Looking for a fun, spooky treat that’s both vegan and utterly delicious? These Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies are the perfect dessert for Halloween parties or a cozy fall snack. With a flaky puff pastry, a fresh blueberry filling, and a sweet lemon glaze, they not only taste amazing but also add a bit of charm to your seasonal baking. Whether you’re making them for a Halloween gathering or simply want a tasty way to enjoy blueberries, these hand pies are quick, easy, and sure to impress!
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Why These Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies Are a Must-Make
These Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies are bursting with flavor and are the ideal dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth this season. The pastry is light and flaky, and the blueberry filling is packed with fruity goodness, while the tangy lemon glaze adds an extra layer of flavor. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party, enjoying a casual brunch, or treating yourself to something special, these ghost-shaped hand pies are sure to be a hit. Plus, they’re made with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen, making them easy to whip up in no time.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
• Puff Pastry: Look for a vegan-friendly puff pastry. I recommend JusRoll, which is also gluten-free, but any brand that is vegan will work.
• Blueberries: Fresh or frozen blueberries work perfectly for the filling. A mix of both gives the filling texture and a burst of fruity flavor.
• Sugar: Use either granulated sugar or caster sugar to sweeten the blueberry filling and help the pastry crisp up nicely.
• Cornstarch: This ingredient thickens the filling, ensuring it doesn’t run while baking. Without it, the filling will be too watery.
• Lemon Juice: A squeeze of lemon adds a refreshing zing to both the glaze and the filling.
• Icing Sugar: Used to make a simple glaze that finishes off the pies with a sweet, glossy shine.
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions for Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
If you don’t have JusRoll vegan puff pastry, you can use any vegan puff pastry available at your local grocery store. For those with gluten sensitivity, make sure to choose a gluten-free variety. You can also swap out blueberries for other berries like blackberries or raspberries for a different twist on this recipe. For the glaze, if you’re looking for a non-lemon flavor, almond extract or vanilla can be used to complement the fruit.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan). Line two baking trays with grease-proof paper.
- Unroll the puff pastry and slightly flatten it out with a rolling pin. Use a ghost-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the shapes. Save the leftover pastry scraps for extra shapes.
- For half of the ghosts, use a small round piping nozzle to create eyes and a mouth on the top half of each ghost.
- Transfer the ghost-shaped pastries to the fridge for 5 minutes to chill.
- In a medium saucepan, combine blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens and becomes a jam-like consistency. This should take about 5-8 minutes.
- Once the filling has thickened, allow it to cool for a few minutes before spooning it onto the ghost shapes that do not have faces.
- Brush the edges of the pastry with a little water, then place the ghost top with the face over the filling. Press down the edges gently to seal them, and use a fork to crimp the edges.
- Brush the tops of the hand pies with dairy-free milk and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Allow the pies to cool slightly on the tray before transferring them to a wire rack.
- In a bowl, combine icing sugar with a little lemon juice to make a glaze. Drizzle the glaze over the cooled hand pies and let it set for a few minutes.
- Serve and enjoy!
Tips & Tricks for Perfect Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
• Be careful not to overfill the hand pies. Adding too much blueberry filling can cause it to leak out during baking.
• Make sure the edges are sealed tightly to prevent the filling from oozing out.
• For a fun twist, consider decorating the faces on the ghost hand pies with vegan-friendly edible markers for an extra spooky touch.
• These hand pies are best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving.
Pairing Ideas and Variations
These Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies are delicious on their own, but they also pair well with a variety of drinks and sides. Serve them alongside a pumpkin spice latte or a warm cup of apple cider for the ultimate fall treat. If you want to switch up the flavor, try using a mix of berries or even a sweet apple filling. For an extra touch, you can serve them with a dollop of dairy-free whipped cream or a scoop of vegan vanilla ice cream.
These hand pies also make a great gift for friends and family during the Halloween season. Wrap them up in cute paper or a small box to share the spooky fun!
Health Benefits of Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
Blueberries are not only delicious but also packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C. This makes these Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies a healthier treat compared to other sugary desserts. Additionally, using a plant-based puff pastry ensures that the recipe is both dairy-free and egg-free, making it suitable for a variety of dietary needs.
In conclusion, these Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies are a must-try this Halloween season. With their flaky, golden pastry, juicy blueberry filling, and sweet lemon glaze, they’re the perfect spooky treat for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for a party or just want a fun snack, these hand pies are easy to make, delicious to eat, and sure to impress. Happy baking!
Conclusion: Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies – A Spooky and Delicious Treat
In conclusion, these Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies are the perfect combination of spooky fun and delicious flavor, making them a standout dessert for any occasion. With their flaky puff pastry, sweet blueberry filling, and tangy lemon glaze, these hand pies are sure to become a favorite in your Halloween recipe repertoire. Easy to make, fun to decorate, and utterly delightful to eat, they offer the perfect balance of texture and taste. Whether you’re sharing them at a Halloween party or indulging in a cozy treat at home, these ghost-shaped pastries are sure to impress everyone who tries them. So, grab your ingredients and start baking — these Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies will make your Halloween celebrations even sweeter!
FAQs: Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
1. Can I use store-bought puff pastry for these vegan hand pies?
Yes, you can absolutely use store-bought puff pastry! Just ensure that it is vegan-friendly. Brands like JusRoll offer both vegan and gluten-free puff pastry, making them a great option for this recipe.
2. Can I make the filling ahead of time?
Yes, you can make the blueberry filling ahead of time. Allow it to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. Simply reheat before using in the hand pies.
3. How can I make these hand pies gluten-free?
To make these Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies gluten-free, simply use a gluten-free puff pastry. JusRoll offers a gluten-free version that works perfectly for this recipe.
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Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
- Total Time: 33 minutes
- Yield: 12 hand pies 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies are the perfect spooky treat for Halloween, combining a flaky puff pastry, a sweet blueberry filling, and a tangy lemon glaze. They are easy to make and ideal for parties or cozy fall snacking.
Ingredients
- 2 sheets of vegan puff pastry (use JusRoll or another vegan-friendly brand)
- 100g of fresh or frozen blueberries
- 50g of caster or granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch (cornflour)
- 2 teaspoons of lemon juice
- 50g of icing sugar
- Extra sugar for sprinkling on top
- Dairy-free milk for brushing
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (fan) and line two baking trays with greaseproof paper.
- Unroll the puff pastry and flatten it slightly with a rolling pin. Cut out ghost shapes using a cookie cutter.
- For half of the ghosts, cut out eyes and mouths with a piping nozzle.
- Chill the ghost shapes in the fridge for 5 minutes.
- In a medium saucepan, combine blueberries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat until the mixture thickens and becomes jam-like. Let it cool.
- Spoon the blueberry filling onto the uncut ghost shapes.
- Brush the edges of the pastry with water, place the ghost shapes with faces on top, and press the edges to seal them.
- Crimp the edges with a fork to prevent the filling from leaking out.
- Brush the tops with dairy-free milk and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake for 15-18 minutes or until golden and flaky.
- Allow the pies to cool slightly, then drizzle with a glaze made from icing sugar and lemon juice. Let it set for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
- Do not overfill the pies to prevent spilling during baking.
- Use gluten-free puff pastry if needed for a gluten-free version.
- These hand pies are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 1-2 days.
- You can make the blueberry filling ahead of time and store it in the fridge.
- For a fun variation, try different fillings like mixed berries or apples.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Halloween Treat
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hand pie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 5mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
