Name: Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 55 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 2 medium cooking apples peeled, cored and chopped into small pieces; 50 g golden caster sugar; 150 g blackberries fresh or frozen; 1 tbsp cornflour; 1 tbsp honey; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 2 sheets (320 g each) shortcrust pastry; 1 small egg beaten; 1 tbsp caster sugar

If you’ve been on the lookout for a cozy, fruit-filled treat, then you’re going to adore this Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe. These little delights marry tender apples with juicy blackberries, all wrapped in crisp buttery pastry—perfect for sharing or sneaking a warm bite yourself!

A warm golden-brown handheld pie shaped like an apple, with two small detailed leaf-shaped crust decorations on top and a small stem, showing a deep red filling leaking slightly from one edge, held gently by a woman's hand above a white plate containing more pies with similar shape and crust, all placed on a white marbled surface. In the foreground, a fresh blackberry and cinnamon sticks lay casually, while a whole apple with green leaves is softly blurred in the background, creating a fresh and cozy atmosphere. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made these spiced apple and blackberry hand pies countless times, and honestly, they never fail to impress. There’s something so satisfying about their crisp exterior giving way to a warm, fragrant filling that instantly feels like home.

Perfectly Portable: Hand pies are super easy to hold and eat, making them great for snacks or packed lunches.
Seasonal Goodness: Combining apples and blackberries brings together autumnal warmth and summer sweetness in every bite.
Simple Ingredients: No need for fancy pantry items—just classic basics with a touch of cinnamon and honey.
Make Ahead Friendly: You can chill or even freeze these pies before baking, which means you’re always prepared for dessert emergencies.

Ingredients & Why They Work

When it comes to making these hand pies, choosing the right ingredients makes all the difference. Here’s what I recommend grabbing and a little insight on why each component is key to the perfect bake.

Flat lay of two peeled and chopped cooking apples, a small cluster of fresh blackberries, a small white ceramic bowl of golden caster sugar, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth cinnamon and honey paste, a small white ceramic bowl of cornflour, two sheets of pale shortcrust pastry, a single whole uncracked egg with a clean shell, and a small white ceramic bowl of caster sugar sprinkled on top, all arranged in perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Cooking apples: I always go for firm varieties like Bramley or Granny Smith because they hold their shape while softening to a tender bite.
Golden caster sugar: Adds sweetness with a subtle caramel note that complements the fruit without overpowering it.
Blackberries: Fresh or frozen both work here; they bring juicy bursts and a lovely color contrast.
Cornflour: This thickens the juicy filling so it’s just right—not runny but not dry.
Honey: A natural sweetener with floral notes that pairs beautifully with cinnamon and fruit.
Ground cinnamon: The essential warm spice that elevates the apples and blackberries, giving these pies their signature cozy flavor.
Shortcrust pastry sheets: Two sheets give you just enough buttery dough to create crisp, golden pockets; homemade or store-bought both work well.
Egg (beaten): Used as an egg wash to seal and glaze the pies, lending them a gorgeous golden shine.
Caster sugar: Sprinkled on top for a gentle crunch and a touch of extra sweetness after baking.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe is how easy it is to personalize to your taste or dietary needs. Feel free to experiment with different fillings, pastry types, and finishing touches to make these hand pies truly your own!

Vegan Variation: I swapped the egg wash for a mix of plant-based milk and maple syrup when making these for a vegan friend—and the pies still turned out beautifully golden and flaky. It’s an easy change that keeps the pies inclusive without losing any charm.
Seasonal Twist: When blackberries aren’t in season, try substituting with fresh or frozen blueberries or raspberries. I’ve made these with blueberries in early spring, and the sweeter berries gave a lovely contrast to the cinnamon-spiced apples.
Extra Crunch: For a bit of texture, sprinkle chopped toasted pecans or walnuts into the filling—I love the nutty crunch it adds alongside the soft fruit.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe

On a baking tray lined with parchment paper, there are six uncooked apple-shaped hand pies, each with a smooth pale dough covering a rounded filling beneath. The edges of the pies are pressed with fork marks, creating a ridged border. Each pie has a small dough stem and a leaf detail at the top, with some leaf veins visible, adding texture. A woman's hand holds a brush applying an egg wash or glaze to one pie in the bottom right. The surface beneath the tray shows a white marbled texture, green apple peels, and whole apples nearby, with another woman's hand resting on the side of the tray. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Softening the Apples to Perfection

Begin by placing your peeled, cored, and chopped cooking apples into a small saucepan with the golden caster sugar and 2 tablespoons of water. Cover the pan and cook over medium heat for about 8 minutes. You’re looking for the apples to become tender but not mushy—softening just enough to blend well with the blackberries. Once done, tip the fruit into a shallow dish and spread it out to cool slightly. This step ensures your filling is warm and fragrant but won't break down the pastry once assembled.

Step 2: Preparing the Spiced Blackberry Filling

While your apples cool, whisk together the cornflour, honey, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl until smooth. This mixture adds a slight thickening and delicious spice to your filling. Gently fold in the blackberries to the cooled apples, then drizzle the cinnamon and honey paste over the top. Stir carefully to combine everything without squishing those juicy blackberries—keeping them whole really makes each bite pop with flavor and texture.

Step 3: Cutting Out the Pastry Circles

Unroll the shortcrust pastry sheets on a lightly floured surface. Using a 10 cm diameter pastry cutter—or a similarly sized glass or ramekin—cut out 12 circles. A uniform size makes assembling and baking your hand pies a breeze and ensures even cooking. Gather your scraps to use later for decorative leaves and stalks.

Step 4: Assembling Your Hand Pies

Spoon about 1 tablespoon of your fruit filling onto half of the pastry circles, keeping roughly a 1 cm border free for sealing. Brush a little beaten egg wash around the edges—that’s your glue for sealing the pies perfectly. Place a plain pastry circle over the top, gently pressing the edges together. To add a charming, apple-inspired touch, press a slight dent at the top and bottom of each pie. It’s a simple detail that really makes them visually delightful.

Step 5: Sealing, Decorating, and Venting

Seal your pies fully by pressing around the edges with the prongs of a fork—this not only keeps the filling inside but also creates a lovely rustic pattern. Brush each pie with the egg wash to get that golden sheen once baked. Use your pastry scraps to cut out little leaf and stalk shapes, sticking them on with more egg wash for a cute, natural finish. Finally, poke a small steam hole in the top of each pie with a skewer to prevent bursting during baking.

Step 6: Chilling and Baking to Golden Perfection

Transfer your prepared pies to a baking sheet and chill them in the fridge for about 1 hour or overnight if you have the time. This step helps the pastry firm up, which means they keep their shape and won’t shrink as much in the oven. When you’re ready, preheat your oven to 200 degrees Celsius (180 degrees fan). Bake your hand pies for 20 minutes, until they're golden brown and you can see the filling bubbling through the steam vents. If you decide to bake them straight from frozen, just add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time.

Step 7: Sweet Finish and Serving Suggestions

Once out of the oven, sprinkle the warm pies with caster sugar for a delicate, shimmering sweetness. Serve them warm—straight from the oven with a dollop of cream or custard makes these pies a truly comforting dessert or snack. Trust me, the combination of the spiced fruit and crisp pastry is absolutely irresistible.

Top Tip

These Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies are a delight, but a few little tricks can make your baking experience smoother and your pies even more delicious.

Perfect Pastry Shape: Pressing small dents at the top and bottom of each pie to mimic an apple shape really adds charming detail — it’s a simple touch that makes all the difference for presentation.
Chill Before Baking: I’ve learned that chilling the pies in the fridge for about an hour before baking prevents the pastry from shrinking and helps it keep a crisp, beautiful crust.
Gentle Mixing: When combining the blackberries with the cooked apples and cinnamon-honey paste, mix gently to avoid breaking the berries — it keeps the filling nice and juicy without turning it into a mush.
Egg Wash Alternative: If you need a vegan option, swapping the egg wash for a mix of plant-based milk and maple syrup works wonderfully to give the pies a lovely golden finish.

How to Serve Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe

Five small round pies with golden brown crusts lightly dusted with sugar are piled on a white plate at the center. Each pie has small baked leaf shapes attached to the sides or top, and dark red juice fills small slits in the crust. Around the plate on a white marbled surface are fresh blackberries in a small white bowl, a knife with a white handle smeared with dark berry juice, and a few scattered loose blackberries. To the right, three fresh apples with leaves and some cinnamon sticks add color and texture, along with green apple peel curls at the bottom. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

For a cozy, inviting finish, sprinkle the freshly baked pies with caster sugar while they're still warm—this adds a little sparkle and a subtle crunch. A light dusting of cinnamon or even a drizzle of honey can enhance the warm spice notes. If you want to get fancy, a sprig of mint or a small edible flower on the side can brighten up your plate beautifully.

Side Dishes

These hand pies really shine when paired with some classic British accompaniments like a generous dollop of thick cream or smooth custard. Vanilla ice cream is another lovely match, especially on a cooler day. If you’re serving these as a snack, a cup of spiced chai tea or hot apple cider makes the perfect comforting partner.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover pies should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they will stay fresh for up to 3 days. The pastry remains crispest if you reheat them gently rather than keeping them out at room temperature for too long.

Freezing

Good news—these pies freeze beautifully! After assembling and sealing them, freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a resealable bag or airtight container. They keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, bake them straight from frozen and just add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time for perfectly cooked pies.

Reheating

To bring your pies back to that freshly-baked warmth and crispness, pop them in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius fan (200 degrees Celsius conventional) for 10–15 minutes. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the pastry soggy and the filling lose its texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other fruits instead of blackberries?

Absolutely! While blackberries add a lovely tartness and color, you can substitute with blueberries, raspberries, or even chopped pears for a different twist. Just keep the same quantities to maintain the right filling consistency.

What if I don’t have shortcrust pastry sheets?

You can make your own shortcrust pastry or use a store-bought puff pastry for a flakier texture. Just be aware puff pastry may rise more and change the appearance slightly, but it will still taste delicious!

How do I prevent the filling from leaking out?

Make sure to seal the edges well with beaten egg and use a fork to press firmly around the edge. Leaving about a 1 cm border before folding and gently pressing out any air pockets will help keep the filling contained during baking.

Can I prepare the filling ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the fruit filling a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just give it a gentle stir before assembling the pies to redistribute any juices that may have settled.

Final Thoughts

There’s something truly comforting about these Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies — a nostalgic, warm treat that feels homemade in every bite. Whether you’re baking them for a cozy family dessert or to take along as a delicious snack, they bring simple, seasonal flavors and a touch of seasonal spice into your kitchen. I hope this recipe fills your home with warmth and joy just as it has mine!