There’s something truly magical about this Spiced Blackberry Apple Hand Pies Recipe—warm apples, juicy blackberries, and a touch of cinnamon all wrapped in buttery shortcrust pastry. If you love cozy desserts that feel made just for you, you’re in for a treat!

A woman's hand holds a small pie shaped like an apple with two decorative leaf-shaped crust pieces on top and a stubby crust stem, all golden brown in color with a sugar sprinkle on the surface; the pie has a slightly raised middle layer of crust that shows a purple blackberry filling leaking out near the top. The pie has a thick edge crust with fork marks pressed in for decoration. In the background, more apple-shaped pies sit on a white plate, with green and red apples slightly out of focus behind them. The scene is set on a white marbled surface with a single blackberry and a few cinnamon sticks placed casually 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 Blackberry Apple Hand Pies Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Spiced Blackberry Apple Hand Pies Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Spiced Blackberry Apple Hand Pies Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can’t get enough of these hand pies—they’re simple to make yet feel so special. Plus, the blend of spiced apples and blackberries hits that perfect balance of sweet and tangy that keeps you coming back for more.

Simple to Make: No fancy techniques here—just straightforward baking that anyone can do.
Perfectly Portable: Hand pies mean you can enjoy them anywhere, whether with a cup of tea or as a sweet lunchbox surprise.
Seasonal Flavor Explosion: The combo of cinnamon-spiced apples and juicy blackberries screams cozy autumn vibes.
Customizable & Freezable: Make them ahead and freeze, or swap ingredients to suit your tastes—versatility at its best!

Ingredients & Why They Work

When shopping for these pie ingredients, aim for fresh, crisp cooking apples and ripe blackberries. Don’t worry if your blackberries are frozen—they thaw beautifully and still give great flavor. The star here is the shortcrust pastry, which needs to be tender yet sturdy enough to hold all that juicy filling.

Flat lay of two peeled and chopped cooking apples, a handful of fresh blackberries, a small mound of golden caster sugar on a white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl of smooth cinnamon and honey paste, one whole uncracked brown egg, two sheets of rolled shortcrust pastry silkily laid flat on a simple white ceramic plate, a small white ceramic bowl with cornflour, a small white ceramic 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: They hold their shape nicely during cooking and give the pies a tender, soft fruit texture.
Golden Caster Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering the fruit’s natural flavors.
Blackberries: Fresh or frozen, these bring a lovely tart contrast to the sweet apples.
Cornflour: Helps thicken the juicy filling so it doesn’t leak out during baking.
Honey: Adds warmth and depth to the spiced fruit filling.
Ground Cinnamon: This classic spice makes the filling cozy and aromatic.
Shortcrust Pastry Sheets: The flaky base that wraps around the fruit—choose good-quality pastry.
Egg (for Egg Wash): Gives the pies that beautiful golden shine and helps seal the edges.
Caster Sugar (for Sprinkling): Adds a slight crunch and extra sweetness on top 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 Blackberry Apple Hand Pies Recipe is how easily you can tailor it to your taste or dietary needs. Whether you want to swap ingredients, add your favorite spices, or adjust for special diets, these hand pies are wonderfully adaptable.

Vegan Variation: I’ve found that swapping the egg wash for a brush of plant-based milk, and choosing a vegan shortcrust pastry, works beautifully. The pies still get that lovely golden glaze and flaky texture without any animal products.
Seasonal Twist: In autumn, I sometimes add a pinch of nutmeg or a splash of good-quality apple cider vinegar to the filling. It brightens up the flavors and enhances that cozy, warming spice blend.
Fruit Mix-Up: If blackberries aren’t in season, frozen ones thawed slightly are great. Alternatively, try adding diced pears or even some dried cranberries to mix things up while keeping the same delightfully spiced vibe.
Extra Crunch: Sprinkling a touch of demerara sugar on top right before baking adds a pleasant crunch and caramelized note that I love for an elegant finish.

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

Six apple-shaped pastry pockets with light beige dough are placed on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Each pastry has a smooth, rounded top layer with a visible puff underneath, pressed edges with fork marks, and a small dough stem and leaf attached at the top, adding a touch of detail to mimic an apple. A woman's hand is holding a brush applying a coating on one pastry, while another woman's hand rests nearby on a white marbled surface. There are pieces of green apple peel and whole green apples around the tray. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Step 1: Gently cook the apples to perfect softness

Start by placing your peeled, cored, and chopped apples into a small saucepan, then add 50 grams of golden caster sugar and 2 tablespoons of water. Cover and cook over medium heat for about 8 minutes. You’ll want to see the apples become tender but still hold some shape—think soft, cozy little apple chunks ready to soak up that spice. Once cooked, spread them out in a shallow dish to cool slightly, so the filling doesn’t get too warm when mixed.

Step 2: Mix the fruity filling with a spiced honey cornflour paste

In a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon of cornflour, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon until you get a smooth, fragrant paste. Gently fold this paste into the cooled apples along with 150 grams of blackberries, fresh or slightly thawed if frozen. Be careful to mix without crushing the berries too much—the goal is an evenly coated, juicy filling that will bubble beautifully in the oven.

Step 3: Cut out pastry circles and assemble your hand pies

Roll out your 2 sheets (320 g each) of shortcrust pastry. Using a 10cm pastry cutter—or a similar sized round object like a ramekin—cut out 12 even circles. Spoon roughly 1 tablespoon of the fruit filling onto half of these circles, leaving about 1 cm free around the edges. Brush the edges with your beaten egg wash, then carefully place a plain circle on top to encase the filling. Using your fingers, create a gentle dent at both the top and bottom to shape your pie like a little apple.

Step 4: Seal, decorate, and prep for chilling

Press the edges firmly together all around, then seal completely by pressing with the prongs of a fork. Use any leftover pastry scraps to cut out tiny leaves and stalks, attaching them with a bit more egg wash for charm. Don’t forget to poke a small steam hole on top of each pie with a skewer — this keeps them from bursting open mid-bake. Pop your lovely pies onto a baking sheet and chill them in the fridge for at least 1 hour. This step is crucial for a crisp, buttery crust. You can also freeze them at this point for up to 3 months if you want to make ahead.

Step 5: Bake to golden perfection

Preheat your oven to 200°C (or 180°C fan). Bake your chilled pies for 20 minutes till they’re beautifully golden and you can see the filling bubbling through the steam holes. If baking from frozen, just add an extra 10 minutes to make sure the filling is fully cooked and the crust is crisp. Once out of the oven, a sprinkle of caster sugar adds a lovely sweet crunch to finish.

Step 6: Serve warm and enjoy!

These hand pies are best enjoyed warm, with a dollop of cream or custard to complement their warm spices and juicy fruit. Whether as a comforting dessert or a sweet afternoon treat, your homemade spiced blackberry apple hand pies will be a delightful success every time!

Top Tip

These tips will help you make your Spiced Blackberry Apple Hand Pies Recipe turn out perfectly every time — from flaky crusts to juicy, spiced fillings.

Keep the Pastry Cold: I always chill the pies for at least an hour before baking. This helps the shortcrust pastry hold its shape and bake up beautifully golden and flaky.
Use a Small Steam Hole: Poking a tiny hole on top with a skewer lets steam escape without losing juices, so the filling stays luscious and prevents soggy bottoms.
Mix Your Filling Gently: When combining the cornflour, honey, cinnamon, apples, and blackberries, gently fold everything. It keeps the berries intact and the filling evenly spiced.
Don’t Overfill: Leaving a 1 cm border around the edges saves you from messy leaks and ensures firm, crisp sealed pies every time — I learned this the hard way!

How to Serve Spiced Blackberry Apple Hand Pies Recipe

Five small round pies with a golden brown crust sit stacked in a white plate on a white marbled surface. Each pie has a small dough leaf decoration and a small hole on top with dark red filling oozing out. To the upper left, a small white bowl holds shiny blackberries, with a few scattered nearby. Fresh green apples with leaves and a couple of cinnamon sticks rest to the upper right. A knife with a white handle and a bit of dark red filling on the blade lies near the bottom left. The scene is bright and rustic, suggesting fresh homemade fruit pies photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

Sprinkle a little extra caster sugar over the warm pies for a sparkly, sweet finish. A dusting of cinnamon or powdered sugar also adds a lovely aromatic touch. For an elegant flair, a fresh mint leaf or a tiny edible flower can be placed on top just before serving.

Side Dishes

Pair your hand pies with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream or a generous dollop of whipped cream for the ultimate cozy treat. Warm custard is another classic companion that complements the fruity, spiced filling wonderfully. For a lighter option, serve alongside fresh berries or a simple green tea to balance sweetness.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once baked and cooled, store leftover hand pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To enjoy later, simply bring them back to room temperature or gently reheat.

Freezing

You can freeze the hand pies after assembling and chilling but before baking. Freeze them flat on a baking tray until firm, then wrap well in foil or place in freezer bags. They’ll keep up to 3 months. Bake them straight from frozen, adding an extra 10 minutes to the normal baking time to ensure the filling is cooked through.

Reheating

Reheat leftover or thawed pies in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius (fan) for about 10 minutes until warm and crisp. Avoid the microwave if you want to retain that lovely flaky texture!

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of apples for the filling?

Absolutely! Cooking apples like Bramley are ideal because they soften nicely without turning mushy, but other firm apples such as Granny Smith or Pink Lady also work well.

How do I make these hand pies vegan?

Simply swap the egg wash for plant-based milk like almond or oat milk, and choose a vegan-friendly shortcrust pastry. This will give you a lovely golden finish without animal products.

Can I prepare the filling in advance?

Yes! You can cook and cool the apple filling beforehand. Just mix with the blackberries and cinnamon-honey paste right before assembling the pies to keep the fruit fresh and vibrant.

What’s the best way to avoid soggy bottoms?

Chilling the pies before baking helps prevent sogginess, and poking a small steam hole ensures the moisture escapes properly. Also, using cold pastry and not overfilling keeps the crust crisp and flaky.

Final Thoughts

Making these Spiced Blackberry Apple Hand Pies Recipe is like wrapping autumn’s best flavors into a tender little package. Whether you bake them fresh or freeze for later, the blend of cinnamon, juicy blackberries, and soft apples inside crisp, buttery pastry is pure comfort. I hope this recipe brings warmth and sweetness to your kitchen — enjoy every bite!