Patriotic Berry Hand Pies! These handheld, berry-filled beauties are the ultimate Memorial Day dessert or 4th of July dessert with their red, white and blue details and star-spangled cutouts! They’re easy to make and even easier to eat, making it ideal for casual celebrations and backyard barbecues.
If you’re planning on taking time out this weekend to eat, drink and enjoy time with friends and family, I’ve got a delicious way to add a little star-spangled sweetness to the celebration: Patriotic Berry Hand Pies!
Here’s why they’re a great choice:
- They can be made with store-bought pie dough, cutting down on prep time significantly.
- They’re a fun, easy recipe for little hands to help with. Have kiddos punch out the star shapes in the center, fill them with berries or brush on the egg wash.
- You can use any combination of fresh or frozen berries and any jam or spread.
- A handheld treat keeps things easy and casual for guests.
- They’re so stinkin’ cute, and have the red, white & blue(berry) factor going for them.
These are a “choose your own baking adventure” kind of recipe where you can go fully homemade or store-bought, swap out your fillings and get artistic with your shape. Use this recipe as a guide, but otherwise, feel free to experiment!
Looking for more recipes that are great for a cookout? Try my Grilled Watermelon Salsa, Glazed Chicken Apple Sausage and Sweet Potato Kebabs
Ingredients
- Pie crust (store bought or homemade)
- Jam
- Fresh berries
- Egg
- Water
- Confectioners’ sugar
- Milk (or water)
Instructions
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper—this helps prevent sticking and makes cleanup easier. Set it aside while you prep your dough.
Take both sheets of pie dough and give them a gentle roll with a rolling pin to even them out into roughly 9×9-inch squares. Trim the edges if needed to get nice, clean sides.
Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, slice each square into three long strips, then cut each strip into three equal pieces so you end up with nine 3×3-inch squares per sheet—eighteen in total.
Place half of the squares (9 of them) on your prepared baking sheet. These will be the bottom of your hand pies. With the remaining squares, use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to cut a star in the center of each—this will be the peekaboo top layer that lets some of that juicy berry filling show through.
Spoon about a tablespoon of jam—strawberry or blueberry both work great—into the center of each square on the pan, making sure to leave a little border around the edges. Top the jam with a few whole berries or thin slices for extra texture and flavor.
In a small bowl, whisk together one egg and a tablespoon of water to create an egg wash. This helps seal the pies and gives them a beautiful golden finish.
Lightly brush the edges of the jam-filled squares with the egg wash, then place one of the star-cut dough pieces on top of each. Gently press around the edges to stick them together.
To seal everything up and add a little decorative touch, use a fork to crimp the edges of each pie. Then brush the tops with more egg wash.
Bake the pies for 18 to 20 minutes, or until they’re golden and the crust looks set. Let them cool completely before glazing.
For the glaze, just stir together some powdered sugar and a splash of water or milk until it’s smooth and thick, but still pourable.
Once the pies are cool, place them on a rack over a baking sheet or just back onto your lined pan, and drizzle that sweet glaze right over the top. Let it set for a few minutes before serving.
Variations & Substitutions
Try these variations!
- Use store-bought pie filling or any combination of berries or fruit (cherry, blackberry, peach, apple, etc.) to change things up.
- Use store-bought pie filling or any combination of berries or fruit (cherry, blackberry, peach, apple, etc.) to change things up.
- Spread some chocolate hazelnut filling before adding berries for a delicious treat.
- Sprinkle the tops with sanding or turbinado sugar before baking for texture and sparkle.
- Use puff pastry instead of pie dough for a flaky, airy danish-like version.
Storage
Room Temperature:
- If you plan to eat them within a day or two, you can store the cooled hand pies in an airtight container at room temperature. Just be sure they’re completely cool before sealing to avoid condensation, which can make the crust soggy.
Refrigerator:
- For longer storage (up to 4–5 days), place them in a single layer in an airtight container and refrigerate. You can pop them in a 300°F oven for about 5–8 minutes to re-crisp the crust before serving.
Freezer:
- These freeze beautifully! Once cooled completely, place the hand pies on a baking sheet in a single layer and freeze until solid. Then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 2 months. Reheat in a 350°F oven straight from frozen for 15–18 minutes or until heated through.
These petite pies are a heartfelt nod on Memorial Day to those who paid the ultimate price all for their country. There’s no delicate way to remember such a solemn sacrifice, but I hope that while you spend time with loved ones this weekend, you’ll take a second to reflect on what the day means for those who are missing theirs. <3
Patriotic Berry Hand Pies
