Get ready to transform your ordinary hand pies into a Halloween masterpiece that's both adorable and mouthwatering! These Jack O'Lantern Ham and Swiss Hand Pies are the perfect blend of festive fun and gourmet comfort food. Imagine biting into a flaky, golden crust with a playful carved face, revealing a savory filling of tender ham and melty Swiss cheese that'll make your taste buds dance with delight. Whether you're hosting a Halloween party or just craving a unique twist on a classic hand pie, this recipe is about to become your new seasonal obsession!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 6 hand pies
Ingredients
- 1 package refrigerated pie crusts
- 1 cup diced ham
- 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent the hand pies from sticking.
- Unroll the refrigerated pie crusts on a clean, flat surface. Use a rolling pin to gently roll out each crust to ensure they are slightly thinner, which will make for a flakier hand pie.
- Using a round cutter or a glass, cut out circles from the pie crusts. Aim for about 5-6 inches in diameter. You should get about 12 circles total, enough for 6 hand pies.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the diced ham, shredded Swiss cheese, and Dijon mustard. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly coated with the mustard.
- Place a generous tablespoon of the ham and cheese mixture in the center of half of the pie crust circles, leaving about a 1-inch border around the edges.
- Brush the edges of the filled pie crust circles with the beaten egg. This will help seal the hand pies and give them a nice golden color when baked.
- Top each filled circle with another pie crust circle, pressing down gently to seal the edges. You can use a fork to crimp the edges for a decorative touch and to ensure they are sealed well.
- Using a sharp knife, cut a few small slits in the top of each hand pie to allow steam to escape during baking. You can also use a knife to carve simple jack-o'-lantern faces for a festive touch.
- Place the hand pies on the prepared baking sheet. Brush the tops with the remaining beaten egg to give them a beautiful golden finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the hand pies are golden brown and flaky.
- Once baked, remove the hand pies from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your Jack O'Lantern Ham and Swiss Hand Pies warm!
Tips
- Keep your pie crust cold: Refrigerated pie crusts work best when they're still slightly chilled, which helps create those perfect, flaky layers.
- Don't overfill: A generous tablespoon of filling is ideal. Overfilling can cause the pies to burst during baking.
- Seal carefully: Use a fork to crimp the edges and ensure no filling escapes during baking.
- Get creative with faces: Use a sharp paring knife to create different jack-o'-lantern expressions. Some might look scared, some might look silly – that's the fun of it!
- Egg wash is your friend: A good egg wash not only helps seal the pies but gives them that beautiful golden-brown color that makes them irresistible.
- Let them rest: Allow the hand pies to cool for a few minutes after baking. This helps the filling set and prevents burnt tongues!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 15g
Fat: 20g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Cholesterol: 55mg
