July 4, 2010

Apple Hand Pies : My 50th Post!


Are you looking to increase your daily intake of golden buttery pastry? I was too! And I found the answer in these darling apple hand pies! I first came across the brilliant idea of hand pies over on Amy Karol's Blog. Genius. An apple tart with a heart, just increase the proportion of pastry, decrease the fruit and you're on to a winner. You probably think they're just normal but I have to tell you that the day I made these I ate three. I know. My photo shoot was interrupted by a visitor that informed me I had sugar and crumbs on my face, I was mortified, hence the consumption of a third pie.
I am a bit scared of making pastry, or I was, until I came across the fabulous Leila Lindholm and her gorgeous shortcrust pastry recipe. It really does work each time. She suggests adding 1/2 tablespoon of water but I never do because the eggs I use are quite large, but do add it if you find it's not coming together for you.

Apple Hand Pies
For the Pastry:

150g (5oz) cold butter, diced

240g (8 1/2 oz) plain flour

30g (1 1/4 oz) icing sugar

1 egg

Maybe 1/2 tablespoon cold water if you need it





The Filling:

1 bramley apple

1 normal eating apple, any kind will do

2 tbsps brown sugar

1 tsp cornflour

1 tsp mixed spice


Method

  • Put the butter, flour and suagr into a bowl and mix with your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs. You can also do this in a food processor, works so brilliantly.

  • Add the egg and gently work to bind the ingredient together. Don't knead.

  • Flatten into a disc and cover with cling film. Leave to rest in the fridge for 30 mins.

  • Meanwhile mix the brown sugar, mixed spice and cornflour together.

  • Slice the apples thinly, a mandoline is perfect for this.

  • Roll the pastry out and using a saucer as a template cut out your circle.

  • Layer the apples on one half of the disc, place a teaspoon of the sugar mix over this.

  • Fold over and pinch the sides together like in my photo. Cut three slits on one side.

  • Bake all the pies until golden, 180 c for 20-25 mins.



You can serve this with whipped cream, custard, ice cream or the lovely buttermilk pastry cream that I used in the Strawberry Tart. Gorgeous!

Lilly x

8 comments:

  1. Nice, I always found it hard to get buttery pastry into my diet now I know how! Loving the photography skills, totally jealous. What kind of camera do you use? Nice touch with the snow white pic, is that a place mat? I'm getting obsessed with old kids books lately especially for the illustrations! Congrats on post 50, I'm on post 47 and my blog is no where near as good.

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  2. Oh my gosh I have to make these today! I have so apples I need to use up so this is perfection xx

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  3. salivating here lilly ... blogging etiquette dictates you must send apple hand pies to the third commentator on your 50th blog post otherwise something terrible will happen ...

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  4. That's so funny, Lilly! I always eat apple pies when I'm mortified too. My mother used to have these ready for us when we returned from the beach; they were absolutely delicious and I'm glad they finally have a name and the dignity of an internet presence.

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  5. Congrats on your 50th post Lilly. I've been following since pretty much the beginning when Maeve highlighted the blog on Twitter. It absolutely deserves all its followers - I love when I check my Google reader and a new post by you has popped up! Genuine pleasure to read your lovely, gentle humour and salivate over your deeelicious photos. Keep up the excellent work!

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  6. yummy yummy lilly...sorry not popped by in a while. off to london now this week for a month :( but hopefully i'll keep in touch from there. being very lame on my blogs recently but as usual you inspire me to keep going! s x

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  7. LittleMissS: Thanks! It's my boyfriends Nikon, schaaawing! It's an amazing camera. I always get flour on it though, oops. The snow white picture is a little framed thing my sister got me years ago, very cute!
    Jess: I hope you make them!
    Jaboopee: Uhoh! I better post you one. One apple pie in an envelope hightailing its way to Jaboopeeland!
    Sophie: Thanks! Your blog is jam packed with gorgeous recipes, I have to make some of your stuff soon! That quinoa salad was lovely!
    Mise: Your mother was ahead of her time! We used to eat boring old cream crackers after a trip to the beach!
    Susan: Thanks so much Susan, thats really lovely! I'm glad you like it, and it's great to hear as it keeps me motivated!X
    Sharon: You lucky thing jetting off again! I'm sure you'll be doing some pretty cool things and going to some great foodie places in London! Kepp us updated! X

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  8. I need to be mortified- quick !

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Let me know what you think!x