Try These Irresistible Cherry Cheesecake Hand Pies Recipe Today

Sweet meets tangy in these irresistible cherry cheesecake hand pies that promise a delightful dessert experience.

Compact and perfectly portioned, these hand pies blend the rich creaminess of cheesecake with bursts of vibrant cherry flavor.

Every flaky, golden pastry cradles a luscious filling that melts in your mouth.

The delicate balance of smooth cream cheese and tart cherries creates a harmony of textures and tastes.

These handheld treats are surprisingly simple to make, requiring just a few ingredients and minimal effort.

Serve them warm for a comforting dessert that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Cherry Cheesecake Hand Pie Goodness

• Savor Handheld Delights: These cherry cheesecake hand pies offer a portable, fun twist on classic desserts that fit perfectly in your hand for easy enjoyment.
• Master Quick Gourmet Technique: Frying creates a crispy golden exterior that transforms simple pie crust into a restaurant-quality treat with professional-level results anyone can achieve at home.
• Crowd-Pleasing Party Favorite: Perfect for potlucks, gatherings, and celebrations where guests want something sweet yet elegant that doesn't require complicated serving or utensils.
• Customize with Endless Variations: Swap cherry filling for other fruit preserves like blueberry or raspberry, making these hand pies adaptable to personal taste preferences and seasonal ingredients.

Cherry Hand Pie Ingredient List

• Refrigerated Pie Crusts: A convenient base that provides a tender and flaky foundation for the hand pies.
• Cream Cheese, Sugar: A smooth and sweet mixture that creates a rich and creamy interior.
• Cherry Pie Filling: A classic fruity component that adds a burst of sweet and tangy flavor.

• Vegetable Oil: The essential medium for achieving a crispy, golden-brown exterior of the hand pies.

• Powdered Sugar, Corn Syrup, Water: A simple mixture that creates a sweet, glossy coating for the fried hand pies.

• Flour: Used for dusting the surface to prevent the pie crust from sticking, ensuring easy handling.
• Water: Helps seal the edges of the hand pies, preventing the filling from leaking during frying.

Making Cherry Cheesecake Hand Pies

Step 1: Prepare Hot Oil Bath

Fill a heavy dutch oven with vegetable oil about 4-5 inches deep.

Attach a cooking thermometer and heat the oil to 375F.

Consistent temperature ensures perfectly crispy hand pies without excess oil absorption.

Step 2: Whip Creamy Filling

In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese and sugar using a hand mixer.

Whip until the mixture becomes smooth and silky, creating a luxurious cream cheese base that will melt in your mouth.

Step 3: Shape Pie Crusts

Spread refrigerated pie crusts on a floured surface.

Use a 5-6 inch bowl as a cutting guide to trace perfect circles.

Roll dough slightly thinner if needed to create 6 beautiful rounds.

Step 4: Build Delicious Layers

• Cream cheese mixture (heaping tablespoon)
• Cherry pie filling (2 tablespoons)

Keep filling centered, avoiding the edges to prevent leaking.

Step 5: Create Sealed Pockets

Brush water around dough edges.

Fold into half-moon shapes and press firmly.

Crimp edges with a fork to create a tight seal that locks in all the delicious filling.

Step 6: Mix Sweet Glaze

• Powdered sugar
• Corn syrup
• Water

Blend until smooth and glossy.

Step 7: Fry to Golden Perfection

Gently lower hand pies into hot oil.

Fry 2-3 minutes, rotating occasionally until achieving a deep golden-brown color.

Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Step 8: Apply Sparkling Glaze

Brush warm hand pies with sugar glaze on both sides while still hot.

Place on a cooling rack to set the glaze.

Step 9: Serve Warm and Delightful

Enjoy hand pies immediately while warm and crispy.

The exterior should be crunchy and glazed, with a gooey, delectable interior.

Pro Tips for Cherry Hand Pies

• Keep the oil consistently at 375F using a reliable thermometer to ensure crispy, golden-brown hand pies without excess oil absorption.
• Use water and fork crimping to create a tight seal, preventing filling from leaking during the frying process and maintaining the hand pie's structural integrity.
• Add cream cheese and cherry fillings sparingly, keeping them away from pie crust edges to prevent messy leaks and ensure clean sealing.
• Apply sugar glaze while hand pies are still warm to help the coating adhere smoothly and create a glossy, sweet exterior.
• Place fried hand pies on paper towels to remove surplus oil, ensuring a lighter, crispier texture and preventing greasiness.

Cherry Hand Pie Flavor Variations

• Fruit Swap Sensation: Replace cherry pie filling with blueberry, raspberry, or strawberry preserves for a vibrant flavor change.
• Nutty Cream Cheese Upgrade: Mix chopped toasted almonds or pecans into the cream cheese filling for added crunch and depth.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free pie crust and ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
• Healthier Baking Alternative: Instead of deep-frying, brush hand pies with egg wash and bake at 375F for 15-20 minutes until golden brown, reducing overall oil content.

Serving Cherry Cheesecake Hand Pies

• Sweet Picnic Partner: Pack these hand pies in a cute container for outdoor adventures like park gatherings or beach trips. They're portable, mess-free, and perfect for sharing with friends.
• Dessert Brunch Centerpiece: Arrange the hand pies on a beautiful platter with fresh mint leaves and powdered sugar dusting. Serve alongside coffee or mimosas for a stunning weekend brunch presentation.
• Family Gathering Treat: Create a DIY dessert station where guests can grab these handheld delights. Kids and adults will love the interactive and fun cherry-filled pastries that everyone can enjoy.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Pair these hand pies with Earl Grey tea or herbal infusions. The crispy exterior and sweet cherry filling complement traditional tea time snacks beautifully.

Storing Cherry Cheesecake Hand Pies

• Store cooled hand pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Wrap each pie individually in plastic wrap to prevent them from sticking together and maintain their crispy texture.
• Freeze unglazed fried hand pies for up to 1 month. Place parchment paper between each pie in a freezer-safe container. Thaw at room temperature and reheat in a 350F oven for 5-7 minutes before glazing and serving.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed hand pies in a preheated oven at 350F for 5-6 minutes to restore their crispy exterior and warm, gooey filling. Avoid using a microwave, which can make the crust soggy.

FAQs

• Can I bake these hand pies instead of frying?

Yes, you can bake them at 425F for 15-18 minutes until golden brown, though the texture will be slightly different from the fried version.

• What type of pie crust works best for this recipe?

Refrigerated pre-made pie crusts are perfect, as they’re easy to use and provide consistent results for hand pies.

• How do I prevent the filling from leaking during frying?

Seal the edges firmly with water and crimp with a fork. Make sure not to overfill the pies and keep filling away from the edges when assembling.

• Can I make these hand pies ahead of time?

You can prepare and assemble the hand pies in advance, then refrigerate for up to 24 hours before frying. Just bring them to room temperature before cooking.

Cherry Cheesecake Hand Pies Recipe

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4.6 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 18 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet, handheld cherry cheesecake hand pies blend creamy cheesecake with tart cherries in a flaky pastry pocket. Dessert lovers will savor these irresistible mini treats that deliver maximum flavor in one delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 21 ounces (595 grams) cherry pie filling
• 1 package refrigerated pie crust (2 crusts)
• 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese, softened

Sugar Components:

• 1/4 cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (60 grams) powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon corn syrup

Liquid and Oil:

• 1 tablespoon water
• 4–6 cups (950–1420 milliliters) vegetable oil, for deep frying

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cooking vessel with vegetable oil, ensuring a depth of 4-5 inches. Attach a thermometer to monitor oil temperature precisely. Heat oil to 375°F, maintaining this critical temperature to prevent excessive oil absorption or burning.
2. Create cream cheese mixture by blending sugar and softened cream cheese with a hand mixer until completely smooth and homogeneous, approximately 2 minutes.
3. Lay refrigerated pie crusts on a lightly floured surface. Use a 5-6 inch bowl as a cutting template, tracing and cutting circular dough rounds. Adjust dough thickness with a rolling pin if necessary to yield 6 total rounds.
4. Position a generous tablespoon of cream cheese filling in the center of each dough circle. Distribute cherry pie filling on top, carefully avoiding the edges to prevent leakage during cooking.
5. Moisten dough edges with water using your finger. Fold dough into half-moon shapes, pressing edges firmly. Crimp with a fork to create a secure seal that prevents filling from escaping during frying.
6. Whisk powdered sugar, corn syrup, and water in a small bowl until the glaze reaches a smooth consistency. Set aside for later application.
7. Gently lower individual hand pies into hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes, rotating occasionally to achieve an even deep golden-brown color. Extract with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
8. While pies remain warm, brush sugar glaze on both sides using a pastry brush. Transfer glazed pies to a baking sheet or cooling rack to set. Repeat frying and glazing process for remaining hand pies, working individually.
9. Serve immediately while warm to ensure optimal crispy exterior and gooey interior, providing the most delightful taste and texture experience.

Notes

• Maintain precise oil temperature using a reliable thermometer to prevent greasy or burnt hand pies.
• Chill cream cheese filling for 15 minutes before assembling to make handling easier and prevent spreading during frying.
• Use a fork’s tines to create a tight seal and prevent filling from leaking into hot oil, ensuring crispy and intact hand pies.
• Try alternative fruit fillings like blueberry, apple, or peach for variety while keeping the same cooking technique.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 3 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg