There’s something so comforting about warm, flaky pastry filled with juicy fruit and a hint of spice, right? That’s exactly what you get with this Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe. These little pockets of deliciousness are perfect for sharing or just treating yourself to a cozy, homemade dessert.

Five apple-shaped hand pies with golden brown crusts sit closely together on a white plate. Each pie has small decorative dough leaves attached, and some have red berry filling leaking from small vent holes on top. The pies are dusted lightly with sugar, adding a soft texture to their surface. Around the plate on a white marbled surface, there are fresh blackberries in a white bowl, three green apples with leaves, cinnamon sticks, scattered blackberries, and some green apple peel curls. A knife with a white handle lies nearby, with some berry filling smeared on the blade. The scene is bright and fresh, showing a cozy and homemade feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I honestly can’t get enough of these hand pies — they hit the sweet spot between fruity and spiced, wrapped in buttery shortcrust pastry. Plus, they’re surprisingly easy to make for such an impressive-looking dessert!

Comforting Flavors: The warming cinnamon and honey bring out the best in tender apples and juicy blackberries.
Perfect Portion Size: These hand pies are just right for a snack or dessert without any guilt.
Make Ahead Friendly: Prepare them up to a day in advance or freeze for later baking without losing freshness.
Fun to Decorate: Adding the little pastry leaf and stalk shapes is a sweet finishing touch that makes them look adorable.

Ingredients & Why They Work

The key to these hand pies is fresh, quality ingredients and just the right balance of sweetness and spice. I always recommend picking cooking apples that hold their shape well and either fresh or frozen blackberries — both work brilliantly here.

Flat lay of peeled and chopped medium cooking apples, fresh blackberries, a small pile of golden caster sugar, a tablespoon of cornflour in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl with honey, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, two sheets of smooth shortcrust pastry, a whole uncracked egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl with caster sugar placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Cooking Apples: Use firm apples that won’t turn mushy when cooked, giving you lovely tender chunks in the filling.
Golden Caster Sugar: Adds sweetness with a subtle caramel note that complements the fruit perfectly.
Blackberries: Fresh or frozen, these berries add juicy bursts of tartness to balance the sweet apple base.
Cornflour: A simple thickener to keep the filling just right and not runny.
Honey: Provides natural sweetness and a warm richness to the mixture.
Ground Cinnamon: Brings that cozy spice that instantly lifts the fruit filling.
Shortcrust Pastry: Look for ready-rolled sheets to save time, but homemade works beautifully too.
Egg: Beaten, it gives the pies a gorgeous golden finish once baked.
Caster Sugar (for sprinkling): Adds a slight crunch and sparkle on top when finished.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you want to add a little extra zing, cater to dietary needs, or switch up the fruit, these hand pies are versatile and forgiving.

Vegan Variation: Swap out the beaten egg wash for a brush of almond milk or maple syrup to keep these pies vegan-friendly. I once tried this for a friend's birthday, and the crust still baked up beautifully golden and flaky with that lovely shine on top.
Seasonal Twist: In colder months, try adding a pinch of ground nutmeg or cloves alongside the cinnamon for an even warmer autumnal vibe. Fresh cranberries mixed in with the blackberries also add a tart pop that balances the sweet apples perfectly.
Gluten-Free Option: Use your favorite gluten-free shortcrust pastry to create these hand pies without gluten. Just be sure to chill the dough well before cutting out your shapes to help it hold together nicely during baking.
Sweetener Alternatives: If you prefer less sugar, swap the golden caster sugar for coconut sugar or reduce it slightly. Honey adds a subtle floral note, but maple syrup or agave work splendidly as alternatives in the filling.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe

A small round pie with a golden-brown crust sits in the middle of a white plate with ridged edges, partially open showing its dark red and purple berry filling with chunks of red fruit inside. The top layer is dusted with white sugar, and to the side is a small drizzle of berry juice mixed with white cream and a few whole blackberries. A silver fork rests on the plate near the bottom left, and in the blurry background, a green apple and cinnamon sticks are visible on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Softening the Apples to Perfection

Start by placing your chopped apples into a small saucepan with 50 grams of golden caster sugar and 2 tablespoons of water. Cover and cook over medium heat for about 8 minutes until the apples are tender but not mushy. You'll know they're ready when you can easily pierce them with a fork and they’ve released a lovely, fragrant steam. Spread them out in a shallow dish to cool slightly — this prevents the pastry from getting soggy in the next step.

Step 2: Mixing the Juicy, Spiced Filling

In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornflour, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon until smooth. This paste will thicken the filling and infuse it with warm spice and subtle sweetness. Gently fold in the blackberries and the cooled apples, taking care not to crush the berries too much. The mixture should be well-coated, juicy, and ready to be spooned onto your pastry circles.

Step 3: Cutting Out the Perfect Pastry Circles

Unroll the shortcrust pastry sheets and use a 10 cm round pastry cutter — or the rim of a glass or ramekin if you don’t have a cutter — to cut out 12 circles. These will become your hand pie shells. Don’t worry about the scraps; you’ll use those for fun decorations later!

Step 4: Assembling Your Hand Pies

Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the fruit filling onto half of the pastry circles, leaving a 1 cm border around the edges. Brush the border with beaten egg to help seal the pies. Place a plain pastry circle on top of each filled one, then press and crimp the edges firmly with the tines of a fork. For a charming touch, gently pinch the top and bottom of each pie to create a subtle apple shape — it’s easier than it sounds and adds so much character!

Step 5: Decorating and Venting Like a Pro

Brush each pie with egg wash to get that irresistible golden sheen during baking. Use small leaf and stalk shapes cut from your pastry scraps to decorate the tops — attach them with a little egg wash. Finally, poke a tiny steam hole in each pie with a skewer so that the juices bubble out instead of bursting the crust.

Step 6: Chill Before Baking for Flakey Goodness

Place your assembled pies on a baking sheet and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. This resting time helps the pastry stay firm and flaky when baked. If you want to bake later, you can freeze the pies after chilling for up to 3 months — just add 5 to 10 extra minutes to the baking time when cooking from frozen.

Step 7: Golden Baking Time

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius (or 180 degrees Celsius fan). Bake the chilled pies for about 20 minutes until they’re golden brown and you see the delicious filling bubbling through the steam vents. The smell of cinnamon and baked fruit filling will quickly fill your kitchen—definitely a moment to look forward to!

Step 8: Sweet Finish and Serving

Right after taking the pies out of the oven, sprinkle them with a tablespoon of caster sugar for a delicate crunch on top. Serve warm with a generous dollop of cream or custard for the ultimate cozy treat. Trust me, these hand pies are best enjoyed fresh, with the crust still warm and crisp.

Top Tip

Mastering these Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies is all about the little details that make the flavors and textures shine. Here are some tips I've picked up that will help your pies turn out perfectly every time.

Use Fresh or Frozen Blackberries: I’ve found that both fresh and frozen blackberries work wonderfully. Just make sure to thaw and drain frozen berries a bit to avoid excess moisture in the filling.
Chilling Is Crucial: Chilling the pies in the fridge for at least an hour before baking helps the pastry stay firm and flaky rather than soggy. This step really pays off in texture.
Seal Edges Well: Pressing the edges firmly with a fork and then shaping them gently with your fingers not only secures the filling but creates that charming apple shape, giving the pies character and preventing leaks.
Don’t Overwork the Pastry: Handling the shortcrust pastry as little as possible keeps it tender and flaky. I always try to work quickly and lightly when cutting and assembling the pies.

How to Serve Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe

The image shows a baking tray lined with parchment paper placed on a white marbled surface, with four large round pieces of raw dough on it. Each dough circle is pale cream-colored and smooth, with a middle layer of small fruit chunks, mostly blackberries and diced apples, mixed and coated in a dark red syrup, sitting neatly in the center. The fruit mixture has a glossy texture, slightly spilling over the dough edges. In the lower part of the image, a corner of a white cloth napkin and part of a turquoise baking dish with a silver spoon resting in it are visible, containing leftover fruit pieces and syrup. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle a light dusting of caster sugar right after baking to add sparkle and a little crunch. For an extra touch, try a small drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. Fresh mint leaves or a few extra blackberries make for a pretty finish when serving.

Side Dishes

These hand pies are delightful on their own but pair beautifully with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, a dollop of whipped cream, or warm custard. For a cozy touch, serve alongside a hot cup of chai tea or spiced apple cider.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once baked and cooled, store any leftover hand pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For a slightly longer shelf life, keeping them covered in the fridge for up to 4 days works well—just reheat before serving.

Freezing

You can freeze the assembled pies after chilling (step 6 in the recipe) for up to 3 months. Arrange them in a single layer on a baking tray to freeze, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. When ready to bake, no need to thaw—just add 5 to 10 extra minutes to the baking time.

Reheating

To reheat, pop the pies in a preheated 180°C (fan) oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through and the pastry crisps up again. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the pastry soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other fruits instead of blackberries?

Absolutely! You can swap blackberries for blueberries, raspberries, or even chopped peaches. Just keep the quantity similar and adjust cooking times if needed for juicier fruits.

What can I substitute for honey in the filling?

Maple syrup or agave nectar both work nicely as honey alternatives, providing that lovely sweetness and moisture without changing the flavor profile too much.

Can I make these hand pies vegan?

Yes! Replace the egg wash with a plant-based milk or aquafaba for brushing the pastry. Just be sure to use a vegan shortcrust pastry or make your own without butter.

Why is chilling the pies important before baking?

Chilling firms up the pastry so it holds its shape better during baking and produces a flakier, crispier crust. Skipping this step can lead to soggy or misshapen pies.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly comforting about homemade hand pies filled with warm spices and fresh fruit — perfect for sharing or enjoying all by yourself. This Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe brings together classic flavors with a rustic charm that’s easy to make and even easier to love. I hope you find as much joy in baking and eating these as I do. Happy baking and savor every bite!