Low Sugar Lemon Apple Hand Pies

Prep Time:

35m

Bake/Cook Time:

40m - 45m

Yield:

8 pies

Low Sugar Lemon Apple Hand Pies are a fun, portable treat. The apple filling is made with a very small amount of sugar and is flavored with lemon juice and lemon zest. This lower-calorie trick can fool your guests into thinking that these scrumptious hand pies are actually filled with a lemon filling instead of apples.

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Products Used

Extra Fine Granulated Pure Cane Sugar Bag

Ingredients

3 Granny Smith apples
2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest, no white bitter pith
3 tablespoons Imperial Sugar Extra Fine Granulated Sugar
Refrigerated pie crust or Pure Butter Pie Crust

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°F.
Peel apples and cut in quarters. Remove core. Cut each wedge crosswise in about 6 -8 slices.
Place apples in a small saucepan along with water and lemon juice. Cover and heat to a simmer.
Cook until tender, about 6-8 minutes. Near the end of the cooking period, remove the lid to allow liquid to escape.
If any liquid remains, drain and transfer to a blender. Blend to a puree.
Add zest and sugar and mix just until combined. Set aside to cool. If you prefer, you can add a touch more sugar.
Set aside a square or round sharp cutter about 3-inches in diameter.
Roll half the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8-inch thick.
Cut dough into desired shapes and place on cookie sheets.
In center of each piece of dough, place a generous tablespoon of apple filling.
Reroll remaining dough to 1/8-inch-thick for the top layer of the hand pie, and cut a few holes in center with a cookie cutter or paring knife to allow steam to escape from filling.
Brush a tiny bit of water on edges of top dough pieces and flip upside down. This will ensure that the water brushed edge will make contact with bottom dough. Using a fork, gently press edges together all around the hand pie.
Brush surface with a thin coat of water or beaten egg. Egg will create a more golden surface.
If desired, sprinkle with a little granulated sugar and place in oven.
After 15 minutes in the oven reduce the temperature to 375°F and bake for an additional 25 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Remove from oven and cool on wire rack.