Okay, so Valentine’s Day is coming up, and I’m always scrambling for something cute and homemade. Store-bought chocolates? Snoozeville! That’s where these adorable heart shaped hand pies come in. Seriously, they’re the cutest little things, and they taste AMAZING. Plus, and this is a big plus, they are ridiculously easy to make.
I remember one year, I tried to make a fancy layered cake. Total disaster! The frosting was sliding off, the layers were crooked… it looked like a leaning tower of sugar. Never again! These heart shaped hand pies? Foolproof, I promise. Even if they’re a little wonky, they’re still heart-shaped, right? And that’s all that matters. We are going to use store-bought crust to make this process as easy as possible!
Trust me, your sweetheart (or your kids, or yourself – self-love is important!) will be so impressed by these little cuties. Let’s get baking!
Why You’ll Love These Heart Shaped Hand Pies
Okay, so why should you make these adorable heart shaped hand pies? Let me tell you! They’re:
Quick and Easy Heart Shaped Hand Pies
Seriously, using store-bought crust is a total game-changer. No need to spend hours making pastry! I’m all about shortcuts that still taste amazing.
Customizable Heart Shaped Hand Pies
Don’t like cherry filling? No problem! Use apple, blueberry, chocolate… whatever your heart desires (see what I did there?). It’s YOUR pie!
Perfect for Any Occasion
Sure, they’re amazing for Valentine’s Day, but think birthdays, anniversaries, or even just a “treat yourself” kind of day. These heart shaped hand pies are always a good idea!
Ingredients for Your Heart Shaped Hand Pies
Alright, let’s gather our supplies! The best part? The ingredient list is super short. You’ll need:
- Two sheets of store-bought pie crusts. I grab the refrigerated kind – so easy!
- One (21-ounce) can of your favorite pie filling. Cherry? Apple? Go wild!
- One large egg white. This is for that gorgeous, golden-brown shine.
- One tablespoon of water. To mix with the egg white – makes it brushable.
- Sparkling sugar (optional, but highly recommended!). It just adds a little extra sparkle, literally!
Seriously, that’s it! Now, go raid your pantry – I bet you have most of this stuff already!
How to Make Heart Shaped Hand Pies: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, here we go! Time to turn these simple ingredients into adorable heart shaped hand pies. Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think! Just follow these steps, and you’ll be golden (and your pies will be too!).
Preparing the Heart Shaped Hand Pie Dough
First things first: preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C). We want it nice and hot when those little pies are ready. Also, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Trust me, it makes clean-up a breeze! Now, grab your store-bought pie crusts and let them soften a bit. I usually microwave them at 50% power for like, 20-30 seconds. Be careful, though – you don’t want them melty! You can also just let them sit out at room temp for about 30 minutes. Unroll those babies and get ready to cut!
Filling and Sealing Your Heart Shaped Hand Pies
Now for the fun part! Grab a heart-shaped cookie cutter (any size works, really!) and cut out as many hearts as you can from the pie crusts. Place half the hearts on a flat surface. Then, spoon about a tablespoon of your chosen filling onto the center of each heart. Don’t overfill them, or they’ll explode in the oven (oops, been there!). In a small bowl, whisk together one egg white and a tablespoon of water. This is our “egg wash” – it makes the pies shiny and golden. Brush the edges of the filled hearts with the egg wash. Then, carefully place another heart on top of each filled one. Press the edges together gently with your fingers, and then crimp them with a fork. This seals them up tight!
Baking Your Delicious Heart Shaped Hand Pies
Almost there! Use a knife to cut a few small slits in the top of each pie. This lets the steam escape so they don’t puff up like balloons. Carefully transfer the heart shaped hand pies to your prepared baking sheet. Brush them with the remaining egg wash and sprinkle with sparkling sugar (if you’re using it – and you should!). Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and gorgeous. Keep a close eye on them, because ovens can be sneaky! Let them cool slightly on the baking sheet before serving. And that’s it! You’ve got adorable, delicious heart shaped hand pies!
Tips for Perfect Heart Shaped Hand Pies
Want your heart shaped hand pies to be total perfection? Of course, you do! Here are a few little secrets I’ve learned along the way.
- Make sure you *really* seal those pie crusts! Press firmly with your fingers, and then crimp with a fork. Leaky pies are sad pies!
- Keep an eye on the baking time. Every oven is different, so start checking them around 10 minutes. You want them golden brown, not burnt!
- Don’t be afraid to experiment with different fillings! Apple, cherry, blueberry, even a little Nutella would be amazing. Get creative!
Trust me; these little tips will take your heart shaped hand pies from “good” to “OMG AMAZING!”
Heart Shaped Hand Pie Filling Variations
Okay, so you’ve mastered the basic heart shaped hand pie. Now, let’s get wild with the fillings! Seriously, this is where you can really let your creativity shine. I love using apple or cherry pie filling (duh!), but don’t stop there!
Think chocolate hazelnut spread (hello, Nutella!), or even a little bit of cream cheese with some berries. For fall, a pumpkin pie filling would be AMAZING. And who says they have to be sweet? A savory filling with spinach and feta? YUM! Go crazy – the possibilities are endless!
Storing and Reheating Your Heart Shaped Hand Pies
So, you’ve got leftover heart shaped hand pies? Lucky you! Just pop them in an airtight container and stash them in the fridge. They’ll keep for about 2-3 days, but let’s be real, they probably won’t last that long! To reheat, just zap them in the microwave for a few seconds, or warm them up in a low oven. Crispy, warm pie…yes, please!
Frequently Asked Questions About Heart Shaped Hand Pies
Got questions about making these adorable heart shaped hand pies? I’ve got answers! Here are a few of the most common things people ask me:
Can I use homemade pie crust for these Heart Shaped Hand Pies?
Absolutely! If you’re feeling ambitious, go for it! Homemade pie crust is always delicious. Just make sure it’s chilled before you start cutting out the hearts. You might need to adjust the baking time slightly, so keep an eye on them!
What other fillings can I use in Heart Shaped Hand Pies?
Oh, the possibilities are endless! Besides the usual apple and cherry, try blueberry, raspberry, or even a little lemon curd. For a chocolatey twist, add some mini chocolate chips to your favorite filling. You can even get savory with it – a little spinach and feta is surprisingly delicious!
How can I prevent the filling from leaking out of my Heart Shaped Hand Pies?
Ah, the dreaded filling leak! The key is to really seal those edges. Press firmly with your fingers first, then crimp with a fork. Make sure the egg wash is brushed all the way to the edge. And don’t overfill them! A tablespoon of filling is usually plenty.
Nutritional Information for Heart Shaped Hand Pies
Okay, so everyone always asks about the nutrition facts, right? Well, here’s the deal: it’s super tricky to give exact numbers for these heart shaped hand pies. It really depends on what kind of pie filling you use, what brand of pie crust you buy… you get the idea!
Basically, I can’t give you precise nutritional information. Just know that these are a treat, okay? Enjoy them in moderation! And maybe don’t look *too* closely at the sugar content – just savor the deliciousness!
Bake Your Heart Shaped Hand Pies Today!
Seriously, what are you waiting for? Go make these adorable heart shaped hand pies! And hey, if you do, leave a comment and let me know how they turned out. Rate the recipe, too! Happy baking!
Foolproof Heart Shaped Hand Pies: 4 Steps to Joy
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Varies, approximately 12-16 pies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Make heart-shaped hand pies with store-bought crust and your favorite filling.
Ingredients
- 2 sheets store bought pie crusts
- 1 can pie filling of choice
- 1 egg white
- 1 tbsp water
- sparkling sugar, if desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Soften pie crusts. Microwave at 50% power for 20–30 seconds or let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Unroll pie crusts. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out hearts.
- Place half the hearts on a surface. Spoon 1 tablespoon of filling into the center.
- Whisk egg white and water.
- Brush edges of filled hearts with egg wash. Place another heart on top. Press edges and crimp with a fork.
- Cut slits in the top of each pie. Transfer to baking sheet. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake for 10–15 minutes, until golden brown.
- Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Use your favorite pie filling.
- Ensure pie crusts are properly sealed to prevent filling from leaking.
- Adjust baking time based on your oven.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pie
- Calories: 2
- Sugar: 0.03g
- Sodium: 6mg
- Fat: 0.01g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0.03g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0.4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
