Welcome back to our brand new {Back to Basics} series!

On the second Monday of each month, we’ve been joining forces with an incredible group of bloggers – going back to the basics to bring you all sorts of lovely ideas and inspiration!

Today, we’re talking Fall picnics…

And I knew I had to share these sweet (and delicious) little apple hand pies!

They’re the perfect snack for a Fall picnic and are SO simple to make.

Apple Hand Pies

INGREDIENTS

*start with your favourite pie pastry recipe (or you can cheat like I do and use ready made)

– 3 apples, peeled, cored and diced
– 2 tsp lemon juice
– 2 tbsp butter
– 1/2 cup brown sugar
– 2 tbsp flour
– 1 tsp cinnamon
– 1/2 tsp cloves
– 1/2 tsp nutmeg

– 1 egg
– granulated sugar to garnish
 

METHOD

one. Make the filling. Toss the diced apples in the lemon juice. Heat a skillet over medium heat, add in the butter, apples, brown sugar, then sprinkle with flour and spices. Cook for 3-5 minutes, until the butter melts and the apples soften. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, allowing the sauce to thicken a bit.

two. Preheat oven to 375.

three. Roll out the pie pastry to 1/8-inch thick and cut pie crust shapes (I used a 5-inch round cookie cutter, but you could really make them whatever shape you wish). Re-roll the pastry as needed to cut as many pairs as possible.

four. Lay out your pie crusts on a parchment lined baking sheet and top with the apple mixture, taking care not to overfill.

five. Place another pie crust on top of each pie and seal shut by fluting the edges with the tines of a fork. Gently cut a small “x” into the top of each pie.

six. Hand whip the egg in a small bowl with a a fork and then brush the egg wash over your pies. Sprinkle with a bit of granulated sugar.

seven. Pop them in the oven and bake for 20-25 mins until golden brown. Let cool on a baking rack before enjoying.
 
 

These sweet little hand pies are the perfect addition to a Fall picnic! Just toss them in a picnic basket (or a vintage suitcase) with your fave Fall drinks (find my favourite sangria recipe here) and you’ve got a lovely little picnic snack to enjoy through these last few weeks of Fall!

I wish I could say that we sat here under the trees in our backyard, enjoying a beautiful Fall afternoon, but the truth is, it’s been much too chilly for that! Instead, I was scrambling at the last minute to snap these photos through the windiest Fall afternoon ever (as you can see by all the leaves scattered on our lawn). Ha!

At least it all looks lovely. 😉

I did however enjoy a bit of wine and an apple pie (or two) while editing photos at the table, where I was looking out at this lovely view.

Welcome to Fall in Alberta my friends!

Now, don’t forget to check out the other beautiful Fall picnic inspiration below…

Wishing you SUCH a lovely day!