Spiced Pear and Cranberry Hand Pies

Spiced Pear and Cranberry Hand Pies

Yields: 8 hand pies Prep Time: 30 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• For the Crust:

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, chilled and diced
  • ½ cup ice water

• For the Filling:

  • 4 ripe but firm pears, peeled, cored, and diced
  • 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions:

1. Make the Crust: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Cut in butter using a pastry blender or your fingers until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, stirring with a fork until dough just comes together. Divide dough in half, flatten into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Make the Filling: Combine diced pears, cranberries, sugars, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cornstarch in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and cook until filling thickens, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool completely.

3. Assemble the Hand Pies: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Roll out one disc of dough on a lightly floured surface to a ¼-inch thickness. Use a 4-inch round cutter to cut out circles of dough. Place a spoonful of cooled filling in the center of each circle. Fold dough over to form a half-moon shape, pressing edges firmly to seal. Crimp edges with a fork for decoration.

4. Bake: Arrange hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and filling is bubbling. Let cool slightly before serving.