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Even though they’ve become trite and cliched, I love miniature desserts. First of all, you can have more than one without feeling incessantly guilty for eating more than one dessert. Eating two mini cupcakes? Totally different than eating two full-sized cupcakes.
Well, to me, anyway. You see, as much as I joke about excessive French fry consumption and the inability to stop after one cookie, eating healthy is sometimes an uphill battle for me. It’s not that I don’t like to eat vegetables (love them!) or want to eat the foods that make me feel stronger, lighter and more energetic (I do!), but I’ve never been blessed with a small frame or a speedy metabolism. And yet, I like to eat. I like to eat real food, including the occasional indulgent dessert. Therefore I have an especially strong appreciation for individually portioned desserts.
After college, I realized that some of the Freshman 15 (well, it was more than 15 but let’s just leave it at that) was still hanging out so I dieted with Weight Watchers and lost some of the weight. Then, life happened and I was busy and stressed and for most of 2007 I ate oatmeal for breakfast and Tasti Delite for dinner with a salad in between if I was lucky and could tear myself away from my desk.
To make a long story short, suddenly I needed to gain weight. After being just slightly overweight for such a long time throughout college I couldn’t fathom the idea of purposely trying to send the scale in the opposite direction, so it wasn’t easy for me to start changing my eating habits to accommodate a weight gain.
Once I did, though, I had no problem eating a little extra ice cream and replacing salads with homemade macaroni and cheese. Around the same time I moved to Chicago and discovered new friends, new restaurants and parties where there was never a shortage of food and drink.
I think the point I am trying to make is that I have a relatively healthy relationship with food and you wouldn’t look at me and think there were struggles. My figure is pretty average and my size is probably below the American norm. Yet, it’s never been easy for me to say no to dessert or to or to choose fruit instead of ice cream. Sometimes, that’s okay. I think that everyone needs to find a balance between food and exercise that works for you, which certainly isn’t easy. I am getting there though and I think that my healthy balance just might include individual cherry pies.
Cherry Hand Pies
Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit
Ingredients
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 cups fresh cherries, stemmed and pitted, or about 12 ounces frozen pitted cherries, unthawed
2/3 cup dried cherries
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
1 14-ounce package all-butter puff pastry (preferably Dufour), thawed in refrigerator
Flour (for dusting)
1 large egg white
1 1/2 teaspoons raw sugar
How-To:
Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Stir cornstarch and 1 1/2 tablespoons cold water in a small bowl to blend. Combine fresh cherries and next 4 ingredients in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cherry juices are released, about 5 minutes. Add cornstarch mixture; bring to a boil, stirring often. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface to an 18×15″ rectangle. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut dough into nine 6×5″ rectangles. Whisk egg white and 1 tablespoon water in another small bowl for egg wash.
Working with 1 pastry rectangle at a time, place on a work surface and brush edges with egg wash. Scoop 3 tablespoons cherry mixture onto one side; fold dough over filling so that short ends meet, forming a 5×3″ packet. Crimp edges with a fork to seal. Using a sharp knife, cut a few slits in top of pie to vent. Place on prepared baking sheet; repeat with remaining dough and filling.
Brush tops with egg wash, then sprinkle with raw sugar. Chill for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°. Bake pastries until tops and bottoms are golden brown, 30-40 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes on baking sheet. Transfer to wire racks; let cool completely. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
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{ 94 comments… read them below or add one }
Thank you so much! I love hand pies, I have been making blueberry ones & love them! Yours look so easy.
i need some cherry hand pies in my life
How fun do these hand pies look! And the farmers markets are now featuring cherries, so this recipe comes at a perfect time!
oh my gosh, these are the cutest thing ever! Isn’t puff pastry amazing?!
Hand pies is a concept I have never heard before. Wow, so much more learning for me to do!
These are adorable! And thank you for being normal about food! So much in the foodblogosphere is like “don’t WORRY, it’s HEALTHY” or “hey eat this ‘decadent’ dessert but be sure to feel wicked guilty about it since you’re supposed to be living off carrot sticks!” I would like everyone to get a grip, find a relationship with food that works for them, like you said, and stop proslytizing their own personal food relationship to everyone else!
These just look so cute. I think my problem would be that I wouldn’t be able to eat just one. I love anything that is filled with fruit
Great pictures too!!
I’ve always been that same way! Never blessed with a speedy metabolism. I’ve never known the concept of just being able to eat whatever I wanted without issues. These little hand pies are so cute. And cherries are delicious. A great recipe for sure
wow thanks for sharing your personal story! and i love the little hand pies and anything mini sized.
I didnt know you lived in Chicago!
I am from Minneapolis and then Chicago. Lived all over the city. My sister and her hubs and 1 year old live in Lincoln Pk and my hubs’ family all live in the NW Burbs or North Shore. I will look you up if I ever go back (rare). I make them come to San Diego
I love what you wrote about finding your own balance. And one that includes desserts!
I love your pies…they look sooooo good! Reminds me of the Hostess Cherry Pies I ate as a kid except 10x better looking and healthier of course!
I like miniature desserts, too. It’s hard for me to keep a healthy balance, too. I definitely need to loose a few pounds! Those cherry pies look great, and it’s nice they’re a smaller size!
You are making these for me next time you are home!
I’ve never made a hand pie before. Turnovers, yes but they were big too. I want to try these soon. They look delicious.
I can definitely relate to your relationship with food….mine has been up and down but I think I finally have the right balance! I think once I realized that eating real food (not frozen meals) and indulging my sweet tooth were okay, I have settled in at my natural weight. It’s a good feeling to eat healthy and have a few indulgences here and there! Including these cherry pies…ooh boy they look good!!
These look so yummy and cute!! Where do you get the all butter pastry?
Ooo these look so delicious!! LOVING your blog and so glad to be your newest follower!
Thanks for this post–both for the adorable hand pies and for the honesty about your ongoing relationship with food. It’s nice to hear perspective from someone else who knows about the balancing act!
I exercise to eat. It sounds so stupid, but while some days I think I’m sweating to keep myself fit and feeling great, the reality is I’m doing it so I can eat a slice of cheesecake after dinner. I’d like to say that I try to pack in lots of veg and good fiber because I’m supposed to. I really know it’s so I can have one meal during the week that’s comprised of nothing more then a good loaf of french bread and brie (maybe a fruit will fall into mouth then too). Food balance is happiness.
Cherry hand pies? What a fabulous dessert! These look absolutely delicious!
These may be the cutest desserts I’ve ever seen! The shape reminds me of McDonald’s apple pies
I was not going to read the recipe, thinking it would be difficult. Then, I saw my pal, puff pastry and now I am raring to go. I would absolutely love these. Thanks for sharing.
Congratulations, Julie!
Those cherry hand pies you baked look so good!One hand with pie, the other with a double espresso…oh..that’s life.
I used to not be able to put on weight too and although I’ve never been in the position to have to put it on it’s such a complex issue isn’t it! And yes I’m that person that hasn’t been able to say no to dessert and these palm sized treats would be such a treat
I love hand-pies! Thank you for sharing this recipe, Maris! They look really good…
These look delicious! I would definitely struggle saying no to these!
I think all women tend to struggle with weight, especially those of us who are happy eaters! Now, I am wondering how I could stop after only one of these fabulous cherry pies…. cherry anything is such a favorite of mine and these look absolutely scrumptious!
I love any and all pies.
I don’t think they’re trite, but practical and perfect for parties. These look great.
I have the same struggles – desserts are so hard to say no to!
These hand pies look fantastic, Maris!
I’m also a big fan of mini desserts! Then it’s totally okay to try a few different things, right??
Those pies look so lovely!
I have problems saying no to the food I like… At lunchtime and dinner time I eat very healthy meals (low-calorie), so that I can indulge while watching my favorite series. During the weekend, I don’t diet at all.
Cheers,
Rosa
I can totoallly relate to you on the weight issues and desserts! I can never pass up dessert, I will actually eat dessert before me dinner (if my kids aren’t around – LOL)! It all comes down to finding that right balance and it sounds like you found it!
I don’t think the pies are trite! I think they’re brilliant making them into preportioned individual pies! Though I’d eat two and then it would be like eating one big pie!
Today is Pie Day so this is the perfect thing to showcase. As far as weight is concerned it is easy to have a misperception. I was 119 pounds until I was 30 when I started to pack on the pounds. I still don’t ewcognize the person in the mirror at all because in my mind I am still 50 poinds lighter.
I feel the same way about mini desserts. Sometimes I cut my baked goods into tiny squares instead of larger ones just so I can justify having more than one raspberry bar or brownie. And besides, miniature things are so much cuter, right?
I love how these use puff pastry instead of homemade pie dough… super easy!
These remind me of those Hostess pies I used to eat as a child, but Maris, your’s look MUCH, MUCH better and healthier, too. I want one…NOW.
I think you are almost at a point where you can be called a self-regulating eater. The pies sound wonderful and I’ll have to try them when things slow down around here. I hope you had a fabulous weekend. Blessings…Mary
I just flipped through Bon Appetit yesterday and these caught my eye! Yours turned out great!
Totally undestand your struggle – they way i do it is that i will never tell myself i can’t have something – then i just want it more. But i also eat the real stuff – whole milk, not fat free EVER. If you eat the real stuff you are satisfied with a lot less. Never eat anything fat free or with substitute sugars – you will only crave more. Awesome pies!
I totally agree with you on the miniature dessert … i love that idea too and it looks cute
This is something I should try too…
I made hand pies too! These are so cute and cherry is my hands down, favorite pie filling. I definitely understand the battle between food, indulgence, and being active…mini desserts and small portions make it easier for sure!
They are so sweet! I’m always trying to lose weight. I think every woman I know has that “body dismorphia” (not sure if that’s the correct spelling). When you look in the mirror all you see is the negative and loads of it!! I’m getting better though
i like miniature desserts too. not only do they look cute but i also feel less guilty eating them…lol
your little pies look great! i like how there are three slits and we can see the cherries inside.
These are so great…and I’ve always meant to make hand-pies. I think I just love the name…though it sounds kind of dirty when you think about it
sorry…sometimes I think there’s something wrong with me.
I’m with you – I like veggies, but I like my desserts, too. These cherry hand pies look plenty delicious enough to want to splurge some calories on. Yum!
These pies are adorable, they looks so good I would love to try one with some vanilla ice cream!
These look so good, and like you, my husband and I also like miniature desserts. First, they’re just somehow cuter when they’re smaller. And it somehow feels indulgent to eat two small ones instead of one regular sized one.
Sounds like you’ve found a good balance for yourself. You let yourself enjoy good food and eat healthy, and I think because you don’t deny yourself the foods you love, it’s bound to make you feel happier and more satisfied.
My experience has been that if I deny myself certain foods, I’ll just end up binging on them. I’d rather let myself eat a little bit of sweets and goodies to satisfy my cravings instead of eating an entire bag of M&Ms like I used to. When I know I’m not going to deprive myself of the foods I love and eat in moderation, I’m much healthier and happier.
Anyway, I’m very happy to have found a good balance too. I exercise and try to eat right without depriving myself and that feels good.
And eating one of these lovely little hand pies would feel awfully good too! 
Believe it or not, the look of these reminds me of pop tarts (and we cant even find them in Australia). Very nice.
Glad you have not eliminated hand pies from your diet…then all your fans would be deprived, too! These look fabulous…and the individual servings make it easy to follow my motto, “everything in moderation.” I’d love to try a peach version soon
It’s all about balance. I could balance a lot of these on my plate;)
Goodnight are you preaching to the choir. Like…on EVERY front. The hand pies are adorable but do you know what is delicious AND low calorie? Oysters and Champagne. Next Tuesday. It’s on.
“Hand pie”!! That sounds so much fun. I also like to eat small bites x 100. I tend to eat one bite whenever I go to kitchen…and after a whole day I get surprised how much I actually ate throughout the day… Okay that’s just me. But this small bites of cherry pie sounds wonderful!!!
I don’t think individual desserts are trite at all. I think they’re fun! Love that you combined two kinds of cherries here, Maris!
Could you use apple filling in these?
YUM!! This is like those cherry pies they sold at lunch when I was in elementary school, with loads of trans fat….but these look much more delicious and strangely, better for you! Do you remember those things? There was apple, cherry, and one other flavor I can’t remember. They are still around, and people buy them, and I cringe.
You and I are so similar…it’s actually insane. I definitely come across as having a very balanced, healthy relationship with food…but it’s so not the case. Internal struggles. Constantly.
Which is why I know I would love these pies. No struggle necessary. Just eat one and be satisfied!
Oh the cherry in those pies just sounds and looks so sweet and delicious. I love the dough and I can see the crust just flaking away in my mouth! I love these especially since this means i can just grab them and go so I can eat as many as I want- right?
I have such a serious love for hand pies but surprisingly have not made them before. I can’t wait to try these!!
Portable Pies! These look gorgeous Maris! Happy Baking!
Such rustic yumminess! I’ve got to try these.
love cherry pie, and when it’s my own little individual treat that somehow makes it better
I just saw a recipe for strawberry handpies somewhere, and they look so much fun! I really need to try them soon.
Hand pies would be TRICKY for me!
These hand pies look great! I would probably get into trouble and eat them all….haha
these hand pies, rock!! I love anything mini!! I would eat them all, lol no really I would..
Miniature desserts are my favorite–then I don’t feel bad about eating an entire cupcake, pie, etc. Though, then I just tend to eat more than one! These hand pies look heavenly!
hand pies are such a great idea! i always love your recipes
Wow! Julie is so lucky! She wins things all the time! Congrats girl!
And Maris, this looks amazing! Cherry Hand Pies? Awesome.
I love miniature desserts too but have never made a smaller portion of pies before. So smart and delicious!
These look adorable! I like to try and fool myself too by making smaller portions or cutting something in half, only to go back for more
Thanks for the Tweet – your pies are so pretty!
Good gracious these do look wonderful!
I love mini desserts. They’re too cute! I’ve never tried cherry pie before, but I love fresh cherries. I’m sure these would be a hit in my house.
Great post and awesome recipe!!!
These pies look so delicious…! I’ve never tried making pies myself at home, you make it sound so easy, thanks for sharing this
!
Dried and fresh cherries??? Be still my heart! I have bookmarked this as I know it will be a hit at a summer dinner party we’ll be going to in a few weeks! Have a wonderful day Maris, as always, thanks for the great recipe!
i’m not a huge cherry fan but these look delicious. maybe i could sub in raspberries instead? or smushed apples? haha.
These look delicious, and I totally agree, anything miniature makes me feel a whole lot less guilty about enjoying them!!
What a cute idea! I also love mini desserts – feels more satisfying than having to leave behind part of a “regular” one.
What lovely little treats! I’ll take one for each hand, please!
these look great and its all about balance
A good balance can be hard to find, I think all of us who are passionate about food must have the same struggles. I do think life is about the little pleasures and cherry hand pies certainly fit in.
Your cherry hand pies looks absolutely delicious!
looks great and so pretty!
After many many years I think I am finally at the point where I have a healthy relationship with food – I eat when I am hungry, enjoy it immensely and occasionally allow myself something extra without (much) guilt. These pies would really be the perfect something extra, and they remind me of treats I liked as a kid, only much more gourmet!
i’ve always said, ‘i’ve never met a pie i didn’t like . . . actually love . . .’ and i to have a love affair with food although with a small frame and thyroid disease i have the metabolism of a dead snail, so Twiggy, i shall never be . . . sigh . . . i do eat healthy for the most part but then these little gems saunter along taunting me and i simply cannot resist . . . so thankful they’re minis!
love this! have a ton of cherries just waiting to be swooped into these cute desserts
Mmmm these are adorable cute and portable for outings! I enjoy bike riding and having a backpack picnic lunch – these will be perfect!
These pies are so cute!
Love them!
These are heavenly. I am loving your site
wow, these look delicious! i totally agree with your thoughts on healthy eating + maintaining balance. one of the ways i stay in shape is moderation, moderation, moderation. i allow myself to eat/drink anything i want, but not overeat. + you are so correct that mini-desserts make that a lot easier!
Ver very dangerous! I need to try to make hand pies! So portable and delicious looking! Cute! ♥- K
I can totally relate to the weight thing..still looking to find my own balance and those minitures are perfect to enjoy without guilt nagging with every bite
I love that you make these hand pies! When I was growing up, I was addicted to those Hostess Cherry Pies, you know the half-round shaped pies with the glaze? Totally not healthy and not really that good at all, but to my kid palate they were the bomb. Your hand pies look and sound so much better than my childhood memories.
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