I’m so excited to share this spiced apple blackberry hand pies recipe with you! These little hand pies burst with juicy blackberries and tender apples, all wrapped in buttery shortcrust pastry with a cozy dash of cinnamon—perfect for a sweet treat anytime.

Five apple-shaped hand pies with golden brown crusts sit closely together on a white plate. Each pie has small decorative dough leaves attached, and some have red berry filling leaking from small vent holes on top. The pies are dusted lightly with sugar, adding a soft texture to their surface. Around the plate on a white marbled surface, there are fresh blackberries in a white bowl, three green apples with leaves, cinnamon sticks, scattered blackberries, and some green apple peel curls. A knife with a white handle lies nearby, with some berry filling smeared on the blade. The scene is bright and fresh, showing a cozy and homemade feel. 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

Hand pies always remind me of cozy afternoons spent baking with friends, and this spiced apple and blackberry version is hands down one of my favorites. It’s simple, satisfying, and feels special without fuss.

Irresistible Flavor Combo: The warmth of cinnamon and honey perfectly complements tart blackberries and sweet apples.
Easy to Handle: These hand pies are the ideal single-serving dessert, so no forks or plates needed!
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep them in advance, then chill or freeze until baking day.
Beautiful Presentation: The apple-shaped details on top add a charming, homemade touch that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Choosing fresh, seasonal fruit makes all the difference here, but don’t worry if your blackberries are frozen—they work just as well. Using ready-made shortcrust pastry keeps prep time short without sacrificing buttery flakiness.

Flat lay of peeled and chopped medium cooking apples, fresh blackberries, a small pile of golden caster sugar, a tablespoon of cornflour in a small white ceramic bowl, a small white bowl with honey, a small white bowl with ground cinnamon, two sheets of smooth shortcrust pastry, a whole uncracked egg with a clean shell, a small white bowl with caster sugar 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: Use firm, tart apples that hold their shape well when cooked, like Bramleys or Granny Smith.
Golden caster sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness and a gentle caramel note.
Blackberries: Fresh or frozen, they bring juicy bursts of flavor and vibrant color.
Cornflour: Thickens the filling beautifully so it’s not runny.
Honey: A natural sweetener that pairs wonderfully with cinnamon.
Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice, balancing the fruit’s brightness.
Shortcrust pastry sheets: Store-bought makes this super easy, providing a crisp, buttery shell.
Egg (beaten): Used for brushing to give the pies a golden, glossy finish.
Caster sugar: Sprinkled on top for an extra touch of sparkle and 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

These Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies are wonderfully versatile, so don’t be afraid to get creative! Whether you want to swap the fruit, adjust the spices, or tweak the presentation, there’s plenty of room to make these cozy pies perfectly yours.

Variation: For a tangier twist, I love adding a handful of fresh cranberries to the filling during the colder months. Their tartness balances beautifully with the honey and cinnamon, making these pies even more festive.
Seasonal swap: Try substituting the blackberries with fresh or frozen blueberries or raspberries for a slightly different berry profile that’s just as delicious.
Dairy-free option: Use a plant-based butter in your shortcrust pastry and swap out the egg wash for a mix of plant milk and maple syrup to keep these pies vegan-friendly without losing that golden finish.
Sweetener alternative: If you prefer less sugar, reduce the caster sugar in the filling by half and increase the honey slightly to keep the filling naturally sweet and moist.

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

A small round pie with a golden-brown crust sits in the middle of a white plate with ridged edges, partially open showing its dark red and purple berry filling with chunks of red fruit inside. The top layer is dusted with white sugar, and to the side is a small drizzle of berry juice mixed with white cream and a few whole blackberries. A silver fork rests on the plate near the bottom left, and in the blurry background, a green apple and cinnamon sticks are visible on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Softening the Apples to Perfection

Start by placing your chopped apples into a small saucepan with the golden caster sugar and 2 tablespoons of water. Cover it with a lid and let it cook gently over medium heat for about 8 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the apples are tender and slightly translucent. Spreading them out on a shallow dish to cool helps stop the cooking process and prevents the berries from bursting when you add them next.

Step 2: Mixing the Magical Spice Paste and Fruit Filling

In a small bowl, whisk together the cornflour, honey, and ground cinnamon until you get a smooth paste—this little mix is the secret to that perfectly spiced, glossy filling. Gently fold this into the cooled apples along with the blackberries. Be careful as you mix so you don’t crush the juicy berries; you want them to keep their shape to add bursts of flavor in every bite.

Step 3: Crafting Ideal Pastry Circles

Roll out your shortcrust pastry sheets on a clean surface. Using a 10 cm round cutter—or a ramekin or glass with the same diameter—cut out 12 neat circles. These will become your hand pies, so keep them as uniform as possible for even baking and that classic handheld shape.

Step 4: Assembling Your Hand Pies with Love

Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the fruit filling onto half of the pastry circles, keeping a 1 cm border clear. Brush the edges lightly with beaten egg; this acts like glue to seal the pies beautifully. Place a plain pastry circle on top and gently press the edges to seal. To give them their charming apple shape, create small dents in the top and bottom with your fingers. Use a fork to press firmly all around the edges, then brush each pie with egg wash for that irresistible golden shine. Don’t forget to get creative by cutting tiny leaves and stalks from pastry scraps and attaching them with egg wash—those little details really make the pies pop! Finally, pierce a small steam hole in each pie with a skewer to let the filling breathe while baking.

Step 5: Chilling for Shape and Flavor

Transfer your assembled pies to a baking sheet and pop them into the fridge to chill for 1 hour. This step is key to firming up the pastry, helping the pies hold their shape during baking. If you’re prepping ahead, no worries! You can chill them overnight or freeze for up to 3 months at this point — just adjust the baking time when you’re ready to cook.

Step 6: Baking to Golden, Bubbly Perfection

Preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Bake the pies for 20 minutes until they’re beautifully golden and you can see the luscious fruit filling bubbling through the steam holes. If baking from frozen, add 10 extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure they’re cooked through and utterly scrumptious.

Step 7: The Sweet Finish and Serving Suggestions

As soon as your pies come out of the oven, sprinkle them with caster sugar for a delightful crunch and sparkle. Serve these warm with a generous dollop of cream or custard, and get ready to enjoy all those cozy spiced flavors wrapped up in buttery shortcrust goodness!

Top Tip

Making the perfect Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe is easier when you keep a few handy tips in mind. These tricks come from my own kitchen experiments and ensure your pies come out beautifully every time.

Chill the Pies Properly: Refrigerating the assembled pies for the full hour before baking really helps the pastry hold its shape and prevents shrinking. I've found skipping this step leads to less neat pies.
Handle Blackberries Gently: When mixing in the blackberries, fold them in softly to avoid bursting the berries and turning your filling too purple. It keeps the texture inviting and fresh.
Use a Fork to Seal Edges: Pressing down the edges with a fork not only seals the hand pies securely but also creates a charming rustic pattern that looks homemade and inviting.
Don't Skip the Steam Holes: Piercing the pies lets steam escape, preventing soggy bottoms and ensuring a perfectly cooked filling. I once forgot this and ended up with very soggy pies—definitely don’t repeat my mistake!

How to Serve Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe

The image shows a baking tray lined with parchment paper placed on a white marbled surface, with four large round pieces of raw dough on it. Each dough circle is pale cream-colored and smooth, with a middle layer of small fruit chunks, mostly blackberries and diced apples, mixed and coated in a dark red syrup, sitting neatly in the center. The fruit mixture has a glossy texture, slightly spilling over the dough edges. In the lower part of the image, a corner of a white cloth napkin and part of a turquoise baking dish with a silver spoon resting in it are visible, containing leftover fruit pieces and syrup. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle a little extra caster sugar right after baking for a sparkling, sweet finish. A light dusting of cinnamon or a drizzle of honey can also add a lovely touch. Don’t forget a dollop of freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to complement the warm, spiced filling beautifully.

Side Dishes

These hand pies pair delightfully with classic dessert sides like creamy custard or vanilla sauce. For a brunch or tea-time treat, serve alongside a cup of freshly brewed coffee or spiced chai. If you want something a little lighter, a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette can balance the sweetness nicely.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. This keeps the pastry crisp and the filling fresh, so you can enjoy them all over again without losing any flavor or texture.

Freezing

You can freeze the assembled hand pies before baking for up to 3 months. Just place them on a baking sheet to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. When ready, bake straight from frozen—but remember to add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time to ensure they're cooked through.

Reheating

To reheat, pop the pies in a preheated oven at 180°C (fan) for about 10 minutes or until warmed through. This method helps restore that beautiful crispiness in the pastry, which microwaving can’t achieve.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen blackberries in this recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen blackberries work just as well as fresh ones. Just thaw and drain any excess juice before mixing them into the filling to avoid soggy pies.

What’s the best way to seal the hand pies?

Brush the edges with beaten egg before folding the pastry over the filling, then press the edges firmly with a fork. This ensures a tight seal and gives the pies a lovely decorative edge.

Can I make these pies vegan?

You can swap the beaten egg for a plant-based milk wash or a mixture of water and maple syrup to achieve a nice glaze. Also, use a vegan pastry to keep it fully plant-based.

How do I avoid the filling leaking during baking?

Make sure not to overfill the pies and always seal the edges well with egg wash and fork pressing. Also, letting the pies chill before baking helps firm up the filling and pastry, reducing leaks.

Final Thoughts

I hope you enjoy making and sharing these Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe as much as I do. They’re comforting little pockets of fall flavors wrapped in buttery pastry, perfect for any time you want a sweet, homey treat. Whether warm from the oven or reheated later, they bring a little cozy joy to the table—so don’t forget to savor every delicious bite!