These adorable Jack O’ Lantern hand pies are as fun to make as they are to eat! Filled with sweet pumpkin or apple goodness, they are perfect for a festive treat.
Kids love helping to decorate these little pies with faces! I always make extra to share, but honestly, I could eat them all myself. Who can resist a cute pumpkin? 🎃
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pie Crust: You can use store-bought refrigerated pie crust for convenience. However, if you’d like to make it from scratch, a simple homemade pie dough made with flour, butter, and water works wonderfully. Just make sure it’s chilled before rolling out.
Apples: Granny Smith apples give a nice tartness, which balances the sweetness of the brown sugar. Feel free to try other varieties like Honeycrisp or Fuji if you prefer a sweeter pie, or even use mixed fruits for more flavor!
Pumpkin Puree: Canned pumpkin puree works great, but if you have fresh pumpkin, you can roast and puree it as an alternative. This gives an earthy flavor that’s just right for fall recipes.
Spices: The spices add warmth and depth. Consider using pumpkin spice blend if you have it on hand, which often includes cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger – just adjust to your taste!
How Do I Create the Perfect Pumpkin Faces?
Cutting out the jack o’ lantern faces can be tricky but fun! Here’s how to make sure they look great:
- Use a small, sharp knife or a stencil to create eyes, nose, and mouth. It helps to slightly cut deeper into the crust to define the features.
- Make sure to leave enough dough around the edges to keep the filling inside without leaking.
- If you’re nervous about cutting directly onto the crust, practice on a scrap piece of dough first!
These cute faces not only add character but also let steam escape during baking. Just remember, the more fun you have with it, the more delightful they’ll turn out!
Jack O’ Lantern Hand Pies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Dough:
- 2 sheets refrigerated pie crust (or homemade pie dough)
For the Filling:
- 2 cups peeled and diced apples (such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- 1/2 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp water
- Additional sugar for sprinkling (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe will take about 15 minutes to prepare and about 20-25 minutes to bake. So, in total, you’re looking at around 40-45 minutes before enjoying these scrumptious hand pies!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Don’t forget to line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent your pies from sticking!
2. Prepare the Filling:
In a medium bowl, mix together the diced apples, pumpkin puree, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Stir until everything is well coated and the mixture begins to thicken. This will make for a delicious filling!
3. Roll Out the Dough:
Lightly flour your surface and roll out the pie crust sheets. Use a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter or a large round cutter to cut out equal amounts of bottom and top crusts. You’ll want enough to make a nice top and bottom for each pie!
4. Assemble Your Pies:
Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the apple-pumpkin filling onto the center of each bottom crust. Make sure to leave a little space (about 1/2 inch) around the edges to seal them properly.
5. Create Jack O’ Lantern Faces:
On each top crust, use a small knife or stencil to cut out fun jack o’ lantern faces—think triangular eyes, a nose, and a jagged mouth! This is where the fun begins!
6. Seal the Pies:
Brush the edges of the bottom crusts with a tiny bit of water. Place the top crust over the filling, matching the edges. Press down firmly with a fork to seal your pies completely.
7. Add the Finishing Touches:
Whisk the egg with water to create your egg wash. Brush this mixture over the tops of the pies for a beautiful golden color when baking. If desired, sprinkle a little sugar for an added sweetness!
8. Bake in the Oven:
Arrange the hand pies on your prepared baking sheet and bake them for 20-25 minutes. They should be golden brown and bubbly when done.
9. Cool and Serve:
Once they’re out of the oven, let your Jack O’ Lantern hand pies cool for at least 10 minutes. Enjoy them warm or let them come to room temperature. Perfect for sharing or devouring all by yourself!
Happy baking! 🎃
Can I Use Different Fruits for the Filling?
Absolutely! While this recipe features apples and pumpkin, you can substitute other fruits like pears, cherries, or mixed berries. Just adjust the sugar based on the sweetness of the fruit you choose!
How Can I Store Leftover Hand Pies?
Store any leftover hand pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. If you want to keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply pop them in the microwave or oven until warmed through.
Can I Make the Dough Ahead of Time?
Yes! You can prepare the pie dough ahead of time and keep it wrapped in plastic wrap in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you need to store it longer, you can freeze the dough for up to 3 months. Just remember to thaw it in the fridge before using!
How Can I Ensure My Hand Pies Don’t Leak Filling?
To prevent leaking, make sure to tightly seal the edges by pressing them well with a fork. Also, avoid overfilling the pies; sticking to about 2 tablespoons of filling should do the trick!
