Apple Hand Pies

These are so easy to make but your family/company will think it took you forever to make (as if you really did). They are fabulous and so tasty.

• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 6  yellow Delicious apples, peeled, cored cut into cubes (3/4 “)
• 1/3 cup whipping cream
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• pinch of salt
• 1 lb. frozen puff pastry, thawed
• 1 egg, beaten well
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 3 tbsp. sugar

In a large frypan, melt the butter and sprinkle 1/4 cup of the sugar, stirring to combine and soften (about 2 minutes).

Add the apples, tossing to coat with the butter mixture and increase the heat to a medium high. Flip them over occasionally so the apples can release their juices and become very tender and caramelized. Now add the remaining 1/4 cup of sugar and toss quickly to cover the apples and let the sauce thicken. (approximately 2-3 minutes)

Remove from the heat, gently stir in the lemon juice, vanilla and salt. Set aside and cool to room temperature.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Roll out the pastry on a clean lightly floured surface to about 24 inches. Using a very sharp knife cut the dough into 8 equal squares. Brush the edges of the pastry with some of the egg mixture, saving the rest.

Add 2 very generous tsp. of the apples in the center of each square and fold the dough in half, and be sure to crimp the edges with a fork. Now brush the tops with the remaining egg and transfer to the baking sheet.

In a small bowl mix together the 3 tbsp. sugar and cinnamon. Cut 2 small slits in the top of each square and sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mix over all.

Bake until golden in colour and crispy. This should take about 20-25 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool down a bit before serving. Add a dollop of whipping cream to each one or, if you prefer, vanilla ice cream (Chapman’s of course).

Eat on the day you bake them so you can see just how great they really are.