This Blueberry Hand Pie recipe has a blueberry vanilla goat cheese cream filling baked inside a buttery and flaky crust then topped with a sweet blueberry glaze! Simple and rustic, these turnovers are perfect for pie-lovers and skeptics alike!. To-die-for!
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Disclosure: I partnered with Montchevre for this recipe post, but all opinions expressed here are my own. I am grateful for authentic partnerships like this.
I’m a Southern raised girl through and through. Seriously, I bleed grits and gravy. Southern food is basically my religion and I wouldn’t have it any other way. If you’ve followed this blog for a while, you know that I learned everything I know from my Big Mama: a strong Southern woman by her own right. She taught me how to sling hush puppies and fry catfish with the best of ‘em!
Big Mama’s specialty? Homemade pies. That woman could whip a masterpiece in a matter of minutes. I was constantly mesmerized as her hands moved in a blur. During the summers, she made fruit pies of all kinds: cherry, peach, rhubarb, etc. Each pie was uniquely flavored and oh so sweet!
Today, I’m drawing inspiration from my Big Mama’s fabulously fruity Summer pies. Aromatic, zesty, and ooey-gooey in all the best ways, these Blueberry Hand Pies are not only delectable but, down-right good for the soul!
What are Hand Pies?
Hand Pies (also called turnovers) are a fantastic option for changing up the traditional slice of pie. Similar to an empanada, hand pies are made by filling pre-cut rounds of dough with fruit fillings. Easily made and more easily eaten, these stuffed desserts are perfect for outdoor gatherings or any event that includes small children.
TIP: Be sure to never fill a hand pie with a particularly runny filling. Since you aren’t pouring it into a contained pie plate, it will most likely cause the pies to burst and become soggy.
Okay, it’s time to let you in on a secret: these aren’t just any ‘ole Blueberry Hand Pies. These pockets of perfection have a mystery ingredient, a little something special: Blueberry Vanilla Goat Cheese! Montchevre Goat Cheese is the largest goat cheese brand in the United States. Made in Wisconsin using traditional French cheese making techniques, Montechevre is the highest quality goat cheese available.
Everyone is familiar with cheese from cow’s milk. This time around, I’m breaking away from the expected to make a delightfully surprising treat. Montechevre’s Blueberry Vanilla Goat Cheese is sweet, tangy, floral and creamier than just about any other cheese I’ve ever had. Absolutely perfect for these hand pies!
The Heart and Soul of the Best Blueberry Hand Pies
Cuisine Inspiration: Modern American Fusion
These blueberry hand pies are not your grandma’s bake sale classic! We’re infusing a bit of culinary cheekiness by introducing a tangy goat cheese twist, all wrapped up in that comforting Americana vibe.
Primary Cooking Method: Baking
Crispy, golden, and oh-so-flaky perfection is achieved through the magic of your oven, setting the stage for that gooey, cheesy berry goodness.
Dietary Info: Vegetarian, Contains Dairy
No meat around here, just heaps of dairy-driven delightfulness. Heads up, lactose-intolerant pals, this treat is cheese-central!
Key Flavor: Sweet Blueberry Tang with a Hint of Vanilla
Get ready for a flavor rollercoaster! The sweet blueberry and fragrant vanilla take your taste buds on a wild ride, while the goat cheese adds a surprise tang that makes this pie unforgettable.
Skill Level: Intermediate
You don’t need to be a pastry chef, but a little experience around the oven will take you a long way with this recipe. Plus, it’s an opportunity to flaunt those baking skills!
Sweet Highlights:
- Unexpected Flavor Fusion: The blueberry and vanilla are a classic combo, but that goat cheese is the plot twist you didn’t know you needed.
- Perfectly Portable: These hand pies are individual servings of joy, ready to accompany you on any adventure or cozy night in.
- Texture Wonderland: Between the crispy crust, creamy filling, and luscious glaze, each bite is a new experience.
- Insta-Worthy: They’re not just pies; they’re a statement. That blueberry swirl on top? #FoodArt
- Crowd-Pleaser: Sweet enough for the kids, sophisticated enough for the grown-up palate, these pies are universal happiness in hand-held form.
Ingredients
Not to toot my own horn but, this recipe is a doozy! From the decadent filling to the buttery crust, every bite of these pies is a luxurious experience. Believe me, you don’t wanna miss out on this one.
Here’s how we get the party started:
Montchevre Blueberry Vanilla Goat Cheese – made with high-quality goat’s milk, vanilla and blueberries, Montechevre’s award-winning goat cheese brings an exciting, delicious flavor to this recipe. Each bite is layered with a rich, smooth texture and a tart, candied taste. So darn good. Montchevre has a new flavor, Blueberry Lemon, that is a nice substitute that adds a tangy citrus flavor, and launches this summer! It would go wonderfully in these turnovers!
Cream Cheese – to balance out the tang of the goat cheese I added a bit of cream cheese. The added cream smooths out our mixture and compliments the sweetness of the berries.
Granulated Sugar – just half a cup of sugar helps to caramelize the blueberries, making for a sweeter, more complex filling.
Cinnamon – This spice really helps the blueberries pop in the most lip-smackingly delicious way. I like the depth it adds.
Fresh Blueberries – these little nuggets of tangy, sweet juice pair perfectly with goat cheese. Being a big fan of berries, I made sure there was plenty to go around.
Homemade Pie Dough – this is my absolute favorite pie crust recipe. It is insanely buttery, flaky and just irresistible.
How to Make Blueberry Hand Pies
. Crust Creation:
- Kick things off by whisking flour, sugar, and salt in a medium bowl.
- Work that cold butter into the mix with a pastry cutter until you’ve got a crumbly situation on your hands.
- Gradually add cold water (start with 1/2 cup and feel it out from there), and knead until it morphs into a doughy masterpiece.
- Divide and conquer that dough into 3 or 4 balls, wrap ’em up, and let them chill in the fridge for 30-45 minutes. Patience, my pie-loving pals.
2. Cheese Filling Fabulousness:
- Ready for a twist? Whip together Montchevre Blueberry Vanilla Goat Cheese, cream cheese, and sugar until smooth and irresistible.
- Bring on the vanilla, cinnamon, and egg, and keep mixing until silky perfection.
3. Berry Bonanza:
- Toss those blue jewels (yes, the blueberries) with your filling and let the magic happen.
4. Glazing Glory:
- Simmer blueberries, lemon juice, and water until those berries burst with excitement. Blend until smooth and gradually whisk in confectioner’s sugar for the ultimate drizzle fest.
5. Assembly Line:
- Heat your oven up to 375 degrees and get that egg wash ready.
- Roll out your chilled dough to 1/4 inch thickness and go to town with a 4 ½-inch cutter.
- Load up each dough circle with that creamy, berry goodness, fold ’em, seal ’em with a fork’s tines, and give them a little egg wash shine plus a sugar sprinkle.
- Chill in the fridge again for about 20-25 minutes (they like it cool), then bake until golden brown and irresistible, about 20-30 minutes.
- Drizzle that luscious blueberry glaze all over these beauties.
Tips and Tricks
Keep the Dough Cool
To ensure a crisp, flaky crust, it’s important to keep your dough as cold as possible without being unworkable. The dough should be able to stretch easily but still be cool to the touch.
TIP: Keep the dough rounds in the refrigerator and take them out as needed. Be patient, work one piece of dough at a time!
Don’t Overfill
Overstuffing the dough will cause the hand pies to pop open during baking. Carefully measure out the filling for each pie using a small cookie scoop or a large spoon.
TIP: For an easier filling process, pre-measure out the filling onto parchment paper and freeze for 10-15 minutes. This will make for a more stable mixture that doesn’t move around in the dough.
Brush Before Baking
Looking for that crisp, beautifully browned crust? Mix together an egg yolk with one teaspoon of water and carefully brush the crust.
TIP: If you’re looking to go the extra mile, sprinkle on a bit of decorating sugar or flaky sea salt before baking.
Leftover Storage and Reheating for Hand Pies
Any leftover pies can (and should) be tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’re looking to make them last longer, wrap them up, stick ‘em in a freezer-safe bag and place them in the freezer. Frozen hand pies will last up to 4 months.
When you’re ready to reheat, thaw the pies at room temperature for an hour and in the meantime, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Reheat on a parchment lined sheet pan for at least 30 minutes.
I love how easy it is to store them. In fact, I make a ton of hand pies like these Guava Empanadas, , Strawberry Hand Pies, and Homemade Pop Tarts!! They are great to freeze and enjoy later!
Best Berry Recipes
Bust the blueberry blues by whipping up some of my absolute favorite berry-filled recipes:
- Homemade Blueberry Ice Cream
- Blueberry Glazed Donuts
- Blueberry Crumble Bars
- Lemon Blueberry Cake
- Blueberry Pancake Cobbler
- Blueberry Cobbler
- Individual Strawberry Crumbles
Blueberry Hand Pies
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Ingredients
For the Crust
- 2 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 2 tsp granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup very cold unsalted butter cut in cubes
- 1/2 cup very cold water up to 2/3 cup if you need it
For the Cheese Filling
- 4 oz Montchevre Blueberry Vanilla Goat Cheese, room temperature Find it HERE!
- 4 oz cream cheese room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 large egg
- pinch of salt
For the Blueberries
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp all purpose flour
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
For Assembly
- 1 large egg
- 2 tbsp water
- Turbinado Sugar
For the Blueberry Glaze
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp water
- 1 1/2 cup confectioner's sugar up to 2 cups if you need it to be thicker
Instructions
For the Crust
- In a medium sized bowl, add flour, sugar and salt and whisk together to combine.
- Next add your butter cubes to flour and using your pastry cutter, cut the butter into the flour mixture until various sized crumbs appear.
- Slowly add the cold water into the flour until a ball of dough forms. Start with 1/2 cup and add more water if you need it. Knead the dough quickly to bring it together. Don't worry if there is any flour left in the bowl.
- Remove the dough from the bowl, cut into 3 or 4 sections and round into balls. Cover each ball tightly with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes to rest.
For the Cheese Filling
- In the bowl of your stand mixer or in a medium sized bowl using a hand mixer, add Montchevre Blueberry Vanilla Goat Cheese and cream cheese and mix on medium high speed with sugar.
- Next add in vanilla, cinnamon and the egg and mix until smooth.
For the Blueberries
- Toss all of the ingredients together and set aside.
For the Glaze
- Add blueberries, lemon juice and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. When the blueberries begin to burst and release juices, add everything to a blender or food processor and puree it.
- Whisk in the confectioner’s sugar in 1/2 cup increments until smooth and you achieve desired consistency for drizzling. Add more sugar as needed then set aside.
To Assemble
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Whisk together egg and water and set aside.
- Remove dough from the fridge and add a bit of flour to a working surface or clean counter and place dough on it.
- Using a rolling pin, quickly roll dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness.
- Cut out circles using a large cutter the size of about 4 ½ circumference.
- Spoon about ¾ to 1 ½ tablespoons filling onto one half of each circle of dough. Next spoon a couple of blueberries on top of the filling.
- Brush a little egg wash around the outside of the dough circle, and fold it in half so the other side comes down over the filling, creating a semicircle.
- Seal each hand pie by pressing the edges of the dough together with the tines of a fork then add two tiny slits to the top of each pie.
- Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with raw sugar.
- Place back in the refrigerator for about 20-25 minutes to firm up before baking.
- Once firm, bake for about 20-30 minutes or until golden brown and puffed. (If you made super thick dough, you would have to bake for up to 40 minutes). Cool until room temperature or just warm.
- Drizzle with blueberry glaze and serve.
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Fantastic recipe! Made a dozen for a long trip we are taking soon. Freezed them. I am going to try different fruit back! that great dough, when we get back!
Excellent! I these last night and this will definitely be a go to dessert.
These sound delish! I am going to make them in two days. If I need to freeze any, do you recommend cooking them first and then freezing them, or the other way around?
Thank you!!!
Cindy
You can do either way but I would freeze unbaked and then bake later.
I love these! I’ve made them twice-once as the original recipe, and once adapted with peaches instead of blueberries. both were good, but the original was the best. The blueberry glaze really makes it! My whole family loves them 🙂
Would this work as a regular pie filling instead of individual hand pies?
I can’t really say honestly since the filling is two different components.