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Winter Comfort Mitten Pies Recipe

4.8 from 143 reviews

Winter Comfort Mitten Pies are delightful hand-held pastries filled with a warm, spiced fruit filling wrapped in flaky pie dough. Perfect for cozy winter days, these charming mitten-shaped pies combine a comforting blend of sweet and spiced flavors baked to golden perfection.

Ingredients

Scale

Pie Dough

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup cold unsalted butter, diced
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 68 tablespoons ice water

Spiced Fruit Filling

  • 3 cups mixed fruit (such as apple, pear, and cranberry), peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Topping

  • 1 tablespoon milk, for brushing
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pie Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in the cold, diced butter using a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough begins to come together. Form the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill for at least 1 hour.
  2. Make the Spiced Fruit Filling: In a medium bowl, mix the chopped fruit with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, lemon juice, and cornstarch until well combined. Set aside.
  3. Roll Out the Dough: On a floured surface, roll out one disc of chilled dough to about 1/8 inch thickness. Using a mitten-shaped cookie cutter or a template, cut out an even number of shapes for the pies.
  4. Fill and Assemble the Pies: Place a spoonful of the spiced fruit filling onto half of the dough mittens, leaving a small border around the edges. Brush the edges with a little water, then top with another dough mitten. Press edges firmly to seal, using a fork to crimp if desired.
  5. Prepare for Baking: Place the assembled mitten pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops with milk and sprinkle with sugar to add a golden, sweet crust.
  6. Bake the Pies: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the mitten pies for 20-25 minutes or until the dough is golden brown and flaky. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

  • For best results, use cold butter and ice water when making the pie dough to achieve a flaky texture.
  • You can customize the fruit filling with your favorite winter fruits like apples, pears, cranberries, or even dried fruits.
  • If you do not have a mitten-shaped cutter, create a paper template to cut out shapes with a knife.
  • These pies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days or frozen before baking for later use.
  • Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence.

Keywords: Winter Comfort Mitten Pies, mitten-shaped pies, spiced fruit pies, hand pies, winter desserts