Cherry hand pies are the perfect sweet treat, combining a flaky pastry exterior with a warm cherry filling that’s bursting with flavor. As you bite into these little pockets of joy, you’ll experience a delightful balance of sweetness from the fresh cherries and a slight hint of almond and lemon. They evoke memories of summer picnics and cozy afternoons spent in the kitchen, where the scent of baked goods fills the air. With just a handful of ingredients, these adorable hand-held desserts can be whipped up in no time, making them an ideal choice for both novice bakers and seasoned pros.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Cherry Hand Pies
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Cherry Hand Pies

I still remember the first time I encountered cherry hand pies. I was visiting a local farmer’s market, and the vibrant colors of the cherry stands caught my eye. The vendor offered samples, and I instantly fell in love with the flaky crust and the vibrant, tangy filling. Since then, they’ve become one of my go-to recipes for gatherings and unexpected guests. They’re easy, budget-friendly, and oh-so-delicious. Whether enjoyed fresh out of the oven or at room temperature, you’ll find it hard to stop at just one. So why not give these cherry hand pies a try? I promise they’ll quickly become a beloved favorite in your home.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: These pies come together in about 30 minutes, making them a fantastic last-minute dessert.
Irresistible Flavor: The combination of fresh cherries, almond extract, and a touch of brown sugar creates a deliciously sweet filling.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Their golden-brown crust and juicy filling make for an impressive treat that’s sure to catch the eye.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for snacks, desserts, or even breakfast on-the-go!
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily modify the recipe for gluten-free diets by using gluten-free puff pastry.

Ingredients You’ll Need

5 ounces fresh cherries: Using fresh cherries really elevates these hand pies. Try to pit them for the best texture. You can substitute with frozen cherries, but drain excess moisture.
2 tablespoons brown sugar: This adds a rich sweetness that complements the tartness of the cherries. If you need a sugar substitute, using coconut sugar works wonderfully.
1/2 teaspoon almond extract: Almond extract enhances the cherry flavor beautifully. If you don’t have it, vanilla extract will also offer a good taste.
1 teaspoon lemon juice: Lemon juice brightens the filling; don’t skip this! You can swap it for lime juice in a pinch.
2 tablespoons cornstarch: Cornstarch thickens the cherry filling and ensures your pies aren’t soggy. All-purpose flour can be used, but the texture will differ slightly.
1 sheet of frozen puff pastry (1/2 of a box), defrosted: The puff pastry creates that light, flaky texture we love in hand pies. Make sure it’s well thawed for easy handling.
1 large egg yolk: This helps bind the dough and creates a beautiful golden finish. If vegan, use a flax egg for a comparable glaze.
2 teaspoons heavy cream: This gives the egg wash a rich sheen. You can skip this if you’re dairy-free or use a plant-based alternative.
Granulated sugar for sprinkling on top: Just a sprinkle adds a lovely crunch and extra sweetness. Feel free to use coarse sugar for a more rustic look.

How to Make Cherry Hand Pies

Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 400 degrees F. This ensures your hand pies bake evenly and get that lovely golden color.
Prepare the Cherry Filling: Next, pit your cherries until you have about 1 cup. In a bowl, combine the cherries with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch. Stir gently and set aside for the flavors to meld.
Roll Out the Pastry: Lightly flour your work surface and unfold the sheet of puff pastry. Roll it out gently until it’s about 1/2” larger on all sides. Using a 6” round cutter, cut out 2 circles and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Fill the Dough Rounds: Divide the cherry filling evenly and place it on one side of each pastry circle, keeping about 1/2” clear at the edges. This space is crucial for sealing the hand pies later!
Seal the Pies: In a small bowl, beat together 1 large egg yolk and 2 teaspoons of heavy cream. Brush this mixture around the edge of each dough circle. Fold the other half over the filling and crimp the edges to seal tightly. Don’t forget to cut three small slits on the top of each pie to allow steam to escape!
Bake to Perfection: Bake the hand pies in the preheated oven for 18-21 minutes, or until they are nicely golden brown and puffy. The kitchen will smell amazing during this process!
Cool Before Serving: Let the pies sit for about 10 minutes before diving in. Trust me; you want to avoid that lava-like cherry filling.

Storing & Reheating

To store your cherry hand pies, keep them at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week. If you want to save them for later, you can freeze the baked pies for up to 3 months. Just make sure they’re completely cooled before wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. When you’re ready to enjoy, reheat in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for about 10-12 minutes. The crust may lose some crispness in the fridge or freezer, but reheating brings back that delightful texture.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Ensure your puff pastry is very cold for the flakiest crust; handle it as little as possible to keep it from warming up.
Avoid overfilling the hand pies; too much filling can cause them to burst in the oven.
If the edges don’t crimp properly, you can use a bit of water to help seal them shut.
Experiment with other fruits like blueberries or apples – the filling options are endless!
Make a double batch and freeze half to enjoy later; you’ll thank yourself when you have fresh pies on hand!

Cherry hand pies are not just easy to make, they are also an exciting way to showcase fresh fruit. Each bite is a delightful symphony of flavors that dance across the palate, reminding you of sun-kissed summers and the joys of home baking. Don’t hesitate to experiment with your own variations; whether using different fruits or adding spices, these hand pies are truly versatile. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy the process!

Recipe FAQs

Can I use frozen cherries for this recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen cherries work well for cherry hand pies. Just be sure to thaw them and drain any excess liquid before mixing with the other filling ingredients to avoid a soggy crust.

How do I get a flaky crust?

To achieve that desirable flaky texture, keep your puff pastry cold and avoid over-working the dough. Also, ensuring there’s plenty of air in the layers will give you that nice lift when baking.

Can I make the filling ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the cherry filling a day ahead and store it in the refrigerator. Just let it come to room temperature before using it in your hand pies.

How long will leftover hand pies last?

Leftover cherry hand pies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for about a week. Just be aware they may lose some crispiness over time.

More Desserts & Appetizers Recipes

Did You Enjoy Making This Recipe? Please rate this recipe with ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ or leave a comment.

📖 Recipe Card

Cherry Hand Pies

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews

Author: Peter
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 21 minutes
Total Time: 36 minutes
Yield: 2 pies 1x
Category: Desserts & Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Print Recipe

Description

These Cherry Hand Pies are a delightful treat with a buttery crust and juicy cherry filling. Quick to prepare, they bring a taste of homemade goodness for the perfect dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

5 ounces fresh cherries
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 sheet of frozen puff pastry (1/2 of a box), defrosted
1 large egg yolk
2 teaspoons heavy cream
granulated sugar for sprinkling on top

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Pit the cherries to yield about 1 cup, then combine them in a bowl with brown sugar, almond extract, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Mix well and set aside.
Flour your work surface, unfold the puff pastry, and roll it out slightly larger. Cut out two 6" circles from the pastry and place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
Spoon the cherry filling onto one side of each circle, leaving a 1/2" border.
In a small bowl, beat egg yolk and heavy cream together. Brush the mixture along the edges of the pastry circles. Fold the dough over to seal, crimp the edges, and cut 3 slits in the tops of each pie. Sprinkle with sugar.
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-21 minutes, or until golden and puffy.
Allow cooling for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Ensure the cherries are pitted well to avoid any mishaps while eating.
You can use any seasonal fruit you like in place of cherries for a different flavor.
Serve warm for the best taste, as the filling can be quite hot.