How I Make the Most Delicious FLAKY PUMPKIN HAND PIES

How I Make the Most Delicious FLAKY PUMPKIN HAND PIES is a medium American recipe that serves 5. 830 calories per serving. Recipe by Cooking Con Claudia on YouTube.

Prep: 3 hrs 25 min | Cook: 28 min | Total: 4 hrs 23 min

Cost: $5.55 total, $1.11 per serving

Ingredients

  • 0.75 cup Pumpkin Puree (canned or homemade, well‑stirred)
  • 2 sticks Unsalted Butter (cold, cut into 1‑inch cubes)
  • 2.5 cup All-Purpose Flour (sifted)
  • 0.5 teaspoon Salt (fine sea salt)
  • 1 tablespoon Granulated Sugar (for dough)
  • 5 tablespoon Cold Water (ice‑cold)
  • 2 ounce Cream Cheese (softened to room temperature)
  • 5 tablespoon Granulated Sugar (for filling)
  • 2 tablespoon Heavy Cream (cold)
  • 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (pure extract)
  • 1.5 teaspoon Pumpkin Pie Spice (ground blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves)
  • 2 large Egg (one for filling, one for egg wash)
  • 1 tablespoon Water (for egg wash)
  • 0.25 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (light sprinkle on top)
  • 1 cup Powdered Sugar (for glaze)
  • 2 tablespoon Milk (any milk, room temperature)
  • 0.5 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Make the Dough

    In the stand mixer bowl combine 2.5 cups flour, 0.5 tsp salt, and 1 tbsp sugar. Add the cold butter cubes and mix on low until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

    Time: PT10M

  2. Add Water and Form Dough

    Add 5 tbsp ice‑cold water and continue mixing until the dough just comes together. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand for about 5 minutes until smooth.

    Time: PT7M

  3. Chill the Dough

    Divide the dough into two equal logs, wrap each tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) to firm up.

    Time: PT2H

  4. Prepare the Pumpkin Filling

    In a separate bowl, beat 2 oz softened cream cheese with 5 tbsp sugar until smooth. Stir in 0.75 cup pumpkin puree, 2 tbsp heavy cream, 1 tsp vanilla, 1.5 tsp pumpkin pie spice, a pinch of salt, and finally 1 large egg. Mix until fully incorporated.

    Time: PT10M

  5. Roll and Cut the Dough

    Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly flour your countertop, roll each chilled dough log to about 1/8‑inch thickness, and cut circles with a round cutter (about 3‑4 inches in diameter).

    Time: PT15M

    Temperature: 375°F

  6. Assemble the Hand Pies

    Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each bottom circle. Brush the edges with a little beaten egg (or water), top with a second circle, press edges together, and crimp with a fork.

    Time: PT10M

  7. Freeze Briefly

    Transfer assembled pies onto the baking sheet and place in the freezer for 10 minutes. This firms the edges for a clean bake.

    Time: PT10M

  8. Make Egg Wash

    Beat 1 large egg with 1 tbsp water, a pinch of sugar, and a pinch of salt. Set aside.

    Time: PT5M

  9. Brush, Sprinkle, and Bake

    Remove pies from the freezer, brush the tops with the egg wash, sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon over each, and bake for 28 minutes until golden brown.

    Time: PT28M

    Temperature: 375°F

  10. Prepare the Glaze

    While the pies bake, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tbsp milk, and 0.5 tsp vanilla until smooth.

    Time: PT5M

  11. Finish and Cool

    When pies are out of the oven, drizzle the warm vanilla glaze over each. Let cool on a rack for about 15 minutes before serving.

    Time: PT15M

Nutrition Facts

Calories
830
Protein
8 g
Carbohydrates
92 g
Fat
45 g
Fiber
2 g

Dietary info: Vegetarian

Allergens: Dairy, Eggs, Gluten

Last updated: April 15, 2026

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How I Make the Most Delicious FLAKY PUMPKIN HAND PIES

Recipe by Cooking Con Claudia

Flaky, buttery hand pies filled with a sweet and spiced pumpkin cream cheese filling, finished with a light vanilla glaze. Perfect for a cozy snack or dessert, these pumpkin hand pies are easy to make and kid‑approved.

MediumAmericanServes 5

Shop all ingredients on Amazon in one click • Printable PDF with shopping checklist

Source Video
3h 12m
Prep
43m
Cook
28m
Cleanup
4h 23m
Total

Cost Breakdown

$5.55
Total cost
$1.11
Per serving

Critical Success Points

  • Keep butter cold when making the dough.
  • Do not over‑mix or over‑knead the dough.
  • Chill the dough for at least 2 hours.
  • Seal the edges of the pies with egg wash and crimp with a fork.
  • Freeze assembled pies briefly before baking to prevent spreading.

Safety Warnings

  • The oven will be hot – use oven mitts when handling the baking sheet.
  • Raw egg wash contains uncooked egg; avoid consumption if you have egg allergies.
  • Use a sharp knife or cutter carefully when cutting dough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about this recipe

Q

What is the cultural significance and history of pumpkin hand pies in American cuisine?

A

Pumpkin hand pies are a portable version of the classic pumpkin pie, popular in the United States during the fall harvest and Thanksgiving season. They reflect the tradition of using seasonal pumpkin in both sweet and savory handheld pastries, making the holiday treat easy to share at gatherings.

cultural
Q

What are the traditional regional variations of pumpkin hand pies in the United States?

A

In New England, hand pies are often spiced with nutmeg and clove, while in the Midwest they may include a swirl of caramel or maple syrup. Some Southern versions add a touch of pecan streusel on top for extra crunch.

cultural
Q

How is pumpkin hand pie traditionally served in American Thanksgiving celebrations?

A

They are usually served warm or at room temperature, drizzled with a light vanilla glaze or a dusting of powdered sugar, and paired with coffee, tea, or a glass of cold milk as a handheld dessert option.

cultural
Q

What occasions or celebrations are pumpkin hand pies traditionally associated with in American culture?

A

Pumpkin hand pies are popular at Thanksgiving, Halloween parties, fall festivals, and school bake sales because they are easy to transport and portion for guests of all ages.

cultural
Q

What makes pumpkin hand pies special or unique in American pastry tradition?

A

They combine the flaky, buttery crust of a traditional pie with a sweet, spiced pumpkin‑cream cheese filling, offering a bite‑size, portable dessert that captures the flavors of classic pumpkin pie while being less messy.

cultural
Q

What are the most common mistakes to avoid when making pumpkin hand pies?

A

Common errors include over‑mixing the dough, which creates a tough crust; using warm butter, which prevents flakiness; under‑sealing the edges, leading to leaks; and skipping the chill time, which can cause the pies to spread during baking.

technical
Q

Why does this pumpkin hand pie recipe use a brief freeze before baking instead of a longer chill?

A

Freezing for 10 minutes firms the butter in the crust right before it hits the oven, helping the edges stay crisp and preventing the pies from spreading, while a longer chill is already done earlier to relax the gluten.

technical
Q

Can I make pumpkin hand pies ahead of time and how should I store them?

A

Yes. The dough can be prepared a day ahead and kept refrigerated. Assembled pies can be frozen for up to two months; bake them directly from frozen, adding 5‑7 minutes to the bake time. Once baked, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

technical
Q

What does the YouTube channel Cooking Con Claudia specialize in?

A

The YouTube channel Cooking Con Claudia focuses on family‑friendly, approachable home cooking recipes that emphasize comfort foods, seasonal ingredients, and step‑by‑step tutorials for home cooks of all skill levels.

channel
Q

How does the YouTube channel Cooking Con Claudia's approach to American comfort food differ from other cooking channels?

A

Cooking Con Claudia combines clear visual cues with personal storytelling, often sharing tips for making classic dishes like pumpkin hand pies faster and with fewer specialized tools, whereas many other channels may rely on more advanced techniques or equipment.

channel

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