Blueberry Hand Pies

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Introduction

Blueberry Hand Pies are a delightful and portable dessert that combines the juicy, sweet-tartness of fresh blueberries with the buttery, flaky goodness of a perfectly baked crust. These little pies are a perfect handheld treat for any occasion, from casual afternoon snacks to special events like family gatherings, picnics, or even as a sweet gift. With their convenient size and delicious flavor, they are an excellent way to enjoy a classic dessert with a modern twist. This recipe features simple ingredients and easy steps, making it a great option for bakers of all skill levels.

Perfect for:

• Picnics and outdoor events
• Afternoon tea or coffee breaks
• Holiday celebrations
• Family gatherings or casual get-togethers
• A portable treat for road trips or school lunches

Why You’ll Love This Recipe: Blueberry Hand Pies

Here’s why Blueberry Hand Pies will become your favorite dessert to share and enjoy:

• Juicy and Sweet: The fresh blueberries provide a naturally sweet and slightly tart filling, making each bite a burst of flavor.
• Buttery, Flaky Crust: The homemade crust is buttery and flaky, creating the perfect texture to complement the juicy fruit filling.
• Portable and Mess-Free: These hand pies are easy to hold and eat on the go, making them a great option for parties, picnics, or any time you want a sweet treat without the mess.
• Easy to Make: With just a few ingredients and simple instructions, you can bake a batch of these tasty hand pies with minimal effort.
• Customizable: Add a twist with spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, or customize with other fruit like raspberries or strawberries to create your own variations.

Preparation and Cooking Time

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Preparation Time: 30 minutes
• Baking Time: 30-35 minutes
• Servings: 8-10 hand pies
• Calories per Serving: Approximately 250-300 calories
• Key Nutrients: Protein: 3g, Carbs: 35g, Fat: 14g

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious Blueberry Hand Pies:

Crust:

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
• 1/4 cup ice water (you may need a little more or less depending on the dough consistency)

Blueberry Filling:

• 3 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
• A pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Egg Wash (optional):

• 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon of water

Ingredient Highlights

• Butter: Cold butter is key to creating a flaky crust. It helps the dough layers separate during baking, resulting in a light and crisp texture.
• Blueberries: Fresh blueberries provide a natural sweetness and tartness, perfect for a refreshing fruit filling. If fresh blueberries are out of season, frozen blueberries work just as well.
• Sugar and Cornstarch: The sugar sweetens the filling, while the cornstarch helps thicken the blueberry juices, preventing a soggy crust.
• Lemon Juice: A splash of lemon juice adds a refreshing brightness and balances the sweetness of the blueberries.

Step-by-Step

Instructions

Follow these simple steps to create the perfect Blueberry Hand Pies:

Prepare the Pie Dough (Crust):

1. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar.
2. Cut in the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry ingredients. Using a pastry cutter, fork, or your hands, work the butter into the flour mixture until the texture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized butter bits.
3. Add Ice Water: Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing with a fork until the dough begins to come together. You may need to add a little extra water if the dough is too dry.
4. Chill the Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it a few times until it forms a ball. Split the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Chilling the dough helps ensure a flaky texture when baked.

Prepare the Blueberry Filling:

5. Cook the Blueberries: In a medium saucepan, combine the blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon (if using), and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the blueberries release their juices and begin to break down (about 5-7 minutes).
6. Thicken the Filling: In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with a little water to form a slurry. Add the slurry to the blueberry mixture and stir well. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let the filling cool while you roll out the dough.

Assemble the Hand Pies:

7. Roll Out the Dough: Take one disk of dough out of the fridge and place it on a lightly floured surface. Roll it out to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a round cutter or a small bowl, cut out circles of dough (about 4-5 inches in diameter). Repeat with the second disk of dough.
8. Add the Filling: Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the blueberry filling into the center of each dough circle.
9. Seal the Pies: Fold the dough over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges together tightly, then crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
10. Apply the Egg Wash: If desired, brush the tops of the hand pies with a beaten egg wash (egg and water mixture) for a golden, glossy finish.

Bake the Hand Pies:

11. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
12. Bake the Pies: Arrange the hand pies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and the crust is flaky. Keep an eye on them to avoid over-baking.
13. Cool: Allow the hand pies to cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving.

Cut and Serve:

14. Serve Warm or Cold: These hand pies are delicious both warm and at room temperature. You can serve them on their own or with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgence.

How to Serve Blueberry Hand Pies

Blueberry Hand Pies are versatile and can be enjoyed in several ways:

• With Ice Cream or Whipped Cream: Serve these warm, straight from the oven with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a classic pairing.
• As a Snack or Breakfast: These hand pies are perfect as a quick breakfast treat or snack to enjoy with coffee or tea.
• For a Party: Serve these hand pies at your next gathering alongside other finger foods like cookies and pastries for a sweet treat everyone will love.
• With Fresh Fruit: Pair with fresh fruit like strawberries or a fruit salad for a light and refreshing contrast to the sweet blueberry filling.
• For Gift-Giving: Pack a few hand pies in a cute box or bag for a charming homemade gift that’s sure to impress.

Additional Tips for Blueberry Hand Pies

Here are some tips to make your Blueberry Hand Pies even better:

• Use Cold Ingredients: The colder your butter and water, the flakier your dough will be. Be sure to keep everything as cold as possible during the preparation process.
• Don’t Overfill: Avoid overfilling your hand pies to prevent the filling from spilling out during baking.
• Brush with Sugar: If you prefer a slightly sweeter, crispier crust, sprinkle the tops of your hand pies with sugar before baking.
• Experiment with Spices: Add a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, or ginger to the filling for extra flavor depth.
• Seal the Edges Well: Make sure to press the dough edges tightly and crimp them well to ensure no blueberry filling leaks out during baking.

Recipe Variations of Blueberry Hand Pies

Here are 10 variations of Blueberry Hand Pies that you can try:

• Mixed Berry Hand Pies: Use a combination of blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, and blackberries for a fruity mix.
• Lemon Blueberry Hand Pies: Add lemon zest to the blueberry filling for a refreshing citrus twist.
• Cinnamon Roll Blueberry Hand Pies: Swirl cinnamon sugar into the crust before sealing to create a cinnamon roll-inspired hand pie.
• Apple Blueberry Hand Pies: Mix apples with blueberries for a sweet and tart filling that’s perfect for fall.
• Peach Blueberry Hand Pies: Combine peaches and blueberries for a summery, juicy filling.
• Coconut Blueberry Hand Pies: Add shredded coconut to the filling for a tropical flair.
• Almond Blueberry Hand Pies: Stir in almond extract to the blueberry filling for a nutty and aromatic twist.
• Maple Blueberry Hand Pies: Replace the granulated sugar with maple syrup for a more natural sweetness.
• Chocolate Blueberry Hand Pies: Add mini chocolate chips to the blueberry filling for a rich, indulgent treat.
• Gluten-Free Blueberry Hand Pies: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make these hand pies gluten-free.

Freezing and Storage for Blueberry Hand Pies

• Freezing: You can freeze the hand pies before baking. Simply assemble them, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze them for about 1 hour. Once frozen, transfer them to an airtight container or freezer bag. To bake, simply place the frozen hand pies directly into the preheated oven and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
• Storage: Store any leftover hand pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They can also be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Special Equipment for Blueberry Hand Pies

Here are some special equipment items you might need to make Blueberry Hand Pies:

• Rolling Pin: Essential for rolling out the dough to the desired thickness.
• Round Cutter or Bowl: A round cutter or bowl helps you create uniform pie dough circles.
• Pastry Cutter: A pastry cutter makes it easy to incorporate the butter into the flour for a flaky crust.
• Baking Sheet: A baking sheet is necessary for baking the hand pies evenly.
• Pastry Brush: A pastry brush is handy for applying the egg wash to give the pies a golden, shiny finish.

FAQ Section about Blueberry Hand Pies

1. Can I use frozen blueberries instead of fresh? Yes, frozen blueberries work perfectly fine. Just be sure to thaw them and drain any excess liquid before using them in the filling.
2. Can I make these hand pies ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare and assemble the hand pies the night before. Store them in the fridge, and bake them fresh the next day.
3. Can I make these gluten-free? Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version of this recipe.
4. Can I add other fruits to the filling? Absolutely! You can mix blueberries with other fruits like raspberries, blackberries, or peaches to create a customized filling.
5. Can I freeze the baked hand pies? Yes, you can freeze the baked hand pies. Just let them cool completely before wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap or storing in an airtight container in the freezer.

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Conclusion

Blueberry Hand Pies are a delicious, easy-to-make treat that combines the fresh, sweet-tart flavor of blueberries with a buttery, flaky crust. Whether you enjoy them warm out of the oven or as a snack later in the day, these hand pies are perfect for any occasion. With the flexibility to customize the filling, as well as easy preparation and baking steps, they’re sure to become a favorite in your dessert repertoire. Happy baking!