These fun Jack O’ Lantern hand pies are perfect for Halloween! Filled with sweet pumpkin goodness and wrapped in flaky pastry, they make a tasty treat!
Plus, they’re so cute! I love seeing everyone’s faces light up when I serve them. 🎃 Just make sure to save a few for yourself; they disappear fast!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pie Crust: You can use store-bought pie crust for convenience, but homemade dough gives a fresher taste. If you’re aiming for a healthier option, try whole wheat pie crust or a gluten-free version. Both would still work wonderfully!
Pumpkin Puree: Canned pumpkin puree saves time, but you can also roast and blend fresh pumpkin for a richer flavor. If you want something different, try using sweet potato puree—it’s just as delicious!
Spices: The combination of spices is key to the festive flavor. If you don’t have all of them, ground cinnamon and nutmeg will work well alone. You can even experiment with pumpkin pie spice for a quicker mix!
Egg Wash: This gives the pies a nice golden color. If you want an egg-free option, a mixture of almond milk and a little cornstarch can achieve a similar effect.
What’s the Best Way to Cut Out the Shapes for the Pies?
Cutting out your pie shapes and faces is a fun step! Use a pumpkin-shaped cutter for fun designs. If you don’t have one, just a round cutter will do. Here’s how to make the most out of cutting:
- Flour your working surface to prevent sticking.
- Roll the dough evenly—about 1/8 inch thick works great!
- After making the full shapes, use a small knife for the jack o’ lantern faces. Be creative with the expressions!
This part of the process is where you can really make your hand pies unique. A cute face adds a lot of character!
Jack O’ Lantern Hand Pies
Ingredients You’ll Need:
Pie Crust:
- 2 sheets refrigerated pie crust (or homemade pie dough)
Filling:
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For The Egg Wash & Topping:
- 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon sugar (for topping)
Miscellaneous:
- Flour for dusting work surface
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe will take about 15 minutes for preparation and around 20-25 minutes for baking. Make sure to allow for a bit of time for cooling before you dig in! Overall, you should spend about 45 minutes making these tasty treats.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Sheet:
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the hand pies from sticking later. This will make cleanup a breeze!
2. Make the Pumpkin Filling:
In a medium bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, cornstarch, and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is well blended and smooth.
3. Roll Out the Pie Crust:
Lightly flour your work surface and roll out the pie crust sheets until they’re nice and flat. Aim for a thickness of about 1/8 inch, which helps them bake evenly.
4. Cut Out Shapes for the Hand Pies:
Using a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter or a large round cutter, cut out twice as many shapes as the number of pies you want to make. You’ll need a solid base for each pie and a second cutout for the top with the face!
5. Create the Faces:
On half of the cutouts, use a small paring knife to cut out jack o’ lantern faces with triangular eyes, a nose, and a jagged mouth. Get creative! Each pie can have a different expression!
6. Assemble the Hand Pies:
Place the plain pie cutouts on your prepared baking sheet. Spoon about 1 to 2 tablespoons of pumpkin filling onto the center of each cutout. Be careful not to overfill!
7. Seal the Pies:
Brush the edges of the filled crusts with the beaten egg. This will help seal the pies shut. Then, carefully place the face-cutout pieces on top of each filled crust and press the edges with a fork to seal them tightly.
8. Brush and Sprinkle:
Brush the entire top of each hand pie with the remaining beaten egg to give them a lovely golden color while baking. Sprinkle a little sugar on top for added sweetness and crunch.
9. Bake and Cool:
Bake the hand pies in your preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Once baked, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. They will be warm and delicious!
Enjoy these festive, flaky pumpkin hand pies that look just like mini jack o’ lanterns! Perfect for Halloween snacks or parties. They’re sure to bring smiles all around! 🎃
Can I Use Fresh Pumpkin Instead of Canned?
Absolutely! If you prefer fresh pumpkin, roast and puree it for the filling. Just make sure to remove excess moisture for the best texture in your hand pies.
How Can I Make These Hand Pies Vegan?
You can make these hand pies vegan by using a plant-based pie crust and substituting the egg wash with a mixture of almond milk and a little cornstarch for brushing on top for color.
Can I Freeze These Hand Pies?
Yes! After assembling the hand pies, you can freeze them before baking. Just place them on a baking sheet and freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
What’s the Best Way to Store Leftovers?
Store any leftover hand pies in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm them in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10 minutes or enjoy them cold!
