Sweet Strawberry Hand Pies

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 6-8 tablespoons ice water
• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Granulated sugar (for sprinkling on top)

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. Mix well to ensure the dry ingredients are evenly distributed. Add the cold, cubed butter into the flour mixture, and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. Divide it into two equal discs, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
3. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sliced strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Stir gently and cook until the mixture is bubbly and thickened, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
4. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about ⅛ inch thick. Use a round cutter (about 4 inches in diameter) to cut out circles from the dough.
5. Place about 1 tablespoon of the cooled strawberry filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape, pressing the edges together to seal.
6. Place the filled hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with the beaten egg and sprinkle lightly with granulated sugar.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the hand pies are golden brown.
8. Once baked, remove the hand pies from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.

Nutrition