Cherry Hand Pies
Cherry Hand Pies are the perfect delight for those moments when you’re craving a quick bite of something sweet and homemade. These adorable portable treats are filled with juicy cherries, beautifully encased in flaky puff pastry. They boast a golden, crispy exterior that gives way to warm, gooey filling bursting with flavor. Whether enjoyed at a picnic, as a dessert, or even for breakfast, Cherry Hand Pies are bound to bring smiles to the faces of family and friends.
The first time I tried making Cherry Hand Pies, it was on a lazy Sunday afternoon, and the vibrant colors of fresh cherries caught my eye at the farmer’s market. After a bit of experimentation in my kitchen, I had the most delightful pastries coming out of the oven. The sweet aroma filled my home and pulled my family closer, eager to be the first to take a bite. The scratch-and-sniff experience of freshly baked goodness is something I can’t easily forget. I can’t wait for you to create your own memory with these delightful Cherry Hand Pies!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Quick: From start to finish, these hand pies take less than an hour to make.
- Irresistible Flavor: The combination of cherries with almond extract gives a flavor that’s simply divine!
- Eye-Catching Appeal: They look like little works of art, perfect for impressing guests.
- Flexible Serving: Ideal for breakfast, snacks, or dessert; they’re versatile for any occasion.
- Diet-Friendly Options: Prefer a different filling? Swap cherries for your favorites like peaches or blueberries!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 5 ounces fresh cherries: These luscious cherries are the star of the show. Make sure to choose vibrant, plump ones for the best flavor. You can use frozen cherries if fresh ones aren’t available; just thaw them before use.
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar: Adds a rich sweetness and depth to the filling. Light brown sugar gives a lovely caramel note, but feel free to substitute with granulated sugar if needed.
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract: A hint of almond will elevate the cherry flavor. If you’re not a fan, vanilla extract can be a wonderful alternative.
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice: Balances the sweetness with a touch of acidity. Freshly squeezed is best, but bottled can work in a pinch.
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch: This thickens the cherry filling, ensuring it doesn’t leak out while baking. You can replace this with all-purpose flour if necessary.
- 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry: The magic of puff pastry makes these pies super flaky and delightful. Always keep it well-rolled out for the best results.
- 1 large egg yolk: Used for an egg wash to create that beautiful golden color on the crust.
- 2 teaspoons heavy cream: Enhances the richness of the egg wash. You can use milk as an alternative if you’re out of cream.
- Granulated sugar for sprinkling: A touch of sugar on top is a necessity for a sweet finish!
How to Make Cherry Hand Pies
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and allow it to heat while you prepare the other ingredients.
- Prepare the Cherry Filling: Pit the fresh cherries until you have nearly 1 cup. In a bowl, combine the cherries with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Mix well and let it sit while you work on the pastry.
- Roll Out the Pastry: Dust your counter with flour and carefully unfold the sheet of frozen puff pastry. Use a rolling pin to gently roll it out until it’s about 1/2 inch larger on all sides. This ensures enough room for cutting out circles.
- Cut the Circles: Utilizing a 6-inch round cutter, cut out two circles from the pastry. Carefully transfer them to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Fill the Pastry: Divide the cherry mixture evenly between the two pastry circles. Place the filling on one side, about 1/2 inch from the edge, to leave room for sealing them.
- Brush and Seal: In a small bowl, beat together the egg yolk and heavy cream to create the egg wash. Brush the egg wash along the edges of the pastry circles. Fold over the dough to create a half-moon shape, then crimp the edges to seal them securely. Make three small slits on the top of each pie to allow steam to escape, and sprinkle with granulated sugar for that sweet finish!
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 18-21 minutes or until they’re nice and golden brown, with the filling bubbling gently from the slits.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the hand pies to cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Trust me, you don’t want to get a mouthful of hot cherry lava on the first bite!
Storing & Reheating
To store your Cherry Hand Pies, allow them to cool to room temperature before sealing them in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for about two days. For refrigeration, keep them in a fridge-safe container, which should maintain their flavor for up to four days. If you want to save them for longer, these delightful hand pies freeze beautifully for up to three months. Simply wrap them in plastic wrap and place them in a zip-top bag. When you’re ready to enjoy, pop them into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes to refresh their texture.
Chef’s Helpful Tips
- Avoid overfilling the hand pies to prevent leakage; keep filling to about 1/2 inch from the edges.
- Ensure your puff pastry is cold before rolling to maintain its flaky texture; almost frozen works best!
- If you’re short on time, store-bought cherry pie filling can be a quick substitute.
- Crimp the edges well using a fork for an appealing look and a secure seal.
The notion of slicing into a crisp hand pie only to reveal that stunning, colorful cherry filling is simply heavenly. Cherry Hand Pies not only satisfy your sweet tooth, but they also offer a short getaway to summer days whenever you need it. Whether you’re sharing them or keeping them all to yourself, these little pockets of pure joy are sure to become a staple in your baking repertoire. Just imagine pulling a freshly baked pie out of the oven and sharing it with someone special – those moments are what food is truly about.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh?
How can I make the hand pies sweeter?
Can I make my own pie crust instead of using puff pastry?
How long do Cherry Hand Pies last?
⭐ If you make my Cherry Hand Pies recipe, Awesome! I would love to hear from you. Please give it a star rating and review below! 👇
Cherry Hand Pies
These Cherry Hand Pies are simple to prepare and burst with irresistible flavor. A delightful treat featuring fresh cherries, almond extract, and flaky pastry, they are perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a quick snack or a special dessert.
- Prep Time 15 minutes
- Cook Time 21 minutes
- Yield 2 hand pies 1x
Ingredients
- 5 ounces fresh cherries
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry (defrosted)
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons heavy cream
- granulated sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Pit the cherries and place them in a bowl. Add brown sugar, almond extract, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Stir and set aside.
- Flour the counter, unfold the pastry sheet, and roll it slightly larger. Use a 6" round cutter to cut out 2 circles and transfer them to a parchment-lined baking sheet.
- Divide the cherry filling between the circles, placing it on one side, about 1/2" from the edge.
- Beat the egg yolk with heavy cream and brush the edges of the dough circles. Fold and crimp to seal the edges, then cut 3 slits on top and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake for 18-21 minutes until golden and puffy. Let cool for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For extra sweetness, increase the brown sugar if desired.
Serve warm to avoid the cherry filling being too hot when bitten into.
Leftover pies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hand pie
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Nutritional information is an estimate. The nutritional values for your final dish may vary based on measuring differences and products used.
