There’s something truly comforting about warm, flaky pastry wrapped around juicy, spiced fruit. This Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies Recipe delivers exactly that—little pockets of fall flavors that are perfect for sharing or sneaking a treat on your own.

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 still remember the first time I made these hand pies—crisp edges, sweet molten filling, and that wonderful aroma of cinnamon and honey filling the kitchen. They’re such a joy to bake and even better to eat!

Perfectly Portable: Individually sized pies mean no messy forks or plates—perfect for on-the-go snacking.
Simple Ingredients: Uses basic pantry staples with fresh or frozen blackberries, making it easy anytime of year.
Make Ahead Friendly: You can prep them up to a day ahead or freeze, so they’re ready when you crave a warm dessert.
Flaky, Buttery Pastry: The shortcrust pastry bakes golden and crisp, a perfect contrast to the tender, spiced fruit inside.

Ingredients & Why They Work

Shopping for this recipe is straightforward, but keep an eye out for good-quality cooking apples and, if you can, fresh blackberries for the best flavor and texture. Here’s a quick rundown of the key players in these pies and why I picked them.

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: I like using firmer varieties that hold their shape and soften just right when cooked.
Golden caster sugar: Adds sweetness without overpowering the fruit and helps create a lovely caramelized note during cooking.
Blackberries: They bring a burst of juiciness and a beautiful dark color that contrasts perfectly with the apples.
Cornflour: This thickens the filling so it doesn’t spill out when baking.
Honey: Adds natural sweetness with a floral hint that pairs beautifully with cinnamon.
Ground cinnamon: The spice that ties everything together with warmth and a little aromatic depth.
Shortcrust pastry sheets: Easy to work with and bake into flaky, buttery cases for the filling.
Egg (beaten): Used for brushing, to give the pies a gorgeous golden finish and help seal the edges.
Caster sugar: Sprinkled on top after baking for a little crunch and sparkle.

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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 adaptable it is! You can easily tweak the filling or pastry touches to suit your taste or dietary needs, making each batch uniquely yours.

Gluten-Free Variation: I swapped the shortcrust pastry for a gluten-free version and found the pies just as flaky and delicious. Just handle the pastry gently as it’s a bit more fragile.
Seasonal Twist: During late summer, I love mixing in fresh raspberries with the blackberries for an even brighter burst of flavor that balances the warm cinnamon beautifully.
Vegan Option: Replace the beaten egg wash with a plant-based milk mixed with a touch of maple syrup to get that golden, glossy finish. The pies still turn out wonderful.

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: Cook the Apples to Tender Perfection

Start by placing the chopped apples in a small saucepan along with 50 g of golden caster sugar and 2 tablespoons of water. Cover it with a lid and let it simmer over medium heat for about 8 minutes. You'll know they're ready when the apples have softened to a tender, juicy texture. Then transfer them onto a shallow dish, spreading them out so they cool quickly and evenly—this cooldown helps keep the filling from making the pastry soggy later on.

Step 2: Mix Up That Aromatic Filling

In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornflour, 1 tablespoon of honey, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon until you have a smooth paste. Once the apple pieces have completely cooled, gently fold in the fresh or frozen blackberries. Drizzle over your cinnamon and honey mixture, then carefully stir everything together. This combination of spices and honey gives the filling its warm, inviting aroma and just the right hint of sweetness.

Step 3: Cut Out Your Pastry Circles

Unroll your shortcrust pastry sheets on a clean surface. Using a 10 cm round pastry cutter (or an upside-down ramekin or glass if you don’t have one), cut out 12 neat circles. This size is perfect for individual hand pies—easy to hold and share!

Step 4: Fill, Shape, and Seal Your Pies

Place a generous tablespoon of the fruit filling onto half of the pastry circles, keeping about a 1 cm border free around the edges. Use a pastry brush to paint beaten egg around this border—this acts as glue to seal your pies. Then gently place a plain circle on top, and with your fingers, create gentle dents at the top and bottom to shape them like tiny apples. Press the edges firmly all around with the prongs of a fork to seal completely—it helps prevent any juicy leaks while baking.

Step 5: Add Your Decorative Touches and Vent the Pies

Brush the entire surface of each pie with beaten egg to give them a beautiful golden finish once baked. Use any leftover pastry scraps to cut out small leaves and stalk shapes and gently stick them onto the pies using a bit of egg wash. Don’t forget to poke a small steam hole in the top of each pie with a skewer—this subtle step lets steam escape, preventing sogginess and ensuring a flaky crust.

Step 6: Chill and Bake to Golden Glory

Place your assembled pies on a baking sheet and chill them in the refrigerator for about 1 hour. This rest helps the pastry relax and prevents shrinking when baked. If you’re short on time, you can bake them right away, but chilling really makes a difference. You can also freeze the pies at this stage for up to 3 months. When ready, preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Bake the pies for 20 minutes, or until they’re beautifully golden and the filling is bubbling through the steam holes. If baking from frozen, add an extra 5 to 10 minutes to the cooking time.

Step 7: Sweet Finish and Serving Suggestions

Once out of the oven, sprinkle each pie with a tablespoon of caster sugar for a delicate crunch and extra sweetness. Serve your delicious hand pies warm with a generous dollop of cream or custard—perfect for cozy afternoons or dessert after a comforting meal. Enjoy every flaky, juicy bite!

Top Tip

Mastering these Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies is all about the little details that make your baking shine and your pies taste irresistible!

Keep Your Pastry Chilled: From experience, chilling the assembled pies for at least an hour before baking ensures the shortcrust pastry stays crisp and flaky—don't skip this step!
Balance the Sweetness: Using both honey and golden caster sugar gives the filling a lovely depth. I found that tweaking the amount of sugar depending on the sweetness of the blackberries really keeps the flavors balanced.
Seal with Care: Pressing the edges firmly with a fork helps prevent any filling from leaking out during baking—plus, it gives your pies a charming rustic look.
Don’t Overfill: I learned the hard way that a heaping tablespoon filling is perfect—overstuffing can cause the pies to burst or bake unevenly.

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

These hand pies are delightful on their own but garnishing them enhances their charm. A simple dusting of caster sugar right after baking adds a gentle crunch and sparkle. For warm, cozy vibes, drizzle a little warm honey or a light caramel sauce over the top just before serving. Fresh mint leaves or a sprinkling of cinnamon powder can add a lovely aroma and subtle pop of color.

Side Dishes

To really turn these pies into a comforting treat, serve them with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, silky custard, or vanilla ice cream. For a brunch or tea-time twist, a few slices of sharp cheddar cheese or a tangy crème fraîche on the side complements the sweetness beautifully. Warm mulled apple cider or a fragrant chai tea pair perfectly for a relaxing autumn-inspired snack.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies keep beautifully in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To enjoy them later, just warm gently in the oven to bring back that lovely flaky texture and heated filling.

Freezing

You can freeze the pies right after assembling and chilling them for up to 3 months. Freeze them on a baking tray first until solid, then transfer to a freezer bag or airtight container. When ready to bake, thaw them overnight in the fridge or bake straight from frozen—just add 5 to 10 minutes extra baking time.

Reheating

To reheat, place the pies in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius (fan) for around 10 minutes until warmed through and the pastry crisps up again. Avoid microwaving if possible, as this can make the pastry soggy.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use frozen blackberries for this recipe?

Absolutely! Frozen blackberries work just as well as fresh ones. Just make sure to thaw and drain them slightly to avoid excess moisture in the filling.

What type of apples are best for the filling?

Cooking apples like Bramley or Granny Smith are ideal because they hold their shape well and have a nice tang that balances the sweetness of the blackberries and honey.

Can I make these pies gluten-free?

You can substitute the shortcrust pastry with a gluten-free version, but be mindful that texture might be slightly different. Make sure to follow the freezing and chilling steps for best results with gluten-free dough.

How do I prevent the filling from leaking during baking?

Ensure that you seal the edges very well with the beaten egg wash and avoid overfilling each pie. Poking a small steam hole on top also helps release pressure and reduces leaks.

Final Thoughts

These Spiced Apple Blackberry Hand Pies are a cozy, satisfying way to brighten any day with a burst of autumn flavors. Whether you’re sharing them at a gathering or enjoying a quiet moment with a warm cuppa, the golden crust and juicy, spiced filling never fail to bring smiles. I hope this recipe brings you as much joy in the kitchen as it does on the plate—happy baking!