Filled with a perfectly sweet and tangy lemon curd and finished with a sprinkling of sugar, Baked Lemon Hand Pies are adorable, yummy, and super easy to make.
My church throws baby showers the way I imagine a well-trained military unit conducts missions.
From the food sign-up list to the decorating to the gift-opening, every aspect of the shower is planned for and anticipated. J and I were the lucky recipients of a shower when we were pregnant with Q; she was our third baby, but our first as members of our church in Mississippi, so our church family celebrated with us. I don’t remember exactly what food was served (sausage balls were likely involved), but I can guarantee I went back for second (and probably wanted to go back for thirds).
We’ve thrown a few showers since then, and every time I volunteer to bring something sweet. Triple Chocolate Cupcakes and Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes were both shared at a church baby shower, and I made Oreo Cupcakes for a joint shower thrown for us at school (I made Strawberry Limeade Cupcakes for the shower first before discovering I had the day wrong…). Most recently, I made Strawberry-Filled Vanilla Cupcakes for a coworker’s shower.
There’s a clear cupcake trend there, but today, for a virtual baby shower honoring Madison from A Joyfully Mad Kitchen, I’m sharing these Baked Lemon Hand Pies instead. They’re super easy to make, and the bright citrus flavor pairs perfectly with the hint of crunch from the sugar sprinkled on top. Anything individually sized like these pies is adorable, but throw in delicious, too? They’re irresistible.
Baked Lemon Hand Pies
Ingredients
1 frozen (or fresh) pie crusts
1/2 cup lemon curd
1 egg
splash of water
1 tbs sugar
Instructions
Thaw pie crusts according to package instructions (or, if using homemade, prepare your own). Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Unroll/roll out pie crusts to a 9 to 10 inch diameter. Using a 2 1/2 inch round cookie cutter, cut circles in the dough. Place circles as close together as possible to maximize dough; you should get about 16 circles. Gather scraps, form them into a ball, roll it out, and cut more circles. Repeat this until you have 24 circles. It’ll be a stretch, and the last few circles will be pretty thin, but you can make it.
Place 12 of the circles on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Add a dollop of lemon curd to the center of each circle, about 1 1/2 – 2 teaspoons. Cover the lemon curd with another circle of dough and use a fork or the handle of a paring knife (that’s what I used in the photos used here) to seal the edges.
In a small bowl, beat together the egg and the water. Use a pastry brush to slather each pie with egg wash, and then use a knife to cut an “x” into the top of each hand pie. Sprinkle pies with sugar. Bake for 13-16 minutes, or until crusts are golden. Transfer to baked pies to a cooling rack and serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- This recipe comes together very quickly if you choose to use store-bought pie crust and lemon curd, but making your own takes it over the top!
Other Recipes You May Like
MORE BABY SHOWER RECIPES!
There are a few other great recipes at Madison’s shower! Don’t wait until the next baby shower to make these recipes; make them soon!
Raspberry Shortcake Biscuits from The Speckled Palate
Lavender Curd Filled Donuts from Cake ‘n Knife
Strawberry Bellinis from Off the Eaten Path
Chocolate Chip Snack Cake from A Savory Feast
These lemon hand pies look amazing!! They would be perfect for a baby shower 🙂
Thanks, Madison, and congrats on welcoming your adorable baby boy!
Lemon is always one of my favorite dessert flavors! I love that you made these into little mini desserts, which are always the best!
What is it about mini desserts that make them that much more fun and tasty?
Oh my gosh, I LOVE lemon curd. These hand pies are absolutely adorable. (Can you call a pie adorable?) Love, love, love it!
You certainly can when they look like this!
> My church throws baby showers the way I imagine a well-trained military unit conducts missions.
I don’t know… that sounds like a scary church!
“Private, head to the front and engage with deadly force! MOVE MOVE MOVE!!! TAKE NO PRISONERS!”
lol. I kid. Even with that sort of scene, I still might show up if the lemon pies are served. 😉
Look, I’m not saying the old ladies in my church are that militant, but I wouldn’t want to find out what would happen if someone forgot to make the punch…
Regardless, these pies are absolutely worth the risk of attending!
Lemon is one of the best flavors in any baking dish! I love that these are individual hand pies. I also love that you have such a supportive church and an amazing group of bloggers to give virtual showers. A great way to share super amazing recipes.
Thanks, Eileen! You’re right, I’m lucky to have such fun, supportive communities both online and in person!
If it’s made with lemon, it has to be good! Perfect for a baby shower or any type of party!
Ah, a fellow lemon-lover! Have a great week, Anne!
Lemon desserts are on top of my list! And these lemon hand pies look and sound so good!!
Thank you, Nicoletta!
These little hand pies look so yummy. I craved all things lemons in both of my pregnancies. I’ve heard other women who have had a similar experience so I think this recipe is just perfect for a baby shower!
I’ve always loved lemon, so I don’t remember craving it more during pregnancies, but I wouldn’t have turned down these pies at any point in my life!
I could not get enough lemon while I was pregnant. I would even freeze slices to suck on throughout the day!!! These cute little pies look just perfect for a baby shower and if the mommy to be is even slightly like I was, I’m sure she enjoyed them!
You’re right, Jennifer! A lemon-craving mama would go CRAZY for these hand pies.
I’ve never heard of hand pies before, but these are definitely going on my list for my next baby shower! I dont’ think I have it down to a science like your church though, haha.
Practice makes perfect 🙂 The guests at your next shower will love these pies!
All of that lemon looks so seriously delicious and I think theses are the perfect baby shower food! They also remind me of spring and I need all the spring in my life I can get right now!
Nothing is quite as springy to me as bright citrus flavors, especially lemon.
Lemon has to be one of the best flavors in my opinion, from savory to sweets…and yes, lemon pie is favorite dessert ever. I’ve never had lemon hand pies, but can only imagine how tasty they are…I can’t wait to try them out!
Lemon is one of my favorite flavors, and I’m a sucker for anything mini. So obviously these are a hit!
Oooooh, I love everything lemon – such a perfect spring flavor (and always so good for baby showers!). I laughed at your comment about your church handling baby showers with military precision – how wonderful to have such a great community!
Thanks, Julie! You’re right, it’s great to have such support.