Saskatoon Berry Hand Pies

I told you I had more plans for all the berries we picked! There are still so many of them too on the bushes. We went out again tonight as a family, and our poor little man got bit by a bunch of mud wasps. We ended our family excursion after that, then I went back out once the kids were asleep and picked more. I am loving gathering from the natural landscape and growth that we are blessed with. Such a bounty this year!

I didn't really want to make a traditional pie, so I decided to make some hand pies. These personal sized pies are great for portion control, and are the perfect size to easily take with you on a picnic. Plus I just think personal sized anything is cute, I am weird like that. 

Saskatoon Berry Hand Pies

Ingredients:

Pie Crust:

2 3/4 cups of all purpose flour
1 teaspoon of salt
1/2 pound of cold pure lard
1 large egg
1 tablespoon of white vinegar
2/3 cup of ice cold water

Saskatoon Berry Filling:

2 cups of Saskatoon berries
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1/4 cup of flour
1 tablespoon of corn starch
2 teaspoons of cinnamon
1 egg
2 tablespoons of water
white sugar for sprinkling 

Directions:

Place a large metal bowl in the freezer for 30 minutes before making the pie crust, this helps all the ingredients stay cold. Remove the bowl, add flour and salt, stir.

Cut the lard into 1 inch chunks and then with a pastry blender or two forks, blend in the lard until it has pea sized balls in it.

Mix together the water, egg and vinegar in a mixing cup. Pour a tablespoon of the wet ingredients at a time into the dry ingredients. With a fork mix it together, when the dough comes together easily when pressed together with your hands then it is done.

Remove the dough and form into a dish, wrap in plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 2 hours.

When you are ready to bake the hand pies, preheat the oven to 400F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. 

In a medium sized bowl, mix together all the filling ingredients and toss together to evenly coat the berries. 

Remove the pie dough, and on a well floured surface roll out the dough until it is 1/4 inch thick. With a knife or pastry cutter, cut the dough into 4 inch by 3 inch rectangles. Repeat with the second disk of dough.

In a small bowl mix together the egg and water, this makes an egg wash which will give the crust a beautiful crunch and golden colour. 

Take a spoonful of the filling and place in the center of one rectangle, with a pastry brush dip it into the egg wash and lightly wet the edges of the dough. Place another piece of dough on top and with a fork press the edges together to seal the filling in.

Cut two small slices in the center of the hand pie, this helps release air while baking. Brush the top with egg wash, and then sprinkle on some white sugar all over the top of the pie.

Repeat all the steps until all the dough is used up. Place the filled hand pies onto the prepared baking sheet and place in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the dough is golden brown.

Remove the hand pies and allow to cool for 15 minutes before enjoying them. You can serve with a side of ice cream or you can just eat them straight up.

Pie is something that is very loved around the ranch. My husband loves pie and so does my Father in law. Actually every year for Fathers Day I make my husband and Father in law a pie, it is their special pies. These little beauties are being packed up tonight and being taken up to Sylvan lake this weekend where we are enjoying some family time and celebrating my amazing sister in laws Birthday. She will be 22 this year so now I can sing Taylor Swifts "22" to her! 

Happy Baking! Have a great weekend everyone! 

What is your favourite flavour of pie?

Saskatoon Berry Hand Pies