Valentine Heart In Hand Pies
These adorable Valentine Hand Pies have a flaky crust and sweet fruit filling! This recipe is edible love, so make it for the special people in your life!
I love the idea of baking! But I’m not the most experienced baker. In fact, it has taken me decades to feel totally comfortable with the precise “chemistry” of baking. Early on in my baking journey, I fell in love with baking with dough and hand pies.
I made the original Valentine Heart And Hand Pies shortly after I started baking because I thought they were absolutely delightful. And to my great surprise, they were easy to make, especially the dough! The ingredients are all pantry items, so I usually have everything on hand!
These hearts are edible, love! I hope you make them and share them with someone special!
What You Will Love About Valentine Heart And Hand Pies
Before And After Pies
The first pies I made were four and one-half inches at the widest part of the heart. They were large and so delicious! The recipe made 8 very impressive pies.
I just made these pies again to take to our little grandsons when they visit this weekend.
Mini Heart In Hand Pie Ingredients
You probably have all the ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator.
Pie Dough– The base of the hand pies. The dough provides a flaky and buttery crust that holds the filling.
Fruit Filling: The filling gives the hand pies a sweet, fruity flavor and makes them festive for Valentine’s Day with a red or pink color.
Egg (for Egg Wash): The beaten egg is brushed on the dough to help seal the edges and create a golden, glossy finish when baked.
Sugar (Granulated or Sanding): Sprinkled on top of the hand pies for added sweetness and a sparkly, decorative finish.
Helpful Tips
- Keep the Dough Chilled: Cold dough is easier to work with, resulting in a flakier crust. Chill it briefly if it starts to soften while shaping the pies.
- Don’t Overfill the Pies: Use about use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of filling per pie to prevent it from leaking out during baking.
- Seal the Edges Well: Use a fork to crimp the edges securely, and ensure the filling stays inside while baking.
- Use an Egg Wash: Brush the tops with a beaten egg to achieve a golden and shiny finish.
- Cut Small Slits in the Top Crust: This allows steam to escape and prevents the pies from puffing up unevenly.
- Line Your Baking Sheet: Use parchment paper or a silicone baking mat to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Chill the Assembled Pies Before Baking: A quick 10–15 minute chill in the refrigerator helps the pies hold their shape in the oven.
- Experiment with Fillings: While fruit filling is classic, try other fillings like Nutella, peanut butter, or pie fillings for variety.
- Decorate with Sugar or Icing: Sprinkle coarse sugar after applying the egg for a sparkly finish, or drizzle icing once cooled for a decorative touch.
- Check for Doneness: Bake until the pies are golden brown; start checking a few minutes before the recommended baking time to avoid overbaking.
Even Easier Heart In Hand Pies
Let’s make these pies even easier using pre-made pie dough and your favorite fruit jam or pie filling instead of a homemade fruit mixture. It’s a simple shortcut that saves time, making these hand pies a quick and delightful treat for Valentine’s Day!
VALENTINE HAND PIES
Ingredients
- 1 TBS sour cream
- 1 TBS fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 2 TBS ice water more if needed
- 1 1/4 cups flour
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 STICK cold butter, cut into small pieces
- 1 cup fresh fruit this can be a mix of fruit
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 1/2 TBS cornstarch
- 1 egg large
- 1 tsp water
- 2 TBS sanding sugar can use regular sugar too
Instructions
Make The Pie Dough
- Put sour cream and lemon juice in a small bowl and set aside.
- In a food processor, add flour, salt, and sugar. Whirl for a few seconds to mix.
- Add cold butter to the flour mixture and pulse until butter is incorporated into the flour, about 15 seconds.
- Add ice water to sour cream and lemon juice. Whisk together. Add to the food processor and pulse until it forms a crumbly dough. Add a couple drops more if the dough is too dry.
- Shape the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30~ 45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375.
- Roll out the disc, about 1/8", and use a cookie cutter to cut out the hearts.
- Put the dough hearts onto a parchment-lined baking sheets and chill for 15 minutes.
Make The Filling
- Add the fruit, sugar, and cornstarch to a medium bowl. Mix and let sit for at least 5 minutes.
Assemble The Pies
- Mound fruit mixture in the center of a heart cut out. Do not overfill.
- Put a dough heart on your work surface and cut a small x in the middle of the heart.
- Put a small amount of water into a bowl. Using your finger, dip it into the water and run it around the edge of the heart cut out.
- Place a dough heart on top of the bottom heart with the filling, matching the edges. Using a fork, press the edges together to secure them.
- Continue making the remainder of the little pies.
- Put the hand pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Whisk the egg and water in a small bowl. Brush it over the pies. Sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake four and a half-inch hearts for 25-30 minutes and 18-20 minutes and three-and-a-half-inch hearts for a until just golden brown.
- Cool completely, and enjoy.
These pies are a simple yet thoughtful way to show your love one delicious bite at a time. Happy Valentine’s Day!
HAM CHEESE AND BROCCOLI PUFF PASTRY HAND PIES
