There is nothing quite like the comforting yet sophisticated charm of the Hearts of Palm Hand Pies Recipe. These delightful little pockets of creamy, cheesy hearts of palm filling wrapped in flaky, buttery pastry offer a perfect blend of textures and flavors that can brighten any meal or gathering. Whether you’re looking for a unique appetizer, a savory snack, or a shareable party treat, these hand pies bring warmth, freshness, and a touch of elegance without any fuss. Once you make them, they’ll quickly become a beloved classic in your recipe collection.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this recipe lies in its simple yet thoughtful ingredients, each playing a vital role in creating the perfect balance of creamy, flaky, and flavorful. From the tender hearts of palm to the rich blend of cheeses and the crisp, golden dough, every element matters for that exceptional taste and texture.
- Hearts of palm (1 can, 14 oz, drained and chopped): This tender vegetable provides a subtle, slightly nutty flavor that forms the base of our filling.
- Cream cheese (1 cup, softened): Adds luscious creaminess and binds the filling together beautifully.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese (½ cup): Melts perfectly to create a gooey, cheesy interior.
- Grated Parmesan cheese (¼ cup): Brings in a sharp, salty depth that enhances the savory notes.
- Fresh parsley (1 tablespoon, chopped, optional): Offers a fresh herbaceous brightness to lift the flavors.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon): Adds a savory warmth without overpowering the filling.
- Onion powder (1 teaspoon): Deepens the flavor profile with subtle sweetness and complexity.
- Salt and black pepper (to taste): Essential seasonings that balance and elevate every bite.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): Forms the sturdy yet flaky crust that holds everything together.
- Salt (1 teaspoon): Enhances the flavor of the dough.
- Sugar (1 teaspoon): Adds a hint of sweetness to foster browning of the crust.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, cold and cubed): The secret to a tender, golden, and flaky pastry.
- Ice water (4-6 tablespoons): Helps bring the dough together without melting the butter.
- Egg (1, beaten): Used as an egg wash for a gorgeous, golden finish on the hand pies.
- Fresh herbs (optional, for garnish): To add a lovely pop of color and aroma just before serving.
How to Make Hearts of Palm Hand Pies Recipe
Step 1: Make the Dough
Start by combining the dry ingredients in a food processor — flour, salt, and sugar. Then add the cold, cubed butter and pulse until the mixture looks like coarse crumbs. This step is key to creating the flaky texture you want in your crust. Slowly add the ice water tablespoon by tablespoon, pulsing just enough for the dough to come together without overworking it.
Step 2: Chill the Dough
Once your dough forms a rough ball, transfer it to a lightly floured surface and shape it into a disk. Wrap the disk tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This resting period helps the butter firm back up and the gluten relax, ensuring tender, flaky hand pies.
Step 3: Prepare the Filling
While your dough chills, mix up the delicious filling. In a medium bowl, combine the chopped hearts of palm with cream cheese, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well until everything is evenly blended and creamy — this filling will be the luscious heart of our hand pies.
Step 4: Roll Out the Dough
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about ¼ inch thick. Use a round cutter around 3-4 inches in diameter to cut out perfect circles — these will be your pie bases.
Step 5: Assemble the Hand Pies
Place about 1 to 2 tablespoons of the creamy hearts of palm filling into the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over to create a half-moon shape and press the edges firmly to seal. For a charming and secure finish, crimp the edges gently with a fork.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Brush the tops of your hand pies with the beaten egg, giving them a beautiful golden sheen as they bake. Arrange them on the prepared sheet and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are puffed up and perfectly golden brown.
Step 7: Serve and Enjoy
Allow your hand pies to cool just a bit on a wire rack, giving the filling time to set slightly before digging in. These Hearts of Palm Hand Pies Recipe shine best when served warm, fresh from the oven, optionally garnished with fresh herbs to brighten each bite.
How to Serve Hearts of Palm Hand Pies Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh herbs like parsley, chives, or basil add an appealing burst of color and light herbal notes that beautifully complement the creamy, cheesy filling. A sprinkle of cracked black pepper or a tiny drizzle of olive oil can also elevate the presentation and flavor.
Side Dishes
These hand pies pair wonderfully with crisp, refreshing sides. Try a simple green salad tossed with lemon vinaigrette or a tangy tomato salsa to balance the richness. For a heartier meal, roasted vegetables or a light soup provide harmony without overshadowing the pies.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive appetizer platter, serve the pies on a wooden board with dipping sauces like garlic aioli, spicy marinara, or a zesty yogurt-based dip. They also make fantastic finger foods for picnics or parties—just pack them in a basket and watch them disappear fast!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store any leftover hand pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They remain delicious and retain their texture well when properly stored, making them a perfect make-ahead snack.
Freezing
You can freeze uncooked hand pies before baking by placing them on a baking sheet to freeze solid and then transferring to a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, bake them straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Reheating
To reheat, pop refrigerated or thawed hand pies in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 8 to 10 minutes. This method helps revive their crispness without drying out the filling. Avoid microwaving if you want to keep the crust flaky and golden.
FAQs
Can I use fresh hearts of palm instead of canned?
Absolutely! Fresh hearts of palm have a slightly firmer texture and more delicate flavor, so just make sure to chop them finely and drain any excess moisture well before mixing into your filling.
Is there a vegan version of the Hearts of Palm Hand Pies Recipe?
You can certainly make a vegan adaptation by swapping the cream cheese and cheeses with your favorite plant-based alternatives and using a vegan butter substitute for the dough. Just be sure to adjust seasonings for flavor balance.
Can I make the dough by hand instead of a food processor?
Yes! Use a pastry cutter or two forks to cut the cold butter into the dry ingredients until crumbly, then gradually stir in the ice water until the dough holds together. Just handle it gently to avoid overworking.
How do I prevent the filling from making the dough soggy?
Draining and chopping the hearts of palm well helps reduce excess moisture. Also, avoid overfilling the pies and seal the edges tightly to keep all that wonderful filling nicely contained as it bakes.
Can these hand pies be served cold?
While they are best enjoyed warm for that flaky crust and melty filling, these hand pies taste just fine at room temperature or even cold, making them great for picnics or packed lunches.
Final Thoughts
If you want to impress your loved ones with something both comforting and a bit unexpected, the Hearts of Palm Hand Pies Recipe is a perfect choice. Easy to make, full of flavor, and wonderfully versatile, these hand pies are sure to become a favorite anytime snack or party treat. Go ahead and give them a try—you might just discover your next go-to recipe for gathering and sharing joy.
Print
Hearts of Palm Hand Pies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes (plus 30 minutes chilling time)
- Yield: 8-10 hand pies
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious and savory Hearts of Palm Hand Pies featuring a creamy cheese filling wrapped in a flaky homemade pastry. These hand pies combine tender hearts of palm, cream cheese, and mozzarella, seasoned with garlic and onion powder, all baked to golden perfection. Ideal as a snack, appetizer, or light meal.
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 1 can (14 oz) hearts of palm, drained and chopped
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 4–6 tablespoons ice water
For Assembly
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Fresh herbs (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Make the dough: In a food processor, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Add the cold butter cubes and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, pulsing until the dough comes together.
- Chill the dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface, shape it into a disk, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Prepare the filling: In a medium bowl, mix the chopped hearts of palm, softened cream cheese, shredded mozzarella, grated Parmesan, chopped parsley (if using), garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined.
- Roll out the dough: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the chilled dough on a floured surface to about ¼-inch thickness. Use a 3-4 inch round cutter to cut out circles of dough.
- Assemble the hand pies: Place 1-2 tablespoons of the filling in the center of each dough circle. Fold the dough over to form a half-moon shape. Press the edges to seal, then crimp with a fork to ensure they are tightly closed.
- Bake: Brush the tops of each hand pie with the beaten egg to create a golden, glossy finish. Arrange them on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
- Serve: Allow the hand pies to cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired and enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute cream cheese and mozzarella with vegan alternatives.
- You can prepare the dough a day ahead and keep it refrigerated.
- Adjust seasoning in the filling according to taste preferences.
- Freeze unbaked hand pies for up to one month; bake directly from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
