Sweet Valentine’s Chocolate Hand Pies Recipe: Love in Every Bite

Love blossoms in the kitchen with these delightful Valentine’s chocolate hand pies that promise pure romance.

Delicate pastry embraces rich, velvety chocolate in every bite.

Sweet and intimate, these miniature desserts capture the essence of affection.

Flaky crusts and decadent fillings create a dessert perfect for sharing with someone special.

Each hand pie tells a story of passion and culinary creativity.

Baking these treats becomes an act of love, transforming simple ingredients into a memorable Valentine’s Day experience.

Surprise your sweetheart with this irresistible homemade dessert that speaks directly to the heart.

Romantic Valentines Chocolate Hand Pies

• Boost Tropical Flavors: Combine classic carrot cake with sweet pineapple for a delightful twist that transforms an ordinary dessert into a Hawaiian-inspired treat.
• Craft Family-Friendly Delight: Perfect for gatherings, potlucks, and celebrations where everyone from kids to grandparents can enjoy a slice of moist, delectable cake.
• Sneak in Nutritious Ingredients: Packed with carrots and walnuts, this cake offers a sneaky way to incorporate vegetables and nuts into a crowd-pleasing dessert.
• Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows optional additions like chopped walnuts or variations in spices to suit personal taste preferences and dietary needs.

Ingredients Needed For Valentines Chocolate Hand Pies

• All-Purpose Flour: A key component that provides structure for the chocolate hand pies.
• Cocoa Powder: Adds rich chocolate flavor to the pie crust.
• Granulated Sugar: Enhances the sweetness of the dough.
• Salt: Balances and highlights the other flavors in the pie crust.
• Cold Butter: Creates a flaky texture in the pie dough.
• Cold Milk: Helps bind the dough together and create a smooth consistency.

• Semi-Sweet Chocolate: The primary flavor base for the hand pie filling.
• Heavy Cream: Creates a smooth and creamy chocolate ganache.
• Peanut Butter (Optional): Adds a nutty richness to the chocolate filling.

• Egg Wash: Provides a golden shine and helps seal the pie edges.
• Coarse Sugar: Adds a decorative and crunchy topping to the hand pies.
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate, Vegetable Oil: Used for creating a drizzle topping.
• Peanut Butter (Optional): Can be added to the chocolate drizzle for extra creaminess.

Baking Instructions For Chocolate Hand Pies

Step 1: Whip Up the Chocolate Dough

Grab your food processor and toss in flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Drop in cold butter and pulse until the mixture looks like crumbly pebbles.

Slowly pour cold milk while mixing until a smooth dough forms. Divide the dough into two portions, wrap them snugly in plastic wrap, and let them chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours.

Step 2: Create Decadent Chocolate Filling

Pour steaming heavy cream over finely chopped semi-sweet chocolate. Stir gently until the mixture becomes silky smooth.

Optional: Swirl in peanut butter for extra richness. Let the filling rest and thicken for about 15 minutes.

Step 3: Shape Lovely Heart Cutouts

Pull out the chilled dough and roll it on a flour-dusted surface. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to create adorable 3-inch heart shapes.

Pop the hearts back into the refrigerator to keep them cool.

Step 4: Assemble Dreamy Hand Pies

Brush egg wash along the edges of half the heart shapes.

Spoon a dollop of chocolate filling in the center of each heart. Top with remaining hearts and press edges together with a fork to create a perfect seal.

Brush the tops with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar for a sparkly finish.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Heat the oven to 400F.

Slide the hand pies onto a baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes until edges are set and tops turn a beautiful golden brown. Allow them to cool for about 10 minutes.

Step 6: Add Luxurious Chocolate Drizzle

Melt remaining semi-sweet chocolate with a touch of oil in the microwave or on the stovetop. Optional: Stir in peanut butter for an extra creamy drizzle.

Artfully drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled hand pies.

Step 7: Serve with Love

Once the chocolate drizzle sets, these romantic hand pies are ready to delight!

Perfect for sharing on Valentine’s Day or any moment that calls for a sweet surprise.

Tips For Flaky Valentines Chocolate Hand Pies

• Cold butter and milk create a flaky, tender crust, so resist the temptation to rush the chilling process. Two hours in the refrigerator ensures your pastry will be perfectly textured.
• Use just a small amount of chocolate filling to avoid overflow during baking. Too much filling can cause messy, bursting hand pies that lose their shape.
• While heart-shaped cutters are perfect for Valentine's Day, you can use other cutters for different occasions. Round or square shapes work equally well for these delightful chocolate hand pies.
• Brush egg wash carefully around the edges to create a perfect seal. This helps prevent filling from leaking and gives the pies a beautiful golden-brown shine when baked.

Creative Twists On Valentines Chocolate Hand Pies

• Raspberry Romance Variation: Replace chocolate filling with raspberry jam and cream cheese, creating a fruity, tangy alternative perfect for berry lovers.
• Salted Caramel Twist: Swap chocolate filling with homemade salted caramel, adding a rich and decadent flavor profile to the hand pies.
• Gluten-Free Chocolate Lovers: Use gluten-free flour blend and almond flour instead of regular flour, maintaining the same chocolatey goodness for those with dietary restrictions.
• Vegan Valentine's Treat: Substitute butter with coconut oil, use plant-based milk, replace egg wash with plant-based milk, and use dairy-free chocolate for a completely vegan version of the hand pies.

Pairing Ideas For Chocolate Hand Pies

• Romantic Wine Pairing: Select a bold red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot to complement the rich chocolate flavor, enhancing the dessert's decadent notes and creating a luxurious tasting experience.
• Creamy Coffee Companion: Brew a smooth espresso or cappuccino to balance the sweetness of the hand pies, providing a warm contrast and cutting through the chocolate's intensity with its robust profile.
• Fruity Cocktail Match: Mix a raspberry martini or strawberry daiquiri that echoes the romantic Valentine's theme, offering a light, refreshing counterpoint to the dense chocolate hand pies and adding a playful touch to dessert.
• Dessert Wine Delight: Pour a sweet Port or Moscato, whose honeyed undertones and smooth texture will beautifully harmonize with the chocolate filling, creating an indulgent pairing perfect for intimate moments.

Keeping Valentines Chocolate Hand Pies Fresh

• Store hand pies in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate shape.
• Wrap individual hand pies tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 2 months for long-term storage without losing flavor or texture.
• Thaw frozen hand pies in the refrigerator overnight. Warm at 325F for 8-10 minutes until heated through, ensuring crispy edges and melted chocolate center.
• Reheat refrigerated hand pies for 15-20 seconds on medium power. Check temperature and avoid overheating to prevent soggy crust.

FAQs

• Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the chocolate dough up to 2 days in advance and store it wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator. This helps the dough develop better flavor and makes the process more convenient.

• Is it possible to use dark chocolate instead of semi-sweet?

Absolutely! Dark chocolate works perfectly and will give the hand pies a more intense chocolate flavor. Just ensure you use high-quality chocolate for the best results.

• Do I need any special equipment to make these hand pies?

A heart-shaped cookie cutter is helpful but not mandatory. You can also use a knife to cut heart shapes or use a regular round cutter. A food processor makes mixing the dough easier, but you can also mix by hand.

Valentines Chocolate Hand Pies Recipe

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4.5 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 48 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet hearts melt with these Valentine’s chocolate hand pies, perfectly combining flaky pastry and rich chocolate for a romantic dessert. Delicate crimped edges and rich cocoa filling promise an intimate culinary moment you’ll savor completely.

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Ingredients

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Pie Dough:

• 2 1/4 cups (281g) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (226g) cold unsalted butter, cubed
• 1/4 cup (21g) unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons (24g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (120ml) cold milk or heavy cream

Chocolate Filling:

• 4 ounces (113g) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons (31g) creamy peanut butter

Topping and Assembly:

• 2 ounces (57g) semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter (16g)
• 1 teaspoon canola or vegetable oil
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 2 tablespoons coarse sugar

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Instructions

1. Craft a delicate chocolate dough by pulsing flour, cocoa, sugar, salt, and chilled butter in a food processor until crumbly. Incorporate cold milk gradually to form a cohesive mixture.
2. Separate the dough into two portions, encase in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2 hours to enhance texture and flavor.
3. Create a luxurious chocolate ganache by pouring scalding heavy cream over chopped semi-sweet chocolate. Stir until silky smooth, incorporating optional peanut butter. Allow the filling to rest and thicken for 15 minutes.
4. On a floured surface, roll out the chilled dough and cut into 3-inch heart shapes using a specialized cutter. Return the delicate hearts to the refrigerator to maintain their shape.
5. Generously brush half the heart-shaped dough edges with egg wash. Carefully deposit a dollop of chocolate filling in the center of each prepared heart.
6. Crown each filled heart with a matching dough cutout, crimping edges firmly with a fork to create a tight seal. Brush the exterior with additional egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar for a glistening finish.
7. Preheat the oven to 400F. Arrange the assembled hand pies on a baking sheet and bake for 15-18 minutes until edges are crisp and golden brown.
8. Remove from oven and allow pies to cool for 10 minutes, permitting the filling to set and structure to stabilize.
9. Prepare a decadent chocolate drizzle by melting remaining semi-sweet chocolate with a touch of oil. Optional: Swirl in peanut butter for added richness.
10. Artfully drizzle the melted chocolate over the cooled hand pies, creating an elegant presentation perfect for romantic celebrations or indulgent moments.

Notes

• Chill the dough thoroughly to ensure a flaky, tender crust that doesn’t shrink during baking.
• Keep ingredients cold, especially butter and milk, to prevent the dough from becoming tough and maintain its delicate texture.
• Use a sharp heart-shaped cutter for clean edges that seal perfectly and create a professional-looking pastry.
• For gluten-free options, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add a pinch of xanthan gum to improve texture.
• Try alternative fillings like raspberry jam, caramel, or almond cream for variety in flavors.
• Prevent soggy bottoms by placing hand pies on a preheated baking sheet and ensuring the filling isn’t too runny.

• Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 18 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 11 g
• Sodium: 140 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 13 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.3 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 55 mg