If you’re looking to bake something truly special, sweet, and absolutely charming, the Strawberry Ruby Orange Heart-Shaped Hand Pies Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. These delightful hand pies beautifully combine the fresh, fragrant sweetness of strawberries with the vibrant zest and juice of ruby oranges, all wrapped in a buttery, flaky crust shaped perfectly like hearts. They’re not only a feast for your taste buds but also a treat for the eyes, making them ideal for sharing with loved ones or simply indulging yourself in a little homemade happiness.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and how each ingredient plays an important role in delivering that perfect bite. From the flaky crust to the luscious filling, every component adds up to a harmonious flavor and texture that’s hard to resist.
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The base of our tender, flaky crust that holds everything together.
- 1 tbsp sugar: Adds a subtle sweetness to the dough, balancing the tartness of the fruit.
- 1 tsp salt: Enhances the flavors and balances out the sweetness.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed: Creates the flaky layers that make these pies melt in your mouth.
- 1/4 cup ice water: Helps bring the dough together without warming the butter.
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced: Juicy and sweet, they form the heart of the filling.
- 1/2 cup ruby orange juice: Provides a bright, citrus punch that elevates the fruitiness.
- Zest of 1 ruby orange: Infuses vibrant aroma and extra flavor into the filling.
- 1/4 cup sugar: Sweetens the filling just right.
- 1 tbsp cornstarch: Thickens the filling so it’s perfectly gooey, not runny.
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract: Adds warmth and complexity to the fruit mixture.
- Pinch of salt: Balances the sweetness in the filling.
- 1 large egg: Used for the egg wash to give the crust a gorgeous golden shine.
- 1 tbsp water: Mixed with the egg for brushing on the crust.
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional): A sprinkle on top for a sparkling, sweet finish.
How to Make Strawberry Ruby Orange Heart-Shaped Hand Pies Recipe
Step 1: Make the Pie Crust
Begin by mixing the all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Introduce the cold, cubed butter and cut it into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingers until it looks like coarse crumbs with small pea-sized butter pieces. Slowly drizzle in ice water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough just begins to come together. Form it into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes — this resting period is essential for that flaky texture!
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
While the dough chills, start your luscious filling by combining diced strawberries, ruby orange juice, zest, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla, and a pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat while stirring constantly until the mixture thickens and the strawberries soften, about 5 to 7 minutes. Then take it off the heat and let it cool completely to ensure it doesn’t melt your dough during assembly.
Step 3: Roll and Cut the Dough
Once chilled, roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out as many hearts as you can. Each heart will become a charming little pie, so make sure your edges are clean for sealing.
Step 4: Assemble the Hand Pies
Place a spoonful of the cooled strawberry and ruby orange filling on half of the heart cutouts, leaving a small border around the edges to help seal. Lay another heart-shaped dough piece on top of each filled one and press gently around the edges. Use a fork to crimp and seal the pies, ensuring the filling stays nestled inside while baking.
Step 5: Apply Egg Wash and Bake
Whisk together the egg and water to create your egg wash. Brush it generously over the tops of the hand pies to help them brown beautifully and add a little shine. If you want a touch extra sparkle, sprinkle a teaspoon of sugar on each before baking. Bake in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for about 18 to 20 minutes, or until the crust is a perfect golden brown. Let them cool slightly before digging in.
How to Serve Strawberry Ruby Orange Heart-Shaped Hand Pies Recipe
Garnishes
Adding fresh elements on top can elevate your pies to another level. A dollop of whipped cream, a dusting of powdered sugar, or a few fresh strawberry slices paired with a sliver of ruby orange zest beautifully complement the flavors and add a lovely finishing touch.
Side Dishes
These hand pies shine as a sweet treat but can be paired with a warm cup of chai tea, coffee, or a cool vanilla bean ice cream scoop. For brunch, they go wonderfully with a light green salad drizzled with citrus vinaigrette to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these charming pies on a rustic wooden board or pretty pastel plates for a festive look. You can arrange them in a heart shape on the platter for added visual impact, perfect for celebrations or romantic occasions. Wrapping each pie in parchment or wax paper makes them paw-some for gift-giving or picnics.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This will preserve the crust’s flakiness and keep the filling fresh and flavorful without drying out.
Freezing
You can freeze the assembled, unbaked hand pies by arranging them on a baking sheet, freezing until firm, then transferring to a freezer bag. Bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time. This way, fresh homemade goodness is always on hand!
Reheating
To bring your pies back to life, gently warm them in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes. This method keeps the crust crisp and the filling gooey and delicious — just like fresh from the oven.
FAQs
Can I use other citrus instead of ruby orange juice?
Absolutely! While ruby orange juice gives a unique flavor and vibrant color, you can substitute with regular orange, blood orange, or even grapefruit juice to tweak the taste to your liking.
What can I use if I don’t have cornstarch?
Arrowroot powder or tapioca starch both work well as thickening agents in this recipe. Use them in equal amounts to cornstarch for that perfect filling consistency.
Can I make these hand pies vegan?
Yes, you can substitute the butter with a cold vegan butter alternative and replace the egg wash with a plant-based milk like almond or oat milk brushed on top for that golden finish.
How many hand pies does this recipe make?
Using a standard heart-shaped cutter, you’ll get about 12 delicious hand pies — perfect for sharing or saving some for later.
Can I prepare the filling a day in advance?
Definitely! Making the filling ahead of time is a great way to save time on baking day. Just keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to assemble, then bring it back to room temperature before filling the pies.
Final Thoughts
I hope you get as much joy baking and savoring this Strawberry Ruby Orange Heart-Shaped Hand Pies Recipe as I do sharing it with you. These little pockets of sweetness bring warmth, love, and a burst of fresh flavor in every bite. So, roll up your sleeves, invite a friend, and make these charming hand pies your next kitchen adventure — you won’t regret it!
Print
Strawberry Ruby Orange Heart-Shaped Hand Pies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 12 hand pies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Strawberry Ruby Orange Heart-Shaped Hand Pies are a delightful treat featuring a flaky homemade crust filled with sweet and tangy strawberry and ruby orange filling. Perfectly portioned as charming heart shapes, they combine fresh fruit with a subtle citrus twist, making them ideal for special occasions or as a sweet everyday indulgence.
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
For Assembly
- 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. Slowly add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough starts to form. Turn the dough onto a floured surface, shape into a disk, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
- Make 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 the mixture thickens and the strawberries soften, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dough: Preheat the 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. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut hearts from the dough.
- Assemble the Hand Pies: Place a spoonful of the cooled filling onto half of the dough hearts, leaving a small border around the edges. Top each filled heart with another dough heart and press to seal the edges. Use a fork to crimp the edges to ensure they stay closed while baking.
- Apply Egg Wash: Beat the egg with 1 tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. Brush the tops of the hand pies with the egg wash and sprinkle optionally with sugar for extra sweetness and a shiny finish.
- Bake: Bake the hand pies in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until the crusts turn golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.
- Serve: Enjoy the heart-shaped hand pies warm or at room temperature. They pair beautifully with tea or as a sweet heartfelt treat.
Notes
- If the dough is too dry, add ice water a tablespoon at a time until it comes together without being sticky.
- Make sure the filling is completely cooled before assembling to prevent soggy crust.
- You can substitute regular oranges if ruby oranges are unavailable, though flavor will vary slightly.
- For a more decorative edge, try using a fluted pastry wheel instead of a fork to seal the pies.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate up to 5 days.
- Reheat gently in an oven to preserve crispness before serving leftovers.
