Autumn Spiced Apple and Pear Hand Pies

Ingredients

• large Pink Lady apple - peeled, cored and diced
• large Bartlett pear - peeled, cored and diced
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• tablespoon vanilla extra ct
• teaspoon scornstarch
• teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground clove s
• pinch salt
• egg
• tablespoon water
• recipepastry for a 9-inch double crust pie
• tablespoon scoarse granulated sugar, or as needed (Optional)
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips (Optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until lightly golden, about 25 minutes; allow pies to cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
6. 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.