Heartshaped Strawberry Rhubarb Hand Pies
Recipe Introduction: Heart Shaped Hand Pies for Your Sweetheart
Fancy some valentines day desserts that are both cute and delish? Are you searching for the perfect valentine sweet treats ? Honestly, these Heart Shaped Strawberry Rhubarb Hand Pies with Lavender Infusion are calling your name.
They're proper fancy, like something you'd see on "Bake Off," but totally doable at home.
Quick Hook
Ever wondered how to make your Valentine's Day extra special? These valentines snacks combine a sweet and tangy flavor profile with a sophisticated lavender twist.
Prepare to impress! They are a unique valentine baking treat.
Brief Overview
These hand pies are inspired by classic British baking, with a delicate, romantic twist. The sweetness of the strawberry and rhubarb is balanced by the floral lavender notes.
The recipe is medium difficulty and takes about 1 hour 40 minutes. This recipe yields 6-8 hand pies. So plenty for sharing.
.. or not!
Main Benefits
Strawberries are packed with antioxidants, making these pies a slightly healthier treat. These valentine day treats are the perfect valentine party food for a cozy night in or a Galentine's get-together.
What makes these easy valentine treats special? The combination of familiar flavors with a touch of elegance.
Ready to bake some love? The best valentines day recipes start with fresh ingredients. Let's dive into what you'll need.
Ingredients Breakdown
You will need flour, sugar, salt, and cold butter for the pie dough. Don't forget ice water! For the filling, you need strawberries, rhubarb, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and lavender.
I'm thinking of making them as homemade valentines gifts . Egg wash and turbinado sugar are optional, but add a lovely finish!
Valentine's Day Heart Shaped Hand Pies are the best valentine snacks for kids .
Time to Preheat
Preheat your oven to 375° F ( 190° C). Honestly, preheating is the most important part. Don't skip it! It's crucial for proper baking.
Make sure the temperature is 375° F ( 190° C) , or you may mess it up.
Valentine Food Ideas
Ingredients & Equipment: Let's Get This Bake On!
Alright, so you wanna make these adorable heart shaped desserts ? Let's talk ingredients! These valentine sweet treats are all about love (and deliciousness, obvi).
Main Ingredients for your Valentine's Snacks
Okay, listen up! We're making Strawberry Rhubarb Hand Pies with a touch of lavender. It sounds fancy, but trust me, it's doable.
- For the Dough:
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 1/2 cups (300g).
- Granulated Sugar: 1 teaspoon (5g).
- Salt: 1 teaspoon (6g).
- Unsalted Butter: 1 cup (227g), ice cold. The colder, the better, honestly! .
- Ice Water: 1/2 cup (120ml), gradually added.
- For that Sweet Filling:
- Fresh Strawberries: 1 pound (450g), hulled and chopped. Look for bright red ones, yeah?
- Fresh Rhubarb: 1 pound (450g), chopped.
- Granulated Sugar: 1/2 cup (100g).
- Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons (15g).
- Lemon Juice: 1 tablespoon (15ml).
- Dried Culinary Lavender Buds: 1 teaspoon.
- Pinch of Salt.
- The Egg Wash:
- Egg: 1 large.
- Milk: 1 tablespoon.
- The Grand Finale - Garnish:
- Turbinado Sugar: For that extra sparkle.
Seasoning Notes: Flavour Boost!
Let's talk flavour! Lavender is the secret weapon here for these valentine themed snacks . It adds a floral, almost perfume-y note to the sweet strawberry rhubarb pie that is divine.
If you're not into lavender, a little vanilla extract will also make valentines desserts easy . Cinnamon works wonders to! I have this friend and she loves valentine baking , she would put almost anything in her dessert!
Also, a pinch of salt in sweet stuff? Always. It enhances the other flavours!
Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple!
Don't panic, you don't need a professional kitchen for these easy valentine treats .
- Food processor (or pastry blender).
- Rolling pin.
- Heart shaped cookie cutter. Because it is a valentine day treats .
- Baking sheet.
- Parchment paper.
- Small bowl and whisk.
- Wire rack.
If you don't have a food processor, just use a pastry blender or even your fingers! The trick is to keep the butter super cold.
Get the kids excited with these valentine snacks for kids .
Now, get ready to bake some love into these valentines day desserts .
Alright, let's whip up something special! Forget those boring chocolates. We are making the kind of valentines snacks that say "I love you" in a delicious, pastry filled way.
These Heart Shaped Strawberry Rhubarb Hand Pies? Oh my gosh, they're the business. Think valentine baking but leveled up.
Heart Shaped Hand Pies: Your New Valentine Baking Obsession
Seriously, these pies? Valentine sweet treats at their finest. The strawberry rhubarb pie filling is sweet and tart. The lavender adds a touch of sophistication.
It's like something you'd find in a fancy patisserie, but you made it yourself! And for those seeking some easy valentine treats for family, friends and/or for your partner this is the way to go.
Prep Steps: Getting Your Mise en Place On
- Essential mise en place . First things first. Get organized! Chop your strawberries and rhubarb. Cube that butter. Honestly, having everything ready before you start makes life SO much easier.
- Time Saving Organization Tips . I like to measure out all my dry ingredients into one bowl. It saves a washing-up. Every little helps, eh?
- Safety Reminders . Knife safety, people! And be careful when you're cooking the filling. Hot sugar burns are NO fun.
Creating Love: step-by-step Hand Pie Magic
- Make the Dough : Pulse flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor. Add cold butter and pulse until coarse crumbs form. Slowly add ice water until the dough just comes together. Wrap it up, then chill for at least 30 minutes .
- Cook the Filling : Toss strawberries, rhubarb, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, lavender, and a pinch of salt into a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened (10- 15 minutes) . Let it cool completely.
- Roll and Cut : Roll out that chilled dough on a lightly floured surface. Use heart shaped cookie cutters to make adorable cut outs. You can play around with sizes for extra cuteness.
- Fill 'Em Up : Place a spoonful of the cooled filling onto half of your heart shapes. Top with another heart shape to create the heart shaped desserts .
- Seal and Shine : Crimp the edges with a fork. Brush the tops with egg wash and sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Now they're seriously Instagrammable.
- Bake to Golden Perfection : Pop 'em in a 375° F ( 190° C) oven for 20- 25 minutes . Look for that beautiful golden brown color.
Pro Tips for Valentine Dessert Ideas
- Cold is Key . Seriously, cold butter and water make all the difference. Warm butter equals sad, tough pastry.
- Don't Overwork It . Overworked dough = tough crust. Mix until just combined. No need to get all ensoiastic.
- Avoid Soggy Bottoms . Dock (prick) the bottom of the crusts with a fork before adding the filling to let steam escape. No one wants a soggy bottom, right? Make these valentines day desserts special.
Honestly? These little pies are the perfect valentine party food . They're personal. They're delicious. And they show you put in the effort.
Plus, strawberry and rhubarb? It's a romantic desserts classic with a special lavender twist! So, go on, give it a go! They're proper valentine themed snacks .
You won't regret it.
Recipe Notes: Heart Shaped Hand Pies for Your Valentine!
Alright, let's talk about how to make these valentines snacks extra special. I mean, come on, it's for Valentine's Day! This isn't just baking; it's an act of love.
I want to share a few thoughts on what works best based on my trials and errors, and how you can turn these yummy snacks into super valentine sweet treats.
Serving Suggestions: k_annotated : valentine party food Fun!
Presentation is everything, right? Think beyond just slapping a pie on a plate.
- Plating and Presentation Ideas: A light dusting of powdered sugar makes these little heart shaped desserts look magical. Try arranging them artfully on a platter. Or serve each one on its own plate for an elegant touch.
- Complementary Sides or Beverages: These pies go brilliantly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Honestly, who can resist ice cream? A glass of chilled rosé also pairs beautifully! You can also add whip cream on top for a sweeter kick!
Storage Tips: Make 'Em Last!
Okay, so maybe you won't eat all of these in one sitting, but if you do, i am not judging! Here's how to keep them yummy.
- Refrigeration Guidelines: Store any leftover pies in an airtight container in the fridge. They'll be good for about 3 days.
- Freezing Options (if applicable): You can freeze these. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They'll last for about 2 months. Just make sure they are fully cooled before doing so!
- Reheating Instructions: Pop them in a 350° F ( 175° C) oven for about 10 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave them, but watch out for that soggy pastry! If you want valentines day desserts , make sure to properly follow this guide!
Variations: k_annotated : valentine food ideas and Make it Your Own!
Feel free to play around with this recipe. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
- 1-2 Dietary Adaptations: Want a gluten-free version? Use a gluten-free pie crust! Swap the egg wash for plant based milk for a vegan version. Seriously easy valentine treats to adjust!
- Seasonal Ingredient Swaps: Don't have rhubarb? Use apples! Berries work too! Get creative based on whats in your area at this time of year, to make the best valentine baking .
Nutrition Basics: k_annotated : valentine snacks for kids
Alright, let's be real. These are treats, not health food. But here's the lowdown:
- Simplified Nutrition Information: Each serving has about 350 calories. You're getting about 4g of protein, 18g of fat, and 45g of carbs. Just treat them as a sometimes food and don't go overboard!
- Key Health Benefits: Well, besides making you happy? Strawberries and rhubarb have some antioxidants. But let's be honest, it's all about that feel good factor .
So there you have it. These valentines day recipes are meant to be fun. Don't stress about making them perfect.
Just enjoy the process and share the love. Happy valentine day treats baking! These valentine themed snacks are a way to express love.
Frequently Asked Questions
My pie dough is always tough! What am I doing wrong when making these valentines snacks?
Ah, the bane of every baker! Tough pie dough usually means the gluten has been overdeveloped. Make sure your butter and water are ice cold and don't overmix the dough. Pulse the ingredients in a food processor until just combined, or use a pastry blender and a light touch. Less is more when it comes to pie dough!
Can I make these heart shaped hand pies ahead of time? I'm a busy bee!
Absolutely! You can prepare the pie dough and filling separately up to 2 days in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Assemble the hand pies just before baking for the best results. You can even freeze the assembled, unbaked hand pies for up to a month.
When ready to bake, add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Help! My strawberry rhubarb filling is too runny. How do I fix it?
Runny fillings are a common woe. Ensure you're using the correct amount of cornstarch to thicken the filling. If it's still too thin after cooking, you can gently simmer it for a few more minutes to reduce the liquid, being careful not to burn it.
Letting the filling cool completely before assembling the pies also helps it to set.
I'm allergic to strawberries. What other fruits can I use for these valentine's snacks?
No worries, there are plenty of delicious substitutions! Blueberries, raspberries, or even a mix of different berries would work beautifully. Apples are also a great substitute if you want something a bit different and can still deliver that warm, comforting feeling perfect for Valentine's Day.
How should I store leftover hand pies to keep them fresh?
To keep your hand pies tasting their best, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also refrigerate them for up to 5 days. To reheat, pop them in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for a few minutes until warmed through, or microwave them for a quicker fix.
Heartshaped Strawberry Rhubarb Hand Pies
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 350 calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 18g |
| Fiber | 3g |
