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
Scale
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.
