It was a chilly autumn day when I decided to bake a batch of my famous Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies. The aroma of the buttery pastry and sweet strawberry filling wafted through the kitchen, instantly transporting me back to my childhood. Growing up, my grandma would make these delightful hand pies every Valentine’s Day, and I can still vividly remember the joy of unwrapping one of those crimson-colored parcels, the flaky crust giving way to the burst of juicy strawberry goodness inside.
As I carefully rolled out the dough and spooned the vibrant filling onto each circle, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia and connection to those cherished memories. There’s just something so special about the combination of a buttery, tender crust and the tart-sweet flavors of fresh strawberries. And when you add the romantic touch of the heart-shaped design, these Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies become a true labor of love.
Why This Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies Recipe Will Become Your Go-To
What sets this recipe apart is the perfect balance of flavors and textures. The crust is flaky yet sturdy, providing the perfect canvas for the juicy, slightly tart strawberry filling. And the heart-shaped design not only makes them visually stunning but also adds a playful, whimsical touch that’s perfect for any occasion, from Valentine’s Day to a summertime picnic.
The Secret Behind Perfect Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies
The secret to these hand pies lies in the careful attention to detail throughout the process. From the precise chilling of the dough to the perfect crimping of the edges, every step is essential in creating the ultimate Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pie. And the addition of a touch of lemon zest in the filling helps to balance the sweetness and enhance the natural flavors of the strawberries.
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
- Unsalted butter: The foundation for the flaky, tender crust.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and stability to the dough.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and complements the strawberry filling.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness.
- Ice water: Helps to bring the dough together while keeping it cool and pliable.
- Fresh strawberries: The star of the show, providing a burst of vibrant, tart-sweet flavor.
- Lemon zest: Adds a subtle citrus note that brightens the filling.
- Cornstarch: Helps to thicken the strawberry filling and prevent it from becoming too runny.
Step-by-Step Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies Instructions
Preparing Your Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies
These delightful Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies are surprisingly easy to make, with a total time of just under an hour from start to finish. You’ll need a few basic baking tools, like a rolling pin, a sharp knife or cookie cutter, and a baking sheet, to bring these crimson-colored hand pies to life.
1- Begin by making the dough. In a food processor, pulse together the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly add the ice water and continue pulsing until the dough just starts to come together.
2- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently shape it into a disc. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 3 days.
3- While the dough chills, prepare the strawberry filling. In a medium bowl, combine the diced strawberries, sugar, lemon zest, and cornstarch. Stir gently to coat the berries.
4- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5- On a lightly floured surface, roll the chilled dough out to a 1/8-inch thickness. Use a 4-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the dough rounds, rerolling the scraps as needed.
6- Place a heaping tablespoon of the strawberry filling onto the center of half of the dough rounds. Top each with another dough round and crimp the edges with a fork to seal. Transfer the hand pies to the prepared baking sheet.
Pro Tips for Success
The key to perfect Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies is to work quickly and keep the dough chilled throughout the process. Don’t be afraid to chill the dough for longer if it starts to become too soft. And when it comes to the filling, be sure not to overfill the hand pies, or you may end up with leakage during baking.
Serving and Storing Your Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies
Perfect Pairings for Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies
These Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies are the perfect accompaniment to a steaming mug of earl grey tea or a refreshing glass of lemonade. They also make a lovely addition to a picnic basket or a Valentine’s Day spread, where their vibrant hue and heart-shaped design will surely delight your loved ones.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Baked Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. To reheat, simply place them on a baking sheet in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 5-10 minutes until warmed through.
Variations and Dietary Adaptations for Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies
Creative Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies Variations
While the classic strawberry filling is a true delight, you can also experiment with different fillings to suit your tastes. Try using a mixture of berries, or swap in a dollop of creamy custard or sweetened cream cheese for a decadent twist. And for a touch of spice, you can even add a pinch of ground cinnamon or cardamom to the filling.
Making Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies Diet-Friendly
To make these Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies gluten-free, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. For a vegan version, use a plant-based butter or shortening in the dough and replace the strawberries with your favorite plant-based fruit filling. And for a lower-carb option, you can use a sugar substitute and almond flour in the crust.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
A: Absolutely! If fresh strawberries are not available, you can use frozen berries. Just be sure to thaw them completely and pat them dry before adding them to the filling.
Q: How do I prevent the filling from leaking out during baking?
A: To prevent leakage, be sure not to overfill the hand pies. Aim for a heaping tablespoon of filling per pie, and be careful not to stretch the dough too thin when crimping the edges. Additionally, chilling the hand pies before baking can help the dough set and hold its shape better.
Q: Can I make the dough in advance?
A: Yes, the dough for these Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies can be made up to 3 days in advance. Simply wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to use.
Q: How many hand pies does this recipe yield?
A: This recipe will make approximately 10-12 hand pies, depending on the size of your cookie cutter. You can easily scale the recipe up or down to suit your needs.
Q: My hand pies are still raw in the center. What did I do wrong?
A: If your hand pies are not fully baked through, it’s likely that they were either overfilled or the dough was too thick. Make sure to roll the dough out to a 1/8-inch thickness and use just a heaping tablespoon of filling per pie. If they’re still not baking through, try increasing the oven temperature slightly or baking them for a few extra minutes.
Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies
- Total Time: 42
- Yield: 8 hand pies
Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of flaky pastry and sweet, juicy strawberries with these irresistible Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies. Perfect for sharing with your loved ones, these hand-held treats are quick and easy to make, ensuring a delicious dessert in no time.
Ingredients
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 3/4 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
– 1/4 cup ice water
– 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1 tablespoon cornstarch
– 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
– 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
1. – In a food processor, pulse the flour and salt together until combined.
2. – Add the chilled butter cubes and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
3. – Slowly add the ice water, a tablespoon at a time, and pulse until the dough just begins to hold together.
4. – Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and gently shape it into a disc. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
5. – In a medium bowl, combine the sliced strawberries, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Mix well and set aside.
6. – Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. – Roll the chilled dough out to a 1/8-inch thickness on a lightly floured surface. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out 16 shapes.
8. – Place 8 of the dough shapes on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the strawberry mixture onto the center of each shape.
9. – Top each filled shape with another dough shape and use a fork to crimp and seal the edges.
10. – Brush the tops of the hand pies with the egg wash.
11. – Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown.
12. – Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
For a flakier crust, you can use a combination of butter and shortening. You can also experiment with different fruit fillings, such as blueberries or raspberries.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 22
- Category: Snacks & Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Conclusion
These Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies are a true labor of love, but the end result is so worth it. The flaky, buttery crust and the burst of tart-sweet strawberry filling make for a truly irresistible treat that’s sure to delight your loved ones. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or just for a cozy afternoon at home, these hand pies are sure to become a cherished family favorite. So what are you waiting for? Preheat your oven and let’s get baking!