Caramelized Apple Hand Pies

Recipe provided courtesy of Taste of Home magazine.  Find more great recipes at www.tasteofhome.com

Caramelized apples are tucked inside a hand-held pie that no one expects you to share.

Caramelized Apple Hand Pies Recipe

Caramelized Apple Hand Pies

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

3 medium apples, peeled and finely chopped

1/3 packed brown sugar

½ tsp. cornstarch

1/8 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. lemon juice

½ tsp. vanilla extract

1 pkg. (14.1 oz.) refrigerated pie pastry

Filling:   ¼ cup coarse sugar

1 tsp. cinnamon

3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

Vanilla ice cream, optional

In a large skillet, heat butter over medium heat.  Add apples; cook and stir 5 minutes.  Mix brown sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon; add to apples.  Cook and stir 7-8 minutes or until apples begin to soften and caramelize.  Remove from heat; stir in lemon juice and vanilla.  Cool.

Preheat oven to 400 F.  On a lightly floured surface, unroll pastry sheets.  Roll to 1/8 inch thickness; cut four 5 inch circles from each sheet.  Place about 3 Tbsp. filling on one half of each circle.  Moisten pastry edges with water.  Fold pastry over filling.  Press edges with a fork to seal, pinch edges to seal and flute.

Transfer to greased baking sheet.  Prick tops of pastry with a fork.  Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove from pans to wire rack.

For topping, mix sugar and cinnamon.  Brush pies with sugar and cinnamon.  Brush pies with melted butter; sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar.  Serve  warm or at room temperature.

(Recipe for Caramelized Apple Hand Pies was in tasteofhome magazine, Recipes From Families Just Like Yours, April/May, 2013)