As the leaves turn and the air chills, the excitement for Halloween grows, and with it, the anticipation for treats that are as delightful to behold as they are to eat. Enter the Jack-O-Lantern Hand Pies—a playful, tasty tribute to the season’s spirit.
These hand pies combine the warm spices of autumn with the fun of Halloween, making them a perfect treat for parties, family gatherings, or a cozy night in. The joy of crafting these pies, with their cheerful, spooky faces, brings an added layer of fun to your Halloween preparations, turning baking into an event that everyone can get involved in.
The Magic of Seasonal Baking
These Jack-O-Lantern Hand Pies encapsulate the essence of fall with their rich pumpkin filling and aromatic blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Crafting these pies is as much a part of the Halloween tradition as carving pumpkins or decorating the house.
Each pie crust is cut and carved with care, creating little edible lanterns that are sure to ignite the imaginations of young and old alike. Not only are these pies a blast to prepare, but they also fill the kitchen with the warm, inviting scents of autumn spices. Let’s get started and make these charming little treats that are bound to become a seasonal favorite.
Jack-O-Lantern Hand Pies
Ingredients:
- 2 sheets refrigerated pie crust
- 1 cup pumpkin puree
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Small amount of chocolate chips or raisins (for facial features)
Directions:
- Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure easy cleanup.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the pumpkin puree, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Mix well until all the ingredients are fully blended.
- Unroll the pie crusts on a flat surface. Using a 4-inch cookie cutter, cut out circles from the dough. Arrange half of these circles on the prepared baking sheet.
- Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the pumpkin mixture onto the center of each circle on the baking sheet, leaving enough border to seal the pies.
- With a paring knife, carefully cut out jack-o-lantern faces from the remaining dough circles. This is where you can get creative with different facial expressions.
- Place these cut-out circles over the pumpkin-filled bases. Press around the edges of each pie with a fork to seal them shut, ensuring that the filling stays inside while baking.
- Brush the tops of the pies with the beaten egg, which will give them a beautiful golden color as they bake.
- If you like, place chocolate chips or raisins in the eyes and mouth of the jack-o-lanterns for added effect.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the pies are golden brown and crisp.
- Remove the pies from the oven and allow them to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving.
