Are you tired of boring leftovers? Get ready to turn those mundane sweet potatoes into irresistible hand-held delights that will make your taste buds dance! These golden, flaky hand pies are the ultimate comfort food that transforms simple ingredients into a culinary masterpiece. Whether you're looking for a quick snack, a crowd-pleasing dessert, or a clever way to reduce food waste, these sweet potato hand pies are about to become your new kitchen obsession.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 8 pies
Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover sweet potatoes
- 1 package pie crusts
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This will ensure that your hand pies bake evenly and achieve a golden-brown color.
- Take your leftover sweet potatoes and mash them in a mixing bowl until smooth. You can use a fork or a potato masher for this step.
- Add the brown sugar and cinnamon to the mashed sweet potatoes. Mix well until all ingredients are fully combined. Taste the mixture and adjust the sweetness or spice level if desired.
- Unroll the pie crusts on a clean, flat surface. Use a rolling pin to slightly roll out the crusts if you want them thinner. Cut out circles using a round cutter or a glass, approximately 4-5 inches in diameter. You should be able to get about 16 circles from the two crusts.
- Place a heaping tablespoon of the sweet potato filling in the center of half of the circles. Be careful not to overfill, as this can make sealing the pies difficult.
- Take the remaining circles and place them over the filled ones to create a top for each hand pie. Press the edges together firmly to seal. You can use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative touch and to ensure they are well sealed.
- In a small bowl, beat the egg to create an egg wash. Brush the egg wash over the tops of the hand pies to give them a beautiful golden color as they bake.
- Place the hand pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Make a few small slits in the top of each pie to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake the hand pies in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown and flaky. Keep an eye on them to prevent over-browning.
- Once baked, remove the hand pies from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your delicious leftover sweet potato hand pies warm or at room temperature!
Tips
- Keep your pie crust cold: For the flakiest results, work with chilled pie crusts and handle them minimally.
- Don't overfill: Use just a heaping tablespoon of filling to prevent leaks and ensure easy sealing.
- Crimp edges thoroughly: Use a fork to create a tight seal and prevent filling from escaping during baking.
- Egg wash is your friend: A light brush of egg wash will give your hand pies a beautiful golden-brown shine.
- Let them cool slightly: Allow pies to rest for a few minutes after baking to let the filling set and prevent burning your mouth.
- Get creative with variations: Try adding chopped nuts, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a sprinkle of pecans for extra flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 250kcal
Carbohydrates: 35g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 30mg
