Have a Heart: Valentine’s Day Hand Pies

I’m sending hearts your way in the form of Nutella-filled cream cheese hand pies, perfect for Valentine’s Day and to share with your sweetheart!

I used my favorite pie crust recipe with cream cheese for these heart hand pies. The dough comes together quickly in the food processor and you can make it a day ahead, wrap it in plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to roll out your chocolate or fruit-filled hearts! This cream cheese pie crust bakes up flaky and oh so good, but you can substitute store-bought pie crust or frozen puff pastry if you prefer.

Fill these hand pies with Nutella or chocolate-hazelnut spread straight from the jar! I was careful not to overfill them and I could have added a little more. I used about 2 teaspoons per heart for my 3 1/2 inch cookie cutters. I was able to get 10 hand pies, rerolling the dough scraps, from one recipe of cream cheese pie crust. You could also top the hazelnut spread with a spoonful of strawberry or raspberry preserves or cherry pie filling. If you’re filling these hand pies with fruit, make sure you cut a vent for the steam to escape like with my Peach Hand Pies. 

Place your pastry hearts on a parchment lined baking sheet. Add hazelnut filling in the center of the heart and brush some egg wash (egg beaten with a teaspoon of water) around the edges of the filling and top with a pastry heart. Use a fork to crimp and seal the edges of each pie. Brush tops with additional egg wash and sprinkle with sanding or regular sugar. Bake pies at 400 degrees 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool, the filling will be hot, and serve.

2 cups flour

½ tsp. salt

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened (I use light cream cheese)

1 cup (2 sticks) cold butter, cut into small cubes

Pulse all ingredients together in food processor until dough comes together.

Divide into two portions, and shape into flat disks. Wrap each tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes – 1 hour, until firm or overnight. Pull out to warm up briefly before rolling out.

You can find a printable recipe, here.

Serve these Heart Hand Pies with a cup of your favorite tea. I found Rose Petal Tea from World Market.

You can find heart tea infusers, here, for a sweet gift for your tea drinking friend for Valentine’s Day.

Stir your cuppa with a Towle Irresistable Heart Demitasse Spoon!

Here’s hoping your Valentine’s Day is especially sweet! ♥

Thank you for your visit, sharing with:

 Metamorphosis Monday, The Scoop,