Description
These Pumpkin Hand Pies are a delightful seasonal treat combining a flaky, buttery crust with a spiced pumpkin filling. Perfect for fall gatherings or a cozy dessert, these individual pies are easy to make and bake to a golden perfection, offering a tasty way to enjoy the flavors of pumpkin pie in a handheld form.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into small cubes
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water
Filling
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and granulated sugar. Cut in the cold, cubed unsalted butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the ice water, starting with 1/4 cup, mixing just until the dough comes together. Add more water if necessary. Divide the dough into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Filling: In a separate bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cloves, ground nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Mix until the filling is smooth and well blended.
- Assemble the Hand Pies: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disc at a time to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a round cutter to cut out circles. Place a spoonful of pumpkin filling in the center of each circle.
- Seal and Decorate: Fold each dough circle over the filling to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges together to seal, and crimp with the tines of a fork. Brush the tops with beaten egg wash and sprinkle lightly with granulated sugar.
- Cut Slits and Bake: Cut a few small slits on the top of each hand pie to allow steam to escape. Place the hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Serve: Allow the hand pies to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature for a perfect fall snack or dessert.
Notes
- You can substitute pumpkin puree with canned pumpkin for convenience.
- Ensure the butter remains cold when mixing into the flour for a flaky crust.
- Chilling the dough helps prevent shrinking during baking.
- Adjust the amount of spices to your taste preference.
- These hand pies can be frozen before baking; bake directly from frozen with a few extra minutes.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
