Sweet Hand Pies: Portable Southern Desserts

Introduction

Sweet hand pies are one of many Southern sweet treasures. They’re small handheld pockets of sweet nostalgia. In the South, it wasn’t unusual to find a plate of sweet hand pies cooling on the stove, just begging to be snatched by little hands. And of course, Grandma would put on a mock scowl and pretend to fuss—but you knew she made them just for that moment—sweet mischief, wrapped in pastry.

Those flaky, golden crusts held all the joy of summer, with juicy peaches and tangy berries tucked inside, made with the simplest pantry staples: flour, butter, sugar, and eggs. Nothing fancy, just a little Southern magic.

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Quick History & Roots of Southern Sweet Hand Pies

Sweet hand pies have been an integral part of the Southern story for centuries, with roots that likely trace back to the baking traditions introduced by early settlers. By the late 18th century, these little fried or baked pockets of goodness had found a cozy home in Southern kitchens, quickly earning their place as a beloved treat.

With the abundance of seasonal fruits and the simple staples found in nearly every Southern kitchen, flour, sugar, salt, and a bit of fat, these little pies were a brilliant solution for making the most of what was on hand. Whether filled with something sweet or savory, hand pies were the ultimate grab-and-go meal for farmers, travelers, and workers alike. Easy to pack, easy to love, and endlessly adaptable, they’ve remained a Southern favorite for generations.

Making Sweet Hand Pies at Home

Crust

• Simple: flour, butter (or lard), baking powder, salt.
• Add buttermilk or egg for tang and bind. Keeps it rich and Southern.
• Short on time? Use store-bought pie crusts. Your sweet hand pies will still be delicious.

Assembly

1. Roll the dough thin. If you have a favorite pie crust recipe, feel free to use it. For convenience, use store-bought pie crust. They both work beautifully.
2. Place the dough in a hand pie dough press.
3. Spoon in fresh or lightly sweetened fruit filling.
4. Fold, crimp, seal.
5. Fry in oil or bake until golden-brown.

A Sweet Hand Pie Recipe

I’m passionate about crafting irresistible dishes with that unmistakable homemade flavor, earning genuine “oohs” and “ahhs” from family and friends. Yet with busy schedules, making everything from scratch isn’t always possible. That’s why I keep store‑bought pie crusts conveniently tucked in the freezer, for the occasions when time says, “not today!” The Sweet Hand Pie recipe I’m sharing includes a recipe for homemade crust—because every great cook should have one—but let’s be real: every smart cook also has a frozen crust ready to go.

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Southern Sweet Hand Pie Recipe

Meet your new go‑anywhere dessert obsession: Southern Sweet Hand Pies! These golden, flaky beauties are filled with juicy summer fruit and designed for snacking on the run. Perfect for picnic baskets, beach days, or backyard adventures—just grab one and let these pocket-sized pies bring a burst of sunshine to your day!

Prep Time30 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Chill Time Dough30 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Course: dessert, snacks

Cuisine: American Southern

Servings: 24 hand pies

Calories: 165kcal

Author: Blissful Foods Plus

Equipment

• 1 Rolling Pin
• 1 4-inch shape/biscuit cutter To cut the dough shape for hand pies.
• 1 pastry brush To add a golden finish.
• 1 pastry fork To seal the hand pie edges.
• 1 large mixing bowl For mixing the dough
• 1 meduim saucepan For cooking the filling.
• 1 large fry pan If you choose the frying cook method.
• 1 baking sheets with cooling racks If you choose the baking cook method.
• 1 parchment paper To line the baking sheet.
• 1 pie press set (optional) A fun way to add venting designs to your hand pies.
• 1 food processor (optional) Simplifies making the crust.

Ingredients

Hand Pie Dough

• 2½ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tsp sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ cup vegetable shortening (very cold and diced)
• 1½ sticks cold unsalted butter (very cold and diced)
• 2 tsp apple cider or white vinegar
• 4-8 tbsp ice water

Hand Pie Filling

• 2½ cups fresh fruit of choice (chopped) You can also use canned fruit (drained). Reserve juice to replace water for more flavor.
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• ½ cup water If using canned fruit, use the reserved juice instead of water.
• 3 tbsp cornstarch

Frying

• 2 cups cooking oil
• ¼ cup powdered sugar for dusting Optional for both frying and baking

Baking

• 1 large egg beaten Brush each hand pie to seal and add a golden finish.

Instructions

Dough

• Combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor and pulse until well mixed. Next, add the vegetable shortening and butter and pulse until the mixtures looks like coarse breadcrumbs. Add the vinegar and 1 tablespoon of ice water and pulse to mix. Start adding 1 tablespoon of water at a time and pulse until the mixture comes together. You may not use all the water. Dough should not be sticky (you have added too much water). Turn the tough out on a large piece of plastic wrap. Fold plastic wrap over the dough and press into a large disc. Place in the refrigerator to chill for at least one hour.

Filling

• In a medium saucepan, combine your fruit (fresh, frozen, or canned) with sugar, lemon juice, and 4 tablespoons of water. Stir gently until everything is well mixed. Place the pan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

  While you wait, whisk together the remaining water and the cornstarch in a small bowl until the slurry is completely lump-free. Once the fruit mixture is simmering, stir in the cornstarch slurry and blend thoroughly.

  Continue cooking over medium-high heat, stirring regularly, until the mixture thickens into a glossy, pie‑filling consistency—about 1–3 minutes depending on the fruit and heat. When it’s thick enough, remove the pan from the heat.

  To prevent a skin from forming on the surface as it cools, press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the filling. Set aside to cool before using.

Assemble

• Gather your dough, homemade or store-bought, and lightly flour your work surface and rolling pin. Divide the dough into manageable portions. Roll each one out to 1/8 inch thick. Use a round dough cutter with a diameter of 4 to 6 inches. Cut and move to the side, and continue this process until you have finished cutting all the dough.

Filling and Sealing

• Place a tablespoon of pie mixture in the center of the circle. Moisten the edges with egg wash or water to help seal. Fold over the dough and press the edges together. Use a fork to crimp and secure the edges. Use a knife or pastry wheel to trim the edges for a not-so-rustic appearance. Refrigerate hand pies 30 minutes before cooking.

Baking

• Preheat oven to 375℉. Place hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure to slit the top of each hand pie so they can vent while baking. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown.

Frying

• Using a large frying pan, add 2 cups of cooking oil or add oil to a depth of 2". Heat oil to 375℉. While the oil is heating, place a wire cooling rack over a baking sheet and set aside. Using a spatula, carefully lower each pie into the hot oil. Don't overfill the pan. 3- 4 at a time is good. Cook until golden brown on each side. 2-3 minutes on each side. It is not necessary to vent each pie when frying.

Notes

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Nutrition

Serving: 1pie | Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 42mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 6g

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Sweet Hand Pie Fillings & Variations

• Peach & Blueberry: Seasonal Florida gold.
• Apple & Cinnamon: Classic tech.
• Blackberry & Lemon: Appalachian-inspired.
• Sweet Potato & Nutmeg: Soul-food signature.
• Pecan & Syrup: Texas pecan flare.
• Dried Fruits & Jam: Winter-ready.

Don’t forget to glaze or dust with sugar at the end for extra zest

Tips for Perfect Sweet Hand Pies

• Keep dough cold: Butter hot = tough crust.
• Vent well: Don’t forget to slit the top of each pie. Quick steam release avoids sogginess.
• Prep ahead: Kids love to box them for a lunch-on-the-go vibe.

Serving & Enjoyment

• Warm with ice cream or whipped cream.
• Great for roadside stands, summer fairs—portable and crowd-pleasing.
• Place in lunch pails.
• A taste of home and tradition in every bite.

Sweet Hand Pie Tips and Suggestions

Can Sweet Hand Pies be Frozen?

Yes, hand pies can be frozen before and after cooking.  Freezing may affect the texture of the crust. Freezing hand pies after cooking may cause the crust to become less flaky upon reheating.  Freezing unbaked pies helps maintain a better texture and prevents them from becoming soggy. 

Freezing Process

• For cooked sweet hand pies, allow them to cool to room temperature.
• For uncooked sweet hand pies, place them on a parchment-lined cookie sheet and allow them to flash freeze in your freezer. Once frozen, wrap each individually.
• Wrap each pie snugly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Don’t forget your date label.
• Once wrapped, place hand pies into an airtight container or freezer bag for added protection.

Storage Duration

• Your sweet hand pies will store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.

Reheating Non-Pre-Cooked Sweet Hand Pies

You can cook Non-Pre‑Cooked frozen sweet hand pies either straight from frozen or after slight thawing:

Baking (from frozen or thawed):

Preheat your oven to 375–400°F (use 350°F for convection ovens). Place the pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving about 2–4 inches of space around each one.

• From frozen: Bake for 30–35 minutes, rotating halfway through, until the crust is golden and the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F.
• If partially thawed (e.g., thawed in the fridge for 10–20 minutes): You may reduce the bake time by about 5–10 minutes, but ensure the crust doesn’t become soggy.

Frying (deep‑frying or air-frying):

Heat oil to around 365–375°F.

• Deep-frying from frozen: Carefully place pies into hot oil (avoid splattering). May need to fry in small batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Fry for approximately 7–8 minutes total, turning as needed until golden brown and cooked through.
• If pies are thawed in the refrigerator for a few hours (but still cold), fry time drops to about 3–4 minutes per side, approximately 5–6 minutes total.
• Thawing partially in the fridge before frying helps reduce cooking time, but risks a softer dough if over-thawed. Deep-frying directly from frozen helps retain shape and texture, although it takes longer overall. You can also air fry frozen pies at around 350–400°F for 10–15 minutes until golden, turning halfway if needed.

Reheating Pre-Cooked Sweet Hand Pies

If you’re reheating Pre‑Cooked (fully baked) hand pies, whether from the fridge or freezer, here are the best methods to retain a crisp crust and warm filling:

Oven or Toaster Oven (Best for Crisp Crust)

• From refrigerated hand pies:
• Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Place pies on a baking sheet (parchment or foil) and bake for 10–15 minutes until heated through and the crust is crisp again.
• From frozen pre‑cooked pies:
• Let them thaw in the refrigerator first, then reheat at 350°F for 10–15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Optionally tent with foil to avoid over-browning the crust
• Pro tip: Place the oven rack mid- or lower-level to crisp the bottom crust. Opening the oven briefly halfway through helps release steam.

Air Fryer (Fast & Crispy)

• Reheat at 350–375°F (175–190°C) for about 4–7 minutes until golden and warm inside.
• For frozen pies, add a minute or two—5–8 minutes total is usually enough.

Stovetop Skillet (Crispy & Convenient)

• Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat with a touch of oil or butter.
• Cook the pies 2–4 minutes per side, flipping once, until the crust is crisp and the interior is fully warm.
• To prevent excessive drying, add a sprinkle of water and cover briefly to generate steam, then finish the dish uncovered for crisping.

Microwave (Quickest, but Risky for Texture)

• Place pie on a microwave-safe plate, cover loosely with a damp paper towel or microwave-safe lid to retain moisture and prevent splatters.
• Heat in 30-second bursts, rotating the pie halfway through to avoid cold spots. The total time generally ranges from 30 seconds to 1 minute, depending on the pie size and microwave wattage.
• Let it sit for a minute after heating to allow the internal heat to distribute evenly. Be aware: texture may become soggy or chewy.

Conclusion

From the resourceful kitchens of the past to the breezy charm of today’s Florida homes, sweet hand pies continue to tell a delicious Southern story. Summer-ripened berries and fruits are nature’s invitation to bake something simple but extraordinary.

There’s nothing fancy about them, and that’s the beauty—just simple ingredients, folded into golden crusts, bursting with flavor and memories. So grab a pail, head to the berry patch, and let’s bake up a batch of sweet hand pies that taste like summertime and feel like home, one warm bite at a time.

May You Savor the Sweetness of Summer!

Summer brings a bounty of sun‑ripened fruit, and with it, irresistible treats. Come explore my favorite recipes for fruit cobblers, crisps, and dumplings, and enjoy the magic of juicy, seasonal flavors. Fruit Cobblers, Crisps, and Dumplings.