Strawberry Hand Pies

June 4, 2013

Strawberry Hand Pies / une gamine dans la cuisine

I wanted to share these hand pies with you last week, but life got in the way and I never got around to writing out the recipe. Then I was going to write this post yesterday, but Game of Thrones got in the way. Seriously. Sunday night's episode...what...how...Why?? I'm still reeling - my stomach is still in a sickening knot.

Don't worry, I won't give anything away (in case you haven't watched it yet), and I won't linger on it too long in case you're not even interested in Game of Thrones. But for those of you who were just as shocked as I was - where do we go from here? I felt something coming, but that's only because I have the tendency to think that if things are going too well, it's only a matter of time... Still, I was floored by what happened. *shiver* I'm okay. It took a few episodes of Arrested Development to snap me back to my happy, snarky version of reality, but I'm okay.

Strawberries nestled inside flaky pâte brisée; lets talk about that, please. 

Strawberry Hand Pies / une gamine dans la cuisine

Lately I've been a flake when it comes to making decisions. Recently I stood in line at Panera Bread, trying to figure out if I wanted a sandwich or panini - as though I was choosing my fate. (I went with the panini. As always.)

When I went into this recipe, I made the pâte brisée first, not knowing if I wanted to bake it into the form of a pie, a galette or a tart. I decided that lots of tiny pies are much better than one large one. Hand pies are the fluffy Pomeranians of piedome. 

Strawberry Hand Pies / une gamine dans la cuisine

This recipe is kind of time consuming, but if you enjoy working in the kitchen, it's the best way for time to be consumed. Rolling and filling hand pies is a delicious, sticky, tedious process. You can make the dough a day ahead of time and store it in the fridge, or stash it in the freezer for about a month.

The pâte brisée is buttery, and flaky & Perfect. Instead of ice water, I tossed in cold buttermilk, so the crust has a subtle tangy aftertaste. Plus I think strawberries and buttermilk go together like marshmallows and hot cocoa. If you don't have access to fresh strawberries, feel free to use anything that's available. Blueberries, raspberries or cherries would be equally bewitching.

These hand pies are exquisite. I love the way the berry juice spills out from the vents and makes each pie look as though it was ravaged by a tiny vampire. And I adore hand pies for the simple fact that they're so personal. Who can resist biting into their very own berry pie(s)?

Strawberry Hand Pies / une gamine dans la cuisine


Strawberry Hand Pies
makes 12-15 pies

for the pâte brisée
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1 cup (that's 2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes (It's best to freeze the cubes overnight in a covered bowl)
1/2 cup cold buttermilk (you might not need an entire 1/2 cup, but just in case...)

for the strawberry filling
3 cups of strawberries, hulled and chopped
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 Tablespoons corn starch
Zest from one lemon
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/4 cup granulated sugar (for sprinkling)


method
Prepare the pâte brisée: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and sugar. Add the cold cubes of butter and toss until the cubes are coated with flour. Transfer everything to the bowl of a large food processor. Using short bursts, pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs - it's okay to have random large bits of butter.

Slowly add the cold buttermilk, streaming in about 1 Tablespoon at a time, and pulsing until the dough just starts to come together on the blade (don't add too much buttermilk - the dough should still be slightly crumbly). Turn the dough out onto a clean surface and gently knead - just enough to work in the stray crumbs.

Divide the dough in half, flatten each half into a disk, and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours (or overnight). {Note: Well-wrapped, the dough can be frozen for one month - transfer it to the fridge the night before using.}

Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine the chopped berries, 1/2 cup of sugar, corn starch, zest, and almond extract (if using). Mix to combine. Set the bowl aside.

Preheat the oven to 425 F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper.

Remove one dough disk from the refrigerator. (If the dough is too cold and stiff to roll out, let it rest at room temperature for a few minutes.) On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a large rectangle, about 1/8-inch thick. Use a 5-inch cookie cutter to cut out as many circles as possible. {Note: I didn't have large cookie cutter so I used the rim of a large drinking glass instead.} Transfer the rounds to prepared baking sheet. If you have enough dough leftover, reroll the scraps to make more circles.

Place about 1 heaping Tablespoon of the strawberry mixture onto one half of each round. Lightly brush the edges of the dough with the beaten egg. Fold the bare half of the dough over to enclose the filling - forming a half moon. Use your fingers or a fork to gently press the edges together until sealed. Lightly brush the tops with the egg and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Use a sharp paring knife to make two small vents on the top of each pie.

Repeat with the remaining half of dough and *filling.

*More than likely, you will have leftover filling. Just keep it covered and store it in the fridge, or dollop the mixture over some waffles. (It's excellent by the spoonful too!) 

Bake 20-23 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove the sheets from the oven and allow the pies to rest for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack. Cool completely before serving.

adapted from Martha Stewart via Smitten Kitchen

37 comments:

  1. Lovely little pies! Really tempting.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. Oh yes, that is seriously so gorgeous! I will take 3 of those pronto!

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  3. I've just watched the new episode of Game of Thrones. It was unexpected. I like your pies, looks like baked dumplings.

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  4. I love, love, love those hand pies! And you've almost convinced me to start watching Game of Thrones.

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  5. my other half has just demanded I attempt these -I think we can safely say they look AMAZING!

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  6. We PVR'd Game Of Thrones..will watch tonight..
    Oh lala..and one of my daughter's watches AD religiously..
    I have favorites too..
    Call The Midwife..Downton Abbey..The Forsythe Saga
    Brace yourself..:The Killing......yes..love it!

    And I love you hand pies~plus the embroidered fabric~

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  7. Super adorbs is the perfect way to describe these cuties! Love love love :).

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  8. Why should we even try to resist? They look soooo lovely and tasty, let's tuck in :)

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  9. Beautiful strawberry mini pies ...and yes I would love to have one all to myself! Pretty pictures really show them off..I'm thinking of one wrapped in wax paper and packed in my lunch bag ;-)

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  10. Absolutely gorgeous! Those are so beautiful, and they looks scrumptious. I just had dinner, but I will gladly take a couple for dessert! :)

    You are incredibly talented in the kitchen. Brilliant work, as always!

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  11. I love the hand pies and how beautiful they turned out. I am especially in love with that towel you photographed them on! So perfect!

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  12. These are so cute! Pinning and must make. I'm indecisive all the time, so I can relate. ;)

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  13. I love hand pies! Made my first ones last year and you are inspiring me to create some more. Did you do a new logo at the top of your blog - if so, I love it! I need to check out Game of Thrones - always looking for a great TV show. I just wish I had a hand pie of yours right now.

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  14. I love these, they are so perfect and they look so yummy! You did a beautiful job! And I can never decide on what to order anywhere either.

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  15. My fiance LOVES Game of Thrones! Although I don't watch it I was in the room during the latest episode - it was seriously bloody!

    On a different note, I've never made a hand pie (!). These look like the perfect place to start though :-)

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  16. Game of thrones, vampires, and strawberry hand pies. This is a post after my own heart. And now I know what to do with that stash of blueberries, thanks!

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  17. Love the individual little strawberry hand pies..each a few bites of deliciousness.

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  18. Beautiful Strawberry Hand Pies and photography, Valerie! Oh, this post of yours had me in a complete tizzy guessing before catching up with this week's Game of Thrones! O.O ...xo

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  19. I adore individual desserts. It means no sharing for this gal; I don't like to share my dessert. Food takes careful decision. It takes me several minutes of pondering over a menu before I can make any type of decision.

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  20. Hand pies are a favorite of mine, I haven't tried strawberry yet so I need to. I like the sprinkling of sugar on the outside and how it gets hard and crusty, yum!

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  21. Your hand pies are so adorable! Love the strawberry filling oozing out!

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  22. I have never made hand pies before, but these would definitely be my first choice of ones to make! Gorgeous!

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  23. i love the line "hand pies are like fluffy Pomeranians" :) have you liked the new arrested development episodes? it took me a while, but now I'm totally loving them. these are perfect, so cute and delicious!

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  24. Something else to do with strawberries - I might also try some of the lovely peaches in these things.
    Thanks

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  25. These are fabulous, Val!!! Perfectly delicious hand pies, that I would give anything to have right now! True beauties!

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  26. These look wonderful! I have been itching to make homemade hand pies for some time now...the thought of spending a lazy weekend afternoon in my kitchen putting these together just sounds downright lovely. Can't wait to try them!

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  27. Game of What?! Dunno what you're talking about... I am too busy watching Spongebob!
    BUT, Strawberry hand pies and I go way back. Way!
    I can totally see myself hanging out with these awesome treats next to me and finally enjoying Spongebob!

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  28. Valerie, you always create the most elegant and delicious treats. I love the look of these hand pies... the strawberry centres look so vibrant, sweet and wonderful! I might make a batch for the girl's "crafternoon" that I'm going to on Sunday! Perfect to nibble on whilst tie-dying cotton necklaces! Thanks xx

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  29. yes, lots of mini hand pies are better than one huge pie. these are adorable, the perfect amount for one sitting, or bringing on a picnic.

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  30. Totally agree with you about strawberries and buttermilk - delish! These are lovely, I've still, embarrassingly, never had a hand pie, but since it's strawberry season I may have to make these! :)

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  31. Seriously...these hand pies wouldn't last long in my house and I'm not talking about my husband. I'd devour them! I love your buttermilk idea, too, instead of ice water--will have to try that next time.

    Game of Thrones: I have been stuck on the second book and haven't gotten past it. Been told that it sets the stage for the rest of the story. I should probably watch the series to I can get past the reading hump!

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  32. I was never able to get into Game of Thrones and didn't know it had such a huge following! I feel like I am missing out...

    Um, these hand pies, just too cute and delicious looking!

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  33. Strawberries are in season and hand pies in my future. Love the old linens as well.

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  34. I love Game of Thrones...but I like to power watch stuff. I only finished season 1. I got season 2 on stand by. I'm waiting for the whole season 3...then I am going to power watch! Hahaha! That's one of my guilty pleasures! But of course, Game of Thrones with a strawberry hand pie...HEAVEN! Out of this world!

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  35. Game of Thrones was something, right? My husband has read all the books so I knew it was coming and it was still shocking to watch. Tears.

    These hand pies are just gorgeous. I love everything you make!

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  36. I had some over-ripe strawberries about to go bad, and I remembered I had bookmarked this recipe. Even with almost-bad strawberries these were simply delightful, and less than 48 hours later they've been completely devoured by the three of us. The recipe was easy, and they turned out perfectly -- just like your beautiful picture. Thank you for a wonderful recipe! Next time I won't wait for the strawberries to go off before I make the pies. :)

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  37. @Anna G. I'm so happy you were able to use up those over-ripe berries (I usually toss mine to the birds). :D
    Thanks for letting me know how the pies turned out! xo

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Thanks for visiting, and for taking the time to read through my ramblings!
If you have a recipe comment or question, I'd love to hear from you.

Happy Baking!
♥ Valerie

 

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