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With the Fourth of July just around the corner, my cookie brain is dreaming in red, white and blue. Pretty, tasty and portable, these apple pie pockets are sure to be a hit at any barbeque!
First things first… decide whether you want to make your apple pie pockets the homemade way or the faster, more convenient way. If you’re pressed for time, purchase ready made refrigerated pie crust from the grocery store. If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can make your pie crust from scratch. I highly recommend Smitten Kitchen’s All Butter, Really Flaky Pie Dough. Not only is her recipe amazing but she has a great step-by-step tutorial with tons of tips on how to make a buttery, flaky pie crust.
After you’ve decided on the pie crust you are going to use, the next obvious decision is what filling you are going to use. For my apple pie pockets, I used a delicious Caramel Apple recipe from The Purple Foodie. The apples were amazing but I ended up with a little bit more liquid than I wanted in my pockets. No big deal… I just poured some of it out and it worked out perfect. For other homemade apple pie filling recipes check out the below links:
As you prepare your apple pie filling, keep in mind you are making apple pie pockets so you will need to cut your apples into small pieces instead of quarters.
To create your apple pie pockets, start by rolling out your pie crust dough. Make sure that you roll your dough on a floured surface. I tried rolling the dough between wax paper, as I do with cookie dough, and ended up with a sticky mess! Also, roll the dough thinner than you would for a pie. You will have a top and bottom layer on each pie pocket so you don’t want the dough to be so thick that you take away from the taste of the filling. Stack the rolled out dough between sheets of parchment paper and chill in the fridge for 10 to 15 minutes to make cutting easier. While the dough is chilling prepare three small bowls: one with a beaten egg yolk, one with melted butter, and one with a mixture of half cinnamon and half sugar.
For pie pockets that are patriotic, I thought a star shape would be perfect, but you can use whatever shape you like to make these cuties. I also made some simple circles that I later decorated with star shapes.
Use a cookie cutter to cut your pie crust dough into shapes. You need one shape for the top of the apple pie pocket and one shape for the bottom. Use a knife to cut a small “x” in the center of the top shape to allow steam to escape when baking.
Set your bottom shapes on a parchment lined cookie sheet and scoop your apple pie filling into the centers (I added a little apple sauce to boost the apple flavor, a tip from The Purple Foodie). Using a pastry brush, line the edges of the dough with the egg yolk you prepared. This will help seal the edges of your apple pie pockets. Set your top shapes on top of your filling and bottom shapes. Press down around the edges of the pie pocket with a fork, creating indents into the dough. Finally, use a pastry brush to cover the top of each pocket with melted butter and sprinkle with your cinnamon/sugar mixture.
Baking times for the apple pie pockets will vary depending on the shape and size. I baked mine at 350 for 15 to 20 minutes.
Once your apple pie pockets have completely cooled, you’re ready to add the red, white and blue! You will need:
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Red, white and blue sprinkles or sparkling sugar
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A small mixture of half meringue powder and half water
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A small paint brush (clean and used only for baking)
The great part about decorating these is that it’s super simple! Use your paint brush to wipe your meringue powder/water mixture onto your apple pie pocket any where that you want your sanding sugar to stick. Then, use a spoon to sprinkle the sparkling sugar over the pocket. Set it aside to dry for just a few minutes and shake upside down to remove any loose sugar. If needed, you can use a clean dry brush to wipe off any excess sugar that you can’t shake off.
Don’t be afraid to get creative here! Try out different shapes and colors. If you want to use different colors on the same apple pie pocket, simply let one color dry completely before adding the next.
For more creative sweets that are perfect treats for summer barbeque, check out my roundup of Sweets That Look Like Hot Dogs.
These would be so great for a picnic! I just love apple pie, and minis are even better. Also, your chocolate bunny cookies are amazing! The detail on them is so neat and beautiful.
Thanks, Shirley! These were so good that my wheels are spinning trying to come up with different fillings I can use!
So patriotic and i bet they taste just as good as they look!
All I can say is that my official taste tester (hubby) gave them 2 thumbs up!
Oh these are so cute!! My husband loves apple pie, but only with extra crust. These would be perfect for him!!!
They sound right up his alley! They got my hubby’s stamp of approval!
You are so talented! These all look so yummy! I can’t wait to try making those apple pie pockets.
Aww, thanks, Ellen! Let me know how they come out if you decide to give them a try!
What a wonderful idea!
And it looks so cute
I’m not an American but I really like patriotic-baking
Thanks, Winnie!
These are so cute, I love the colored edges, thanks so much for linking up!
Thanks, Belle! Colored sparklies make everything better!
JANINE!!!! Yup I am yelling. Do you know how adorable this idea is???? Too awesome!
Aawww… THANK YOU, Melissa!!!
I love these! Totally festive, and hey, it’s crust.
They do sound right up your alley, Dorothy!
These are so darn cute! LOVE them!
Thank you, Erin!
Seriously yummy! I am going to have to add these to my “Must Make” list. I hope you will link up to my Patriotic Project Parade.
http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2012/06/patriotic-project-parade-linky-party.html
Thanks, Lindy! On my way to check out your link up party!
These are so cute! I’m heading to our local orchard this week for peaches; I think they would work for a filling along with the gluten free pie crust mix I use and maybe… heart shapes! (just thinking out loud here now)
Awesome idea I will most definitely try.
Mmmmm… a peach filling is a delicious idea! And hearts would be super cute! Maybe you could cut a tiny heart out of the center instead of the X to let the steam escape.
These are SO ADORABLE!!!!
I don’t have any patriotic project (I am in Canada, by the way) to link to this party but could not resist and visit you!!!
Cheers!
Thank you, Claudine!
Yummy this looks so good. I need to try it soon.
Love your blog
Check out my food blog if you haven’t already
http://www.thedailysmash101.blogspot.com
Thanks, Ash!
I love these! Thanks for sharing at Sweet & Simple Sunday!!
Thanks, Kim! Glad to be a part of your link party!
What a great idea – super cute!! They are perfect for a holiday party! If you’re interested I’d love to have you link up at my Patriotic Link-Up Party going on till July 4th! http://www.ourhousestory.net/2012/05/patriotic-link-up-party.html
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Jenn! On my way to go check out your link up party!
Congratulations Janine, you’ve been chosen as a featured post at our Patriotic Link-up Party!! Feel free to grab a featured button and let everyone know how special your Star Apple Pie Pockets are!!
Awesome, Jenn! Thanks!
Thanks for linking. These are adorable
Thanks, Suzy!
This is so cute!! I love apple pie, but I always eat too much (just made a pie. Had like, half :p) This is a perfect solution!
Ohhh, these are so stinking cute!
Thanks, Carmen!
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What a perfect dessert for the 4th! Apple pie in star shapes, awesome!
Cute and yummy too!
Very cute!!!!
Thanks, Amber!
Thanks so much Janine for linking up at Heavenly Treats Sunday, this is a wonderful recipe i am pinning to make later.
Thanks, Pamela! Let me know if you come up with a healthier version!
So I made these for 4th of July with Smitten Kitchen’s Crust, and I must say, these are AMAZING! They were so much fun to make, and even more fun to share and to eat! Thank you again so much for sharing these at Sweet & Simple Sunday!!
Kim from Cups by Kim
So glad you enjoyed them, Kim! I loved the crust too. Gotta try it with different fillings now!
Have you linked up with the Friday Flash Blog Linky Party yet? Link up your ONE best post of the week and check out other people’s awesome entries. You may just get highlighted next week!
Jennifer @ The Jenny Evolution
http://thejennyevolution.com/category/linky-parties/friday-flash-blog/
Jennifer recently posted..Everything Can Change In a Minute
Thanks for the invitation, Jennifer!
I saw your Apple Pie Pockets at the Serenity Saturday party and had to stop by and check them out! Such a fun, festive, & yummy idea! Love it!! Thanks for sharing! :*)
Brenda @ Chatting Over Chocolate recently posted..Recipes for a Fun & Delicious Summer!
Thanks for stopping by to check out my apple pie pockets, Brenda!
Looks so cute and so yummy!
KC
KC @ The Real Thing with the Coake Family recently posted..Star Spangled Wreath a 4th of July Craft
Thanks, KC!