Imagine a flaky, golden pastry bursting with sweet, jammy berries—Blueberry Hand Pies are the kind of joyful treat that brightens up any day. Portable, shareable, and absolutely irresistible, these homemade hand pies capture everything we love about classic pie in a perfectly personal size. Whether you’re baking for a picnic, a cozy weekend, or simply craving a fruity dessert, this recipe is easy, quick, and designed for maximum blueberry bliss!
Ingredients You’ll Need
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Blueberry Filling:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pie Crust:
- 1 package (2 sheets) store-bought pie crusts (or homemade)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Coarse sugar for sprinkling (optional)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or lemon juice
Optional Glaze:
How to Make Blueberry Hand Pies
Step 1: Prepare the Blueberry Filling
Start by making the luscious blueberry filling. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine your blueberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Stir frequently for about 5 to 7 minutes, just until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble. This helps the berries break down and everything meld together into a bright, flavorful jam. Once thickened, turn off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let this cool completely—it’s essential for a crisp, flaky crust later!
Step 2: Cut and Prepare Your Pie Dough
Roll out your pie crusts on a lightly floured surface. Grab a large round cutter or simply use a bowl to cut out circles (about 4 or 5 inches across is ideal), or opt for rectangles if you prefer. This is your moment to get a little creative with shapes! You’ll need an even number for tops and bottoms—usually 16 pieces for 8 pies.
Step 3: Fill and Seal the Pies
Spoon a generous tablespoon of the fully cooled blueberry filling onto the center of half the dough cutouts. Be careful not to overfill—they need room to seal! Brush the edges with a bit of beaten egg, then gently place the remaining rounds or rectangles on top. Press edges to seal, then use a fork to crimp; this locks in all that gooey goodness and gives a rustic, homemade look.
Step 4: Finish and Bake
Arrange the hand pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving space for them to puff up. Brush the tops with a little more beaten egg for glossy shine. For a touch of sparkle and crunch, sprinkle with coarse sugar if you like. Don’t forget to cut a small slit in the top of each pie to let steam escape—this keeps your pies from bursting open in the oven. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 18 to 22 minutes, just until golden brown and smelling heavenly.
Step 5: Cool and Glaze
Let your Blueberry Hand Pies cool on a wire rack (though sneaking one warm is highly recommended). If you love an extra touch of sweetness, whisk together powdered sugar and a bit of milk or lemon juice to make a simple glaze, then drizzle generously over the cooled pies. It adds pizzazz and even more flavor!
How to Serve Blueberry Hand Pies
Garnishes
For a bakery-worthy finish, try dusting your hand pies with a shower of powdered sugar or a drizzle of that simple glaze. A small scoop of whipped cream or a dollop of vanilla ice cream beside each pie turns this dessert into something extra special. If you’re feeling fancy, add a few extra fresh blueberries or a twist of lemon zest right on top.
Side Dishes
These Blueberry Hand Pies are lovely on their own, but serving them with creamy vanilla ice cream makes them downright dreamy. For a fresh twist, pair with a fruit salad featuring strawberries, peaches, or raspberries. A mug of strong coffee or sweet tea alongside is perfect for balancing the pies’ fruity richness.
Creative Ways to Present
Lay out a platter of hand pies for a brunch centerpiece, package them in wax paper for a picnic treat, or serve them “mini pie bar” style with toppings like ice cream, yogurt, and extra berries. They look adorable wrapped in parchment and twine as edible favors, or stacked tall for a summer potluck dessert table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Blueberry Hand Pies keep beautifully at room temperature for a day or two, especially if you store them in an airtight container. For longer freshness, tuck them into the fridge, where they’ll stay tender and delicious for up to four days. Just make sure they’ve cooled completely before storing to avoid condensation and soggy crusts.
Freezing
One of the best things about these pies is how well they freeze—make a double batch and enjoy them anytime! Freeze the unbaked, assembled pies in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a freezer bag once solid. When you’re craving dessert, bake them straight from frozen, just adding a couple of minutes to the usual bake time. Fully baked pies also freeze well; let them thaw overnight and warm before serving.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven magic, pop chilled or thawed Blueberry Hand Pies in a 350°F oven for 5 to 10 minutes until heated through and crisped up. For a quick fix, a few seconds in the microwave works, but the oven is your best bet for keeping the crust perfectly flaky.
FAQs
Can I use frozen blueberries for the filling?
Absolutely! Frozen blueberries work just as well as fresh. There’s no need to thaw them first—just use straight from the freezer, and you may need to add a minute or two of extra cooking time as the filling thickens.
What’s the best way to seal the Blueberry Hand Pies?
Brushing the edges with egg wash before topping and then crimping with a fork really does the trick. It not only secures the filling but also gives an appealing classic look. If you’re worried about leaks, you can double seal by gently pinching first, then using the fork.
Can I make these hand pies with other fruit?
Yes! While blueberry is a star, feel free to swap in raspberries, strawberries, or a peach mixture—just keep the filling method and ratios similar, adjusting sugar to taste as needed.
How do I prevent soggy crusts?
Letting the filling cool completely before assembling is essential. This keeps the pie dough from getting wet and ensures your Blueberry Hand Pies stay crisp and flaky. Also, don’t overfill each pie and make sure to bake them until deeply golden.
Is a glaze necessary or just for looks?
The optional glaze is definitely more than just a pretty finish! It adds a sweet-tart touch (especially with lemon juice) that complements the blueberry flavor. But the hand pies taste fantastic without it, too—totally up to your taste and mood.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dessert that’s simple, satisfying, and sure to impress, you can’t go wrong with Blueberry Hand Pies. They’re pure joy to bake and even more fun to share. Give them a try and let every buttery, berry-filled bite bring a smile to your table!
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Blueberry Hand Pies Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 hand pies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Blueberry Hand Pies are a delightful treat, perfect for a sweet snack or dessert. Made with a buttery pie crust and a luscious blueberry filling, these mini pies are bursting with flavor. Enjoy them warm with a sprinkle of sugar on top!
Ingredients
Blueberry Filling:
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pie Crust:
- 1 package (2 sheets) store-bought pie crusts (or homemade)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Coarse sugar for sprinkling (optional)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons milk or lemon juice
Optional Glaze:
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare the blueberry filling: In a saucepan, combine blueberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Cook until thickened, then stir in vanilla and let cool.
- Assemble the hand pies: Roll out pie crusts, cut into rounds, place filling, seal edges, and bake until golden brown.
- Make the optional glaze: Whisk powdered sugar with milk or lemon juice until smooth and drizzle over cooled pies.
Notes
- Ensure the filling is completely cooled before assembling to prevent a soggy crust.
- You can freeze unbaked hand pies for later use, adjusting the bake time accordingly.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hand pie
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 17g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
