Chocolate Hand Pies Recipe

All-purpose flour: The base for the dough, providing structure and texture.

Cold and cubed unsalted butter: Essential for creating a flaky, tender crust.

Ice water: Helps bring the dough together without warming the butter.

Chocolate chips: The rich, sweet filling that makes these hand pies irresistible.

Egg: Used for the egg wash to give the pies a golden, glossy finish.

Sugar: Sprinkled on top for added sweetness and a bit of crunch.

When working with cold butter in your pastry dough, ensure it remains as cold as possible throughout the process. This helps create a flaky texture. If the butter starts to soften, pop the dough back in the fridge for a few minutes before continuing.

• all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour adds a nuttier flavor and more fiber, though it may make the crust denser.

• unsalted butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can provide a similar fat content and texture, with a slight coconut flavor.

• ice water - Substitute with cold milk: Cold milk can add a bit more richness to the dough.

• chocolate chips - Substitute with chopped dark chocolate: Chopped dark chocolate can offer a more intense chocolate flavor and smoother melting.

• egg - Substitute with milk: Brushing with milk can give a similar golden finish to the crust without using eggs.

• sugar - Substitute with cinnamon sugar: Cinnamon sugar adds a warm, spiced flavor that complements the chocolate filling.

• Allow the chocolate hand pies to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation from forming inside the storage container, which could make the crust soggy.
• Place the cooled hand pies in an airtight container. If stacking them, separate each layer with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
• Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This keeps the dessert fresh and maintains its delightful texture.
• For longer storage, consider freezing the hand pies. Wrap each pie individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This ensures they remain intact and flavorful.
• Label the container with the date to keep track of their freshness. Frozen chocolate hand pies can be stored for up to 2 months.
• When ready to enjoy, thaw the hand pies in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing process helps retain their original texture.
• To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the thawed hand pies on a baking sheet and warm them for about 10-15 minutes, or until heated through. This revives their crispy, golden crust and melty chocolate filling.
• Alternatively, you can use a toaster oven for a quicker reheating option. Just be sure to keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning.
• If you prefer a microwave, use a lower power setting to avoid overheating. Place a damp paper towel over the hand pie to maintain moisture and heat in 20-second intervals until warm.
• Enjoy your chocolate hand pies as if they were freshly baked, savoring each bite of their rich, gooey goodness.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the leftover chocolate hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  3. Cover the pies loosely with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.
  4. Heat in the oven for about 10-15 minutes or until they are warmed through and the chocolate chips inside are melty.
  5. Remove the foil for the last 2-3 minutes to restore the crispiness of the crust.
  6. Let them cool slightly before enjoying.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the hand pies directly on the toaster oven rack or on a small baking sheet.
  3. Heat for about 8-10 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they don’t overcook.
  4. If the edges start to brown too quickly, cover them with small strips of aluminum foil.
  5. Allow them to cool for a few minutes before serving.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the chocolate hand pies on a microwave-safe plate.
  2. Cover them with a damp paper towel to keep the crust from drying out.
  3. Heat on medium power for 20-30 seconds. Check the temperature and heat in additional 10-second intervals if needed.
  4. Be cautious not to overheat, as the chocolate can become too hot and the crust may become soggy.
  5. Let them sit for a minute to allow the heat to distribute evenly.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the hand pies in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they don’t touch.
  3. Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. If needed, flip the pies halfway through the reheating process.
  5. Allow them to cool slightly before enjoying the perfectly crispy crust and gooey chocolate filling.

• Stovetop Skillet Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat.
  2. Place the chocolate hand pies in the skillet, ensuring they are not overcrowded.
  3. Cover the skillet with a lid to help retain moisture and heat evenly.
  4. Heat for about 3-5 minutes on each side, or until the pies are warmed through and the crust is crispy.
  5. Remove from the skillet and let them cool slightly before serving.

• Oven: Preheat to 375°F (190°C) to bake the hand pies until golden brown.

• Mixing bowl: Combine the flour and cold butter to create the dough.

• Fork: Mix the flour and butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

• Pastry cutter: Alternatively, use this to mix the flour and butter.

• Plastic wrap: Wrap the dough discs and refrigerate them for 30 minutes.

• Rolling pin: Roll out the dough to about ⅛ inch thick.

• Floured surface: Prevent the dough from sticking while rolling it out.

• Round cutter: Cut the dough into 4-inch circles.

• Tablespoon: Measure the chocolate chips to place in the center of each dough circle.

• Fork: Press the edges of the dough to seal the hand pies.

• Pastry brush: Brush the tops of the hand pies with beaten egg.

• Baking sheet: Place the hand pies on this to bake them in the oven.

• Cooling rack: Let the hand pies cool slightly before serving.

Use pre-made dough: Save time by using store-bought pie crusts instead of making your own dough from scratch.

Melt chocolate: Melt the chocolate chips slightly in the microwave to make them easier to spread and ensure even distribution.

Batch preparation: Prepare and assemble all the hand pies at once, then bake them together to save on oven time.

Freeze for later: Make a double batch and freeze the unbaked hand pies for a quick dessert option in the future.

Use a food processor: Mix the flour and butter in a food processor to speed up the dough-making process.