Savory Apple and Blue Cheese Hand Pies
Savory Apple and Blue Cheese Hand Pies
Ingredients
2 eggs (beaten)
6 oz. blue cheese (crumbled)
8 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled, about 1/2 cup)
Freshly ground black pepper
1 Tbsp. dark brown sugar
2 tart apples (peeled and sliced)
1 Tbsp. butter (for filling)
7 Tbsp. ice water (plus 1 Tbsp. if needed)
1/2 cup cold butter (cut into small pieces, for pastry)
1 tsp. salt
2 tsp. sugar
2 cups all-purpose flour
Step by step
Equipment needed: KitchenAid® Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer, Pastry Beater
Make the pastry: Attach Pastry Beater to Stand Mixer. Measure flour, sugar and salt into mixer bowl. Set to speed 1 for 30 seconds to combine.
Add butter and set to speed 3 until mixture appears sandy with small clumps of butter, 1 to 2 minutes. Stop and scrape down bowl.
With Stand Mixer on speed 2, add ice water, 2 to 3 tablespoons at a time, just until dough comes together. Do not overmix.
Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a disk. Wrap in waxed or parchment paper and let rest while you make the filling.
Make the filling: Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add apples and sauté 2 minutes. Sprinkle brown sugar over apples and continue to sauté, tossing occasionally, 8 to 10 minutes until liquid evaporates and apples are lightly browned. Season with freshly cracked black pepper. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Make the hand pies: Preheat oven to 375°F.
Turn out one disk of dough at a time onto a lightly floured work surface. Roll out to about 1/8" thick. Use a 5 1/2" round cutter to cut into circles. Repeat with remaining dough.
Brush each circle with beaten egg. Fill each circle with 1/8 of the apple mixture, 1 tablespoon crumbled bacon and 2 to 3 teaspoons blue cheese. Fold dough over to form half moon shape. Seal edges with fork and poke a few holes in the top of each pie.
Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Transfer pies to baking sheet and brush top with additional beaten egg.
Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool before serving.
Tip: The tart flavor and crisp texture of Granny Smith apples make them an excellent choice for baking.