Hand Pies Are the New Baking Hack You Have to Try for the Holidays This Year
Updated: May 19, 2023
You don't want to admit it, but baking a full pie is a hassle. Make hand pies instead!
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. (Check out this cool video on how to make apple hand pies).
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
Berry TartletsBring spring flavors together in these delectable miniature tarts. Raspberries and blueberries both work well with the whipped cream and lemon curd mixture—or choose your favorite berries instead. These sweet treats are great for a ladies tea, brunch or spring holiday celebration. —Mary J. Walters, Westerville, Ohio
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
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
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
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
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
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
Upside-Down Pumpkin Pecan TartsThese flaky phyllo treats with a rich pumpkin filling are a fantastic twist on pumpkin pie and can be prepared a day ahead. —Darlene Buerger, Peoria, Arizona
Pumpkin TartletsRefrigerated pie crust and a muffin tin make it easy to create these delicious spiced pumpkin tartlets. Dollop with whipped cream and you’re done! — Jessie Oleson, Santa Fe, New Mexico
Individual Shepherd's PiesThese comforting little pies make a fun St. Patrick's Day surprise for the family. Extras are easy to freeze and eat later on busy weeknights.—Ellen Osborne, Clarksville, Tennessee
Originally Published: November 21, 2022
