Ingredients
- Pie Crust:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup ice water, plus more if needed
- Cherry Filling:
- 4 cups pitted cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (adjust for sweetness of cherries)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Pinch of salt
- Other:
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Coarse sugar for sprinkling (optional)
Instructions
-
Make the Dough: Combine flour and salt. Cut in butter until pea-sized pieces form. Add water gradually, mixing until dough just comes together. Divide in half, form disks, wrap, and chill for at least 30 minutes.
-
Make the Filling: In a saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until thickened and bubbly (about 5 minutes). Cool completely.
-
Assemble: Roll out dough on a floured surface (1/8 inch thickness). Cut into circles or rectangles. Place 2 tablespoons of filling in the center of half the dough pieces. Brush edges with egg wash. Fold over, seal, and crimp edges with a fork. Cut vent slits.
-
Bake or Fry:
- Baking: Brush pies with egg wash, sprinkle with sugar (if desired). Bake in a 400°F (200°C) preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until golden.
- Frying: Heat oil to 350-375°F (175-190°C). Fry in batches for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden. Drain on paper towels.
Notes
- Fresh or frozen cherries work, adjust sugar levels accordingly.
- For extra richness, add a tablespoon of butter to the filling.
- Play with spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, or a touch of almond extract add warmth and complexity.
- Make them gluten-free by using a gluten-free pie crust.
- To make a vegan version, use a vegan pie crust recipe and ensure your filling doesn’t contain any animal-based products (some sugars are processed with bone char).
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes (baking) / 2-3 minutes per side (frying)
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking or Frying
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hand pie
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
