Save to Pinterest These buttery, flaky hand pies are filled with a luscious strawberry filling that bursts with fresh fruit flavor. The pie dough is tender and crisp, made with cold butter and chilled before rolling out. The filling combines diced strawberries, sugar, and a hint of lemon juice for brightness. Hearts of dough are filled, sealed, and brushed with an egg wash, then baked until golden and bubbly. Perfect for sharing and ideal for dessert or snacks, these hand pies offer a charming way to enjoy seasonal strawberries.
My kitchen smelled like buttery heaven when I first attempted these heart shaped pies. It was Valentine's Day and I wanted to make something special for my sweetheart. The dough kept cracking and I almost gave up halfway through. But that first golden batch came out of the oven looking absolutely perfect.
Last summer I made these for our anniversary picnic in the park. My husband accidentally dropped one in the grass but still picked it up and ate it because they were that good. We laughed so hard while strawberry juice dripped everywhere. Now they are our little tradition.
Ingredients
- All purpose flour: The foundation for that tender flaky crust we all love
- Unsalted butter: Keep it ice cold for the best flaky layers in your dough
- Fresh strawberries: Use ripe juicy berries for the most vibrant filling
- Cornstarch: This thickens the fruit juices so your filling stays put
- Coarse sugar: Adds that beautiful sparkling finish on top
Instructions
- Make the pie dough:
- Whisk flour sugar and salt together in a large bowl. Cut in cold butter with a pastry blender until you see coarse crumbs. Drizzle ice water while mixing gently until dough just comes together. Divide into discs wrap and chill.
- Prepare the strawberry filling:
- Mix diced strawberries sugar cornstarch lemon juice and vanilla in a medium bowl. Let it sit while dough chills so flavors meld. The mixture should look glossy and thick.
- Roll and cut hearts:
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Roll dough to 1/8 inch thickness on floured surface. Use heart cutters to make 16 shapes. Re-roll scraps to get more hearts.
- Assemble the pies:
- Place 8 hearts on parchment lined baking sheets. Add one tablespoon strawberry filling to each heart center. Brush edges with egg wash and top with remaining hearts. Press edges firmly and crimp with a fork.
- Add finishing touches:
- Cut small steam vents in top of each pie. Brush all over with egg wash then sprinkle generously with coarse sugar for sparkle.
- Bake to golden perfection:
- Bake 18 to 22 minutes until tops are golden brown and filling bubbles through vents. Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before moving.
Save to Pinterest My daughter helped me make these for her class Valentine party last year. She insisted on making every heart perfect even the ones from re-rolled scraps. The kids went wild for them and teachers asked for the recipe.
Choosing the Perfect Strawberries
I have learned that smaller strawberries often have more concentrated flavor. Avoid berries that look dull or have white shoulders. The smell is usually the best indicator of ripeness. If they do not smell sweet they will not taste sweet either.
Mastering the Crimp
A good crimp does more than look pretty. It seals all that delicious filling inside so nothing escapes. Dip your fork in flour occasionally to prevent sticking. Do not press too hard or you will cut through the dough.
Make Ahead Magic
You can prepare the dough and filling up to two days in advance. Keep them refrigerated separately until ready to assemble. Frozen unbaked pies last up to three months. Bake from frozen adding 5 to 10 extra minutes.
- Freeze assembled pies on the baking sheet before transferring to bags
- Brush with egg wash right before baking not before freezing
- Thaw frozen pies in the refrigerator for best results
Save to Pinterest There is something so satisfying about biting into a warm hand pie fresh from the oven. These little hearts bring joy to everyone who tries them.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What type of flour is best for the dough?
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All-purpose flour provides the perfect balance of texture and structure for flaky, buttery hand pies.
- → Can I substitute other fruits for strawberries?
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Yes, raspberries or blueberries work well and can be used interchangeably for a different flavor twist.
- → How can I prevent the dough from becoming tough?
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Keep the butter cold and handle the dough minimally. Chilling the dough before rolling also helps maintain flakiness.
- → What is the purpose of the egg wash?
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The egg wash gives the pies a golden, shiny finish and helps seal the edges to prevent filling leakage.
- → Are these hand pies suitable for a vegan diet?
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For a vegan version, substitute plant-based butter and replace the egg wash with a non-dairy milk or aquafaba.
