into four equal squares. Place a spoonful of apple filling onto one half of each square, leaving a small border.
Step 3: Seal and Bake Hand Pies
Fold the other half of the pastry over the filling to make a triangle. Press the edges together firmly with your fingers, then use a fork to crimp and seal them well. Brush the tops with beaten egg. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed. Repeat with the second pastry sheet.
📝 Final Note on Apple Hand Pies
Let your hand pies cool for a few minutes before eating, as the apple filling will be hot. You can store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Quick Apple Pie Bites with Crescent Rolls
These tiny apple pie bites are so simple to make and they disappear super fast! They are a fantastic way to enjoy apple pie flavors without making a whole pie.
I often make these when I need a quick dessert, and everyone always loves them, especially with that sweet glaze.
Key Ingredients & Tips for Apple Pie Bites
- Crescent Roll Ease: Canned crescent roll dough is a brilliant time-saver and creates a soft, flaky base for these bites.
- Thin Apple Slices: Slice your apples very thinly so they cook through fully and nicely soften inside the crescent roll.
- Warm Glaze: Drizzle the glaze over the bites while they are still warm so it melts slightly and coats them beautifully.
What You Need for Apple Pie Bites
- 1 can (8 oz) refrigerated crescent roll dough
- 1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or cream
⏱️ Time: 30 minutes🍽️ Yields: 16 bites
How to Make Apple Pie Bites
Step 1: Prepare Apples and Dough
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Unroll the crescent roll dough and separate it into 8 triangles. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon together.
Step 2: Assemble the Bites
Place a few thin apple slices at the wide end of each crescent roll triangle. Sprinkle with the brown sugar and cinnamon mixture. Roll each crescent from the wide end towards the pointed end.
Step 3: Bake and Glaze
Place the rolled bites on a baking sheet. Brush them with the melted butter. Bake for 12-15 minutes, or until they are golden brown. While they bake, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk for the glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the warm apple pie bites before serving.
📝 Final Note on Apple Pie Bites
These apple pie bites are best enjoyed warm, right after baking. If you have any leftovers, you can warm them briefly in the microwave to make them soft again.