Late Spring is one of my favorite times of the year. Flowers are lining the streets, birds are chirping, grass is growing, and horses are racing! It’s also time to host my girlfriends for a fun lunch which allows us to reconnect before the busy summer season. When I plan a menu, I like to start with dessert first. You know, the fun stuff! The rest of the menu will work itself out! For this lunch, we’re going to enjoy Mixed Berry Hand Pies, inspired by Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale.
My advice – head to your neighborhood Stop & Shop soon to pick up the Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale in either 2- liter or 12- pack can sizes, as this seasonal offering is only available from March through May 2016!
A simple mixed berry hand pie is the perfect afternoon treat.
Hand Pies are super easy to make. While you’re at Stop & Shop, be sure to grab some ready to bake pie crust from the freezer section and a bag of frozen mixed berries. You probably think I am crazy for choosing frozen berries over fresh this time of year, but trust me. Frozen berries are flash frozen and perfectly sweet.
These little hand pies are what cupcakes are to cake. A little taste of deliciousness. Why make one BIG pie, when you can make these irresistable individual hand pies? This way, everyone gets that delicious crust and the amazing mixed berry filling.
For the filling, I used a bag of frozen blackberries, strawberries, and blueberries. Super simple – and oh so convenient. Simply pour the bag into a pot, add sugar, Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale and lemon juice. They transform quickly into a delicious filling in under 15 minutes!
While the mixed berries are working their magic on the stove, you can begin to work on your pie crust.
Preheat your oven as instructed on the package of pie crust and lightly spray your baking sheet with no stick spray, or line it with parchment paper. Spread your pie crust onto a floured work surface and cut out small circles for your hand pies. I couldn’t find a cookie cutter that was large enough, so I used a mason jar to cut my hand pies.
To assemble the hand pies, place one pie crust circle on a baking sheet, top with a few teaspoons of your mixed berry filling, then top with another pie crust circle.
Seal the top and bottom crusts together using your fingers and make cute tine marks around the edges with a fork. If you’d like, you can also cut a slit or two in the top of your crust. I opted not to do this for fear of getting mixed berry filling on my shirt while enjoying one [okay, while enjoying two!]!
Bake for 15 – 20 minutes and let cool slightly before moving to a wire rack. These can be eaten by hand once they’ve cooled. If you can’t wait [be like me!] grab a fork and dig in!
I love these mixed berry hand pies for any occasion. Whatever simple celebration you’re planning, these are sure to be a hit!
What simple celebration would you make mixed berry hand pies for?
Ingredients
- One frozen pie crust
- One 16-ounce bag of mixed berries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 TBSP Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale
- Juice of one medium lemon {about 2 TBSP lemon juice}
- Flour {for surface prep}
- Non-stick spray or parchment paper
Instructions
- Thaw pie crust as instructed on packaging.
- In a sauce pan over medium heat, add mixed berry blend, sugar, Canada Dry® Blackberry Ginger Ale and lemon juice. Stirring frequently.
- Allow mixture to come to a boil, then remove from heat.
- Preheat oven as instructed on pie crust packaging.
- Sprinkle flour on work surface.
- Roll out pie crust.
- Cut circles out of pie crust using cookie cutter {or inverted mason jar}
- Assemble hand pies on baking sheet as follows: pie crust circle, top with 2 TBSP mixed berry mixture, top with additional pie crust circle.
- Squeeze edges of pie crusts together to ensure mixed berry mixture does not escape.
- Bake 15 - 20 minutes.
- Let cool slightly on pan before moving to rack to cool completely.
Those pies look yummy!I am going to have to pin this recipe so I can make it this weekend. Thanks for sharing!
These look SO flipping delicious I can’t even stand it. I just want a hot one right out of the oven right now. (client)