You don't want to admit it, but baking a full pie is a hassle. Make hand pies instead!
Hand Pies Are the New Baking Hack You Have to Try for the Holidays This Year
Holiday dinners put a lot of pressure on the person making dessert. Family and friends expect pie—pumpkin pie, apple pie, pecan pie. But let’s be honest, baking a pie isn’t always easy. You can make a lot of pie mistakes. So, forget baking a pie this year. This holiday season, you’re off the hook. It’s time to try hand pies instead.
Sure, mini-pies and tarts have been in bakers’ repertoires for years. But this year seems to be the Year of the Hand Pie. Hand pies are more forgiving, less “pretty” and more rustic-looking. They are to full-sized pies what cupcakes are to full-sized cakes. And everyone loves cupcakes, amiright? Yes. So, everyone will love your hand pies, too.
Hand pies also come with two major benefits. First, you won’t need extra utensils to clean (you know, because you can use your… hands). And perhaps the best thing about them: You don’t have to share!
What’s the Difference Between Hand Pies and Turnovers?
Not much. If you’ve ever baked turnovers, or even homemade “Pop-Tarts,” you’ve already made a hand pie. The key difference is that turnovers are made from a folded piece of dough while hand pies are circular (or sometimes square) and pressed closed on all sides. In either case, you can make the crust yourself or use store-bought puff pastry or refrigerated pie dough.
What Hand Pie Should I Bake for the Holidays?
Any of the traditional pie fillings will do. Caramelized apple hand pies are perfect for the fall and winter holidays.
Non-traditional fillings can also be a hit. Nutella hand pies or figgy hand pies with dried fig, maple and walnut are sure crowd pleasers. If you have some berries or cherries frozen from the summer, those work great too.
What If I Can’t Even Bake a Hand Pie?
You can always buy ready-made from the store, such as Trader Joe’s Apple Pumpkin Hand Pies. Just heat them up and serve. Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone!
Mini Pies and Tart Recipes You'll Love
Mini Blueberry TartsI served this recipe to my family while we were on vacation and they were all amazed! The best part: I didn't spend tons of time on it thanks to refrigerated pie crust. Watch your mini tarts around the 13-minute mark to make sure they don't brown too quickly. If you'd like, sprinkle the tops with coarse sugar for a beautiful finishing touch.—Allison Bell, Hillsdale, New Jersey
Lemon Cheesecake TartsTo make these cute tarts more quickly, add the filling to store-bought phyllo tart shells. —Sarah Gilbert, Beaverton, Oregon
Cherry Hand PiesThere's nothing better than a sweet, from-scratch delight like traditional cherry pie. These precious little hand pies always go fast when I sell them at my pie bakery! —Allison Cebulla, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutella Hand PiesThese pint-sized Nutella hand pies made with puff pastry are too good to keep to yourself! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Berry TartsWhen you need a recipe to feed a crowd, these mixed berry tarts have a butter crusty and burst with fruit flavor. The citrusy whipped topping brings it all together.
Mini Sausage PiesThe simple ingredients and family-friendly flavor of these little sausage cups make them a go-to dinner favorite. And everyone gets their own pies—which makes them even better! —Kerry Dingwall, Ponte Vedra, Florida
Lemon Curd TartletsThis has been in my party recipe collection for over 30 years and never fails to satisfy my guests. I can always rely on these fancy treats to please even the fussiest in the crowdt. —Jessica Feist, Pewaukee, Wisconsin
Ham and Leek PiesI've been making these pies for years, so lots of friends and family now have the recipe. If you can't find leeks, a sweet or mild onion works just as well. —Bonny Tillman, Acworth, Georgia
Li’l Pecan PiesThese tempting little tarts have all the rich traditional taste of a full-size pecan pie in a much smaller package. The tarts are perfect for two. —Christine Boitos, Livonia, Michigan
Muffin-Cup Cheddar Beef PiesMy kids love these beef rolls so much. I always make extra since they heat up so quickly. I give the kids their choice of dipping sauces—spaghetti sauce or ranch dressing are the top picks. —Kimberly Farmer, Wichita, Kansas
Maple Pecan TartsI absolutely love pecans. I combine them with maple and vanilla to create the ultimate tart, made even richer with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. —Redawna Kalynchuk, Barrhead, Alberta
Try this traditional pecan tarts recipe next!
Mini Sweet Potato PiesMy son Levi was only 2 years old when he helped me create this delicious recipe, and it was the first time he told me I love you! I’ll always remember making these with him. —Emily Butler, South Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Mini Apple PiesIf you adore the taste of an apple pie but prefer a hand-held treat, mini apple pies are the answer. Each one is topped with cinnamon-sugar for maximum fall flavor.
Midwestern Meat PiesWhen I moved to the Midwest in 1966, I discovered many ethnic foods that I had never heard of before. One of my friends introduced me to this runza recipe, and it quickly became a popular dish with my family. —Dolly Croghan, Mead, Nebraska
Miniature Almond TartsMy family requests these adorable little tarts each Christmas. I always enjoy making them since the almond paste in the filling reflects our Dutch heritage. They're super popular at special gatherings. —Karen Van Den Berge, Holland, Michigan
Muffin-Tin Chicken PotpiesI made these personalized chicken pot pies in muffin tins for my kids, and they gobbled them up. For the record, the grown-ups did, too! —Melissa Haines, Valparaiso, Indiana
Cherry Cream Cheese TartsIt's hard to believe that just five ingredients and few minutes of preparation can result in these delicate and scrumptious tarts! —Cindi Mitchell, Waring, Texas
Caramel Apple TartletsCaramel apple tartlets give you the taste of apple pie without the hours spent laboring over dessert. In fact, you’ll be done making these apple tartlets in under an hour, from start to finish.
Miniature Meat PiesI make these handheld pies in advance, keep them in the freezer, then bake them the day of. They are always a hit. —Gayle Lewis, Yucaipa, California
Turkey and Mushroom PotpiesI always use the leftovers from our big holiday turkey to prepare this recipe. I think my family enjoys the potpies more than the original feast! —Lily Julow, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Crunchy Peanut Butter TartsFor a fun, fuss-free dessert, try these darling tarts. They’re a satisfying, rich family favorite. —Mary Kelley, Wilmington, North Carolina. If you enjoyed this recipe, then learn how to make Canadian butter tarts.
Mushroom and Sweet Potato PotpieThe last time I was in the U.S., I had an amazing mushroom and beer potpie at a small brewpub. It was so rich and comforting. I tried numerous versions when I got home and I think I've come pretty close! —Iben Ravn, Copenhagen, Denmark
Fried Sweet Potato PiesWith my dad being a farmer who grew them, sweet potatoes have graced our table for as long as I can recall. These, though, resulted from an experiment at a church bake sale when we had excess pastry. People couldn't get enough! -Marilyn Moseley, Toccoa, Georgia
Mini Pork PiesAs a child, I discovered my love of pork pies. I used to help my father deliver oil on Saturdays, and we would stop at a local place to have the meaty pastries for lunch. —Renee Murby, Johnston, Rhode Island
Grilled Figgy PiesDelicious figs combined with maple, walnuts and creamy mascarpone make a decadent treat that's easy to enjoy at a backyard cookout. These unique hand pies always disappear quickly. —Renee Murby, Johnston, Rhode Island
Mini Pumpkin PiesMini pumpkin pies are heavenly bites of goodness bursting with the cozy, warm flavors of fall. If you are in search of a simple dessert, look no further than these adorable pumpkin pie tartlets.
Apricot-Almond TartletsThese delicate, buttery tarts melt in your mouth. With their jeweled apricot tops, they make a pretty presentation on a holiday cookie tray. —Julie Dunsworth, Oviedo, Florida
Mediterranean Turkey PotpiesYour clan will love these wonderful stick-to-the-ribs potpies with a Mediterranean twist. I always use the leftovers from our big holiday turkey to prepare this recipe. I think my family enjoys the potpies more than the original feast! —Marie Rizzio, Interlochen, Michigan
Mince PiesMost people use canned mincemeat, but this is the old-fashioned way to make a mince pie. It is a sweet holiday dish that will satisfy you and your loved ones. —Diane Selich, Vassar, Michigan
Pecan Pie Mini MuffinsWhile these are delicious year-round, you could easily turn them into an edible gift. They look festive on a decorative tray or tucked into a giveaway cookie plate. And don't forget to include the recipe so your recipient can enjoy this treat over and over again! —Pat Schrand, Enterprise, Alabama
Turkey PotpieUse up your holiday leftovers with this turkey pot pie recipe, which features assorted vegetables, a creamy sauce and a perfectly golden, buttery crust.
Apple Pie BitesThese apple pie bites are fun for kids to make. Simply wrap strips of pastry around apple wedges and shake on some cinnamon-sugar. Then just bake and watch them disappear! —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Mini Shepherd’s PiesI’m as confident serving these little pies to company as to family. If I have enough time, I’ll use homemade biscuits and mashed potatoes. —Ellen Osborne, Clarksville, Tennessee
