Introduction
Cranberry Hand Pies offer a delightful twist on traditional desserts. These flaky, buttery treats combine the tartness of cranberries with the sweetness of sugar and spice, wrapped in a golden-brown crust that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether it’s a festive holiday gathering or simply an indulgent weekend dessert, Cranberry Hand Pies promise to be both delicious and visually appealing.
Tips for this Recipe
For the best results with your cranberry hand pies: keep your butter frozen until needed, which helps create a flaky texture; don’t overwork the dough to maintain its tenderness; and ensure proper cooling after baking by placing them on a rack. The recipe is flexible for ingredient substitutions if desired.
Why you will love this recipe
These Cranberry Hand Pies are not just a culinary delight; they’re an experience of flavors and textures that brings joy to the palate. The balance between sweet, tart cranberries, warm spices, and buttery crust makes every bite memorable. Plus, these hand pies come together in no time, making them a perfect project for home cooks looking to impress without much fuss.
Ingredients
3 2/3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) plus 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/2″ cubes, frozen
1 pound fresh (or thawed) cranberries (about 4 cups)
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
1/2 teaspoon instant tapioca
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
A large egg, beaten to blend
Raw sugar for dusting
Advised Equipment
– Mixer with Dough Hooks: Essential for efficiently and uniformly combining pie dough ingredients.
– Rolling Pin: Specifically a small rolling pin is needed to flatten or shape the dough, perfect for hand pies.
– Pastry Cutter (Diameter: 2-inch): Helpful in cutting butter into flour by hand for flaky crusts.
– Silicone Baking Mat: Used for rolling out pie dough on hard surfaces and preventing sticking.
– Piping Bag with Star Tip: Utilized for filling and adding decorative touches to the pies’ crusts.
– Pie Pan Set (6-inch size): Beneficial for testing recipes or individual servings, ideal for cranberry hand pies.
– Cooling Rack: Essential for cooling pie crusts after baking and ensuring the perfect texture.
History of the Recipe
The concept of filling fruit within a pastry dates back centuries, with various cultures having their versions of filled pastries or pies. Cranberry hand pies have evolved over time as they became popular for their convenience and delightful flavor combination. They embody the essence of American cuisine—a blend of simplicity and indulgence that can be tracited back to European baking traditions adapted to local ingredients like cranberries, which thrive in New England.
Fun Facts about this Recipe
Cranberry hand pies are a modern interpretation of an age-old pastry tradition with a twist. Did you know that the inclusion of cranberries isn’t just for their tartness? They also offer antioxidants and vitamin C, adding a healthful aspect to this indulgent treat. Moreover, the choice of raw sugar in contrast to refined sugars not only enhances flavor but adds subtle molasses notes that complement the spices used in the recipe. This delightful pastry has found its place at Thanksgiving tables across America and beyond, representing both a nod to tradition and innovation in baking.