Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies are a delightful treat perfect for any occasion. With their flaky pastry and sweet blueberry filling, these hand pies are not only delicious but also fun to make. The ghostly shape adds a spooky twist, making them great for Halloween or any gathering where you want to impress your friends and family. These hand pies are easy to prepare and perfect for those who enjoy vegan desserts.
WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS RECIPE
You will love this recipe for several reasons. First, it is simple and quick. You don’t need to be a professional baker to make these tasty treats. Second, they are vegan, which means they are suitable for everyone, including those with dietary restrictions. Third, the combination of blueberries, sugar, and lemon juice creates a sweet and tangy filling that is hard to resist. Finally, the cute ghost shape makes them perfect for festive celebrations, bringing a bit of fun to any table.
HOW TO MAKE Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
Ingredients:
- 2 sheets of puff pastry (I use JusRoll vegan & gluten-free puff pastry sheets)
- 100g of fresh or frozen blueberries
- 50g of caster or granulated sugar (plus extra for sprinkling)
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch or cornflour
- 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
- 50g of icing sugar
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS:
Method
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper to prevent the pies from sticking.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Stir gently until all the ingredients are mixed. If using frozen blueberries, let the mixture sit for a few minutes to thaw slightly.
- Roll out the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Make sure the dough is even and smooth.
- Use a cookie cutter or a knife to cut the pastry into ghost shapes. You can make them as big or as small as you like, but a medium size works best for hand pies.
- Place a spoonful of the blueberry filling onto one side of each ghost shape. Be careful not to overfill, or the filling will leak out during baking.
- Fold the other side of the pastry over the filling to create a hand pie. Press the edges together to seal. You can use a fork to crimp the edges for a nice finish.
- Transfer the hand pies to the prepared baking tray. Brush the tops with a little water or plant-based milk to help them brown during baking.
- Sprinkle a bit of extra sugar on top for sweetness and crunch.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until they are golden brown.
- Once baked, remove the hand pies from the oven and allow them to cool on a wire rack.
- While cooling, you can prepare the icing. In a small bowl, mix the icing sugar with a tiny bit of water to create a thick glaze. Drizzle or pipe the icing onto the cooled hand pies to decorate.
HOW TO SERVE Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies are best served warm or at room temperature. You can place them on a platter to share with friends and family or serve them individually. They pair wonderfully with a cup of tea or coffee. If you want to make them extra special, you can add a scoop of vegan ice cream on the side for a delicious dessert treat.
STORAGE & FREEZING: Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
To store your hand pies, place them in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for about 2-3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them. Allow the pies to cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw and reheat them in the oven or microwave.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS
Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies are versatile and can be served in various ways. Consider the following suggestions:
- Serve them with a side of coconut whipped cream for added richness.
- Dust with powdered sugar for a lovely presentation.
- Pair them with fresh berries or compote to enhance the fruit flavor.
- For a festive touch, add chocolate drizzle over the icing.
VARIATIONS
Feel free to get creative and explore different variations of this recipe. Here are a few ideas:
- Replace blueberries with other fruits, such as raspberries, blackberries, or chopped apples.
- Add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to the filling for an extra flavor boost.
- Create a mixed berry filling by combining different kinds of berries.
- For a chocolate twist, add some dairy-free chocolate chips to the filling mix.
FAQs
Q1: Can I use store-bought pie crust instead of puff pastry?
A1: Yes, you can use store-bought pie crust, but they will have a different texture. Puff pastry is light and flaky, while pie crust is denser.
Q2: Are these hand pies suitable for kids?
A2: Yes, these hand pies are a fun treat for kids. The ghost shapes can be a hit at Halloween parties!
Q3: Can I make the filling ahead of time?
A3: Yes, you can prepare the filling a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to make the hand pies.
Q4: What should I do if my filling is too watery?
A4: If your filling is too watery, add a bit more cornstarch to thicken it. Allow it to sit for a few more minutes before filling the pastry.
MAKE-AHEAD TIPS FOR Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
If you want to prepare ahead of time, here are some tips:
- You can make the filling a day earlier and keep it in the fridge.
- Cut the puff pastry shapes in advance and store them flat in the fridge, layered with parchment paper to prevent them from sticking.
- Assemble the hand pies and freeze them before baking. When you are ready to eat, bake them straight from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Now that you have the recipe and all the details, you can enjoy making these fun and delicious Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies. Enjoy baking and sharing them with your loved ones!
Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, combine blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Stir gently.
- Roll out the puff pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface until even and smooth.
- Cut the pastry into ghost shapes using a cookie cutter or knife.
- Place a spoonful of the blueberry filling onto one side of each ghost shape.
- Fold the other side of the pastry over the filling and press edges together to seal.
- Transfer the hand pies to the baking tray. Brush with water or plant-based milk.
- Sprinkle extra sugar on top.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack.
- Prepare the icing by mixing icing sugar with a little water and drizzle on cooled pies.