Homemade Pumpkin Cream Cheese Hand Pies Recipe – Sweet Fall Joy

Autumn’s crisp whispers dance through our kitchen when pumpkin cream cheese hand pies emerge as the ultimate seasonal comfort.

Compact pastries cradle warmth and nostalgia within delicate folds of golden dough.

Creamy filling promises rich, smooth textures that melt delightfully on your tongue.

Sweet spices weave their magic, conjuring memories of cozy afternoons and grandmother’s cherished recipes.

Small handheld treats bring unexpected joy to casual gatherings and quiet moments alike.

Soft, flaky edges beckon with irresistible charm, promising a delectable experience that celebrates fall’s most beloved flavors.

You’ll find these little pockets of happiness impossible to resist.

Why Pumpkin Cream Cheese Hand Pies Taste Like Fall

• Bake with Minimal Skill: Perfect for bakers of all levels, this recipe requires basic pastry techniques that even beginners can master with confidence.
• Create Portable Party Treats: Hand pies offer a convenient, mess-free dessert option that's ideal for gatherings, potlucks, and casual celebrations.
• Capture Seasonal Comfort: Warm pumpkin spices and creamy filling transform simple ingredients into a cozy autumn-inspired delicacy that feels like a warm hug.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows simple ingredient swaps and personal touches, making it adaptable to different taste preferences and dietary needs.

What You’ll Need For Pumpkin Cream Cheese Hand Pies

• All-Purpose Flour: A foundational ingredient that provides structure and texture for the hand pie crust.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and creates flaky layers in the pie dough.
• Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the pie dough.
• Ice Water: Helps bind the dough together without developing too much gluten.

• Cream Cheese: Creates a smooth and creamy base for the hand pie filling.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness to balance the pumpkin's earthy flavor.
• Pumpkin Puree: Delivers classic autumn flavor and moisture to the filling.
• Warm Spices: Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Ginger: Add warm, aromatic depth to the pumpkin filling.

• Egg, Turbinado Sugar, Cinnamon: Provide a golden, crispy exterior with a sweet and spiced finish for the hand pies.

How To Bake Pumpkin Cream Cheese Hand Pies With Ease

Step 1: Create Buttery Pie Crust

In a food processor, blend flour, salt, and chilled butter cubes. Pulse until the mixture looks like rough breadcrumbs. Add ice water slowly, mixing until the dough just starts to stick together. Be careful not to overmix. Form the dough into a flat disc, wrap in plastic, and chill in the refrigerator for one hour to help the gluten relax and butter firm up.

Step 2: Whip Creamy Pumpkin Filling

• Cream cheese
• Granulated sugar

• Pumpkin puree
• Warm spices

Mix until the filling is smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Roll and Shape Pie Dough

Sprinkle flour on your work surface. Roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a circular cutter to create 3-inch rounds.

Add Filling to Dough

Place a small spoonful of pumpkin cream cheese mixture in the center of each dough round. Leave a small border around the edges.

Step 4: Seal Hand Pies

Fold the dough over the filling to create half-moon shapes. Press the edges with a fork to seal completely and prevent leaking.

Prepare for Baking

• Turbinado sugar
• Extra cinnamon

Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between each pie.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Bake the hand pies for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to ensure even browning. Look for a beautiful golden brown color and crispy edges.

Step 6: Cool and Serve

Remove the hand pies from the oven. Let them cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. This helps the filling set and makes them easier to handle. Enjoy these delightful handheld treats warm or at room temperature.

Top Tips For Pumpkin Cream Cheese Hand Pies

• Master Butter Technique: Keep butter ice-cold to achieve flakiest, most tender pie crust that practically melts in your mouth.
• Prevent Filling Leaks: Always leave a small border around edges when adding filling and crimp tightly with a fork to seal hand pies completely.
• Sugar Sparkle Hack: Sprinkle turbinado sugar before baking for a beautiful, crunchy crystalline texture that adds delightful visual appeal.
• Temperature Control Trick: Rotate baking sheet halfway through cooking to ensure even golden-brown coloring across all hand pies.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare dough and filling a day ahead, storing separately in refrigerator to save time during actual baking process.

Yummy Variations On Pumpkin Cream Cheese Hand Pies

• Maple Pecan Hand Pies: Replace pumpkin puree with chopped pecans and add a drizzle of maple syrup into the cream cheese filling for a nutty, sweet variation.
• Apple Cinnamon Hand Pies: Swap pumpkin for finely diced apples mixed with cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg in the cream cheese base, creating a classic fall flavor profile.
• Chocolate Raspberry Hand Pies: Incorporate cocoa powder into the cream cheese mixture and add a small dollop of raspberry preserves alongside the filling for a rich, fruity combination.
• Savory Goat Cheese Hand Pies: Transform the recipe into a savory option by using goat cheese, caramelized onions, and fresh thyme in place of the sweet filling, perfect for appetizers or light meals.

Tasty Sides For Pumpkin Cream Cheese Hand Pies

• Pair Warming Chai Latte: The spicy, creamy chai complements the pumpkin's warm cinnamon notes, creating a harmonious autumn-inspired beverage that enhances the hand pies' rich flavors.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Gelato: Smooth, cold gelato provides a delightful temperature and texture contrast against the warm, crispy hand pie, balancing the dessert's warmth with cool creaminess.
• Match with Salted Caramel Espresso: The robust coffee and sweet caramel undertones cut through the pie's richness, offering a sophisticated adult pairing that elevates the dessert's complexity.
• Complement with Spiced Apple Cider: Tangy, aromatic apple cider echoes the pie's autumnal spices, delivering a comforting seasonal drink that perfectly matches the hand pies' cozy profile.

How To Store Pumpkin Cream Cheese Hand Pies Neatly

• Seal cooled hand pies in an airtight container, placing parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap individual hand pies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe zip-lock bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Allow hand pies to sit at cool room temperature for no longer than 2 hours. Cover loosely with clean kitchen towel to maintain texture and prevent drying out.
• Warm refrigerated or thawed hand pies in preheated 350°F oven for 5-7 minutes.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Hand Pies FAQs For You

• What ingredients make the pie dough flaky?

Cold butter and minimal handling create flaky layers by preventing gluten development and keeping butter chunks intact during baking.

• How do I prevent the filling from leaking?

Leave a small border around the edges when adding filling, press fork edges firmly, and avoid overfilling the hand pies to seal them completely.

• Can I prepare the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the dough and refrigerate it up to 2 days in advance, or freeze for up to 1 month, which helps develop better flavor and texture.

• What's the best way to cut perfect dough rounds?

Use a sharp circular cutter and press straight down without twisting, which helps maintain the dough’s shape and prevents uneven edges.

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Hand Pies Recipe

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4.6 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10-15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Warm, flaky Pumpkin Cream Cheese Hand Pies invite autumn comfort into your kitchen. Spiced filling nestled in buttery pastry creates an irresistible seasonal treat you’ll crave with every delightful bite.

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Ingredients

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Pies Dough:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
• 1/4 cup ice water
• 1 pinch salt

Filling:

• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1 large egg

Topping:

• 1 large egg (for egg wash)
• 2 tbsp turbinado sugar
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

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Instructions

1. Chill butter and cut into small cubes, then combine with flour and salt in a food processor, pulsing until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Gradually drizzle ice water into the mixture, processing until dough just comes together, being careful not to overmix.
3. Shape dough into a flat disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow gluten to relax and butter to firm.
4. Whip cream cheese with granulated sugar until smooth, then gently fold in pumpkin puree and warm spices until fully incorporated.
5. Roll chilled dough on a floured surface to 1/8-inch thickness, cutting into 3-inch rounds using a circular cutter.
6. Place a small dollop of pumpkin cream cheese mixture in the center of each dough round, leaving a border around the edges.
7. Fold dough over filling to create half-moon shapes, pressing edges with a fork to seal completely and prevent leaking.
8. Whisk egg and brush each hand pie’s surface, then sprinkle with turbinado sugar and additional cinnamon.
9. Arrange hand pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
10. Bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and crispy, rotating the pan midway for even browning.
11. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes before serving to allow filling to set.

Notes

• Chill butter and dough thoroughly to ensure a flaky, tender pastry crust that melts in your mouth.
• Use cold ingredients like ice water and refrigerated cream cheese to maintain the perfect texture and prevent tough dough.
• Prevent soggy bottoms by placing hand pies on a preheated baking sheet and avoiding overfilling with cream cheese mixture.
• Create gluten-free or vegan variations by substituting flour with almond or gluten-free blend and using coconut cream cheese alternative.

• Prep Time: 1 hour
• Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg