It was a crisp autumn afternoon when I decided to surprise my family with a batch of my famous Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies. As I rolled out the tender dough and carefully spooned in the ruby-red strawberry jam, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia wash over me. These hand pies were always a beloved tradition, a way to capture the sweetness of the season and the comfort of home.
I remember the first time I made them, my kitchen filled with the intoxicating aroma of buttery pastry and juicy berries. My kids’ eyes lit up as I pulled the golden-brown pies from the oven, their flaky crust adorned with the delicate heart-shaped cutouts. It was as if I had baked a little piece of love into each one. That’s the magic of these Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies – they’re not just a dessert, but a way to express your affection and create cherished memories.
Why This Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies Recipe Will Become Your Go-To
The Secret Behind Perfect Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies
What sets these Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies apart is the perfect balance of flaky, buttery pastry and the vibrant, fruity filling. The key lies in the careful attention to detail throughout the entire process, from the way the dough is mixed and chilled to the precise baking time and temperature.
The result is a hand pie that’s crisp on the outside, with a tender, almost creamy interior that practically melts in your mouth. And the strawberry jam? It’s the star of the show, its sweetness complemented by the subtle tang of the buttery crust. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or simply because you’re craving a little taste of happiness, these Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies are sure to become a cherished recipe in your repertoire.
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
To create these delectable Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies, you’ll need a few essential ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour: This is the foundation of the flaky, tender crust, providing structure and a perfect canvas for the other flavors.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed: The butter is the secret to the hand pies’ rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Chilling the butter ensures that it stays firm and creates those irresistible flaky layers.
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar: A touch of sweetness balances the savory notes of the dough and complements the fruity filling.
- 1/4 teaspoon salt: A small amount of salt enhances the overall flavor, brightening the other ingredients.
- 1/4 cup ice water: The ice water helps to keep the dough tender and prevents over-mixing, resulting in a perfectly flaky crust.
- 1 cup strawberry jam: The star of the show! The vibrant, fruity jam provides a delightful contrast to the buttery pastry.
- 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash: The egg wash gives the hand pies a beautiful golden-brown sheen and helps the decorative cutouts hold their shape.
Step-by-Step Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies Instructions
Preparing Your Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies
With a total time of just 50 minutes (30 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking), these Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies come together quickly, making them the perfect treat for any occasion. You’ll need a few basic tools, like a rolling pin, a baking sheet, and a heart-shaped cookie cutter.
1- Start by mixing the dry ingredients – the flour, sugar, and salt – in a large bowl. Cut in the chilled, cubed butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly add the ice water, mixing just until the dough comes together.
2- Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, and wrap them in plastic wrap. Chill the dough in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up.
3- While the dough is chilling, prepare your work surface by lightly dusting it with flour. Roll out one disk of dough to a thickness of about 1/8 inch, being careful not to overwork the dough.
4- Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes from the rolled-out dough. Transfer the hearts to a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart.
5- Place a heaping teaspoon of strawberry jam in the center of each heart-shaped dough piece. Brush the edges with the egg wash, then top each one with another heart-shaped dough piece, pressing the edges to seal.
6- Bake the Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies in a preheated oven at 400°F for 18-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden-brown and the filling is bubbly. Allow the pies to cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy these delightful treats warm or at room temperature.
Pro Tips for Success
1- Chill the dough thoroughly before rolling it out – this helps prevent it from becoming too sticky and difficult to work with.
2- Use a light touch when mixing the dough to avoid developing too much gluten, which can lead to a tough, chewy crust.
3- Be sure to seal the edges of the hand pies well, using the egg wash as a “glue” to help them hold their shape during baking.
4- Experiment with different shapes and sizes of cookie cutters to create unique and visually appealing hand pies.
5- For a shiny, professional-looking finish, brush the tops of the pies with the egg wash just before 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 treat to enjoy on their own, but they also pair beautifully with a variety of beverages and sides. Serve them alongside a steaming cup of hot tea or coffee for a cozy, comforting snack. They also make a delightful addition to a brunch spread, complementing savory dishes like quiche or frittata.
For a more indulgent dessert, try pairing the hand pies with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce. And don’t forget to share them with your loved ones – these six servings are sure to disappear quickly!
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies are best enjoyed fresh, but they can be stored for later if you have any leftovers. To keep them fresh, simply place the cooled pies in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
For longer storage, you can freeze the unbaked hand pies. Place the assembled pies on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, then transfer them to a resealable bag or container. When ready to bake, simply brush the frozen pies with the egg wash and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
To reheat the pies, simply place them on a baking sheet and warm them in a 350°F oven for 5-10 minutes, or until heated through. This will help restore the flaky texture and warm the filling.
Variations and Dietary Adaptations for Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies
Creative Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies Variations
While the classic strawberry filling is truly divine, you can easily adapt this recipe to suit your tastes or the season. Try swapping the strawberry jam for other fruit preserves, such as raspberry, blackberry, or even a tart cherry. For a fall twist, use a spiced apple butter or pumpkin butter instead.
You can also get creative with the shape of the hand pies, cutting them into different shapes like stars, flowers, or even mini hearts for a bite-sized treat. And don’t forget the decorative cutouts – try using a small, pointed knife to create intricate designs on the top crust.
Making Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies Diet-Friendly
For those with dietary restrictions, you can easily make these Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies gluten-free or vegan. Simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, and use a plant-based butter alternative in place of the dairy butter.
To make a low-carb version, replace the granulated sugar with a keto-friendly sweetener, such as erythritol or monk fruit. You can also opt for a sugar-free strawberry jam to further reduce the carb content.
No matter how you choose to adapt these hand pies, the end result will be a delicious, homemade treat that’s sure to satisfy your cravings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use a different type of fruit jam in the hand pies?
A: Absolutely! While the strawberry jam is delicious, you can easily substitute other fruit preserves, such as raspberry, blackberry, or even a spiced apple butter.
Q: How long do the Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies take to make?
A: The total time for this recipe is 50 minutes, with 30 minutes of prep time and 20 minutes of baking time.
Q: Can I make the hand pies in advance?
A: Yes, you can! The unbaked hand pies can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, simply brush them with the egg wash and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Q: How many servings does this recipe make?
A: This recipe yields 6 servings of Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies.
Q: What if the dough is too sticky to work with?
A: If the dough is proving too sticky, try chilling it for an additional 30 minutes before rolling it out. You can also lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin to prevent the dough from sticking.
Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies
- Total Time: 50
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
These adorable Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies are the perfect portable pastry for Valentine’s Day or any occasion. Buttery, flaky dough surrounds a sweet strawberry jam filling, creating a delightful handheld treat.
Ingredients
– 2 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 1/4 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 cup ice water
– 1 cup strawberry jam
– 1 egg, beaten with 1 tablespoon water for egg wash
Instructions
1. In a food processor, pulse the flour, butter, sugar, and salt until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Add the ice water and pulse just until the dough begins to come together. Do not overmix.
3. Divide the dough in half, shape each half into a disk, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
4. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
5. On a lightly floured surface, roll one disk of dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Use a 3-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out 12 heart shapes.
6. Place 1 tablespoon of strawberry jam in the center of 6 of the heart shapes. Brush the edges with the egg wash.
7. Place the remaining 6 heart shapes on top and crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
8. Transfer the hand pies to the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the remaining egg wash.
9. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until the pastry is golden brown. Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For a decorative touch, use a small heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out a design on the top of the hand pies before baking. Serve the Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies at room temperature or slightly warm.
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Conclusion
These Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pies are truly a labor of love, but the effort is well worth it. From the flaky, buttery crust to the vibrant, fruity filling, every bite is a delightful experience. Whether you’re baking them for a special occasion or simply treating yourself, these hand pies are sure to become a cherished recipe in your repertoire.
So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to create a little piece of edible love. I can’t wait to hear about your own Love Letter Strawberry Hand Pie adventures – be sure to share your photos and feedback in the comments below. Happy baking!
