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
Scale
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.
