Golden Apple Half Moons: A Delightful Dessert Recipe

Apple half moons, also known as apple turnovers or apple hand pies depending on the specific recipe and regional variations, are a classic and comforting dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. These delightful treats feature a flaky, buttery crust filled with tender, spiced apples that are baked to golden perfection. The combination of textures and flavors is simply irresistible. This recipe focuses on creating a simple yet delicious version of apple half moons that you can easily make at home, even if you’re a beginner baker.

This comprehensive guide provides detailed instructions, tips, and tricks to ensure your apple half moons turn out perfectly every time. From making the dough to preparing the apple filling and assembling the pastries, we’ll cover every step of the process. Let’s embark on this baking adventure and create some golden apple half moons that will tantalize your taste buds.

## Ingredients:

Before you start, gather all the necessary ingredients. This will make the baking process smoother and more efficient. The ingredients are divided into two categories: the dough and the apple filling.

**For the Dough:**

* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
* 1/2 cup ice water
* 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar (optional, but helps with flakiness)

**For the Apple Filling:**

* 4 medium apples (such as Granny Smith, Honeycrisp, or Fuji), peeled, cored, and diced
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar
* 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
* 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
* 1 tablespoon lemon juice

**For the Egg Wash (Optional):**

* 1 large egg
* 1 tablespoon milk or water

**For Sprinkling (Optional):**

* Turbinado sugar or granulated sugar

## Equipment:

* Large mixing bowl
* Pastry blender or food processor (optional)
* Rolling pin
* Knife or pizza cutter
* Baking sheet
* Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
* Small bowl for egg wash
* Pastry brush

## Instructions:

Now that you have all the ingredients and equipment ready, let’s start making the apple half moons. The process is divided into several steps:

### Step 1: Make the Dough

1. **Combine dry ingredients:** In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.
2. **Cut in the butter:** Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry blender or your fingertips to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. The butter should be in small pieces, about the size of peas.

* **Tip:** Work quickly to prevent the butter from melting. If the butter starts to get too soft, place the bowl in the freezer for 10-15 minutes.

* **Alternative method (Food Processor):** Pulse the flour, salt, and butter in a food processor until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Be careful not to over-process.
3. **Add the wet ingredients:** Gradually add the ice water and apple cider vinegar (if using) to the flour and butter mixture, mixing until the dough just comes together. Do not overmix. The dough should be slightly shaggy.
4. **Form the dough:** Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently form it into a disk, about 1 inch thick.
5. **Chill the dough:** Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 2 hours. This allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up, resulting in a flakier crust.

### Step 2: Prepare the Apple Filling

1. **Combine the ingredients:** In a large bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Toss to coat evenly.
2. **Cook the filling:** In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the apple mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are softened and the filling has thickened, about 8-10 minutes. The apples should be tender but still hold their shape.
3. **Add lemon juice:** Stir in the lemon juice. This will brighten the flavor of the filling and prevent the apples from browning too much.
4. **Cool the filling:** Remove the skillet from the heat and let the filling cool completely. This prevents the dough from becoming soggy.

### Step 3: Assemble the Apple Half Moons

1. **Preheat the oven:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
2. **Roll out the dough:** On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a large circle, about 1/8 inch thick.
3. **Cut out circles:** Use a round cookie cutter or a knife to cut out circles from the dough. The size of the circles will determine the size of your half moons. A 4-inch diameter circle is a good starting point.
4. **Fill the circles:** Place a spoonful of the cooled apple filling onto one half of each circle, leaving a small border around the edge.
5. **Fold and seal:** Fold the other half of the circle over the filling to create a half-moon shape. Press the edges together firmly to seal. You can use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative touch and to ensure a tight seal.
6. **Place on baking sheet:** Place the assembled apple half moons onto the prepared baking sheet, leaving some space between each one.

### Step 4: Bake the Apple Half Moons

1. **Prepare the egg wash (optional):** In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and milk or water.
2. **Brush with egg wash (optional):** Brush the tops of the apple half moons with the egg wash. This will give them a golden, glossy finish.
3. **Sprinkle with sugar (optional):** Sprinkle the tops of the apple half moons with turbinado sugar or granulated sugar. This adds a touch of sweetness and crunch.
4. **Bake:** Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the apple half moons are golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
5. **Cool:** Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the apple half moons cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

## Tips and Tricks for Perfect Apple Half Moons:

* **Keep the ingredients cold:** Cold butter and ice water are essential for creating a flaky crust. Make sure your butter is very cold before you start, and use ice water to hydrate the dough.
* **Don’t overmix the dough:** Overmixing the dough will develop the gluten, resulting in a tough crust. Mix the dough until it just comes together.
* **Chill the dough:** Chilling the dough allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up, resulting in a flakier crust. Don’t skip this step!
* **Use a variety of apples:** Using a combination of apple varieties will add depth of flavor to the filling. Granny Smith apples provide tartness, while Honeycrisp or Fuji apples add sweetness.
* **Don’t overfill the pastries:** Overfilling the pastries will make them difficult to seal and may cause the filling to leak out during baking.
* **Seal the edges tightly:** Press the edges of the pastries together firmly to seal. You can use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative touch and to ensure a tight seal.
* **Bake until golden brown:** Bake the apple half moons until they are golden brown and the filling is bubbly. This ensures that the crust is fully cooked and the filling is heated through.
* **Let them cool:** Allow the apple half moons to cool slightly before serving. This allows the filling to set and prevents them from being too hot to handle.

## Variations and Additions:

* **Add nuts:** Add chopped walnuts, pecans, or almonds to the apple filling for a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
* **Use different spices:** Experiment with different spices, such as cardamom, ginger, or allspice, to customize the flavor of the filling.
* **Add raisins or cranberries:** Add raisins or dried cranberries to the apple filling for a chewy texture and added sweetness.
* **Glaze the pastries:** After baking, brush the cooled apple half moons with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk or lemon juice.
* **Serve with ice cream or whipped cream:** Serve the warm apple half moons with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra-indulgent treat.
* **Make mini apple half moons:** Use a smaller cookie cutter to create mini apple half moons. These are perfect for parties or as a bite-sized dessert.
* **Caramel Apple Half Moons:** Add a swirl of caramel sauce to the apple filling before baking.
* **Apple Cheddar Half Moons:** For a savory twist, add a small amount of shredded cheddar cheese to the apple filling.
* **Use Puff Pastry:** While this recipe focuses on homemade dough, you can use store-bought puff pastry for a quicker version. Simply cut the puff pastry into squares, fill with the apple mixture, fold, and bake.

## Serving Suggestions:

Apple half moons are best served warm, but they can also be enjoyed at room temperature. They are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with a variety of accompaniments.

* **Vanilla ice cream:** A classic pairing that complements the warm, spiced apples.
* **Whipped cream:** Light and fluffy, whipped cream adds a touch of elegance.
* **Caramel sauce:** Drizzle with caramel sauce for an extra layer of sweetness.
* **Cinnamon sugar:** Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar for a simple and satisfying finish.
* **Warm custard:** Serve with warm custard for a comforting and decadent dessert.
* **Coffee or tea:** Enjoy with a cup of coffee or tea for a cozy afternoon treat.

## Storage Instructions:

* **Room temperature:** Apple half moons can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
* **Refrigerator:** For longer storage, store the apple half moons in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
* **Freezer:** Apple half moons can be frozen for up to 2 months. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate):

Nutritional information will vary depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used. However, a single apple half moon typically contains:

* Calories: 250-350
* Fat: 12-18g
* Saturated Fat: 7-10g
* Cholesterol: 30-50mg
* Sodium: 150-250mg
* Carbohydrates: 35-45g
* Fiber: 2-4g
* Sugar: 15-25g
* Protein: 3-5g

This information is for general guidance only. For accurate nutritional information, it is best to use a nutrition calculator and input the specific ingredients and quantities used in your recipe.

## Conclusion:

Apple half moons are a delightful and versatile dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. With their flaky crust, tender apple filling, and warm spices, they are sure to be a crowd-pleaser. This recipe provides a simple and easy-to-follow guide for making apple half moons at home. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake some golden apple half moons that will tantalize your taste buds and fill your home with the comforting aroma of cinnamon and apples. Whether you enjoy them on their own or with a scoop of ice cream, apple half moons are a sweet treat that will bring joy to your table. Enjoy your baking adventure!