Berry Hand Pies Recipe

Strawberries: Fresh or frozen, these add a sweet and slightly tart flavor to the filling.

Blueberries: These berries provide a burst of sweetness and a lovely color to the pies.

Raspberries: Their tangy flavor complements the sweetness of the other berries.

Mixed berries: A combination of strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for a balanced filling.

Sugar: Adds sweetness to the berry mixture.

Cornstarch: Helps to thicken the berry filling.

Lemon juice: Enhances the flavor of the berries and adds a bit of acidity.

Pie crusts: Pre-made crusts make this recipe quick and easy.

Egg: Beaten and used as an egg wash to give the pies a golden brown finish.

When preparing the berry mixture, make sure to thoroughly combine the sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice with the mixed berries. This ensures that the cornstarch is evenly distributed, which will help thicken the filling as it bakes, preventing the hand pies from becoming soggy.

• strawberries - Substitute with cherries: Cherries provide a similar sweetness and tartness, making them a great alternative.

• blueberries - Substitute with blackberries: Blackberries have a similar texture and flavor profile, offering a slightly more tart taste.

• raspberries - Substitute with cranberries: Cranberries can provide a similar tartness, though they are more sour, so you might want to adjust the sugar.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey adds a natural sweetness and a slightly different flavor profile, which can complement the berries well.

• cornstarch - Substitute with arrowroot powder: Arrowroot powder works similarly to thicken the berry mixture without altering the taste.

• lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor, making it a suitable alternative.

• pie crusts - Substitute with puff pastry: Puff pastry can offer a flakier and lighter texture, which can be a delightful variation for hand pies.

• egg - Substitute with milk: Milk can be used for the egg wash to provide a similar golden-brown finish on the crust.

• Allow the berry hand pies to cool completely on a wire rack after baking. This prevents condensation from forming inside the storage container, which can make the crust soggy.
• Place the cooled pies in an airtight container. If stacking, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
• Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The cool environment helps maintain the freshness of the berries and the crispness of the crust.
• For longer storage, wrap each pie individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This double-layer protection helps prevent freezer burn and preserves the flavor.
• Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness. Frozen berry hand pies can be stored for up to 2 months.
• To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the frozen pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the pies are heated through and the crust is crisp. Alternatively, you can reheat in a microwave for a quicker option, but this may result in a softer crust.
• Enjoy your berry hand pies warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra treat.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the berry hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Cover them loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.
  4. Heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the pies are warmed through and the crust is crisp.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the hand pies directly on the toaster oven rack or on a small baking sheet.
  3. Heat for about 8-10 minutes, checking frequently to ensure they don't overcook.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the hand pies on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate to retain moisture.
  3. Heat on medium power for 30-second intervals until warmed through, usually about 1-2 minutes. Note: This method may not keep the crust as crisp.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the hand pies in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
  3. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even warming.

• Stovetop Skillet Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
  2. Place the hand pies in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  3. Heat for about 3-5 minutes on each side, or until warmed through and the crust is crisp.

• Oven: Used to bake the hand pies at the specified temperature until they are golden brown.

• Mixing bowl: Used to combine the berries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice.

• Rolling pin: Used to roll out the pie crusts to the desired thickness.

• Cookie cutter: Used to cut the pie crusts into 4-inch circles.

• Fork: Used to crimp the edges of the hand pies to seal them.

• Pastry brush: Used to apply the beaten egg wash to the hand pies before baking.

• Baking sheet: Used to place the hand pies on for baking in the oven.

• Parchment paper: Used to line the baking sheet to prevent the hand pies from sticking.

• Measuring cups: Used to measure the berries and sugar accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the cornstarch and lemon juice accurately.

• Knife: Used to cut the pie crusts if a cookie cutter is not available.

• Spoon: Used to place the berry mixture in the center of each pie crust circle.

Prepare the filling in advance: Mix the berries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice the night before and store in the fridge.

Use pre-made pie crusts: Save time by using store-bought pie crusts instead of making your own.

Efficient cutting: Stack the pie crusts and cut multiple circles at once to speed up the process.

Quick assembly: Set up an assembly line with all ingredients ready to streamline the hand pie creation.

Batch baking: Bake multiple trays at once if your oven allows to reduce overall cooking time.