Mummy Hand Pies are a delightfully spooky treat that can make your Halloween gatherings both festive and delicious. These flaky pastries encapsulate a warm, savory filling and are decorated to resemble mummies, perfect for kids and adults alike. Let’s dive into how to prepare these charming hand pies.
Ingredients
- 2 sheets of puff pastry (thawed)
- 1 cup cooked chicken (or turkey), shredded
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
- Black olives, for eyes
- Optional: herbal seasoning (thyme or rosemary)
Directions
- Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures that your mummy hand pies get that perfect golden brown color while baking.
- Prepare the Filling: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed. If you want to add a touch of herbal seasoning, this is the time to incorporate it.
- Roll Out the Puff Pastry: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the puff pastry sheets to about 1/4-inch thickness. Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to cut the pastry into rectangles, roughly 4×6 inches in size. You can make them smaller or larger depending on your preference.
- Fill the Pastry: Place a tablespoon of the chicken mixture on one half of each rectangle, leaving space around the edges to seal the pies.
- Seal the Hand Pies: Fold the other half of the pastry over the filling to create a pocket. Press the edges together firmly with a fork to seal them well. This will help keep the filling inside during baking.
- Create the Mummy Effect: Use the remaining pastry to cut thin strips (about 1/2-inch wide) to create the “bandage” effect. Randomly place these strips over the sealed hand pies, leaving some areas exposed for the filling to peek out.
- Add Eyes: Before placing them on the baking sheet, use a small piece of black olive for each pie to create a spooky eye. Simply press it into the top of the pie where you left an opening.
- Prepare for Baking: Brush the tops of your mummy hand pies with beaten egg. This creates a glossy finish and helps to achieve a beautiful golden color once baked.
- Bake the Hand Pies: Carefully place your prepared pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the mummy hand pies from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving. They can be enjoyed warm, but are delicious at room temperature too!
Tips for Creating Perfect Mummy Hand Pies
Choosing the Right Filling
You can customize the filling based on your preferences. Substitute the chicken with ground beef, vegetables, or even a sweet filling like apple or pumpkin if you’d like a change from savory to dessert hand pies.
Making Ahead of Time
Mummy hand pies can be prepared a day ahead. After assembling, simply refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake. This is incredibly useful for party prep to save time on the big day.
Serving Suggestions
Consider offering dipping sauces alongside, such as ranch dressing, salsa, or honey mustard. A side of fresh veggies or a light salad can complement these pies well, balancing richness with freshness.
Perfecting the Dough
In case you can’t find puff pastry, pie crust works as a substitute, though the texture will differ. For a homemade option, combine flour, butter, salt, and water to create your pastry, rolling it thinly.
Healthier Options
To lighten this recipe, you can swap out the cream cheese with Greek yogurt, use low-fat cheese, or fill them with lots of vegetables like spinach and mushrooms mixed with your protein of choice.
Conclusion
Mummy Hand Pies don’t just bring a tasty treat to the table; they also add an element of fun to your Halloween festivities. With flaky pastry and a versatile filling, they can cater to various tastes and dietary preferences. By following this easy recipe, you’ll have a crowd-pleaser on your hands that will delight both kids and adults alike. Enjoy making and sharing these spooktacular pies, ensuring that this Halloween is extra special!
Mummy Hand Pies
Ingredients
For the Filling
- 1 cup cooked chicken (or turkey), shredded
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened Can be substituted with Greek yogurt for a healthier option.
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese Low-fat cheese can be used as an alternative.
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 each egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- to taste black olives For eyes.
- optional herbal seasoning (thyme or rosemary) Add for extra flavor.
For the Pastry
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed Can substitute with pie crust, though texture will differ.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well. Optionally, add herbal seasoning.
- On a floured surface, roll out the puff pastry to about 1/4-inch thickness and cut into rectangles, roughly 4x6 inches.
Assembly
- Place a tablespoon of the chicken mixture on one half of each rectangle, leaving space around the edges.
- Fold the other half over the filling and press edges with a fork to seal.
- Cut thin strips of remaining pastry to create a ‘bandage’ effect, and place over the pies.
- Press a piece of black olive into the top for eyes.
- Brush the tops with beaten egg.
Baking
- Place the pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.