Halloween baking? I’m *so* here for it! And this year, we’re kicking things off with the spookiest, cutest, and tastiest treat ever: Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies! Seriously, these little guys are so easy to make, even my toddler can “help” (mostly he just eats the blueberries, haha!). But that’s the beauty of it, right? These Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies are totally vegan-friendly, which means everyone can enjoy a little Halloween magic. Forget complicated recipes – these are all about fun and flavor. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become a Halloween tradition!
Why You’ll Love These Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
Okay, so why *these* hand pies? Let me tell you! They’re:
Quick and Easy Halloween Treat
Seriously, who has time for complicated baking when there are costumes to plan? These come together in a snap! Perfect for a busy weeknight. I promise!
Deliciously Vegan
Yep, totally vegan! No butter, no eggs, no dairy drama. Everyone gets to enjoy a spooky treat, no exceptions. And trust me, you won’t even miss the dairy!
Spooktacular Fun for All Ages
Kids *love* these! And honestly, so do adults. Who can resist a cute little ghost filled with yummy blueberry goodness? It’s Halloween happiness in every bite!
Ingredients for Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
Alright, let’s gather our spooky supplies! You’ll need: 1 package (14.1 ounces) vegan pie crusts, thawed (store-bought is totally fine!), 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries (I usually use frozen!), 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1 tablespoon lemon juice (fresh is best!), 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for that warm, cozy vibe), vegan milk for brushing (almond, soy, oat – whatever you like!), and turbinado sugar for sprinkling (for that extra sparkle!). Easy peasy!
How to Make Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies: Step-by-Step Instructions
Okay, here’s the fun part! Let’s get these ghostly goodies going. Don’t worry, it’s easier than it looks. I promise you’ll be munching on spooky treats in no time!
Preparing the Blueberry Filling for Your Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
First, grab a medium saucepan. Toss in your blueberries (fresh or frozen, doesn’t matter!), granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Now, cook it all over medium heat, stirring *constantly*. You’ll see the blueberries start to burst and the mixture will thicken up. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes. You want it nice and gloopy, like jam. Remove it from the heat and let it cool a bit. We don’t want to melt the pie crust later!
Cutting and Filling the Ghost Shapes
Unroll your vegan pie crusts on a lightly floured surface. This keeps them from sticking. Now, grab your ghost-shaped cookie cutter and cut out as many ghost shapes as you can! Place half of the ghost shapes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (trust me, parchment paper is your friend!). Spoon a dollop of that yummy blueberry filling onto the center of each ghost, but leave about a 1/2-inch border. We need room to seal them up!
Baking Your Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
Top each filled ghost with another ghost-shaped pie crust. Now, grab a fork and crimp the edges all the way around to seal them. This keeps the filling from oozing out while they bake. Brush the tops with your vegan milk (this helps them get golden brown) and sprinkle with turbinado sugar for that extra sparkle. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until they’re golden brown and gorgeous. Let them cool slightly before serving…if you can wait that long!
Tips for Perfect Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
Want to make sure your Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies are a total success? Here are a few little tricks I’ve learned along the way!
First, don’t overfill those little ghosts! Too much filling, and it’ll definitely leak out during baking. A nice, generous spoonful is perfect.
Also, make sure you really crimp those edges well with a fork. Press firmly! Leaky pies are sad pies!
If you’re using frozen blueberries, sometimes they release a little extra juice. No worries! Just add an extra tiny pinch of cornstarch to the filling to thicken it up. Easy fix!
Finally, keep an eye on them in the oven. Every oven is different, so yours might bake a little faster or slower. You’re looking for that beautiful golden-brown color. And hey, even if they’re not perfect, they’ll still taste amazing!
Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies Variations
Okay, so you’ve mastered the basic Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies? Awesome! Now it’s time to get a little wild and creative! These little ghosts are super versatile, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
Instead of blueberry, how about a spooky strawberry filling? Or maybe some ghostly green apple? You could even add a pinch of nutmeg or some orange zest to the filling for a different vibe. Yum!
And what about decorations? Get some vegan-friendly icing and give those ghosts some spooky faces! Or use some edible glitter for extra sparkle. My favorite part is letting the kids decorate – even if it gets a little messy (oops!). You can even use different cookie cutters – bats, pumpkins, whatever screams “Halloween” to you!
Trust me, the possibilities are endless! So go ahead, get creative, and make these Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies your own!
Frequently Asked Questions About Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
Got questions about making these spooky treats? Don’t worry, I’ve got answers! Here are a few of the most common questions I get about my Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies:
Can I use a different type of fruit in my hand pies? Absolutely! While blueberry is classic, these work great with almost any fruit. Apple, strawberry, raspberry…go wild! Just adjust the sugar to taste, depending on how sweet the fruit is.
Can I make these Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies ahead of time? You bet! You can assemble the pies and keep them in the fridge *before* baking for up to 24 hours. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time. Or, you can bake them and then freeze them. Just let them thaw completely before serving. They’re still yummy!
How do I prevent the filling from leaking out? Ah, the dreaded leak! Make sure to crimp those edges *really* well with a fork. And don’t overfill them! A little filling goes a long way. If you’re still worried, you can brush the edges with a little vegan egg wash (aquafaba works great!) before crimping. That’ll help seal them up tight.
My pie crust is cracking! What do I do? Pie crust can be finicky! Make sure you’re using a good quality vegan pie crust, and don’t overwork it. If it starts to crack, just gently press it back together with your fingers. It’ll be okay! These are supposed to be spooky, right? A few cracks just add to the charm!
Nutritional Information for Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies
Okay, so you want to know about the nutrition? Fair enough! Just remember, these are treats, and the numbers below are estimates. Brands and ingredients vary, so this isn’t an exact science, okay?
Enjoyed This Recipe?
If you loved these Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies as much as my family does, let me know! Leave a comment, give the recipe a rating, and share it with your friends. Happy Halloween baking!
Print
Scary Good Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies in 20 Minutes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 hand pies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Vegan Blueberry Ghost Hand Pies are a spooky and delicious treat for Halloween. They’re easy to make and perfect for kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
- 1 package (14.1 ounces) vegan pie crusts, thawed
- 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Vegan milk, for brushing
- Turbinado sugar, for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium saucepan, combine blueberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and cinnamon. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and the blueberries burst, about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
- Unroll pie crusts on a lightly floured surface. Use a ghost-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes.
- Place half of the ghost shapes on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon blueberry filling onto the center of each ghost, leaving a 1/2-inch border.
- Top with the remaining ghost shapes. Use a fork to crimp the edges to seal.
- Brush the tops with vegan milk and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can use any fruit filling you like.
- For a sweeter pie, add more sugar to the filling.
- These pies are best served warm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 hand pie
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
