These easy cherry hand pies are flaky, sweet, and perfect for Valentine’s Day. A simple, adorable dessert everyone will love!
The Sweetest Valentine’s Day Treat
If I had to pick a favorite holiday, it might just be Valentine’s Day. Don’t get me wrong — Christmas is magical, and Halloween is a big deal at our house — but there’s something about Valentine’s Day that makes my heart extra happy.
Maybe it’s the pink and red decor, the heart-shaped everything, or the constant reminders to show love in big and small ways. At our house, the Valentine’s decorations go up the minute the Christmas tree comes down, and we lean into a full month of cozy cheer. Honestly, it’s the perfect way to brighten those long, dreary winter days.
And of course, my favorite part of any holiday is the food.
These cherry hand pies check every box: easy, festive, adorable, and completely irresistible. I especially love the tiny heart cut-out on top with the vibrant cherries peeking through. Truly — what says “I love you” more than a warm pie fresh from the oven?
How to Make Cherry Hand Pies
The beauty of hand pies is that they feel impressive without requiring a ton of effort. If you can roll dough and use a cookie cutter, you can make these.
Start With the Best Pie Crust
Every great pie begins with a great crust. If homemade pie crust intimidates you, don’t worry — this is my tried-and-true, no-fail recipe. I’ve made it dozens of times, and it turns out perfectly every single time.
It’s easy to handle, not overly sticky, and flexible enough to fold without cracking when you seal the edges. Flaky, buttery, and dependable — basically everything you want in a pie crust.
(Once you try it, you may never go back to store-bought.)
Choose an Easy, Flavorful Filling
After your crust is ready, it’s time for the star of the show: the filling.
I love using cherry pie filling for these hand pies because the color is gorgeous and the flavor is bright and sweet. Plus, it feels extra festive for Valentine’s Day. That said, this recipe is incredibly versatile — blueberry, apple, raspberry, or peach would all be delicious.
Why Everyone Loves Hand Pies
As much as I adore a classic full-sized pie, there’s something undeniably fun about a dessert that fits right in the palm of your hand.
My kids especially love that they each get their own pie — no slicing required. They’re perfect for parties, gifting to neighbors, adding to dessert trays, or surprising someone you care about with a homemade treat.
Tips for the Best Hand Pies
- Don’t overfill them. It’s tempting, but too much filling can cause leaks while baking.
- Seal the edges well. A fork works great for crimping and keeping everything tucked inside.
- Cut a vent on top. Not only is it adorable, but it lets steam escape so your crust stays flaky.
- Serve warm if possible. There is nothing better.
Whether you’re baking for your sweetheart, your kids, your friends, or yourself (no judgment here), these hand pies are a simple way to spread a little extra love.
More delicious treats that are perfect for sharing with your sweetheart –
- Cupid Floats
- Valentine Twinkies
- Heart-Shaped S’mores
- Heart-Shaped Dinner Rolls
- 3 Ingredient Chocolate Cherry Croissants
- Mini Heart Cakes
Cherry Hand Pies
Ingredients
- 1 20oz can cherry pie filling
- 2 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup cold butter
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon water
Instructions
- In a medium bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, mix together the flour and salt. Grate the cold butter into the flour mixture, then cut it in using a pastry blender or the paddle attachment, until the pieces of butter are no larger than pea sized. Add the buttermilk, and mix until the dough just starts to come together.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and gently work it into a ball, handling it as little as possible. Divide the dough in half and shape into discs. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least twenty minutes.
- Roll each piece of dough out to a thin and even layer on a lightly floured surface, and cut into six inch circles (I used a bowl for mine). Cut a heart shaped piece of dough out of one side of the circle, or use a knife to make slashes in order to allow steam to escape.
- Spoon two tablespoons of pie filling onto half of the circle, then fold the other half over to close. Next, crimp the edges with a fork to seal.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water, and brush the egg mixture over the top of each pie. Bake at 425 for 15-17 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool before serving.
Nutrition
Other Notes
What temperature do you bake the pies? That was left out of the recipe. Thanks!
You bake them at 425 degrees.