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Brown Sugar Pear Hand Pies Recipe

Brown Sugar Pear Hand Pies Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 8 reviews

These Brown Sugar Pear Hand Pies are a delightful and easy-to-make dessert featuring tender, caramelized pears wrapped in a flaky buttery crust. The natural sweetness of ripe pears combined with brown sugar and warm cinnamon creates a comforting filling, perfectly complemented by a delicate vanilla glaze on top. Ideal for a cozy snack or an elegant treat, these hand pies offer a delicious balance of sweet and spice with a crisp finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Filling

  • 2 ripe pears, peeled and diced
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch

Dough

  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 6–8 tbsp ice water

Glaze

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or extract)

Optional

  • Egg wash (1 egg + 1 tbsp water) for brushing

Instructions

  1. Prepare the filling: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the diced pears, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, lemon juice, and cornstarch. Cook while stirring occasionally until the mixture becomes bubbly and thickened, about 5–7 minutes. Remove from heat and allow it to cool completely to prevent melting the dough later.
  2. Make the dough: In a food processor, pulse the all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt until combined. Add the cold, cubed unsalted butter and pulse until the mixture resembles pea-sized crumbs. Gradually add 6 to 8 tablespoons of ice water, pulsing until the dough starts to hold together when pressed. Form the dough into a disc, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to firm up.
  3. Roll and cut the dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thickness. Cut into 4-inch circles or rectangles, depending on your preferred hand pie shape. Place a spoonful of the cooled pear filling on one half of each dough piece.
  4. Seal and shape the pies: Fold the dough over the filling to create a half-moon or rectangular shape. Press the edges together firmly, then crimp with a fork to seal completely and prevent filling from leaking during baking. If desired, brush the tops with prepared egg wash for a golden finish.
  5. Bake the hand pies: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the prepared hand pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and crisp.
  6. Add the glaze: While the pies bake, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla bean paste until smooth. Once the pies have cooled slightly after baking, drizzle the vanilla glaze over the top for a sweet finishing touch.

Notes

  • If you do not have vanilla bean paste, pure vanilla extract can be used as a substitute in the glaze.
  • Ensure the filling is completely cooled before adding to dough to prevent sogginess.
  • You can omit the egg wash if you prefer a more rustic look; the pies will still bake beautifully but with a matte finish.
  • These pies can be frozen before baking; place them on a baking sheet and freeze, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to one month. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
  • Adjust sweetness by reducing brown sugar or glaze sugar if you prefer a less sweet dessert.

Nutrition

Keywords: pear hand pies, brown sugar dessert, flaky pie crust, autumn dessert, cinnamon pears, handheld pies

Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/brown-sugar-pear-hand-pies-recipe/