Get ready for a spooky treat with Jack-O-Lantern Hand Pies, adorable Spooky Pumpkin Pies that bring Halloween magic to your table. These festive pumpkin pastries, with their flaky crusts and spiced pumpkin filling, are perfect for Halloween parties, movie nights, or cozy fall gatherings. Easy to make and fun to decorate, these creepy hand pies are a delightful addition to any spooky spread. Let’s bake these Halloween treat pies and embrace the festive spirit!
Why You’ll Love Jack-O-Lantern Hand Pies
- Festive Fun: Carved faces make these creepy hand pies a Halloween hit.
- Flavorful: Spiced pumpkin filling in flaky crusts for festive pumpkin pastries.
- Party-Perfect: Ideal for sharing at spooky events or cozy nights.
- Kid-Friendly: Fun to make and customize for Halloween treat pies.
- Portable: Easy to transport for festive gatherings or creepy hand pies parties.
Ingredients for Jack-O-Lantern Hand Pies
Here’s what you need for these festive pumpkin pastries (makes ~8 hand pies):
Filling:
- 1 cup (240g) pumpkin purée (not pie filling)
- ¼ cup (50g) brown sugar
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Crust:
- 2 refrigerated pie crusts (or homemade)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tbsp (15ml) milk (for egg wash)
- Granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
Optional Topping:
- Maple syrup or powdered sugar (for drizzling)
Equipment
- Baking sheet
- Pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter (3–4 inches)
- Small paring knife or craft knife
- Mixing bowl
- Whisk or fork
- Pastry brush
- Parchment paper
Ingredient Tips
- Pumpkin Purée: Use pure pumpkin, not pie filling, for these Halloween treat pies.
- Pie Crusts: Store-bought saves time; homemade adds flair to creepy hand pies.
- Spice: Add ¼ tsp cinnamon for extra warmth in festive pumpkin pastries.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free pie crust for gluten-free Halloween treat pies.
- Egg Wash: Ensures golden, shiny creepy hand pies; don’t skip it.
Directions for Jack-O-Lantern Hand Pies
Let’s make these creepy hand pies—a spooky, delicious treat!
Prep Oven and Filling
I preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, I mix 1 cup pumpkin purée, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, and 1 tsp vanilla (if using) for these festive pumpkin pastries.
Cut Dough
I roll out 2 pie crusts and use a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter to cut 16 pumpkin shapes (2 per pie). On 8 shapes, I carve jack-o-lantern faces with a paring knife for these Halloween treat pies.
Assemble Pies
I place 1 tbsp filling in the center of each uncarved pumpkin shape. I top with a carved shape and press edges with a fork to seal these creepy hand pies.
Add Egg Wash
I whisk 1 egg with 1 tbsp milk and brush over each pie. I sprinkle with granulated sugar for shiny, golden festive pumpkin pastries.
Bake and Serve
I bake for 18–20 minutes until golden. I cool slightly, then drizzle with maple syrup or dust with powdered sugar for perfect Halloween treat pies.
Nutrition
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: ~40 minutes
- Servings: ~8 hand pies
- Calories: ~180–220 kcal per pie
- Macros per Pie: 25g carbs, 3g protein, 8g fat, 1g fiber
Variations for Jack-O-Lantern Hand Pies
Try these twists on these creepy hand pies:
- Apple Cinnamon: Swap pumpkin for apple filling for sweet festive pumpkin pastries.
- Cream Cheese: Add 2 tbsp cream cheese to pumpkin filling for rich Halloween treat pies.
- Nutella: Use Nutella-banana filling for sweet creepy hand pies.
- Savory: Try pumpkin-goat cheese filling for savory festive pumpkin pastries, inspired by LaylaCooks’ Bite-Sized Blooming Onions.
- Spiced Chai: Add ½ tsp chai spice for earthy Halloween treat pies.
Serving Ideas:
- Pair with LaylaCooks’ Cucumber Blueberry Feta Salad for a fresh contrast.
- Serve with LaylaCooks’ Vanilla Raspberry Iced Latte for a spooky sip.
- Enjoy with LaylaCooks’ The Best Peach Sorbet for a sweet finish.
Storage
I store these Halloween treat pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the fridge for 4 days. I reheat in a 300°F oven for 5–8 minutes to re-crisp creepy hand pies. For freezing, I freeze unbaked pies for up to 1 month, baking from frozen with 5 extra minutes.
Serving Tips
- Presentation: Display festive pumpkin pastries on a black tray with mini pumpkins.
- Garnish: Dust with cinnamon sugar or add black gel icing for creepy hand pies details.
- Pairing: Serve with LaylaCooks’ Cucumber Mint Agua Fresca or hot cider.
- Portion Size: 1–2 pies per person for a spooky dessert.
- Occasions: Perfect for Halloween parties, movie nights, or fall gatherings.
FAQs About Jack-O-Lantern Hand Pies
Here are answers to common questions about this dish:
Can I use store-bought pie crust?
Yes, it saves time and works great for these festive pumpkin pastries.
How do I prevent filling leaks?
Use 1 tbsp filling and seal edges tightly for leak-free creepy hand pies.
Can I make them gluten-free?
Use gluten-free pie crust for gluten-free Halloween treat pies.
Can I freeze baked pies?
Yes, freeze baked or unbaked pies for up to 1 month; reheat to re-crisp festive pumpkin pastries.
How do I make faces creepier?
Carve jagged eyes and mouths with a craft knife for spooky creepy hand pies.
More Dessert Ideas You’ll Love
- Chocolate Mousse Cake
- Cinnamon Sugar Blondies
- Strawberry Shortcake Cake (with sponge cake)
- Moist Cinnamon Apple Cake: A Sweet, Simple Deligh
Conclusion
Jack-O-Lantern Hand Pies are a fun, flavorful way to celebrate Halloween with flaky crusts and spiced pumpkin filling. These festive pumpkin pastries, with their creepy-cute faces, are perfect for parties or cozy nights. Bake these Halloween treat pies and let the spooky joy of creepy hand pies light up your fall!
Jack-O-Lantern Hand Pies
Ingredients
Filling:
- 1 cup 240g pumpkin purée (not pie filling)
- ¼ cup 50g brown sugar
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract optional
Crust:
- 2 refrigerated pie crusts or homemade
- 1 egg for egg wash
- 1 tbsp 15ml milk (for egg wash)
- Granulated sugar for sprinkling
Optional Topping:
- Maple syrup or powdered sugar for drizzling
Instructions
Prep Oven and Filling
- I preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, I mix 1 cup pumpkin purée, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, and 1 tsp vanilla (if using) for these festive pumpkin pastries.
Cut Dough
- I roll out 2 pie crusts and use a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter to cut 16 pumpkin shapes (2 per pie). On 8 shapes, I carve jack-o-lantern faces with a paring knife for these Halloween treat pies.
Assemble Pies
- I place 1 tbsp filling in the center of each uncarved pumpkin shape. I top with a carved shape and press edges with a fork to seal these creepy hand pies.
Add Egg Wash
- I whisk 1 egg with 1 tbsp milk and brush over each pie. I sprinkle with granulated sugar for shiny, golden festive pumpkin pastries.
Bake and Serve
- I bake for 18–20 minutes until golden. I cool slightly, then drizzle with maple syrup or dust with powdered sugar for perfect Halloween treat pies.
Notes
- Overfilling can cause leakage—use only about a tablespoon of filling per pie.
- Use chilled dough and cooled filling for better structure.
- Make ahead: Refrigerate unbaked pies for 1 day or freeze for up to 1 month.
- To reheat, place in a 300°F oven for 5–8 minutes to crisp up again.
- Customize with apple cinnamon, Nutella-banana, or cream cheese fillings for variety.
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