These cherry hand pies are quick and easy to make, particularly with store-bought shortcrust pastry. They're a great way to use up the season's beautiful sweet cherries.

Cherries are delicious, am I right? I LOOOOVE cherry season when the red orbs suddenly appear in stores and are full of flavor.
I always buy up loads and although I like to just eat them straight, I also love to bake with them.
One of my go-to cherry recipes is these super easy hand pies!

Simply cook up the cherries into a homemade cherry pie filling. Then load it onto pieces of store bought pastry (or make your own!), then bake.
A little lime zest really brings out and balances the amazing sweet flavor of the cherry filling.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
A quick and easy pie.
Small individual pies, so perfect for picnics, parties or dessert.
These hand pies are like homemade, from scratch, Pop-Tarts.
A tasty way to use up seasonal fresh cherries.
The lime makes the flavor of the cherries really pop.
If you want to make them super easy and ready in minutes, you can 'cheat' and use store-bought pastry and canned cherry pie filling.
Easily vegan if you use vegan pastry.
Pastry
I used vegan shop bought shortcrust pastry, so these are naturally vegan if you use non-dairy milk for brushing! Check the packaging to make sure yours is if required. Plus, you can often found gluten-free shop bought pastry.
If you'd like to make your own pastry, it's quite easy.
If you'd like to add some colour to your cherry hand pies, why not make my beetroot pastry - the vegetables bring colour and a bit of goodness to the pastry, but you can't taste it!
Tips
The lime brightens the fragrant cherries and adds a subtle zingy flavour. But you can leave it out if you don't have any.
Use store bought pastry or make your own.
To avoid crimson-stained hands, I use a Cherry Pitter. It may be one of those gadgets that you only use occasionally, but it's inexpensive and every time I need it I'm soooo pleased by how much easier it has just made my life!
Variations
Try a different flavor of filling! Raspberry Compote, Blueberry Compote or another Compote Recipe would be perfect.
Try adding a light sprinkle of cinnamon or ground ginger to the pastry.
Mix up a simple icing of powdered sugar and water to spread onto the cooled hand pies to turn them into Pop Tarts.
Try zest of lemon or orange for a different flavor.

Cherry Recipes
If you love this recipe for cherry hand pies, you'll love these other cherry recipes too!
Cherry Bars with Oats and Almonds
Coconut Cherry Popsicles with Dark Chocolate and Almonds
Black Forest Cherry Chocolate Avocado Mousse

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Lime and Fresh Cherry Hand Pies
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups (200g) fresh cherries pitted
- 2 tablespoons caster sugar
- Zest and juice of ½ a lime
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch/cornflour
- 2 teaspoons water
- 1 x 375g package shortcrust pastry defrosted if frozen
- Milk for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 190°C/375°F. Line a baking sheet with baking parchment paper (or use the parchment from the pastry packet)
- Remove the pits from the cherries with a pitter gadget (much easier!) or carefully with a knife.
- Add the cherries to a large saucepan over a medium heat with the sugar, lime zest and juice and vanilla. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Make a cornstarch slurry by dissolving it in the water, then add it to the cherry mixture and stir to combine. Bring back to the boil, heat for 1 minute, then remove the pan from the heat. It will be thick but not overly gelatinous.
- Unroll the dough and cut into 6 equal-sized squares. Spoon 2 heaped teaspoons of the filling onto one side of each pastry square. Brush a little milk around the edges, fold the dough over and use a fork to crimp and seal the edges. Brush with some more milk, then use a sharp knife to cut slits in the pastry. Sprinkle with the demerara sugar and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden. Serve warm or cold.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Jazmin Williams
Wow, these look delicious! I'd love to have a go at making these
Linsay
I must try these, they look absolutely delicious.
Steve
Now these sound delightful and I am sure the mixture of cherry and lime gives an intense sweet and sour taste!
Stephanie Merry
The combination of lime and cherry sounds lovely! x
Fran - FrannyMac
Oh wow! These look amazing!
When I'm next letting myself have a pastry treat I'll have to try these!
beautyqueenuk ???????? (@beautyqueen_UK)
Ooh now this looks and sounds just incredible, I am almost drooling down the screen x
Amanda
Omg Kate, yet another wonderful recipe! These look so tasty. I'm drooling already lol. I will have to try this out one weekend, wish me luck!
chichi
looks so yummy i wish i could have them right now! haha!! thanks for the recipe!
Erica Price
I love the idea of a cherry and lime combination in one little parcel.
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C
These look lovely! You had me at lime and cherry. I don't own a cherry pitter, but I think I need to get one!
Kristine
I love the flavor of lime and cherry together. These pies look absolutely mouthwatering! I am pinning these to make this weekend, thanks!
Renna
Fabulous combination! I'll have to give these a try. Thanks for sharing.
Lauren
These look so fruity and delicious!
Milly Youngman
Ooh these sound amazing! Cherry desserts are always some of my faves.
Pam
Those look amazing. And, I had no idea there was a gadget for pitting cherries! Good to know.
Julia
Wish I had a few of these on my table right now! They look amazing, Kate!