There's something so cozy and comforting about freshly baked hand pies, and this Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe hits all the right notes—tender apples, juicy blackberries, and a cozy touch of cinnamon wrapped in buttery, flaky pastry. I can't wait for you to try making these at home!

The image shows five golden brown hand pies shaped like apples, stacked on a white round plate. Each pie has a glossy, slightly crimped crust with sugar sprinkled on top and small decorative pastry leaves attached. Red filling leaks out from small vents on the top of each pie. The plate is placed on a white marbled surface scattered with blackberries, cinnamon sticks, green apple peels, and whole apples with leaves. On the left, there is a white bowl filled with blackberries and a knife with a black blade and cream handle resting on the surface nearby. 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 baked these spiced apple and blackberry hand pies countless times, and what keeps me coming back is how effortlessly they turn out warm, fragrant, and just the right balance of sweet and spice. They’re the perfect treat to show off at gatherings—or simply enjoy with a cup of tea by yourself.

Perfect portion size: These hand pies are individually sized, making them easy to share or stash for later.
Simple ingredients: Using pantry staples and fresh fruit means you won’t need a special trip to the store.
Make-ahead friendly: Assemble them beforehand and bake fresh when you're ready, or freeze for later convenience.
Comforting flavors: The combination of cinnamon, honey, and blackberries adds that nostalgic warm spice to every bite.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Before you start, make sure you have some good quality cooking apples and either fresh or frozen blackberries. I like using golden caster sugar because it adds just a hint of caramel richness, and don’t skip the cinnamon—it transforms the fruit filling into a cozy, autumnal delight.

Flat lay of two medium peeled and chopped cooking apples, a handful of fresh blackberries, a small pile of golden caster sugar, a small pile of fine caster sugar, a tablespoon of cornflour powder, a small white bowl with honey, a teaspoon of ground cinnamon, two sheets of pale shortcrust pastry, a whole clean uncracked brown egg, all arranged symmetrically in simple white ceramic bowls and plates placed 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: They hold their shape well and become tender without turning mushy, giving the filling a nice texture.
Golden Caster Sugar: Adds subtle sweetness with a slight caramel note, enhancing the fruit flavors.
Blackberries: Juicy and slightly tart, they balance the sweetness of the apples perfectly.
Cornflour: Thickens the filling so it doesn’t get too runny when baked.
Honey: Adds natural sweetness and a lovely depth of flavor.
Ground Cinnamon: Brings warmth and spice, making the pies irresistible.
Shortcrust Pastry Sheets: Provides that flaky, buttery casing that cradles the filling beautifully.
Egg (for egg wash): Gives the pies a gorgeous golden color and helps seal the edges.
Caster Sugar (for sprinkling): Adds a sweet, crunchy topping once baked.

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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

The wonderful thing about this Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe is how easy it is to tailor it to your tastes and needs. Whether you want to swap ingredients, adjust spices, or make it allergy-friendly, there are plenty of delicious possibilities to explore!

Variation: For a dairy-free version, swap the beaten egg wash with a mixture of plant-based milk and a little maple syrup for brushing the pastry. I tried this once when hosting friends with allergies, and everyone loved the golden, glossy finish it gave the pies.
Spice it up: You can add a pinch of nutmeg or cloves to the filling to deepen the warm spice profile. I personally like experiments with warming spices in cooler months—it makes the hand pies smell absolutely comforting.
Seasonal swaps: Feel free to replace blackberries with raspberries or blueberries depending on what’s fresh or in season. Last summer, I used blueberries and it gave a slightly sunnier, sweeter note that was delightful.
Sweetener alternatives: Honey and golden caster sugar bring wonderful sweetness here, but you can substitute maple syrup or coconut sugar for a different flavor twist or to keep it vegan.

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

A small round berry pie with a golden crust dusted with powdered sugar sits on a white plate with vertical ridges along the rim. The pie is partially open, showing dark purple blackberries and bright red berries inside. Next to the pie on the plate is a dollop of white cream with berry juice mixing in, creating purple swirls. A silver fork rests on the plate beside the cream. A single blackberry and a green apple are blurred in the background, along with two cinnamon sticks. The whole scene is set on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Softening the Apples to Perfect Tenderness

I start by peeling, coring, and chopping 2 medium cooking apples into small pieces, then add them to a small saucepan with 50 grams of golden caster sugar and 2 tablespoons of water. Cover the pan and cook gently for about 8 minutes until the apples become soft and tender. This creates a fragrant, slightly syrupy base for the filling. Once cooked, I transfer them to a shallow dish to cool — this step is key to keeping the pastry crisp later on.

Step 2: Mixing the Juicy Blackberry Filling

While the apples cool, I whisk together 1 tablespoon cornflour, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon into a smooth paste. Then I gently fold in 150 grams of fresh or frozen blackberries and drizzle this mixture over the cooled apples. Mixing gently helps keep the blackberries mostly intact, giving pockets of tartness in each bite.

Step 3: Cutting Out Flaky Pastry Circles

I unroll 2 sheets (320 grams total) of shortcrust pastry and use a 10 cm round cutter — or a similarly sized ramekin or glass if that’s what I have — to cut out 12 pastry circles. These will make 6 hand pies, so two circles per pie. Using digital scales here ensures precision, but if you don’t have them, eyeing it carefully works too.

Step 4: Assembling the Mini Apple-Shaped Pies

On half of the pastry circles, I spoon approximately 1 tablespoon of the fruit filling, leaving about a 1 cm border free around the edges. Using a small brush, I paint beaten egg wash around the edges to help the top circle stick securely. After placing the plain pastry circle on top, I gently press small dents at the top and bottom with my fingers to shape it like a tiny apple — a little touch that makes serving so much fun!

Step 5: Sealing, Decorating, and Preparing for Baking

I seal the edges firmly by pressing all around with the prongs of a fork to keep the filling locked in. Then, I brush each pie with another layer of egg wash to get that golden gloss when baked. Any leftover pastry becomes cute little leaf and stalk shapes, which I stick on top using more egg wash. Finally, I poke a small steam hole with a skewer in each pie’s top to avoid bursting during baking.

Step 6: Chilling the Pies for Flaky Perfection

Once assembled, the pies go onto a baking sheet and into the fridge for at least an hour or even overnight if I’m preparing ahead. This chilling step firms up the pastry and keeps it wonderfully flaky after baking. Alternatively, you can freeze the pies at this stage for up to 3 months—great for planning ahead for guests or celebrations.

Step 7: Baking Until Golden and Bubbling

I preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) and bake the hand pies for 20 minutes until their tops turn a beautiful golden brown and you can see the fruity filling bubbling through the tiny steam holes. If they’ve been frozen, I simply add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time. The smell filling the kitchen at this point is absolutely irresistible!

Step 8: Finishing Touch and Serving

Right after pulling them from the oven, I sprinkle the pies with a tablespoon of caster sugar for a subtle crunch and a bit of sparkle. My favorite way to enjoy these is warm, served alongside a generous dollop of cream or custard — it’s pure comfort in every bite.

Top Tip

To get the best results from your Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe, these tips can make your baking experience smoother and your pies even more delightful.

Chill the Pies Properly: I’ve found that chilling assembled pies for at least 1 hour before baking really helps the shortcrust pastry hold its shape and bake up flaky—plus, it prevents sogginess from the juicy filling.
Handle Blackberries Gently: Through trial and error, I learned to fold the blackberries in gently so they stay intact, giving those lovely bursts of tartness instead of turning into a jammy mess.
Use an Accurate Pastry Cutter: Using a 10 cm round cutter (or a similar-sized ramekin or glass) ensures uniform pies that bake evenly. It might sound small, but consistent size really makes a difference!
Don’t Skip the Egg Wash: Brushing the edges and tops with beaten egg not only seals the pies but also gives that irresistible golden color and shine—missing this step was a mistake I won’t forget.

How to Serve Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe

The image shows four round dough circles laid out on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, each circle filled in the center with a mix of blackberries and small apple pieces. The dough is light beige and smooth, forming the base layer. On top of it, the filling layer is dark purple blackberries mixed with reddish-brown apple chunks coated in a glossy sauce with visible spices. The tray rests on a white marbled surface, and part of a blue dish with a spoon and some fruit filling is visible at the bottom right corner, beside a folded gray cloth. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

For a charming presentation, sprinkle a little extra caster sugar on top of the warm pies to add sparkle and a hint of crunch. Fresh mint leaves or a light dusting of cinnamon can also add an inviting aroma and visual appeal that makes these hand pies look as good as they taste.

Side Dishes

Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies are heavenly paired with a dollop of freshly whipped cream or warm custard for that cozy, comforting touch. If you want to serve it as a more indulgent dessert, a scoop of vanilla ice cream complements the warm spice beautifully. For a brunch twist, try them alongside a mild cheddar or cream cheese spread.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover hand pies keep well stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Just reheat them gently to enjoy warm, flaky pastry and juicy filling all over again.

Freezing

You can freeze the pies right after assembling and chilling them. Wrap them tightly in cling film or place in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, simply add 10 minutes to the baking time and place them straight into the oven from frozen.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the pies in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius (fan) for about 10 minutes until heated through and the pastry revives its crispness. Avoid microwaving as it can make the pastry soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen blackberries for this recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen blackberries work well—just make sure to thaw and drain any excess liquid before mixing them into the filling to avoid soggy pastry.

Can these hand pies be made vegan?

You can make a vegan version by using a plant-based shortcrust pastry and substituting the egg wash with a mixture of plant milk and a little maple syrup or aquafaba to achieve a similar golden glaze.

How can I prevent the pie filling from leaking out?

Be sure to leave a 1 cm border around the filling when assembling, and use the beaten egg wash to really seal the edges securely. Press the edges firmly with a fork for a tight seal.

Can I prepare the pies completely ahead of time and bake later?

Yes! You can assemble the pies, chill or freeze them, and bake when you’re ready. If frozen, add an extra 10 minutes to your baking time as noted in the recipe.

Final Thoughts

Making these Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies is such a joyful process—from folding the tender, spiced fruit into flaky pastry to pulling golden, fragrant pies from the oven. Whether you're baking for a cozy family dessert or a special occasion, these hand pies offer a perfect balance of sweet and spice wrapped in a comforting, easy-to-enjoy package. I hope they bring warmth and smiles to your table as they have to mine.