Save to Pinterest These charming hand pies feature flaky, golden pastry filled with tangy raspberry jam, shaped into hearts for a festive touch. Lightly dusted and glazed with sugar, they bake to a crisp finish in under 20 minutes. Perfect for sharing during special moments or cozy afternoons, they blend sweetness with tender texture. The use of a simple dough base and a hint of lemon juice brightens the jam through a simple cornstarch thickener, ensuring a balanced filling that doesn't ooze. Enjoy warm or cooled, optionally paired with a drizzle of glaze or vanilla ice cream for an indulgent twist.
The first time I made these heart-shaped hand pies, it was actually a complete accident. I'd planned to make regular circular turnovers, but my heart-shaped cookie cutter was sitting right there on the counter, and suddenly I was cutting out dozens of tiny pastry hearts instead. My kitchen looked like a confetti explosion of pink flour and raspberry-stained spoons, but the way these emerged from the oven, golden and crimped and absolutely darling, made every extra minute worth it.
I brought a batch to my sister's apartment last February, and her roommate took one bite and immediately asked if I'd accept payment in future dinner invitations. They disappeared in under ten minutes, which I consider the highest possible compliment for any baked good. Now they're my go-to whenever I need to show up somewhere with something that says I put effort in without making me look like I'm trying too hard.
Ingredients
- Pie dough: Store-bought works beautifully here, but homemade adds that extra touch of love.
- Raspberry jam: The cornstarch trick prevents the filling from turning into a molten lava situation in the oven.
- Egg wash: This is what gives you that gorgeous golden bakery shine.
- Granulated sugar: A little crunch on top makes these feel extra special.
Instructions
- Get your oven ready:
- Preheat to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper before you start anything else.
- Prep the filling:
- Whisk together the jam, lemon juice, and cornstarch in a small bowl until smooth.
- Cut out hearts:
- Roll dough to 1/8 inch thick and cut 16 hearts using a 3.5 inch cookie cutter.
- Fill and seal:
- Place 8 hearts on the baking sheet, add 1 tablespoon filling to each, brush edges with water, and top with remaining hearts, crimping edges with a fork.
- Add the finishing touches:
- Brush with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar, and cut tiny slits for steam to escape.
- Bake until golden:
- Bake 16-18 minutes until deep golden brown and cool on a wire rack before serving.
Save to Pinterest Last Valentine's Day, I made these while my kitchen timer kept beeping at me and I was running late to a dinner party. They came out slightly darker than planned, but something about those extra-crispy edges made them even better. Sometimes the mistakes teach you the best lessons.
Making Ahead
You can assemble the entire hand pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, freeze them solid, then transfer to a bag for storage. Bake directly from frozen, adding 2-3 minutes to the cooking time.
Filling Variations
Swap raspberry jam for strawberry, apricot preserves, or even lemon curd. I once made a batch with Nutella and they were dangerously good.
Storage Tips
These are best the day they're made, but they'll keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Refresh them in a 350°F oven for 5 minutes to restore that fresh-baked crispiness.
- Don't refrigerate unless absolutely necessary, as the pastry will get sad and soggy.
- Freeze baked, cooled hand pies for up to 3 months wrapped well.
- Reheat frozen pies at 375°F for 8-10 minutes.
Save to Pinterest There's something about hand-shaped food that just makes people happy, and these little hearts never fail to bring out smiles, even on the most ordinary Tuesday afternoons.
Recipe FAQs
- → What dough works best for these hand pies?
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A flaky pie dough, either store-bought or homemade, works well to create tender, crisp layers.
- → Can other fruit preserves be used instead of raspberry?
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Yes, strawberry, apricot, or your favorite preserves can be used to vary the flavor.
- → How do I prevent the jam from leaking during baking?
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Seal the edges firmly by pressing and crimping with a fork, and cut a small slit on top to allow steam to escape.
- → What is the purpose of brushing the pies with egg wash?
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Egg wash creates a golden, glossy finish and helps the sugar sprinkled on top to adhere.
- → How should these hand pies be served?
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They can be enjoyed warm or cooled, and pair wonderfully with a drizzle of glaze or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- → Is there a recommended baking temperature and time?
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Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 16–18 minutes until golden brown and crisp.
