Apples are among the most versatile fruit I know. I just love apples. LOVE apples. Pies, tortes, apple sauce, apple pancakes… the list goes on and on. They have just enough sweetness to not require very much more sugar, and their tartness (provided you use a baking apple) single-handedly enhances any pastry they are added to.
Apple pockets (Apfeltaschen) are consequently one of my favorite pastries, and the best thing is that they are a non-messy affair when you’re eating them, which makes them an ideal snack for kids, young and old. The first round of these mysteriously disappeared over the course of the evening, before I had a chance to even photograph a single one coming out of the oven, much less GLAZE them. (Can I just say, “TSOS” = “teenage son over shoulder”?) I normally put out little signs that say things like, “Please don’t eat.” all the way to “Eat this and be PUNISHED!”, but this time I neglected to do that and was promptly punished myself – with an empty plate.
There was nothing else left to do but to make another batch, but these are so easy and quick, it was not really that bad. The recipe came out of one of my favorite recipe books, “Backen Macht Freude” by Dr. Oetker (the US English edition is called “German Baking Today”). The recipes are easy to follow, accessible and accompanied by helpful photographs. The only substitution I made was to use craisins instead of the raisins that the recipe calls for, as nobody in my family really likes raisins that much.
- 200 ml (3/4 cup + 2 tbsp) milk
- 50 g (1/4 cup) butter
- 375 g (3 cups) flour
- 20 g (1⅔ tbsp) instant yeast
- 50 g (1/4 cup) sugar
- 10 g (3/4 tbsp) vanilla
- 1 egg, beaten
- 500 g (about 1 lb) apples (a good baking apple like McIntosh)
- 50 g (1/3 cup) raisins
- 40 g (3¼ tbsp) sugar
- 20 g (1¼ tbsp) butter
- milk
- sliced almonds
- 100 g (3/4 cup plus 2 tbsp) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tablespoon* (10 g or ¾ tbsp) lemon juice
- 10 g (3/4 tbsp) butter
- Warm up the milk and melt the butter in it. Set aside and let cool to 140 F (60 C) or less.
- Mix the flour and yeast in the bowl of a mixer, slowly add the milk mixture and other ingredients.
- First mix with a paddle until the mass looks lumpy, then knead with a hook until they form a smooth dough.
- Place into a covered container and let rise until double.
- Peel and core the apples and cut them in to small pieces.
- In a pot, sauté the apples with the other ingredients until the apple juices are drawn out. Let cool completely.
- Preheat your oven to 395 F (200 C).
- Roll out the dough to about ¼ inch (6 mm) and cut out circles of about 5 inch (12 cm). Roll out the individual circles a little thinner, brush the rims with milk and place a spoonful of the apple mixture in the middle.
- Fold in half and use a fork to seal them shut.
- Brush with milk and sprinkle with sliced almonds.
- Bake the pockets for about 20 minutes or until golden brown, place on a cooling rack.
- Mix the lemon juice into the powdered sugar.
- Melt the butter and whisk into the mixture.
If I lived at your house, I’d totally be sneaking these apple pockets from over your shoulder and probably ignore your threatening “Don’t Eat!” signs. Just sayin’!
Who does not love an apple pie, the filling is just so good for me
Raymund recently posted..Guest Post : Sofie from German Foodie featuring Zitronenkuchen
Look wonderful. And in about a month or two when local apples start coming to the market, I’m going to be thinking about this recipe! Really nice – thank you.
kitchenriffs recently posted..The Ultimate Chocolate Brownie
I used to make something similar for after school snacks when my girls were little. I’m going to give these a try since younger daughter is home from college this summer. Love baking for my girls! Thanks for sharing!
Stacy recently posted..Cheater Curry Puffs
I could keep many in my pocket my friend, they look incredible
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Choc Chip Uru recently posted..CCU Undercover: Criniti’s
Perfect little hand held pie!! Looks wonderful.
Have a great weekend! ~ Ramona
Ramona recently posted..Thai Peanut Noodles with Shrimp
These are gorgeous! New England has a great apple industry starting in early fall. Definitely bookmarking this one for later.
Jessica | Oh Cake recently posted..Roasted Summer Vegetables ~ Guest Post for Badger Girl Learns to Cook
These look like little apple empanadas! I gotta try these, I love apples too!
mallory @ totalnoms recently posted..Total Noms turns 100, some changes, and a GIVEAWAY!
These look awesome! I am goingno be craving apple pockets all day now. Luckily, I am heading o the grocery store as soon as I make a list. Well as soon as I stop reading recipes and make a list.
They make a great snack.