Strawberry Sweetheart Hand Pies
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Fancy whipping up something special? These Strawberry Heart Hand Pies are proper lush! It's like a hug in every bite and super easy to make.
Strawberry and pastry, a match made in heaven!
Brief Overview
Hand pies have been around for ages, originally a great way to use up leftovers, but these are purely for pleasure.
These Valentine baked goods are medium difficulty but really simple. This recipe makes six perfect little pies.
Main Benefits
These hand pies are great. Strawberries are a decent source of Vitamin C, bonus. Perfect for a romantic night or even a girl's night in!
Ready to become a star baker? Okay, let's get these strawberry hand pies sorted out!
Making Strawberry Sweetheart Hand Pies
Getting Started
Right, let's make these adorable Strawberry Heart Hand Pies ! Honestly, they look way more impressive than they are to make.
We're talking seriously cute Valentine's Day desserts that taste divine. You can even call them homemade valentine treats !
Gather Your Ingredients
Here’s what you'll need to make these cute heart treats. We're making a batch of six, so plenty to share or just hog yourself.
- Flour: 2 1/2 cups (300g)
- Salt: 1 teaspoon (5g)
- Butter: 1 cup (227g) cold, cubed
- Ice water: 1/2 cup (120ml)
- Apple cider vinegar: 1 tablespoon (15ml)
- Strawberries: 1 pound (450g)
- Sugar: 1/4 cup (50g)
- Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons (15g)
- Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon (15ml)
- Cinnamon: 1/4 teaspoon (1g)
- Egg: 1 large
- Milk: 1 tablespoon (15ml)
- Coarse sugar: For sprinkling (optional)
Equipment
You'll need a few bits. Food processor is handy, but not essential. Make sure to have your rolling pin and heart cutter ready!
- Food processor
- Rolling pin
- Heart shaped cookie cutter
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Fork
- Small bowl for egg wash
- Pastry Brush
Making the Dough: The Heart of the Pie
Cold butter is KEY for flaky pastry. Mix until it looks like breadcrumbs. Then chill the dough! The chilling is super important.
Chill for at least 30 minutes. You can also get ready-made dough to save time.
Strawberry Sweetheart Hand Pies: Getting Started
Okay, let's talk ingredients. Before we get started with these delicious Strawberry Heart Hand Pies , we need to gather our bits and bobs.
Don't worry, you probably have most of this stuff already. Honestly, these valentine baked goods are easier than they look.
Main Ingredients Rundown
We're making some seriously scrumptious homemade valentine treats here. Accuracy is key, so let's get down to the nitty gritty.
For the Dough:
- All-purpose flour: 2 1/2 cups (300g). Opt for unbleached! You want a good quality flour.
- Salt: 1 teaspoon (5g). Just your average table salt is fine.
- Unsalted butter: 1 cup (227g, or 2 sticks ) cold, cubed. In EU that will be 250g. Seriously, cold butter is crucial for a flaky crust.
- Ice water: 1/2 cup (120ml). Keep it icy! More if needed.
- Apple cider vinegar: 1 tablespoon (15ml). Adds a little something special.
For the Filling:
- Fresh strawberries: 1 pound (450g), hulled and quartered. Look for bright red, fragrant berries for the best strawberry pie filling recipe .
- Granulated sugar: 1/4 cup (50g). Regular white sugar does the trick.
- Cornstarch: 2 tablespoons (15g). This helps thicken the filling.
- Lemon juice: 1 tablespoon (15ml). Freshly squeezed is always best.
- Ground cinnamon: 1/4 teaspoon (1g). Adds a warm touch.
For the Egg Wash:
- Large egg: 1 .
- Milk/water: 1 tablespoon (15ml).
For Garnish:
- Coarse sugar. Totally optional, but adds a nice sparkle.
Seasoning and Flavor Secrets
Right, let's talk flavor. The cinnamon in the strawberry pie filling recipe is key for warmth. A dash of nutmeg works too if you like.
For the heart shaped pie recipe filling, don't be shy with the lemon juice! A little acidity balances the sweetness.
If you don't have lemon juice, white wine vinegar will work in a pinch. You can use tapioca starch as a thickening agent for your filling if you don't have cornstarch
Essential Equipment
You don't need fancy gadgets to create these Valentine's Day desserts . Here's what you'll need:
- Food processor (optional). You can do the dough by hand, but a food processor makes it easier.
- Rolling pin. For rolling out the dough.
- Heart shaped cookie cutter (3-4 inches). You need these for valentine baked goods !
- Baking sheet.
- Parchment paper. Prevents sticking.
- Fork. For crimping the edges.
- Small bowl. For egg wash.
- Pastry brush. For brushing on the egg wash.
You probably have all this at home already. Now, onto the fun part.
Baking with Love: Strawberry Sweetheart Hand Pies
Oh my gosh, Valentine's Day is just around the corner! And what better way to say "I love you" than with some valentine baked goods ? Forget store-bought chocolates; we're making Strawberry Sweetheart Hand Pies .
Think strawberry hand pies bursting with flavour. These aren't your average pies, they're little pockets of love! Honestly, Homemade valentine treats are the best.
Prep Steps: Love in Every Detail
Alright, let's get prepped! Essential mise en place is key. First, get those strawberries hulled and quartered. Makes life easier, you know? Cold butter is your best friend, so cube it and keep it chilled.
Organisation is your friend. We need to make sure everything is laid out. This is key if you really want to have some romantic baking ideas .
Safety first! Watch those fingers when chopping, yeah? Nobody wants a band aid in their valentine's day baking !
Making Magic: step-by-step
Make the dough. Mix flour and salt. Add the cold butter until it looks like crumbs.
Slowly add ice water and vinegar.
Form a disc, wrap it, and chill. This is super important! Chill for at least 30 minutes .
Mix strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and cinnamon for the filling.
Roll out the dough and cut out heart shapes. Preheat oven to 375° F ( 190° C) .
Fill half the hearts with the Strawberry pie filling recipe .
Top with the other hearts and crimp the edges.
Brush with egg wash and bake for 20- 25 minutes until golden brown.
Pro Tips: From Good to Great
Want that extra oomph ? Use a super cold butter for flaky crusts. Avoid overmixing the dough, this is a must .
Don't have time? Use pre-made pie crust. Honestly, this makes it an easy valentine's day recipe . Another tip? A little cinnamon in the filling takes these valentine desserts for two to a whole new level.
Speaking of shortcuts? Make the dough a day ahead. Chilling overnight does wonders.
Recipe Notes for Your Valentine Baked Goods!
Alright, let's talk shop about these Strawberry Heart Hand Pies ! We want these little beauties to be perfect , right? Honestly, there's nothing worse than a soggy bottom, as the Great British Baking Show says.
But don't worry, I've got you covered with some helpful tips and tricks! These tips are going to help you create easy valentine's day recipe like a total pro.
Serving Suggestions
Okay, presentation is key when it comes to Valentine's Day desserts , right? Picture this: a warm strawberry hand pie sitting pretty on a plate, maybe dusted with a little extra sugar? Chef's kiss!
You can serve these homemade valentine treats warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Alternatively, you may add a dollop of whipped cream.
For a little extra pizazz, drizzle them with a simple powdered sugar glaze. A glass of sparkling rosé or a cup of tea would pair wonderfully too!
Storage Tips
These heart shaped pie recipe are best enjoyed fresh, honestly. However, if you have leftovers, no worries!
- Refrigeration: Store cooled hand pies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze baked and cooled hand pies individually wrapped in plastic wrap, then placed in a freezer bag for up to 2 months.
- Reheating: To reheat, bake frozen pies at 350° F ( 175° C) until warmed through, about 10- 15 minutes. If frozen, try adding 5 minutes!
Variations
Want to mix things up? I hear ya! There are endless possibilities when it comes to these little pies. If you’re feeling adventurous, try to make a batch of these valentine baked goods with other fillings too!
- Dietary Adaptations: Use a gluten-free flour blend to make gluten-free hand pies. Also, try vegan butter and milk alternatives for a vegan version.
- Seasonal Ingredient Swaps: Swap the strawberries for raspberries or blueberries. A little almond extract with raspberries? Oh my gosh, heaven!
Nutrition Basics
Let's face it: these aren't health food, but who cares? It's Valentine's Day! But for those curious, each pie clocks in around 350 calories with about 4g of protein, 20g of fat, and 40g of carbohydrates .
Fresh strawberries contain Vitamin C and antioxidants, so that's something right? If you're looking for romantic baking ideas, this recipe is a winner!
So there you have it! Everything you need to know to make the perfect strawberry pie filling recipe for Valentine's day baking .
Don't be afraid to experiment and have fun. These valentine desserts for two are guaranteed to impress! Get baking, you've got this!
Frequently Asked Questions
Help! My pie crust is always tough. What am I doing wrong when making these valentine baked goods?
Ah, the dreaded tough pie crust! Likely culprits are overworking the dough, which develops too much gluten, or using warm butter. Remember, cold butter is key for a flaky crust, so keep everything chilled.
Don't overmix pulse or mix until just combined, then chill that dough like it's a bottle of champers before your big date!
Can I make these Strawberry Heart Hand Pies ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and the filling separately a day in advance. Just store them in the refrigerator. Or, you can assemble the pies and keep them unbaked in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
This is perfect if you're planning a romantic Valentine's Day breakfast in bed, but don't want to be slaving away at the crack of dawn.
My strawberry filling is too runny! How can I fix my valentine baked goods?
Runny filling is a common issue! Make sure you're using the correct amount of cornstarch, as this is what helps thicken the strawberry juices. If your berries are extra juicy, you might even need to add a tiny bit more think half a teaspoon.
Also, avoid over mixing the filling, as this can break down the strawberries and release more liquid.
What are some variations I can try with these heart shaped hand pies?
Get creative! You could swap the strawberries for other berries like raspberries, blueberries, or even a mix. A little bit of almond extract goes beautifully with raspberries for a Bakewell tart vibe. For a festive twist, add a pinch of cardamom or nutmeg to the filling.
A chocolate drizzle over the finished pies would definitely earn you some extra brownie points too!
How should I store leftover Strawberry Heart Hand Pies?
Leftovers? What leftovers?! But if you do manage to resist temptation, store the baked hand pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can reheat them in a low oven (around 300°F/150°C) for a few minutes to crisp them up again.
They're also surprisingly good cold, straight from the fridge, with a cup of tea like a proper afternoon treat.
Are there any nutritional considerations when making these valentine baked goods?
These Strawberry Heart Hand Pies are definitely a treat, so moderation is key! To make them a bit healthier, consider using whole wheat flour for the dough, which adds fiber. You could also reduce the amount of sugar in the filling.
Remember that portion control is your friend, and enjoy these as part of a balanced diet, perhaps after a romantic walk in the park to burn some calories!
Strawberry Sweetheart Hand Pies
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 350 calories |
|---|---|
| Fat | 20g |
| Fiber | 2g |
