Cherry Hand Pies

Dish type
Dessert
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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 Tbsp Cornstarch
  • 2 Cups Fresh Cherries, stemmed and pitted or about 12 ounces frozen pitted cherries, unthawed
  • 2/3 Cup Dried Cherries
  • 1/2 Cup Sugar
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 1/4 Tsp Almond Extract
  • A pinch of Salt
  • 1 14 oz Package puff pastry thawed in refridgerator
  • Flour (for dusting)
  • 1 Large Egg, mixed with 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 1/2 Tsp Sugar in the raw

Directions

  1. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Stir cornstarch and 1 1/2 tablespoons cold water in a small bowl to blend. Combine fresh cherries and next 5 ingredients in a large saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until cherry juices are released, about 5 minutes. Add cornstarch mixture; bring to a boil, stirring often.
  2. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.
  3. Roll out pastry on a lightly floured surface to an 18x15" rectangle. Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut dough into nine 6x5" rectangles. Whisk egg white and 1 tablespoon water in another small bowl for egg wash. Working with 1 pastry rectangle at a time, place on a work surface and brush edges with egg wash. Scoop 3 tablespoons cherry mixture onto one side; fold dough over filling so that short ends meet, forming a 5x3" packet. Crimp edges with a fork to seal. Using a sharp knife, cut a few slits in top of pie to vent. Place on prepared baking sheet; repeat with remaining dough and filling.
  4. Brush tops with egg wash, then sprinkle with raw sugar. Chill for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake pastries until tops and bottoms are golden brown, 30-40 minutes. Let cool for 10 minutes on baking sheet. Transfer to wire racks; let cool completely. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 day ahead. Let stand at room temperature.