Vegan Rustic Apple Hand Pies
makes: 6 to 8 hand pies
time: 45 minutes
INGREDIENTS
4 cups of apples (about 4 medium-sized apples), peeled, cored, and diced
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 cup coconut sugar, plus 1 tablespoon for dusting
2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/3 cup almond milk
2 sheets of frozen puff pastry, thawed
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, for dusting
1 tablespoon coconut oil, for brushing (egg wash)
2 tablespoon powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)
RECIPE
In a saucepan, combine the diced apples, ground cinnamon, cornstarch, coconut sugar, maple syrup, lemon juice, and almond milk. Stir well to coat the apples with the sugar and spices.
Place the saucepan over medium heat and cook the apple mixture, stirring constantly, for about 5-7 minutes. The mixture should thicken, and the apples should become tender. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the filling to cool slightly.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Lightly dust a clean work surface with all-purpose flour to prevent sticking. Roll out one sheet of thawed puff pastry into a large rectangle. Using a sharp knife or a pastry cutter, cut the pastry into 3-4 inch squares, depending on your preference for the size of the hand pies.
Place a spoonful of the prepared and slightly cooled apple filling in the center of each pastry square, leaving some space around the edges. Be careful not to overfill.
Fold each pastry square in half to form a triangle, enclosing the apple filling. Use a brush to apply a thin layer of coconut oil (egg wash) to the tops of the hand pies, ensuring they have a glossy finish.
Sprinkle each hand pie with a pinch of extra coconut sugar for a sweet, crispy topping.
Using a sharp knife, make a few small slits on the top of each hand pie to allow steam to escape during baking.
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the hand pies are golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
Remove the hand pies from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack for a few minutes.
If desired, dust the hand pies with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
Enjoy!
Bon appétit!
