Cherry Heart Pies
Homemade individual Cherry Heart Pies, with flakey buttery crust and sweet bold cherries make the perfect treat for Valentines Day. The best part is no artificial ingredients so you know your sweetheart’s treat is only the best.
This post may contain affiliate links which I earn a small portion in sales if a purchase is made. Rest assured though, it is never at any additional cost to you.
I absolutely love Valentines Day and always have. I will be 92 and I will still love Valentines Day. I have heard all the arguments, that it is a made up holiday by corporations to make money, that we are forced into buying stuff that makes no impact on our relationship and lastly, how it makes people feel sad because they do not have a significant other.
As much as I get those arguments, I still love it. Maybe my love of the holiday stems from childhood and how fun it was to give and receive Valentines or because I love heart shapes or because I am a romantic at heart and always will be. Whatever the reason, there is just something so enchanting about this holiday.
For many men, I think this holiday brings a ton of pressure. Feeling like they have to buy the perfect gift so their other half won’t be upset or just simply having to express their love in a way that isn’t comfortable for them.
For any man feeling this way, here is a little secret about this holiday you may not have been told yet. It isn’t about buying the perfect gift or spending a ton of money. It is about showing love in a way that your significant other feels. It is about knowing your loved one and putting effort behind your offer of love. Which is really something we should be doing every day in our relationships. It could be a homemade Valentines card, a cuddle session on the couch watching a romantic movie ( I can hear the men gagging already) or making these Cherry Heart Pies. The secret is to know what speaks to your other half the most.
*On a side note, if this is something brand new to you, I highly suggest reading Gary Chapman’s “The 5 Love Languages” and really identify what language you are and what language your sweetheart is. This one book, when applied, can make a huge difference in the strength of your relationship.
My husband and I actually worked on this Cherry Heart Pies recipe together. Paul is very good at making breads and pastries, where I am really good at the savory items. It was a no brainer that we do this together. He has researched and experimented with many pie doughs recipes. Some we liked and others tasted good but just have the pretty factor. Well, he hit a home run when he found this pie dough recipe inspired by Ina Garten’s, Perfect Pie Crust. He worked with her recipe, made changes that fall in line with the values of The Fed Up Foodie and it worked perfectly for these Cherry Heart Pies. The crust is so perfectly buttery and flakey. It also bakes to a wonderful lightly golden brown.
Tips to make beautiful Cherry Heart Pies:
- You will need these to create the fun shapes. We used the largest for both the top and bottom layer and the smallest to make the window for the cherries in the top layer. (affiliate)
- After cutting out the top and bottom crust, refrigerate again for about 15 minutes. By doing this, it helps to keep the heart shape intact while sealing the two layers together.
- Make the cherries the day before or long enough for them to cool in the refrigerator. This will help the cherries from spilling out the sides. You will still have a little spillage, but definitely less then if you work with warm cherries.
- Bake on parchment paper and clean up will be a breeze.
My favorite part of these Cherry Heart Pies is that there are no artificial ingredients. Making the cherry filling yourself eliminates artificial colors and corn syrup.
Secrets To The Best Homemade Pie Crust
- Start with cold butter and once cut, place back in refrigerator or freezer to keep chilled until needed.
- Mix dry ingredients well.
- Place dry ingredients along with cold cubed butter into food processor and pulse approximately 8-12 times or until butter is the size of peas.
- Slowly pour ice water into feed tube of processor while pulsing until dough begins to form a ball.
- Transfer dough onto floured surface and roll into a ball. Wrap well in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 60 minutes or until needed.
How To Make Cherry Hand Pies Sparkle
Although not necessary, this will add a beautiful finish sparkle to your Cherry Hand Pies. It is important to note though, without the egg wash the sparkling sugar will not stick to the pie crust. The easiest way to apply, whisk the egg in a small bowl and brush onto the top layer of the pie crust.
More Delicious Desserts Perfect For Valentines Day
Cherry Pistachio Upside Down Cake
Dinners Perfect For Date Night In
Cherry Heart Pies
Ingredients
Cherry Filling
- 12 oz pitted cherries
- 1 1/2 cups lightly sweetened cherry juice *I used cherries & juice from 24.7 oz Dark Morello Cherries from Trader Joes
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp arrow root powder *corn starch may be substituted in equal parts *corn starch may be substituted in equal parts
- For Pie Crust- Double pie crust recipe in separate batches to accommodate filling
Pie Crust (double in a seperate batch for top layer)
- 1/2 lb cold unsalted butter *2 sticks or 8 oz
- 2 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 cup ice water
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
Assembly
- 1 egg
- 6 tbsp sparkling sugar
Instructions
Cherry Filling
- If using jarred cherries in juice (like the one pictured above from Trader Joes) thoroughly strain cherries through a fine mesh colander reserving the juice. Set cherries aside.
- Measure arrowroot into a small bowl. Add approximately 2 tbsp juice, mixing well, making a slurry.
- In a medium sized saucepan add sugar and remaining juice, stirring to start to dissolve sugar. Add juice slurry and cook over medium heat, whisking consistently until thickened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Let cool slightly and then stir in cherries. *Letting cherries cool in the refrigerator either overnight or for several hours will help prevent cherries from spilling out through sides oh hand pies.
Pie Crust
- Cut chilled butter into small chunks and place back in refrigerator while preparing dry ingredients.
- Measure flour, salt and sugar into a food processor, fitted with steel blade. Pulse a few times to incorporate.
- Add diced butter and pulse until butter is the size of small peas, approximately 8 to 12 times.
- Slowly pour ice water into feed tube while pulsing machine until dough begins to form a ball.
- Dump dough onto floured board and roll into ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 60 mins or until needed.
Assembly
- Preheat oven to 400℉. Cut refrigerated dough in half and then roll each half using a rolling pin on a well-floured board into a circle. Pro Tip: Roll from center to the edge, turning and flouring dough to ensure it doesn't stick to the board. Roll between 1/8-1/4 inch thickness.
- Using largest heart shape cookie cutter cut dough into shapes and place on cookie sheets with parchment paper. Using smallest cookie cutter, cut a heart in center of half of larger hearts. Placed cut pie crust hearts back in refrigerator for about 15 mins.
- Place approximately 1 1/2 tbsp of cherry filling in center of uncut hearts. Place cut hearts over top of cherry filling. With a fork, crimp crust about 1/4 inch from edge, closing two sides of crust together.
- Whisk egg in a small bowl and using a brush, wash down top of pie with egg. Sprinkle the sparkling sugar on top.
- Bake for 15-17 mins in 400℉ or until lightly golden brown.
Notes
- Amounts listed for pie crust is enough for the bottom layer. In a separate batch, use the same amounts for top layer.Â
Nutrition
This recipe is part of Meal Plan Monday.
Hello,
This recipe actually looks nutritional.
I can barely hold myself from salivating.
Thank you! That means a lot to me.