Description
Delightfully flaky and filled with tangy leftover cranberry sauce, these Cranberry Hand Pies are the perfect sweet treat for the holiday season or any time you want a cozy, fruit-filled pastry. Using pre-made pie dough, they come together quickly and bake up golden and crisp, creating a beautiful handheld dessert that’s great for sharing.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Dough
- 2 pie dough sheets (10×12 inches each) or 1 double pie crust (two 9-inch crusts), homemade or store-bought, thawed if frozen
Filling
- ¾ cup leftover cranberry sauce, homemade or store-bought
Finishing
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cut Dough Circles: Place one thawed pie dough sheet on a lightly floured surface. Use a 3.5-inch round cookie cutter or the rim of a can to cut out 10-12 circles for the bottoms. Repeat the process with the second dough sheet to make the top circles, rerolling scraps as necessary.
- Brush with Egg Wash: Lightly brush the edges of the bottom dough circles with the beaten egg. This will help seal the pies securely.
- Add Cranberry Filling: Spoon about 1 tablespoon of leftover cranberry sauce onto the center of each bottom dough circle.
- Seal the Hand Pies: Top each filled circle with a dough circle from the second sheet. Crimp the edges with a fork to seal completely. Cut a small slit or X shape on top of each pie for venting. Brush lightly with egg wash and sprinkle a pinch of granulated sugar on each pie.
- Chill Before Baking: Arrange the assembled hand pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 15-20 minutes while you preheat the oven. This helps the dough hold its shape during baking.
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking.
- Bake the Pies: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the pies for 20-25 minutes, until the crusts turn golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and let the pies cool slightly. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can use either homemade or store-bought pie dough depending on time and preference.
- Leftover cranberry sauce from holidays works perfectly and reduces food waste.
- Be sure to chill the pies before baking to prevent shrinking and help maintain shape.
- The small slits on top allow steam to escape, preventing soggy crusts.
- Serve these hand pies as a delightful snack, dessert, or festive party treat.
