If you’re searching for a delightful homemade treat that combines bright, zesty flavors with the comforting flakiness of a hand pie, look no further than this Strawberry Ruby Orange Heart-Shaped Hand Pies Recipe. Bursting with fresh strawberries and ruby orange brilliance, these charming hand pies are an irresistible snack or dessert that feels like a warm hug in every bite. Their heart-shaped design adds a whimsical touch perfect for sharing with loved ones or celebrating special moments, making this recipe a new favorite to keep in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, fresh ingredients that each play a critical role in creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures. From the buttery crust to the vibrant citrus-strawberry filling, every component crafts an unforgettable hand pie experience.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/2 cups): The essential base for a tender, flaky crust.
- Sugar (1 tbsp plus 1/4 cup and extra for sprinkling): Adds subtle sweetness to the crust and filling, enhancing natural fruit flavors.
- Salt (1 tsp plus a pinch): Balances sweetness and amplifies the overall taste.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, cold, cubed): Key for flaky layers in the crust and rich texture.
- Ice water (1/4 cup, plus more if needed): Brings the dough together without warming the butter, ensuring flakiness.
- Fresh strawberries (1 cup, diced): The juicy star of the filling, bringing natural sweetness and color.
- Ruby orange juice (1/2 cup): Adds vivid citrus brightness and depth to the filling.
- Ruby orange zest (zest of 1 orange): Intensifies the orange flavor with aromatic oils.
- Cornstarch (1 tbsp): Thickens the filling to keep it perfectly nestled inside the pies.
- Vanilla extract (1/2 tsp): Adds a subtle warmth and complexity.
- Large egg (1) and water (1 tbsp): Combined to create an egg wash that gives the pies a golden, glossy finish.
How to Make Strawberry Ruby Orange Heart-Shaped Hand Pies Recipe
Step 1: Make the Pie Crust
Start by mixing all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add the cold, cubed butter next and incorporate it with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mix looks like coarse crumbs featuring pea-sized chunks of butter. Slowly introduce ice water, blending just enough so the dough comes together softly. Form the dough into a disk, cover it well with plastic wrap, and pop it into the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes. This resting time lets the butter firm up again and helps create that flaky crust everyone dreams about.
Step 2: Make the Filling
While the dough chills, whisk together diced fresh strawberries, ruby orange juice, zest, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Cook the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently until it thickens and the strawberries soften but still retain some texture—around 5 to 7 minutes. Let the filling cool completely before using it in the pies; this prevents the dough from getting soggy and keeps the filling nicely contained during baking.
Step 3: Prepare the Hand Pies
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness, giving you just the right balance between crispy crust and tender bite. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, create an even number of hearts—these will be the little canvases for your beautiful filling.
Step 4: Assemble the Hand Pies
Place a generous spoonful of the cooled strawberry-ruby orange filling right in the center of half the hearts. Leave a small border around the edges to make sealing a breeze. Top each filled heart with another dough heart, press around the edges, and then crimp them with a fork to seal everything in perfectly. This step ensures your hand pies don’t lose their precious filling while baking.
Step 5: Egg Wash and Bake
Whisk together the egg and water to make an egg wash, then brush it gently over the tops of each hand pie. If you like, sprinkle a little extra sugar for a lovely sparkling effect once baked. Bake the pies in the preheated oven for about 18-20 minutes, or until the crust is gloriously golden brown. Allow them to cool slightly and get ready to enjoy one of the most delightful versions of hand pies you’ve ever tasted.
How to Serve Strawberry Ruby Orange Heart-Shaped Hand Pies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes is a fun and easy way to elevate your hand pies before serving. A dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of vanilla glaze can add extra sweetness and visual appeal that captures the eye and palate alike. Fresh mint leaves or a few thin ruby orange slices can also complement the pies’ zesty notes beautifully.
Side Dishes
These hand pies make a wonderful companion to a cup of warm tea, lightly sweetened lemonade, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dessert twist. For brunch, consider pairing them with fresh fruit salad or yogurt for a balanced spread that delights every taste bud.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these heart-shaped gems nestled on a wooden board with linen napkins for a cozy vibe, or arrange them on a festive platter for parties and celebrations. You could even stack them gently in a basket lined with parchment and tied with a cute ribbon, perfect for gifting or special brunches that feel extra thoughtful.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have extra hand pies, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. They tend to be tastiest fresh but keeping them sealed well helps maintain the crispness of the crust and the lusciousness of the filling.
Freezing
You can freeze both unbaked and baked hand pies for future enjoyment. For unbaked pies, assemble them and freeze on a baking sheet until firm before transferring to a freezer-safe container. Baked pies should be cooled completely before being tightly wrapped and frozen for up to three months.
Reheating
Reheat refrigerated or frozen hand pies in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the crust flaky and crisp rather than chewy or soggy.
FAQs
Can I substitute the ruby orange juice with regular orange juice?
Absolutely! While ruby orange juice adds a lovely color and subtle flavor note, regular orange juice works just fine and still delivers a bright, citrusy punch to the filling.
What if I don’t have a heart-shaped cookie cutter?
No worries at all. You can use any cookie cutter shape you like or even cut squares or circles with a knife and fork. The taste is the star here, and the shape is just a fun touch.
Can I use frozen strawberries for this recipe?
Yes, you can. Just be sure to thaw and drain them well before making the filling to avoid excess moisture that could make the pies soggy.
Is this recipe suitable for beginners?
Definitely! The steps are straightforward and forgiving, making the Strawberry Ruby Orange Heart-Shaped Hand Pies Recipe a fantastic choice if you’re new to baking hand pies.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes, the dough can be prepared and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before rolling and assembling the pies, which makes it perfect for prepping in advance for busy days.
Final Thoughts
This Strawberry Ruby Orange Heart-Shaped Hand Pies Recipe truly brings together the best of fresh fruit flavors and tender, flaky pastry in a way that’s both charming and delicious. It’s perfect for sharing moments of love and sweetness with family and friends, or simply treating yourself to a homemade indulgence. Give this recipe a try, and I promise these little pies will brighten up any day and become a beloved classic in your baking collection.
Print
Strawberry Ruby Orange Heart-Shaped Hand Pies Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Strawberry Ruby Orange Heart-Shaped Hand Pies are a delightful, sweet treat perfect for sharing. Featuring a flaky homemade pie crust filled with a luscious mixture of fresh strawberries and ruby orange juice, these hand pies combine bright citrus notes with juicy berries for a fresh, flavorful dessert. Shaped into charming hearts and baked to golden perfection, they make an ideal treat for Valentine’s Day, afternoon tea, or any special occasion.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup ice water (more if needed)
Filling
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
- 1/2 cup ruby orange juice (about 2 ruby oranges)
- Zest of 1 ruby orange
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Finishing
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional, for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Make the Pie Crust: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs with pea-sized bits of butter.
- Form the Dough: Slowly add ice water, a tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough begins to come together. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface, shape into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Filling: In a small saucepan, combine diced strawberries, ruby orange juice, orange zest, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and strawberries have broken down, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll Out Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out dough hearts.
- Assemble Hand Pies: Place a spoonful of the cooled filling in the center of half of the dough hearts, leaving a border around the edges. Top with remaining hearts, pressing edges to seal then crimp with a fork.
- Apply Egg Wash: Beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush the tops of the pies with the egg wash and sprinkle with sugar if desired.
- Bake: Bake hand pies for 18-20 minutes until crust is golden brown. Remove from oven and cool slightly.
- Serve: Enjoy warm or at room temperature, perfect with tea or as a charming dessert.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is cold to achieve a flaky crust.
- Adjust water quantity slightly if the dough is too dry or too sticky.
- Allow the filling to cool completely before assembling to prevent soggy crusts.
- The hand pies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- For a vegan version, substitute butter with vegan margarine and use a plant-based egg replacer for egg wash.
