Get ready to transform your holiday dessert table with the most irresistible treat that will make both kids and adults swoon! These Christmas Tree Strawberry Hand Pies are not just a dessert - they're a festive experience that combines the sweet, juicy burst of fresh strawberries with the flaky, buttery perfection of pie crust. Imagine biting into a cute tree-shaped pastry that's loaded with vibrant strawberry filling and dusted with a magical sprinkle of powdered sugar - it's like Christmas cheer you can eat!
Prep Time: 30 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 1 package refrigerated pie crusts
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, diced
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the hand pies from sticking.
- In a medium bowl, combine the diced strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract. Gently mix until the strawberries are well coated and the sugar and cornstarch are evenly distributed. Let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes to allow the strawberries to release some of their juices.
- While the strawberry filling is resting, roll out the refrigerated pie crusts on a lightly floured surface. Use a cookie cutter or a knife to cut out tree shapes (or any desired shape) from the pie crust. Aim for about 24 pieces, as each hand pie will require a top and bottom crust.
- Once you have your shapes cut out, take half of them and place them on the prepared baking sheet. Make sure to leave some space between each piece.
- Using a spoon, place a small amount of the strawberry filling (about 1 tablespoon) in the center of each pie crust shape on the baking sheet. Be careful not to overfill, as this can cause the pies to burst open during baking.
- Take the remaining pie crust shapes and gently place them over the filled ones to create a top for each hand pie. Press down the edges with your fingers to seal them. For an extra decorative touch, use a fork to crimp the edges securely.
- Brush the tops of the hand pies with the beaten egg to give them a nice golden color while baking. If desired, you can make small slits in the top crusts to allow steam to escape.
- Bake the hand pies in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes or until they are golden brown and flaky. Keep an eye on them to ensure they don’t overbake.
- Once baked, remove the hand pies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- After the hand pies have cooled, dust them with powdered sugar for a festive touch before serving. Enjoy your Christmas Tree Strawberry Hand Pies!
Tips
- Keep your pie crust cold: Refrigerated pie crusts work best and ensure a flaky texture.
- Don't overfill your hand pies: Too much filling can cause them to burst during baking.
- Use a fork to crimp edges for a professional, sealed look.
- Let the strawberry mixture sit for 10 minutes to release natural juices and help thicken the filling.
- Brush with egg wash for a beautiful golden-brown finish.
- Allow pies to cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar to prevent melting.
- For extra festivity, consider adding a drop of red food coloring to the powdered sugar for a more Christmas-like appearance.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 2g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 30mg
