Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with a mouthwatering twist on traditional hand pies that combines the sweet, juicy essence of ripe pears with the sharp, tangy bite of cheddar cheese. These golden, flaky hand pies are not just a recipe - they're a culinary adventure that transforms simple ingredients into a gourmet experience that will have your family and friends begging for more!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 hand pies
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, chilled and diced
- 1/4 cup ice water
- 2 ripe pears, peeled and diced
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Cut the chilled, diced butter into the flour mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse breadcrumbs.
- Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Form the dough into a flat disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow the gluten to relax and butter to firm up.
- While the dough chills, prepare the filling. Peel and dice the ripe pears into small, uniform cubes. Mix the diced pears with shredded sharp cheddar cheese and sugar in a separate bowl.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to approximately 1/8 inch thickness. Use a 4-inch round cookie cutter or glass to cut out circles.
- Place a small spoonful of the pear and cheddar mixture in the center of each dough circle, leaving a border around the edges.
- Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape, and crimp the edges with a fork to seal completely. Cut small vents on the top of each hand pie to allow steam to escape.
- Brush the hand pies with beaten egg wash, which will give them a golden, glossy finish when baked.
- Arrange the hand pies on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving. The hand pies can be served warm or at room temperature.
Tips
- Keep your butter ice-cold when making the pastry to ensure a perfectly flaky crust. Cold butter creates steam pockets that result in those desirable, light layers.
- Don't overmix the dough - this can lead to tough, dense pastry. Stop mixing as soon as the dough just comes together.
- Use ripe but firm pears for the best texture. Overripe pears will become mushy during baking.
- For extra flavor, consider adding a pinch of thyme or black pepper to the pear and cheddar filling.
- Make sure to seal the edges of your hand pies completely to prevent the filling from leaking during baking.
- Let the hand pies cool slightly before serving to allow the filling to set and prevent burning your mouth.
- These hand pies can be prepared ahead of time and frozen before baking - perfect for make-ahead meal prep!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 22g
Protein: 7g
Fat: 16g
Saturated Fat: 10g
Cholesterol: 55mg
