Print

Winter Comfort Mitten Pies Recipe

4.5 from 111 reviews

Winter Comfort Mitten Pies are a cozy and festive treat perfect for the cold season. These hand-sized pies feature a flaky pie dough filled with a warm, spiced fruit mixture that combines sweet and tart flavors for a comforting dessert or snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Pie Dough

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1/4 cup ice water
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp sugar

Spiced Fruit Filling

  • 3 cups mixed fruit (such as apples, pears, and cranberries), peeled and chopped
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch

Additional Ingredients

  • 1 egg (for egg wash)
  • 1 tbsp sugar (for sprinkling)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pie Dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Cut in cold butter with a pastry cutter or your hands until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, mixing until the dough just comes together. Form dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  2. Make the Spiced Fruit Filling: In a medium bowl, toss the chopped fruit with sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, lemon juice, and cornstarch until well coated. Set aside to marinate.
  3. Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll out one disc of dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Use a mitten-shaped cookie cutter or a similarly sized round cutter to cut out pieces for the bottom of the pies.
  4. Fill the Pies: Place a spoonful of the spiced fruit filling onto each dough piece, leaving space around the edges. Roll out the second disc of dough and cut out matching shapes for the tops. Place a top dough piece over the filling, pressing edges firmly to seal.
  5. Prepare for Baking: Place the pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Beat the egg and brush the tops with the egg wash. Sprinkle with a little sugar for a crunchy, sweet finish.
  6. Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the pies for 25-30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and flaky.
  7. Cool and Serve: Remove from oven and allow pies to cool slightly on a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature for a delightful winter comfort treat.

Notes

  • For added texture, try mixing in chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans into the filling.
  • You can substitute the fruit filling with pumpkin or sweet potato puree spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg for a seasonal twist.
  • Ensure the dough and butter stay cold for the flakiest crust.
  • These pies can be made ahead and frozen before baking; bake directly from the freezer, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.

Keywords: mitten pies, winter dessert, spiced fruit pies, flaky pie crust, handheld pies, cozy treats