Strawberry Hand Pies

I'm so excited to share these strawberry hand pies with you! Last Valentine's Day, Sarah asked if we could make something special together, and honestly, I was tired of the same old chocolate desserts. Don't get me wrong, I love chocolate, but I wanted something fresh and fun that we could actually make as a family project.

Jump to:

• Why You Will Love These Strawberry Hand Pies
• What You Need For Strawberry Hand Pies
• How To Make Perfect Strawberry Hand Pies
• Storing Your Strawberry Hand Pies
• Tips For Making The Best Strawberry Hand Pies
• Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Hand Pies
• Recipes You May Like
• Make These Strawberry Hand Pies Today
• Strawberry Hand Pies

That's when I remembered my mom making these little heart-shaped pies when I was a teenager. She'd pull them out of the oven, and the whole kitchen would smell amazing. I knew I had to recreate that magic for my own kids.

These strawberry hand pies are basically little pockets of joy wrapped in flaky pastry. They're sweet, they're adorable, and they're way easier to make than you'd think. Alex loves that he can grab one and eat it on the way to school (yes, we've had them for breakfast – don't judge). Donald says they remind him of the fancy pastries from that bakery on 5th Avenue, except these actually taste better because they're homemade.

The best part? You can make these in your oven OR on the grill. We've tried both ways, and they turn out perfect either time.

If you're looking for more handheld treats that are just as easy, check out my air fryer apple hand pies – they're another family favorite that takes almost no time at all.

Why You Will Love These Strawberry Hand Pies

• Super simple to make – Even if you're not a baker, you can nail these. I promise.
• Ready in about 30 minutes – From start to finish, including prep and baking time.
• Perfect for any occasion – Valentine's Day, picnics, after-school snacks, or just because it's Tuesday.
• Kids love helping – Sarah adores cutting out the heart shapes, and Alex is surprisingly good at crimping the edges.
• Portable and mess-free – No plates needed, which is perfect for our busy mornings.
• You can make them ahead – Freeze them and pop them in the oven whenever you need a quick dessert.

What You Need For Strawberry Hand Pies

Here's what you'll need to grab from your kitchen:

• Single-crust pie dough (I use store-bought because life is short, but homemade works great too)
• ⅓ cup jam (regular jam, not a spread – I learned this the hard way when mine leaked everywhere)
• Milk or cream (for sealing and brushing)
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon mixed with 1 teaspoon sugar (this makes them smell incredible)

Optional homemade filling: If you want to make your own strawberry filling instead of using jam, stir together 2 cups mashed strawberries, ¾ cup granulated sugar, and ¼ cup cornstarch in a saucepan over medium heat. Boil for one minute until very thick, stirring constantly. Let it cool completely for about 15 minutes before using.

Here's the thing – I've tried both the jam version and the homemade filling version. The jam is faster and honestly, it tastes amazing. But if you have fresh strawberries and want to feel extra accomplished, go for the homemade filling. Your kitchen will smell like summer.

How To Make Perfect Strawberry Hand Pies

Making these little pies is actually really fun. Here's exactly what I do:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This keeps them from sticking and makes cleanup so much easier.
2. Roll out your pie dough. I usually do this on a lightly floured counter. You want it about ⅛ inch thick. Cut an even number of hearts using a cookie cutter. If you don't have a heart-shaped cutter, circles work just as well. We've done stars too, and they turned out adorable.
3. Arrange half of the dough shapes onto your prepared baking sheet. Space them out a bit because they'll puff up slightly.
4. Place a tablespoon of jam into the center of each shape. Don't overfill them. I know it's tempting, but trust me on this. The first time I made these, I went overboard with the jam and it leaked all over the pan.
5. Lightly wet the edges of each shape with milk or cream. I just use my finger for this. Then top with another dough shape and press lightly to seal them together.
6. Curl up the edges of the sealed shapes, then press down with the tines of a fork. This crimping step is really important. It keeps all that delicious filling inside where it belongs.
7. Brush the tops with more milk, then sprinkle with your cinnamon-sugar mixture. This creates a gorgeous golden color and adds a little extra sweetness.
8. Poke a few holes in the top with a toothpick. These little vents let the steam escape while they're baking.
9. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until they're golden brown. Keep an eye on them around the 15-minute mark. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

If You're Using A Grill

Heat your gas or charcoal grill to medium-high, around 350°F. Place the pies on an ungreased disposable foil pizza pan. Here's a trick – put another foil pie pan upside down on the grill first to create an elevated surface, then place your pizza pan with the pies on top. This keeps them from getting too much direct heat.

Cover the grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes until the crust is golden brown. Let them cool for 10 minutes, then sprinkle with powdered sugar if you want.

Storing Your Strawberry Hand Pies

These keep really well, which is one reason I love making a big batch.

At room temperature: They'll stay fresh in an airtight container for up to 2 days. We usually eat them way before that, but it's good to know.

In the refrigerator: Store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days. The pastry might lose a tiny bit of its crispness, but they still taste great.

In the freezer: This is where it gets really good. You can freeze these for up to 3 months. I like to freeze them BEFORE baking. Just assemble them completely, place them on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. When you want fresh-baked hand pies, pop them straight from the freezer into a 400°F oven. Add a few extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating: Warm them in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes. Don't use the microwave unless you're okay with them getting a bit soggy. The oven keeps that pastry nice and flaky.

Tips For Making The Best Strawberry Hand Pies

Here are some things I've learned from making these about a million times:

• Don't skip the fork crimping step. This is what keeps your filling from leaking out. I learned this when Alex tried to skip it and we had jam all over the baking sheet.
• Use cold pie dough. If it gets too warm, it's harder to work with. I sometimes pop it back in the fridge for 10 minutes if it starts getting soft.
• Try different jams. We've done raspberry, blueberry, and even apricot. They're all wonderful. Sarah's current favorite is actually a mixed berry jam.
• Make them bigger or smaller. Want tiny bite-sized pies? Use a smaller cutter. Want a more substantial snack? Go bigger. Just adjust your baking time accordingly.
• Add a little lemon zest to your filling. This is something I started doing recently, and it really brightens up the flavor.
• Keep them uniform in size. This helps them bake evenly. I use the same cutter for all of them.

Want to switch things up? You could add a handful of chopped fresh strawberries to your jam for extra texture. Or try sprinkling some coarse sugar on top instead of the cinnamon-sugar for a sparkly finish.

Frequently Asked Questions About Strawberry Hand Pies

Can I Use Fresh Strawberries Instead Of Jam For Strawberry Hand Pies?

Yes, you absolutely can! You'll need to make a quick compote first. Combine 2 cups of chopped fresh strawberries with ¾ cup sugar and ¼ cup cornstarch in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens up nicely. This takes about 5 minutes. Let it cool completely before using.

I've done this when strawberries are in season and really sweet. The fresh strawberry filling tastes amazing, but honestly, good quality jam is easier and works just as well. It's totally your call based on how much time you have.

How Do I Keep Strawberry Hand Pies From Leaking While Baking?

The secret is all in the sealing. First, don't overfill them. I use about a tablespoon of filling, and I keep it in the center, away from the edges. Second, make sure you wet the edges of the bottom piece with milk or cream before putting the top piece on. This creates a better seal.

Then comes the most important part – crimp those edges really well with a fork. Press down firmly all the way around. Those little fork marks aren't just decorative. They're actually sealing everything together. Also, don't forget to poke a few holes in the top. These vents let steam escape instead of building up and bursting through your seal.

Can Strawberry Hand Pies Be Made Ahead Of Time And Frozen?

This is one of my favorite things about these pies! Yes, you can totally freeze them. I do it two ways:

You can freeze them unbaked. Assemble them completely, place them on a baking sheet, and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer bag. When you're ready to bake, just add 3-5 extra minutes to the baking time. No need to thaw.

Or freeze them after baking. Let them cool completely, then freeze in a single layer before transferring to a freezer bag. Reheat in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes.

I usually make a double batch and freeze half. It's so nice to have homemade hand pies ready to go when unexpected guests drop by or when Sarah needs a treat for her class party.

Can Strawberry Hand Pies Be Baked On A Grill Instead Of In The Oven?

Yes! We've made these on our grill plenty of times, especially during summer when I don't want to heat up the apartment. Heat your grill to medium-high, around 350°F.

Place the pies on an ungreased disposable foil pizza pan. Here's the trick – put a foil pie pan upside down on the grill grates first to create an elevated surface. Then place your pizza pan with the pies on top of that. This indirect heat method keeps the bottoms from burning.

Cover the grill and cook for 12 to 15 minutes until golden brown. Let them cool for 10 minutes before serving. They turn out just as good as oven-baked, maybe even better with that slight hint of grill flavor.

Recipes You May Like

If you enjoyed these strawberry hand pies, you'll love these other sweet treats:

• Air Fryer Apple Hand Pies With Gooey Caramel Sauce – Another handheld pie that's even faster to make
• Homemade Apple Pie Bars With A Buttery Crust – Perfect for when you want pie but don't want to deal with individual servings
• Deliciously Warm Blueberry And Apple Crumble To Savor – Another fruit dessert that's simple and comforting

Make These Strawberry Hand Pies Today

I hope you give these strawberry hand pies a try! They're honestly one of the easiest desserts I make, and everyone always acts like I spent hours in the kitchen.

The flaky pastry, the sweet strawberry filling, and that hint of cinnamon – it all comes together perfectly. Plus, there's something really special about making heart-shaped treats. Sarah says they taste like love, which might be the sweetest thing she's ever said about my cooking.

Print