Amish Half Moon Pies or Preaching Pies
🕒 Cook Time: 50 minutes
🕒 Prep Time: 30 minutes
🕒 Total Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Description: These delightful little pies, known as Amish Half Moon Pies or Preaching Pies, have a charming history. Originally made to keep children quiet during church services, they’ve since become a beloved treat for picnics, potlucks, breakfast, or any occasion where a delicious dessert is welcomed. Their portability and the fact that they freeze well make them a practical choice for busy families or for indulging visiting grandkids.
Recipe Category: Pie
Keywords: Dessert, Fruit, European, Low Protein, Low Cholesterol, Healthy, Kid Friendly, Potluck, Weeknight, Oven, Less than 4 Hours, Easy
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 492.5
- Fat Content: 10.1g
- Saturated Fat Content: 2.5g
- Cholesterol Content: 0mg
- Sodium Content: 208.5mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 102.7g
- Fiber Content: 4.7g
- Sugar Content: 85.1g
- Protein Content: 2.4g
Recipe Yield: 6 Half Moon Pies
Ingredients:
- 2 cups dried apples
- 2 cups water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup sugar
- Zest of 1 orange
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pastry for single-crust pie (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions:
-
Cook the Dried Apples: In a saucepan, combine the dried apples with water and salt. Cook over medium heat until the apples are soft and pulpy, and the water has mostly evaporated.
-
Add Sweetness and Spice: Once the apples are cooked, stir in the sugar, orange zest, and ground cinnamon. Allow the mixture to simmer until any remaining water has cooked away, and the flavors have melded together beautifully.
-
Prepare the Pastry: While the apple mixture is simmering, roll out the pastry on a floured surface. Cut the pastry into 8-inch circles using a pastry cutter or a plate as a guide.
-
Assemble the Pies: Spoon generous portions of the cooked apple filling onto half of each pastry round. Carefully fold the pastry over the filling to create a half-moon shape, then pinch the edges tightly together to seal in the deliciousness.
-
Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C). Place the assembled pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each one. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until the pastry begins to turn a light golden brown.
-
Reduce Heat and Finish Baking: After 10 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 350°F (175°C) and continue baking the pies for an additional 35 to 40 minutes, or until the pastry is beautifully golden brown and the filling is bubbly and fragrant.
-
Serve and Enjoy: Once baked to perfection, allow the pies to cool slightly before serving. These Amish Half Moon Pies are delicious enjoyed warm or at room temperature, and they pair perfectly with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra-special treat!
These delightful little pies are sure to become a family favorite, with their irresistible combination of sweet, spiced apple filling and tender, flaky pastry crust. Whether you’re serving them for dessert, breakfast, or as a snack, they’re guaranteed to bring smiles to faces and joy to hearts. So why not whip up a batch today and share the love with your family and friends?
