
It’s pie season in my house and I am starting off this year with Pumpkin Hand Pies with Maple Glaze. As soon as I feel the weather cool ever so slightly in the early fall I go all into autumn baking mode.

I love hand pies, but I like them with a lot of filling which can be challenging. However, it’s a much easier goal with pumpkin hand pies. The pumpkin filling is pre-baked, scoops out like a dream, and there’s no runny oozing to deal with. If you are already feeling a little trepidation about making hand pies, try my Pumpkin Pie with Pecan-Walnut Crust. Same pumpkin filling, different very cool crust.
One batch of Grandma’s Pie Crust (two-crust recipe) and one pumpkin pie filling recipe will yield about 15 hand pies. That’s using a 4-1/2 inch round “cookie” cutter. Each hand pie has a full 2 tablespoons of filling; they’re plump and full, the way a hand pie should be.

I chose to make a thin maple glaze instead of cinnamon sugar. But, if maple is not your thing, a simple cinnamon sugar sprinkle before baking is just as tasty. It’s like my veggie garden; only grow what you’re going to eat. Bake only what you’re going to eat. It’s totally cool to use family members as guinea pigs though. (If I had the pictures/videos of the faces they’ve made when it’s something they don’t like I would be entertained for hours.)

First, bake the pumpkin pie filling in an 8 x 8 pan at 350 F for about 40 to 45 minutes. Glass pans do tend to bake a little quicker. Remove from oven, let cool for about 15 to 20 minutes and then refrigerate while you make the pie crust dough.

On a heavily floured surface roll out about one-third (1/3) of dough to about 1/8-inch thickness (same thickness as a pie crust). Use a 4-1/2 inch round biscuit/cookie cutter and cut circles. It’s okay to save scraps and roll out with next one-third of dough as you go.

Using a cookie scoop (Hamilton Beach 80-30 1 oz , #30) or measuring spoon, place 2 tablespoons of cooled pumpkin pie filling into each circle. Using your finger and press the filling into an oblong. Wet the edges with an egg wash, fold over top, and press with tines of a fork to seal. Bake on parchment lined baking sheet at 400 F for 22 to 25 minutes.

Transfer the pies to a baking rack and while they’re cooling make the maple glaze. Dip or spoon the glaze over the warm hand pies. The glaze will melt off a bit when they’re warm, which I just love. The glaze will harden up as the pies cool. Serve them cool or cold with a side of whipped topping.


