Imagine holding a little heart in your hands… and then biting into it to find a sweet, melty strawberry pie filling surrounded by a perfectly flaky crust.
That’s exactly what these Heart Shaped Strawberry Hand Pies deliver, tiny bites of joy that feel homemade even if you’re short on time. They’re not just desserts; they’re cute pastry recipes made to make you smile, share, and maybe even sneak one for yourself.
Perfect as Valentine’s day treats or anytime you want a little sweetness in your day.
Why Heart Shaped Strawberry Hand Pies Are Easy to Love
Tiny hearts, big smiles: Each hand pie is a perfect little gift for yourself or someone you love, because who says treats can’t be cute and meaningful?
Fun AND easy: No complicated pastry skills needed, these hand pies are beginner-friendly but still impressive enough to wow your friends or family.
Super simple ingredients: No fancy tools or weird stuff, just basics you probably already have.
The Ingredients You’ll Need
- Pie crusts: The foundation of your hand pies, choosing a good quality crust makes all the difference for that buttery, flaky texture.
- Strawberry pie filling: This is where the magic happens; sweet, fruity, and gooey, it gives every bite that perfect strawberry flavor.
- Egg: Brushing your pies with egg creates a golden, shiny finish that makes them look straight out of a bakery.
- Milk: Mixing a little milk with the egg makes the egg wash smoother and helps your pies brown evenly without drying out.
- Salt: Just a pinch helps balance the sweetness and enhances the natural flavor of the strawberries.
How to Make Heart Shaped Strawberry Hand Pies
1. Get cozy and preheat your oven:
Turn your oven on to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Think of this as your little stage, these pies are about to shine!
2. Smooth out your pie crusts:
Lay one pie crust on a lightly floured surface. If it has any folds or wrinkles, give it a gentle roll so it’s nice and smooth. A smooth crust = even, cute hearts every time.
3. Cut hearts with love:
Grab your heart-shaped cookie cutter (4 inches is perfect for hand pies). Press down firmly and lift carefully. Re-roll scraps for extra hearts, trust me, a few extra pies always disappear fast! You’ll get around 20 hearts.
4. Whip up a dreamy egg wash:
In a small bowl, beat together your egg, splash of milk, and pinch of salt. This little mix will give your pies a gorgeous golden shine, and a subtle richness that makes them taste homemade.
5. Spoon in the strawberry goodness:
Place half of your hearts on the baking sheet. Add a tiny spoonful of strawberry pie filling in the center, just enough to enjoy that melty sweetness in every bite. Remember: less is more here, you want your pies to hold their shape!
6. Top and gently seal:
Place another heart on top. Press lightly with your fingers, then crimp the edges with a fork. Don’t worry if a little filling peeks out, it adds personality and makes them look like they’re “bursting with love.”
7. Add sparkle and shine:
Brush the tops with your egg wash for that perfect golden finish. For ventilation, cut two tiny slits in each heart (like an “x”), think of it as letting them breathe while baking.
8. Bake with anticipation:
Slide your tray into the oven and let the magic happen for 13–15 minutes, until golden and irresistible. Let them rest for a few minutes so the filling settles slightly. Then dig in!
Variations to Try
- Strawberry & almond: Scatter a small handful of slivered almonds over the filling before sealing to add a gentle crunch.
- Chocolate drizzle: Once baked, drizzle with melted chocolate for an indulgent, bakery-style touch.
- Strawberry & cinnamon sugar: Sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon sugar on top before baking for extra warmth and sweetness.
- Strawberry & white chocolate chips: Drop a few mini white chocolate chips into the center to create sweet, melty bursts.
- Powdered sugar dusting: Lightly dust after baking for a sweet, delicate finish.
If you love these hand pies, you’ll also adore my Homemade Pop Tarts, flaky, filled-to-the-brim, and perfect for a cozy breakfast or snack.
Mistakes to Avoid
Overfilling the hearts: Too much filling can leak everywhere. A small spoonful is perfect, think of it as just enough to get that gooey, melty bite.
Skipping the egg wash: It’s not just for looks! The egg wash helps the pies brown beautifully and keeps them sealed.
Rolling the dough too thin: Thin dough can tear easily. Keep it thick enough to hold the filling but still flaky.
Not watching the oven closely: Every oven bakes differently. Keep an eye after 12 minutes so you don’t overbrown the tops.
How to Store Heart Shaped Strawberry Hand Pies
Room temperature: Keep in an airtight container for up to 2 days, perfect for a quick snack without losing that flaky crust.
Refrigerator: Store in a sealed container for 3–4 days if you want the filling extra chilled. Let them warm slightly before eating for that melty goodness.
Freezer: Wrap individually in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven for 5–7 minutes to bring back the crisp crust and warm filling.
I hope you give these heart shaped hand pies a try, they’re fun, cozy, and absolutely delicious! I’d love to hear how yours turns out.
Other Valentine’s Day Favorites
Easy Heart Shaped Strawberry Hand Pies
Ingredients
- 2 store-bought pie crusts
- 1 cup and 2 tbsp Strawberry pie filling
- 1 egg
- Splash of milk
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper so your hand pies have a smooth, nonstick surface to bake on. Lay one pie crust on a lightly floured surface and gently roll out any folds until it’s nice and smooth, this helps your hearts come out perfectly even.
- Grab your 4-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter and press it firmly into the dough, lifting carefully to keep the shapes intact. Re-roll the scraps gently to cut a few extra hearts, you’ll end up with about 20, which is perfect for sharing.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, a splash of milk, and a pinch of salt to make your egg wash. Brushing this on the pies gives them a beautiful golden shine and a little extra richness that feels homemade.
- Place half of your hearts on the baking sheet and spoon a small amount of strawberry pie filling into the center of each one. Just a little is enough to enjoy that sweet, gooey filling without risking a spill, think “just enough to melt hearts.”
- Top each filled heart with another heart and press lightly around the edges with your fingers. Use a fork to crimp the edges so everything stays neatly inside.
- Brush the tops with the egg wash and make two tiny slits or an “x” in each pie to let steam escape while baking. This keeps the crust flaky and prevents the filling from overflowing.
- Bake for 13–15 minutes, until the pies are golden and irresistible. Let them cool for a few minutes so the filling sets slightly, then dig in while they’re warm and melty, you’ve got a sweet, cozy treat that’s fun to make and even more fun to eat!
Notes
- Chill the dough for a few minutes if it feels too soft, it’s easier to cut neat hearts.
- If the crust starts browning too fast, loosely cover with foil for the last few minutes.
