Autumn Spiced Apple and Pear Hand Pies

Ingredients

• 1 large Pink Lady apple – peeled, cored and diced
• 1 large Bartlett pear – peeled, cored and diced
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 recipe pastry for a 9-inch double crust pie
• 2 tablespoons coarse granulated sugar, or as needed (optional)
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Stir apple, pear, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt together in a bowl. Whisk egg and water together in a small bowl.

Roll pastry out on a lightly floured surface; cut into circles with a 3- to 4-inch round cookie cutter. Spoon a small amount of apple mixture onto center of each pastry circle; fold circles in half and press firmly to seal edges. Crimp with a fork, if desired. Place pies on prepared baking sheet.

Cut 3 small slits in top of each hand pie with a sharp knife. Brush surface of pies with egg mixture; sprinkle with decorating sugar.

Bake in the preheated oven until lightly golden, about 25 minutes; allow pies to cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.

Melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 15-second intervals, stirring after each melting, 1 to 2 minutes. Drizzle melted chocolate over pies.