Description
These flaky cherry hand pies with vanilla icing are an easy, impressive dessert made with frozen puff pastry. They feature a thick, juicy cherry filling and a sweet vanilla drizzle, perfect for gifting or treating yourself.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (300g) cherry jam or preserves
- 1 can (21oz / 600g) cherry pie filling
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
- 2 sheets (1 lb / 450g) frozen puff pastry sheets
- 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water (for egg wash)
- 2 tablespoons (30g) sugar for sprinkling
- 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 2–3 tablespoons (30-45ml) heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon (5ml) vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Thaw puff pastry sheets on the counter for 30-40 minutes until pliable but still cold.
- In a small bowl, mix cherry jam, cherry pie filling, lemon juice, and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Unfold one sheet of puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Roll gently to smooth creases.
- Cut each sheet into 6 equal squares (12 squares total).
- Place 1 tablespoon of cherry filling in the center of each square.
- Fold pastry over filling to form a triangle or rectangle. Press edges firmly to seal.
- Crimp edges with a fork and cut two small slits in the top of each pie for steam vents.
- Whisk egg with water and brush generously over the tops of the hand pies.
- Sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and puffed up.
- Cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Whisk confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, salt, and 2 tablespoons of cream. Add more cream as needed for drizzling consistency.
- Drizzle icing over the cooled hand pies.
Notes
Keep pastry cold until baking to ensure flakiness. Do not overfill pies to prevent leaking. For vegan version, use vegan puff pastry, oat milk/maple syrup for egg wash, and plant-based milk for icing. Can be stored at room temperature for 2 days or frozen unbaked.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hand pie
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 4
Keywords: cherry hand pies, puff pastry recipe, easy dessert, cherry pie filling, vanilla icing, flaky pastries, make ahead dessert