Heart-shaped flakey pastry with a sweet, dark cherry filling. These gluten free vegan sweetheart cherry hand pies are all kinds of adorable!
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be all about the chocolate. I know for my husband, he prefers non-chocolate desserts. Yes, I’ve tried to help him in this area. I’m still working on it.
These sweetheart cherry hand pies were an idea stirring in my mind for weeks. I was just dying to make them and share them with all of you! I love cherry pie, but I don’t love the store bought cherry pie filling. Yuck. Too many unnecessary ingredients and dyes. The cherry pie filling for these pies uses frozen dark cherries {available all year long} and just a few simple ingredients. If you have leftovers, it’s also fantastic on dairy free vanilla ice cream!
For the pie crust, I use the trusted Bob’s Red Mill gluten free pie crust mix. It’s a staple in my pantry. It creates such a light, flakey crust that I am crazy about. I also used this large heart cookie cutter to cut out the dough. If you use a smaller one, just be sure to use a bit less filling.
Once my little sweetheart cherry pies were filled and ready to go in the oven, I topped them with sparkling sugar. It makes them extra fancy and adds extra texture. Pretty heart-shaped cherry hand pies for your sweetheart. Doesn’t get much sweeter than that!
- 1 1/2 cups Bob's Red Mill gluten free pie crust mix*
- 2 tablespoons cane sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 4 tablespoons vegan butter, chilled {such as Earth Balance}
- 3 tablespoons organic non-hydrogenated shortening {such as Spectrum}
- 4-6 tablespoons ice cold water
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 10-ounce package frozen cherries, defrosted and chopped
- 1/3 cup cane sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn starch or arrowroot starch
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons So Delicious Dairy Free french vanilla coconut milk coffee creamer
- 2 tablespoons sparkling sugar or course sugar
- In mixing bowl, add gluten free pie crust mix, sugar, salt, cold vegan butter and shortening. Using a pastry cutter, combine until butter pieces are less than pea-size.
- Pour in 4 tablespoons cold water and vinegar. Continue to blend until dough comes together {add additional tablespoon of water as needed}.
- Pat dough into round disc and wrap individually in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least an hour or until ready to use.
- To make filling, roughly chop defrosted cherries. Do not strain juices. Add cherries, sugar, cornstarch, water and lemon juice to medium saucepan. Stir to coat cherries.
- Over medium heat, bring cherries to low boil. Continue to stir until cherry juices have thickened, about 5 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Pour into small bowl to cool. Cover top with plastic wrap and place in refrigerator to cool completely.
- When dough and cherry filling are both chilled, preheat oven to to 375 degrees. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- On counter surface, lay out a large piece of plastic wrap. Place chilled pie dough in center and top with another large piece of plastic wrap {keeps dough from sticking to rolling pin}.
- Roll dough to 1/8" thick. Using large heart cookie cutter, cut dough into hearts. Place onto prepared baking sheet.
- Place heaping tablespoon filling into center of each pie dough heart. Top with additional pie dough heart. Press edges with finger to crimp dough for scalloped look or use fork to crimp edges.
- Using pastry brush, brush tops of pies with creamer and sprinkle with sparkling sugar. Use small knife to cut 1/2-inch X into top layer of each pie for steam to escape.
- Bake hand pies in oven for 20-24 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool for 10 minutes on cooling rack.
Raia Todd says
February 1, 2017 at 9:08 amThese sound perfect for my kiddos valentines! They’re going to love them. 🙂
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
February 1, 2017 at 11:30 amSo cute! I’ve always wanted to make some hand pies!
Brianna Hobbs says
February 1, 2017 at 11:58 amThese are so cute! Perfect for Valentine’s day. My kiddos will love them.
Jennifer says
February 1, 2017 at 2:07 pmThese are so sweet and perfect for Valentine’s Day! They look so pretty too.
Rebecca Smith says
February 1, 2017 at 2:54 pmPinned this one within seconds of seeing it – utterly beautiful and an absolute MUST bake. x
Liz says
February 2, 2017 at 6:24 amThis will be made for Vday this year! 😍 When I am feeling down for being dairy and gluten intolerant, your recipes show the way! Thank you!!!
Pat says
February 2, 2017 at 8:06 amSarah,
Love your blog!!! I’ve tried a few of your recipes everything has been amazing, Can’t wait to try this one
Cathy says
February 2, 2017 at 11:41 amSarah the hand pies look lovely. I will be making those for my little for her lunch box surprise on Valentines day!
Brianna says
January 24, 2019 at 12:57 pmDo you think I could do a savory filling with this dough? Thank you!
Sarah says
January 27, 2019 at 10:44 pmYes, this would make a great pie dough for savory pies!