Apple spice hand pies
Imagine, instead of a pie on the holiday table, a gigantic bowl of pies. Hand pies, individually sized, just a few bites of goodness and all the same so nobody fights for the largest slices. There would be no extra dishes to wash. And you could make them ahead, even way ahead, and reheat them in the microwave which is fast and easy and really the best way. Imagine that! Apple spice hand pies can be your reality for the holidays; all you need are some discos in the freezer, ready to defrost, and the filling you'd make for a regular apple pie.
Readers of this blog know I'm a huge fan of discos, but if you can't get them, don't despair. Discos are small, flat rounds of dough, available in Latin markets (and sometimes even at Costco) in the frozen food aisle; you can substitute eggroll wrappers, or cut out rounds of pie dough or puff pastry. Make a bunch of these little treats ahead of time for the holidays; your guests of all ages will love them.
Apple spice hand pies
From the pantry, you'll need: raisins, walnuts, lemon, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, kosher salt, cornstarch, discos, egg.
Makes 10; can be multiplied.
Ingredients
2 large firm apples (Cortland, Macoun, etc.), peeled and sliced
4 tsp golden raisins
4 tsp finely chopped walnuts
2 tsp lemon juice
3 Tbsp light brown sugar
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
Pinch of kosher salt
1 tsp cornstarch
1 package of 10 discos, defrosted
1 large egg, beaten with 1 tsp water
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Place the apples, raisins and walnuts in a large mixing bowl.
In a small bowl, whisk together the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and cornstarch. Pour the mixture into the apples, and stir to combine everything well.
Set one disco on the countertop. Spoon a small portion of the apples onto one half of the disco. Wet the edge all around with water (you can use your fingertip to do this), and fold the disco into a half-moon shape. Use a fork to press the edge together, all the way around, to seal the pie.
Place the sealed disco on the baking sheet, and continue until all of the discos are filled.
With a pastry brush, coat each disco with some of the beaten egg.
Bake for 16 minutes, or until the discos are nicely browned.
Remove from the oven and let sit for a few minutes before serving. If you're making them ahead, cool completely and place in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave.
More warm apple desserts:
Slow cooker baked apples, or chunky applesauce, from The Perfect Pantry
Apple crisp wontons, from The Perfect Pantry
Quick and easy apple or pear tart, from The Perfect Pantry
How to make Hasselback apples, from The Kitchn
Chocolate caramel apples, from She Wears Many Hats
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They look delicious and I bet kids would love making them with you too.
I always thought Discos went out with White Leisure Suits and John Travolta. Who knew they are alive and well and surviving as delicious little apple pies!
Those look phenomenal! We need gluten-free discos! ;-)
Shirley
Kalyn, these would be a really fun project to do with kids.
Cousin Martin, these discos are even better -- no polyester suits!
Shirley, I don't know if GF discos exist (I've never seen them), but they should.
Where have these discos been all of my life?! How did I not know about them? These apple hand pies were delicious and a wonderful treat. But the best thing about this is that I now know about the wonder of discos AND they are available at the Shop Rite less than a mile from my house! Thank you!
Debbie, we both have my husband to thank for discovering discos in our local market. I always keep some in the freezer, because you never know when you might want to wrap something!