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Host Zoe Francois' strawberry hand pies, as seen on Zoe Bakes, season 2.

Strawberry Hand Pies

I stock my freezer with these delicious strawberry hand pies for a fast and easy treat. The pies are sweet and just a little tart, making them perfect little homemade breakfast pastries
Course: Breakfast, Desserts

Ingredients

Crust

  • 2 cups (260g) all-purpose flour 
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and well chilled
  • 3/4 cup sour cream

Filling

  • 1 lb strawberries, about 3 cups sliced can be frozen, left whole if frozen
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (100g) sugar
  • 2 tbsp 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Topping

  • Egg wash (whole egg mixed with 1 teaspoon water)
  • Sugar for sprinkling

Strawberry Icing

  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 1 strawberry sliced
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

Dough

  • Blend the flour, salt and sugar in a food processor.
  • Add the butter and blend until the flour/butter mixture resembles coarse meal. Add the sour cream and pulse until the dough starts to form a ball in the machine. Turn out onto a slightly floured surface and press into a rectangle. Divide the dough into two pieces, wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least an hour, or overnight.

Filling

  • Cook the strawberries, lemon juice, lemon zest and vanilla over gentle heat (you can use a fork to break up the fruit if using fresh strawberries) until they start to break down slightly. Cook until the strawberries are tender and have released their juices.
    Host Zoe Francois makes strawberry filling for her hand pies, as seen on Zoe Bakes, season 2.
  • Whisk together the sugar and cornstarch, then add to the strawberries. Cook over medium-low heat until the mixture starts to thicken and turn translucent. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.

To Bake the Hand Pies

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • When you are ready to prepare the hand pies, roll one of the chilled doughs out on a floured surface. As you are rolling, you can straighten out the edges with your hands to create a 10x15-inch rectangle. Using a pastry wheel, cut the dough into 12 equal squares, by cutting 4 strips along the length and 3 strips along the short side.
    Host Zoe Francois rolls out pie dough for her hand pies, as seen on Zoe Bakes, season 2.
  • Put about 2 tablespoons filling in the center of half the squares. Lightly brush the edges of the filled squares with egg wash. Cover with remaining squares. Press the dough together then use a fork to gently adhere them together around the edges. Cut a cross on the top. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar. 
    Host Zoe Francois makes strawberry hand pies, as seen on Zoe Bakes, season 2.
  • Bake for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. If baking both trays at once, rotate top to bottom after 15 minutes. 
  • In a small bowl, mash the strawberry with the confectioners’ sugar and lemon juice and whisk until a smooth icing is formed. Allow the hand pies to cool before drizzling on the strawberry icing.
    Host Zoe Francois adds strawberry icing to her hand pies, as seen on Zoe Bakes, season 2.