When the crisp air rolls in and your kitchen starts to smell like cinnamon and brown sugar, you know fall baking season is officially here. These Glazed Sweet Potato Hand Pies are the perfect handheld treat—flaky, buttery pastry filled with a velvety, spiced sweet potato center, and finished with a vanilla glaze that adds just the right touch of sweetness. Whether you’re serving them for a holiday gathering, brunch, or just an afternoon snack, they’re guaranteed to bring comfort and joy.
💛 Why I Love This Recipe
There’s something nostalgic and homey about baking with sweet potatoes. They’re earthy, naturally sweet, and pair so well with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and a hint of ginger. These hand pies are:
- Easy to make ahead
- Portable and mess-free
- Kid-friendly and freezer-friendly
- A perfect alternative to pumpkin pie or traditional pie slices
They’re like sweet potato pie meets pop tart—but more rustic and infinitely more delicious.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold & cubed
- 6–8 tbsp ice water
For the Sweet Potato Filling:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, cooked & mashed
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground ginger (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- Pinch of salt
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk (adjust for consistency)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
🔄 Ingredient Swaps and Notes
- Butter Substitute: Use vegan butter for a dairy-free version.
- Make it Spicier: Add a pinch of clove or cardamom.
- Filling Shortcut: Canned sweet potato puree works in a pinch.
- Gluten-Free: Swap the flour for a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
👨🍳 How to Make Glazed Sweet Potato Hand Pies
1. Make the Dough
- In a large bowl, whisk flour, sugar, and salt.
- Cut in butter until the mixture forms pea-sized crumbs.
- Add ice water one tablespoon at a time until the dough just comes together.
- Form into a disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the Filling
- In a bowl, mix mashed sweet potato, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, vanilla, butter, and salt until smooth.
3. Assemble the Hand Pies
- Roll chilled dough to ⅛-inch thickness.
- Use a 4–5 inch cutter to make circles.
- Spoon filling into the center, fold over, and crimp with a fork.
- Brush with egg wash for golden tops.
4. Bake
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake pies on a parchment-lined baking sheet for 20–25 minutes until golden.
5. Glaze
- While still warm, whisk glaze ingredients and drizzle or dip the pies.
- Let the glaze set before serving.
🧑🍳 Tips for Success
- Chill your dough—warm butter = soggy crust.
- Don’t overfill or your hand pies may burst.
- Use a fork dipped in flour to prevent sticking when crimping.
- Let the pies cool slightly before glazing so it doesn’t melt right off.
🍂 Serving Suggestions and Pairings
Serve these with:
- A warm mug of Pumpkin Spice Muffins for a cozy brunch spread
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of caramel sauce for dessert
- A cup of hot cider or chai latte
🧊 Storage and Leftovers
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days.
- Refrigerate up to 5 days.
- Freeze unglazed pies before baking and bake directly from frozen—just add 5 extra minutes.
🍪 More Recipes You’ll Love
- These Caramel Apple Pie Cookies – Another cozy, handheld dessert for fall!
- The Best Peanut Butter Brownies I’ve Ever Made – Decadent and fudgy with rich nutty flavor.
- These Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites – Perfect for when you want just a nibble.
- These Cake Mix Cookies – The easiest cookies ever with endless variation.
📝 Final Thoughts
These Glazed Sweet Potato Hand Pies are the definition of fall baking bliss. Flaky pastry, warm spiced filling, and a simple vanilla glaze combine to make a rustic treat that’s beautiful, crave-worthy, and crowd-pleasing.
Let me know if you try it—tag @chefmaniac or leave a comment below with your twist on it!
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