Description
Delight in homemade Strawberry Heart Hand Pies, featuring a flaky golden pastry crust filled with juicy, fresh strawberries enhanced with lemon and vanilla. Perfectly portable and charmingly heart-shaped, these hand pies offer a sweet, handheld dessert ideal for romantic occasions, picnics, or anytime you crave a fresh berry treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Pastry Dough
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup cold water
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Strawberry Filling
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and finely chopped
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: Combine cold unsalted butter and all-purpose flour in a mixing bowl. Use fingertips or a pastry cutter to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add cold water a tablespoon at a time until the dough just comes together. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour to chill.
- Make the Filling: While the dough chills, hull and finely chop fresh strawberries. Toss them with sugar, fresh lemon juice, vanilla extract, and cornstarch. This mixture will thicken during baking and deliver vibrant flavor.
- Roll and Cut the Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out pairs of hearts – one for the base and one for the top of each pie.
- Assemble the Hand Pies: Place a spoonful of the strawberry filling onto one heart shape, leaving space at the edges. Brush the edges with egg wash, then cover with a second heart and gently press edges to seal, using a fork to create a decorative edge.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place hand pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush tops with egg wash, and optionally sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and filling is bubbly.
Notes
- Keep ingredients and dough cold to ensure flaky crust.
- Don’t overfill pies to avoid leakage during baking.
- Seal edges well with egg wash for intact pies.
- Use fresh strawberries for best texture and flavor.
- Dough can be made ahead and frozen for convenience.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hand pie
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 100 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Keywords: Strawberry hand pies, heart-shaped pies, strawberry dessert, portable dessert, summer dessert, flaky crust
