Mini Berry Handpies

Try this Mini Berry Handpies recipe, or contribute your own.

Mini Berry Handpies
Mini Berry Handpies

Try this Mini Berry Handpies recipe, or contribute your own.

  • Preparing Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Served Person: 12

Step-by-step

  • For Crust: Mix flour and salt. Cut in shortening with pastry blender or knives.
  • Add water. Stir with fork until flour is absorbed and dough comes together.
  • Flour surface and rolling pin well. Flatten dough with hand a bit. Roll out from center of dough to about 1/8” thickness.
  • Using round cutter, or glass, cut out shapes to form a bottom crust. Lay the shapes onto a parchment or silicone lined baking sheet. Make sure to line the pan to catch the extra juice that will come out of the hand pie to avoid messy cleanup!
  • Cut out about 10-12 shapes and set on the lined pan. Cut the remaining dough to form the top pieces. Set the remaining shapes on a second pan and chill if possible while making filling, or chill the dough before cutting out the shapes and then roll out. When cutting the shapes, make sure there are an equal amount of shapes so each hand pie has a bottom and top crust.
  • Turn the oven on to 400 degrees and set the rack on the lower third of the oven.
  • Mix filling ingredients: Place all of the filling ingredients in a large bowl, toss together until sugar and cornstarch are blended into fruit and other ingredients.
  • Using a tablespoon, place about 1 heaping tablespoon of filling onto each bottom crust. Place a top crust on top of the filing and pinch edges slightly to keep filling in the pie (some of the filling and juice will seep out, don't worry about this).
  • Repeat until all of the pies are formed. If desired, brush the top of each pie with beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse or granulated sugar.
  • Cut small slits in top of pie to allow steam to escape.
  • Bake at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes or until crust is golden and filling is bubbly.
  • Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.

Mini Berry Handpies: A Sweet Treat for Any Occasion

As a busy professional, I'm always on the lookout for recipes that are both delicious and easy to make. These mini berry handpies fit the bill perfectly! They're the ideal blend of sweet and tart, with a flaky crust that melts in your mouth. Perfect for a quick dessert after a long day, a delightful treat for a weekend brunch, or even a charming addition to a picnic basket. The best part? They're surprisingly simple to assemble, even when you're short on time.

The recipe itself is straightforward, requiring readily available ingredients. I love the combination of fresh strawberries and blueberries; the sweetness of the berries is perfectly balanced by the slight tartness of the lemon zest. The addition of almond extract lends a subtle, sophisticated touch. But feel free to experiment! Raspberries, blackberries, or a mix of your favorite berries would all work wonderfully. You can even adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more or less sugar.

What truly elevates these handpies is their portability and charm. Their miniature size makes them perfect for individual servings, avoiding the need for slicing and sharing (unless you're feeling particularly generous!). The golden-brown crust, slightly crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, is a sight to behold. And let's not forget the delightful aroma that fills your kitchen as they bake – pure baking bliss!

Beyond their taste and convenience, these handpies are incredibly versatile. They can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator or even frozen for later enjoyment. A quick reheat in the oven, and you have a delightful treat ready to go. This makes them ideal for meal prepping or entertaining guests without the last-minute stress. The possibilities are endless: imagine a beautifully arranged platter of these mini pies gracing your next gathering, or a single handpie as a sweet ending to your workday.

Making these mini berry handpies is more than just following a recipe; it's an experience. The process is therapeutic, allowing you to focus on the simple act of creating something delicious. The smell of baking pastry and ripe berries fills your kitchen, creating a comforting and inviting atmosphere. And the joy of sharing these delectable treats with loved ones adds an extra layer of satisfaction to the entire process.

So, if you're looking for a delicious, easy-to-make dessert that's both visually appealing and incredibly satisfying, these mini berry handpies are a must-try. They’re a perfect way to add a touch of sweetness and elegance to any occasion, whether it's a casual weeknight dinner or a special celebration. Give it a try; you won't regret it!

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

  • 2 cups flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 cup shortening (or a mix of shortening and butter)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup ice water

For the Filling:

  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 cup strawberry or raspberry jam
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla)
  • Zest of one lemon
  • Pinch of salt and pepper
  • 1 beaten egg (optional, for egg wash)
  • Turbinado sugar (optional, for topping)

Instructions (see the detailed step-by-step instructions above)