Caramel Apple Mini Hand Pies

Flaky, buttery mini pies filled with warm cinnamon apples and finished with a silky homemade caramel drizzle. Cozy, nostalgic, and irresistible — perfect for fall, holidays, or any day you want something sweet and comforting.

Yield

Makes 8 mini hand pies

Ingredients

For the Apple Filling

2 medium apples, peeled & diced (Honeycrisp or Granny Smith)
2 tbsp butter
3 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
¼ tsp nutmeg
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp cornstarch (mixed with 1 tsp water)

For the Hand Pies

1 box refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts)
1 egg (for egg wash)
1 tbsp milk
Coarse sugar for sprinkling

For the Homemade Caramel Drizzle

½ cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp water
2 tbsp unsalted butter (room temperature)
3 tbsp heavy cream (slightly warmed)
Pinch of salt (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Make the Apple Filling

Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat.
Add apples, brown sugar, white sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and lemon juice.
Cook 5–6 minutes until apples soften.
Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook 1 more minute until thick.
Remove from heat and cool completely.

Step 2: Prep the Pie Crust

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment.
Roll pie crusts out and cut 8 circles (4–5 inches across).
Re-roll scraps if needed.

Step 3: Fill & Seal

Place 1–2 tablespoons of cooled filling in the center of each dough circle.
Fold over into half-moons and press edges with a fork to seal tightly.
Arrange pies on the lined baking sheet.

Step 4: Brush & Sprinkle

Whisk egg and milk to make an egg wash.
Brush pies and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

Step 5: Bake

Bake 14–18 minutes, until golden, crisp, and bubbling at the edges.
Cool slightly before drizzling.

Step 6: Make the Homemade Caramel Drizzle

Add sugar and water to a small saucepan over medium heat.
Avoid stirring — let the sugar dissolve and turn amber.
Once golden, reduce heat to low.
Whisk in butter until melted and smooth.
Slowly pour in warm cream (it will bubble), whisking constantly.
Simmer 1 minute until thickened.
Add a pinch of salt if desired.
Cool slightly before drizzling over the pies.

Step 7: Serve

Drizzle warm caramel generously over each hand pie.
Serve warm for maximum gooey goodness.

Kitchen Tips

• Caramel thickens as it cools — warm it 10 seconds in the microwave to loosen.
• Frozen or pre-made apple pie filling works in a pinch.
• Add chopped pecans or walnuts inside the pies for crunch.
• Pies reheat beautifully at 350°F for 5–7 minutes.

Nutritional Information (Per Pie)

Calories 300, Protein 2g, Fat 14g, Carbohydrates 44g, Fiber 2g, Sugars 26g, Sodium 165mg