Did you know it’s ‘National Pi Day’ (which I know is a total math thing)? Surprisingly I’m actually really excited to celebrate. I know. I know. I’m always saying how I don’t like pie. Well, I don’t. Kinda. Really what it comes down to is pie crust. I’m not a crust person. I’ll eat the filling all day long. HOWEVER with that said, I think that as an adult my tastebuds are making a shift. Because I’m actually finding myself kinda-sorta-liking pie more than I used to. Still not all the way there, but definitely closer than I used to be. I’m back with my amazing group of #foodholidaybloggers bringing you a good handful of GREAT ways to celebrate today!
Without further adieu, can we talk about these amazing Pecan Hand Pies? They have the Steve stamp of approval. If that doesn’t mean anything to you, that means they pass my husbands ultra healthy palate test. In fact, he kept raving about them so much so that he’s still begging me to make more. They are SO freaking good! Made without any refined sugar. Booyah. Gluten-free.. extra booyah! I’ve been wanting to try my hand (no pun intended) at hand pies and this was the perfect recipe to get started with. They were awesome! I made a tart version using a mini muffin tin and those were also deliciously fun. I hope you’ll give them a try – and if you do, let me know what you think!
Items used in this post:
Pecan Hand Pies
Would you believe me if I told you these delicious little Pecan Hand Pies have been made healthy? Not only that - they are gluten free! Made with delicious all-natural ingredients. You'll have to taste it to believe it, and after just one bite you'll be begging for more!
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 1/2 c. almond meal/flour
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 c. Organic palm oil shortening I used Nutiva
- 2 tbsp. pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
Filling
- 1 c. + 1 tbsp. pure maple syrup
- ½ c. coconut sugar
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 3 eggs lightly beaten
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp. sea salt
- 1¼ c. pecan halves roughly chopped
Instructions
Crust
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In a medium sized bowl, combine dry ingredients and set aside.
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In a small bowl, combine wet ingredients (melt palm shortening prior to mixing it into the batter). Stir wet ingredients into dry.
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Carefully knead dough into a ball, then gently roll out into a circle to 1/4 in' thickness. Using a biscuit or circle cookie cutter, cut pie crust into circles. Cover with wet paper towel until filling is ready.
Filling
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Preheat oven to 325°F.
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Heat maple syrup in a saucepan over medium heat. Simmer until syrup reaches 225 degrees, approx. 10 minutes.
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While syrup is simmering, place coconut sugar and butter into a mixing bowl. As soon as the syrup reaches 225 degrees, immediately pour it over the sugar and butter.
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Let sit for one minute then whisk together. Add eggs, vanilla, and sea salt; whisk.
Hand pies
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On top of one pie crust circle, sprinkle a tbsp. of chopped pecans. Drizzle one tsp. of filling over pecans. Top with another pie crust. Carefully seal edges using a fork. Brush with filling. If desired, sprinkle with raw organic sugar.
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Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until golden. Remove from oven to cool.
Recipe Notes
Crust by Primal Palate: http://www.primalpalate.com/paleo-recipe/almond-flour-pie-crust/
Filling by Feel Great in 8: http://www.feelgreatin8.com/feelgreatblog/clean-eating-pecan-pie-paleo-gluten-free-refined-sugar-free/
Creamy Lemon and Blueberry Pie // Dessert Now Dinner Later
Pecan Hand Pies // Tried and Tasty
Lemon Pie Bars // One Sweet Appetite
No Bake Chocolate Mint Oreo Pie // Life Made Sweeter
Irish Cream Pies // Sugar & Soul
No Bake Strawberry Lemon Cream Pie // A Kitchen Addiction
Samoa Pie // Eazy Peazy Mealz
Mile High Fudge Brownie Pie // A Dash of Sanity
Cherry Pie Bars // Cupcake Diaries
Caramel Banana Cream Pie // Like Mother Like Daughter
Coconut Cream Pie // Lemon Tree Dwelling
Frozen Strawberry Yogurt Pie // The Love Nerds
Mini pies are so wonderful! I used to skip the crust too, but now it’s my favorite part.
Yvonne
With these it was my favorite part too :)
Pecan pies recently won me over, but these hand pies. These look even better!! Yum!
Yvonne
Yes, they are SO good!!!
These hand pies… oh my heck! I have been dreaming about them ever since I tried them at your place! I would eat the entire tray if I could!
Yvonne
I’m so happy you liked them as much as I did!!
Love these little hand pies! I’m going to have to try these for my cousin who’s gluten free!
Yvonne
She would love them. You’ll have to let me know if you make them for her!
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!
That’s so cool that you used almond flour for the crust! I get intimidated to try special diet recipes, so it’s nice to see how they turn out! Also, I would eat like 5 of these. ;)
Yvonne
They were SO freaking good. The only flour I get nervous with (of the more common flours I regularly cook with) is coconut flour. That’s a tricky flour for sure!
I love hand pies and I am loving that you made these gluten free and refined sugar free! They look SO gorgeous!!
Yvonne
Thanks so much Kelly. This was my first time trying hand pies and I’m definitely hooked after these.