heart hand pies on a pink platter with fresh berries

Mixed Berry Conversation Heart Hand Pies

February 14, 2021

Cute heart hand pies with a flaky crust and filled with a medley of fresh (or frozen berries). Perfect for gifting to your loved ones!

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Sharon

Welcome to Whiskfully So! A space for growing food photographers. I created this blog to share my photography journey with the hope that food photography resources can be more accessible.

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Why send a Valentine’s Day card, when you can send these Mixed Berry Conversation Heart Hand Pies instead! Make these cute hand pies with my go-to flaky pie crust and fill with a medley of fresh (or frozen berries). Lastly,  stamp out your valentine’s day message and gift to your loved ones!

heart hand pies on a pink platter with fresh berries

What are hand pies?

Hand pies are basically “hand-sized pies” all the deliciousness of a full pie, but in a smaller package. A.k.a these are like pop tarts 😀 Here’s are yummy details!

YIELD: This recipe makes 12 mixed berry conversation heart hand pies! Depending on the size of your heart cutter, you may get more or less.

METHOD: Just like making a full sized pie, you’ll make the dough and filling separately first; assemble, then bake. Step-by-step details below!

TEXTURE: Crispy layers of golden pie crust paired with a sweet and tart jammy center.

FLAVOR: Summer berry mix! (check out the ingredients to read which ones I used.)

LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY: EASY – This recipe is easier than making a full pie, but does require some patience- the dough has got to chill! If you’ve never made pie before, don’t worry! I have a TON of tips, and this is a good entry recipe to pies.

making hand pies by rolling out the dough in a kitchen

Ingredients & equipment you’ll need to make these hand pies

These granola bars are so versatile! Even though these are Strawberry & banana flavored, you can sub in any mix-ins! Here’s what you’ll need to make these!

1 recipe of my home-made pie crust – Tried and tested many, many times. This is my favourite pie crust! It’s flaky, buttery, and easy to roll out!

*Note – For an egg free version – omit the egg, and add more water as necessary until the dough is JUST holding together. Get the recipe here

Berry Mix –  I use a mix of raspberries, blackberries and blueberries, but you’re free to them individually or combined! Frozen or fresh both work!

Granulated Sugar To remove any sourness from the berries when making the jam filling.

Heart-shaped cutter – I use a 4 inch wide cutter, and don’t recommend going any smaller or you may not be able to fit your text.

Mini Alphabet Cookie Cutters – The set I have has letters 1 inch long, but if you can find 1/2 inch long that’s even better!

cutting out messages on small pies

How to make Mixed Berry Hand Pies

1. Macerate the Berries –  Macerating is a process in which fruit is tossed with sugar to release all of its juices and soften. Let the (frozen) berries thaw and release all their juices and ice water. This step is essential if using frozen berries.

2. Make the pie dough – While the berries macerate, make the pie dough. Chilled pie dough is easier to roll out because the gluten has had time to relax. Read all my pie dough tips here!

3(a). Prep the Berry Jam – while the dough is chilling, get started on the jam! The berries should be very soft and mostly thawed. Pour out all but 3 tbsp of the excess water the sugar drew out. This ensures the jam will form.

3(b). Make the Jam – Place the berries in a sauce pot and on low heat bring to a light simmer. Stir occasionally with a spoon to ensure it doesn’t burn at the bottom. Patiently simmer the berries until they are completely softened and thicken. For more jam tips, check out this strawberry jam recipe!

4. Assemble! – Roll the pie dough out, and cut out 20-24 hearts.  Cut out the phrases of your choice on half of the heart shapes. Spoon the berry jam into the center heart pair, and top with the pair that has the cut-out phrase. Brush the edges with egg wash, and crimp shut with a fork!

5. Chill once more – These are chilled once more to prevent the bottom crust from getting soggy. Since the pies will warm up while assembling, this keeps them from getting droopy.

6. Bake! – Brush the pie with a little egg wash then bake in a hot oven at 450°F / 238° C. Bake until slightly golden brown and the filling is bubbling! Enjoy!

fresh and hot mixed berry hand pies

Tips for making pies

TIP #1Keep the pies cold –  Whenever making pies, the key is keeping everything cold: the butter, the filling, everything. A warm pie will bake out soggy. YUCK! I chill these hand pies once more before baking to ensure the jam doesn’t make the bottom soggy.

TIP #2 – Roll only in one direction to prevent the pie dough from tearing. Rolling back and forth with too much pressure can tear the dough. Roll only in one direction at a time, changing the direction to prevent one part of the dough from being overworked.

TIP #3 – For extra crunch, sprinkle some regular brown or turbinado sugar right before baking.

enjoying a cup of tea with berry pies

How to store Hand Pies

Once baked these are best enjoyed within 3-4 days. Store in an air tight container in the fridge.

To store unbaked, assemble the pies without the egg wash. Place them on a baking tray and freeze for minimum 30 minutes before stacking and placing in a bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to bake, thaw in the fridge, brush with egg wash and bake as instructed.

Happy Valentine’s Day my lovely friends! Thank you so much for being a part of this blog journey! Sending you extra love!

Happy Baking!
Sharon

Make sure to tag me on Instagram @whiskfullyso and leave a review below if you made this recipe. I hope you loved it! For more delicious ideas follow me on Pinterest.

Mixed Berry Conversation Heart Hand Pies

Sharon | Whiskfully So
Cute mixed berry hand pies with a flaky crust and filled with fresh (or frozen) berries. Stamp with a love note, and gift to your loved ones!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Chill Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Category Pies & Tarts
Servings 12 hand pies

Ingredients  

  • 1 recipe for pie dough

for the berry jam filling

  • 3 cups (570g approx.) of mixed berries (raspberry, blueberries, and blackberries suggested) frozen or fresh
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar

to assemble

  • 1 small egg whisked
  • 1 tbsp (15ml) cold milk or water

Instructions 

To prep the berry jam filling

  • Macerate the Berries - Whether using frozen or fresh berries, place them in a bowl and toss with the granulated sugar. Let sit for 15 minutes or until the berries are soft and all their excess water has been released. (May take longer for frozen berries since they have to thaw).
  • While the berries macerate, make the pie dough.

for the pie dough

  • Make the pie dough as instructed, wrap, and chill in the fridge until ready to use. Chill for at least 30 minutes.

Make the mixed berry jam filling

  • Combine the raspberry, blackberries, blueberries, and granulated sugar in a sauce pot. Bring to a simmer on low heat and cook until berries are broken down. Mash with a wooden spoon and continue to cook for another 5-10 minutes or until thickened.
  • Test the jam consistency by scooping some on the back of the spoon and running a finger through the jam. When it wrinkles and holds, it is ready. Remove the pot from the stove, and if desired, strain through a sieve to remove all the seeds. Use a spatula to press the jam through the sieve. Transfer to a glass jar. Set aside to cool until ready to use.

To Assemble the pies

  • Preheat the oven to 420°F / 238°C and line a large baking tray with parchment paper.
  • Remove the chilled dough from the fridge, and roll out on a lightly floured surface until 1/4 inch thick. Use a heart shaped cutter to cut out 24 hearts. Place the cut-out hearts at least 1/2 inch apart onto the prepped baking pan. Use alphabet cutters to cut out phrases of your choice on half of the heart shapes.
  • Make the egg wash by whisking together 1 small egg with 1 tbsp of milk or water.
  • Spoon 2-3 teaspoons of the berry filling into the center of the cut heart shapes (the ones without words) leave at least a 1/4 inch border. Brush the border with egg wash and top with the heart with the cut-out phrase. Press the edges together with the tines of a fork to seal.
  • Chill the assembled hand pies for another 10 minutes. This prevents the bottoms from getting soggy.
  • Brush the tops of all the hand pies with egg wash, before baking for 20 minutes or until golden brown.  Let cool for 10 minutes before enjoying!

Notes

SUBSTITUTIONS:
  • For an egg free pie crust, replace the egg with at least 1/8 cup (30ml) more water or until the dough just holds together when pressed.
Recipe for pie dough here!
Tips and tricks for making jam here!

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