Gluten-Free Fresh Strawberry Ginger Hand Pies
Individual hand-held pastries filled with a bright mixture of fresh strawberries and warming ginger, encased in buttery pie crust. The natural sweetness of strawberries balances perfectly with the subtle heat of fresh ginger, while cornstarch creates a jammy filling that won't leak during baking. Perfect for picnics, lunch boxes, or afternoon tea, these portable treats offer all the comfort of strawberry pie in a convenient handheld form. The heart-shaped presentation makes them especially charming for romantic occasions or Valentine's Day gatherings.
Ingredients
- 2 prepared pie doughs, storebought or homemade
- 1 ½ cups strawberries, chopped
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 egg, beaten, mixed with 1 tablespoon water
- turbinado sugar, for top(optional)
Instructions
- 1
Mix together strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, and ginger, then set aside
- 2
Roll out pie crusts and cut into hearts using cookie cutter
- 3
Place strawberry mixture in center of one cutout, brush edges with egg wash, top with second cutout
- 4
Seal edges with fork and pierce top in criss-cross pattern with paring knife
- 5
Repeat for remaining cutouts and place on parchment-lined baking sheet
- 6
Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle with turbinado sugar
- 7
Bake until golden brown
- 8
Cool on wire rack
Tips
Make sure strawberry mixture isn't too wet by letting it sit for 10 minutes before filling to allow juices to be absorbed by cornstarch.
Seal edges firmly with fork tines to prevent filling from leaking during baking, and don't overfill the centers.
Pierce tops with several small holes to create steam vents and prevent bursting during baking.
Good to Know
Store covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days
Can be assembled and frozen unbaked for up to 3 months, bake directly from frozen adding 5 minutes
Best served slightly warm or at room temperature
Common Mistakes
Don't overfill centers to avoid leaking during baking
Seal edges completely to prevent bursting
Pierce tops adequately to allow steam to escape
Substitutions
FAQ
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh?
Yes, but thaw and drain them first to remove excess moisture, or the filling may become too watery during baking.
How long do these hand pies keep?
They stay fresh at room temperature for 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days when stored covered.
Can I freeze these hand pies?
Yes, freeze unbaked pies on a tray then transfer to bags for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen, adding 5 extra minutes.