Learn to make homemade fruit filled hand pies in just a few simple steps! Warm fruit of your choice sandwiched in-between flaky crust and a sweet topping? There’s nothing better! Your family will love these delicious mini pie treats. Need to make them ahead? They freeze well and thaw fresh like the day you made them. Looking for a savory option? You might enjoy this Rustic Chicken Pot Pie recipe.
I love to surprise my family with handmade baked treats because sharing good food is my love language! It is also saving us a lot of money to make more homemade snacks this summer.
These sweet, individual hand pies also make for such a special and unique dessert idea. I can’t wait to show you how to make them!
What makes hand pies special?
Hand pies are so special and unique because they have such a casual feel to them! Skip the hassle of a serving spatula, plate and fork, and go for a quick individual pie that you can grab and enjoy in a few bites! They’re great for a picnic, or just a simple summer day outside.
These hand pies are so fun to share with kids, or make for a fun treat to share at parties like BBQ’s, bridal or baby showers or a summertime front porch snack.
They are so versatile and can be made with really any flavors!
What are the best filling flavors to use for Homemade Fruit Filled Hand Pies?
Some of our family’s favorite flavors are: Apple, strawberry, cherry, peach, blackberry, raspberry and cream, and rhubarb!
You can whip up your own homemade filling (like the blackberry recipe below), or simply use canned filling. One tip I will share for canned filling: don’t buy generic brand! It’s very worth it to pay a little extra for a brand name when it comes to pie filling.
Blackberry hand pie filling: mix together 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1/4 cup of sugar, 3 tablespoons flour, and about 12 oz of blackberries (I slice mine in half). I like to sprinkle 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon in the filling but this is optional. Stir together. Follow the recipe and instructions in this post for dough and baking time.
Fruit Filled Hand Pies
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups All purpose flour
- 1 cup Crisco shortening
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 8-9 tablspoons ice water
- 1 egg white beaten
- 1 Can fruit pie filling (whatever flavor you love!) A 21 oz will be double the amount of filling you need, so make 2 batches of dough if you’d like to use it all.
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl cut together flour, shortening and salt with a pastry knife or fork until mixture forms pea-sized clumps. Add in 8-9 tablespoons of ice water, and stir together until mixture forms a loose ball. If your dough is dry you can add another tablespoon of water. Dump dough onto a lightly floured counter top (it’s okay if it’s loose and not all mixed yet!) and knead slightly until mixture comes together. Roll out dough and use a 3.5 inch round cookie cutter or drinking glass to cut circles for the pies.Brush the outer edges of the dough with egg white, and fill center with a spoonful of desired fruit filling. Be sure to not add too much fruit so you can add the top dough and crimp edges without it spilling out.Place another circle of dough on top. Press down the edges of dough. Use a fork to crimp around the circle. Slice a vent on top of your pie. Brush with egg wash (one egg white; beaten).Place pies on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or sprayed with cooking spray. Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes or until golden brown. After allowing pies to cool for a few minutes, I love to make a little glaze mixture out of powdered sugar and milk to drizzle over the tops!
Notes
Here is a visual process to help you see how the dough is made.
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Can I use store bought pie dough for this recipe?
Absolutely! Store bought pie dough will work just fine.
I find it easier and less expensive to make homemade. I have shared with you a special recipe that my grandmother always used when she made her pies.
Can I make Homemade Fruit Filled Hand Pies ahead?
These fruit filled hand pies can definitely be prepared in advance. Make these mini pies and freeze them in a ziplock bag or airtight container. No need to warm them in the oven, simply allow them to come to room temp the day you need them and they will do great!
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Anyway to put chocolate in them ? Or if I put Nutella in them would it work?
I have never tried Nutella but I’m certain it would work absolutely fine!
I haven’t been this excited to make something in a long time. (My pie loving husband is more excited than I am! Ü)
I hope mine look as pretty as yours.
That makes me so happy to hear! Please let me know how you like them 🙂