Good morning! Spring is in the air, the birds are chirping, the rabbits and squirrels are frolicking in the garden and the markets are filled with fresh produce; asparagus, rhubarb, berries and more.
This week I am trying a few recipes using berries that I think will be perfect for picnics, Easter brunch and perhaps even Mother’s Day tea. Although technically not a Spring berry, blueberries are what my market had and so that is what I used to make the quintessential blueberry recipe, a pie.
Pies are the perfect dessert for a picnic, and what could be better than a a pile of little hand pies? These hand pies have a little twist, the crust is made with coconut oil. They are moist, sweet and delicious!
Blueberry Hand Pies
Ingredients:
Crust
21/4 cups of flour
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar
1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
1/3 cup ice water
Filling
1 cup fresh blueberries
zest of large lemon
pinch of cinnamon
1/2 large lemon juiced
1 Tablespoon confectioners sugar
1 Tablespoon corn starch
Egg Wash:
1 egg
2 teaspoons water
Topping:
Directions:
Crust:
1. In a large bowl mix together flour, salt, and sugar. Add the coconut oil and using both hands, rub the mixture through your hands until the coconut oil s evenly distributed in the flour mixture.
2. Sprinkle the ice water over the mixture and mix together until just combined. Form the dough into two balls. Flatten each ball into a flat disk, then wrap separately and refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
3. In a medium bowl combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, confectioners sugar, cinnamon and corn starch. Mix lightly until combined, then add the blueberries and mix gently to combine.
4. Lightly beat the egg and the water in a small bowl and set aside.
5. Preheat oven to 375, and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.
6. . Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface or roll between two sheets of parchment paper until about 1/8 inch thick. Use a biscuit cutter to cut into small pie shapes, or use a small glass if you do not have a biscuit cutter. Place each bottom circle onto parchment lined pan, then place a small amount of the blueberry mixture into the center.
7. Using a pastry brush, brush the edges of the circle with a little egg wash, then top with another circle of dough. Stretch the top dough a little to accommodate the filling, then crimp the edges with a fork. Cut a little x into the top crust so the pie can vent. Then brush entire pie with egg wash and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
8. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool and then serve.
These little pies are scrumptious! The dough is tender, flakey and the berries are sweet and juicy. I have no idea how something so simple could taste so good.
I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about the coconut oil crust, as pie crusts are sometimes tricky and I thought perhaps the coconut oil would change the taste of the dough and of course the final product. Neither of which was the case. The dough was easy to work with and tasted jut like my grandmothers pie dough.
I hope that you have a wonderful Spring day! It is rainy and humid here but at least it is warm.
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Ahhh….Elizabeth…it is SO good to have you and your delicious recipes back in the blogging world!! These look so yummy! Have a lovely day, my dear! xoxo
These look delicious and I love blueberries!
I like the sound of it, though of course blueberries are my favourite kind of fruit to begin with!
Yummy! Great idea and reminds me of those little hostess pies we had when we were kids. Blueberries are my favorite! Thanks for sharing Elizabeth! xxleslie
Dear, dear Elizabeth! I just got myself to the computer as I am home sick today and the rest of the week; I have severe vertigo and though I drove into work on Monday and Tuesday, today's episode warrants I stay off the roads!
YUMMOLA….but only if I could tolerate food at this moment! But spring is coming because we had good weather the last several days, melting the snow. Today is going to reach 70, so that will put things in motion!
Thank you dear heart for coming to leave me a message. I will still be blogging, but less. Too much work for a dwindling audience, but I will continue to visit everyone. Blogging has changed my life, literally. I have new writing ventures to follow now, but I could never leave the people who have been so creative and kind in this blogging life, but posting once a month for now is the best thing for me I think.
Have a lovely day my dear! Anita
Elizabeth! These look wonderful! I shall pin this as soon as I depart!
withLove!
I absolutely adore hand pies, and your blueberry pies look delish! Thanks for sharing!
Alison
Nancherrow