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Flaky Cherry Pie Hand Pies

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These flaky cherry pie hand pies feature a buttery golden crust and a sweet-tart cherry filling, perfect for a quick homemade dessert or snack.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 6–8 tbsp ice-cold water
  • 3 cups fresh or frozen tart cherries, pitted
  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • Coarse sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter. Using a pastry blender or your fingers, quickly cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with some pea-sized bits.
  2. Sprinkle 6 tablespoons of ice-cold water over the mixture. Gently mix with a fork until the dough just holds together. If it’s too dry, add more water one tablespoon at a time. Gather the dough into a ball and divide it in half. Flatten each half into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and bubbles, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in almond extract if using. Let cool completely.
  4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disk to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a 4-inch round cutter or a sharp knife to cut circles. Gather scraps and reroll gently if needed.
  5. Place about 2 tablespoons of cherry filling in the center of each dough circle. Brush the edges with water, fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape, and press edges firmly with a fork to seal well. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet.
  6. Brush each hand pie with beaten egg for a golden shine. Sprinkle a pinch of coarse sugar on top.
  7. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes until the crust is golden and crisp. Check after 20 minutes to avoid over-browning.
  8. Let the hand pies cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving. Best enjoyed warm.

Notes

Keep all ingredients cold to ensure a flaky crust. Do not overwork the dough to avoid toughness. Seal edges tightly to prevent filling leaks. Check oven early to avoid over-browning. Egg wash adds color and richness. Dough can be made and chilled up to 2 days ahead. For gluten-free, substitute flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend; dairy-free butter alternatives can be used but texture may vary.

Nutrition

Keywords: cherry pie, hand pies, flaky crust, homemade dessert, cherry filling, easy pie recipe, sweet snack

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/flaky-cherry-pie-hand-pies-recipe-easy-homemade-perfect-crust/