All-butter hand pies filled with dulce de leche and fresh cranberry sauce . The perfect dessert for Thanksgiving! Because you get a whole pie. To yourself. Stuff of dreams here guys.

Cranberry Dulce de Leche Hand Pies from The Food Charlatan

The other day Eric decided to take Charlotte on a Daddy-daughter date to Target. Because we’re a super classy family. (And because the entire store is like one giant hook for 3 year olds. “Christmas trees! Sparkles! ELSA!!!!”)

While he was in line checking out, Charlotte wandered over to a display advertising the new How to Train your Dragon movie, and he watched her reach a finger up to the cardboard…scratch…and sniff.

Cranberry Dulce de Leche Hand Pies from The Food Charlatan

Sometimes I wish I could be a kid again. I would really love to go back to the time where I’m checking scratch n sniff capabilities on random objects. You never know, you might get lucky! That’s pretty hardcore optimism right there.

I wish you could scratch n sniff these hand pies. Or better yet, scratch n lick. When are they going to invent that already? Come on tech nerds, I’m looking at you. Get on it. Food blogging would be a whoooole different world. And so would computer screen hygiene.

Cranberry Dulce de Leche Hand Pies from The Food Charlatan

Hand pies! I made these 3 times. (A new trend??) The first time the filling was too dry. The second time I tried it with refrigerated pie dough and canned whole cranberry sauce. It totally worked and was pretty good. But you just can’t beat this homemade crust. It is so flaky and buttery and perfect, like a puff pastry/pie crust mash up. I prefer the taste of fresh cranberries, but if you want the quick version of these pies, use the canned cranberry sauce! (Instructions in recipe notes.)

Cranberry Dulce de Leche Hand Pies from The Food Charlatan

I know that dulce de leche and cranberry might seem like an odd combination, but for real you guys, it’s delicious. I’m not going to tell you how many hand pies I have consumed in the last few weeks. (Whatever number you’re imagining, add 5.)

The main problem with these hand pies is that they take foreverrrr to cool off. They are like adorable transportable POCKETS OF LAVA. I tried eating one after waiting several minutes (at least 5) and I thought my mouth was going to combust. Then some dulce de leche dripped onto my finger and burned that too, and my brilliant solution was to lick it off.

Cranberry Dulce de Leche Hand Pies from The Food Charlatan

Maybe I should slap a warning on these babies: THESE PIES MAKE YOU STUPID.

Worth it.

Cranberry Dulce de Leche Hand Pies from The Food Charlatan

Cranberry Dulce de Leche Hand Pies from The Food Charlatan

Cranberry Dulce de Leche Hand Pies from The Food Charlatan

Cranberry Dulce de Leche Hand Pies from The Food Charlatan

Cranberry Dulce de Leche Hand Pies from The Food Charlatan

UPDATE: I learned recently How to Make Dulce de Leche at home from a can of sweetened condensed milk! It’s so easy and soooo good. And cheaper. Check it out here!

Cranberry Dulce de Leche Hand Pies from The Food Charlatan

Cranberry Dulce de Leche Hand Pies from The Food Charlatan^^oops. Crimp your pies BEFORE you do the egg wash. Much easier that way.

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Cranberry Dulce de Leche Hand Pies

5 from 1 vote
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 13 minutes
Cooling Time: 40 minutes
Total: 1 hour 8 minutes
Servings: 12 Servings
All-butter hand pies filled with dulce de leche and fresh cranberry sauce . The perfect dessert for Thanksgiving! Because you get a whole pie. To yourself. Stuff of dreams here guys.

Ingredients

For the cranberry filling:

  • 2 cups cranberries, fresh or frozen
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon water, cold

For the dough

  • 2 cup flour, spooned and leveled
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 13 ounces Dulce de Leche, *
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • coarse sugar, for sprinkling

Instructions

  • Add the cranberries, sugar, and 3 tablespoons water to a medium saucepan. Set to medium-high heat until it comes to a simmer. Simmer for another 2-4 minutes, or until most of the cranberries have split.
  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water. When there are no lumps, add to the cranberries and stir. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook for another minute or two, until the sauce thickens. Scrape the mixture into a bowl and let come to room temperature (stick it in the fridge if you want).
  • Make the dough. In a large bowl, combine 2 cups of flour with salt and baking powder. Use your hands or a pastry cutter (or pulse in a food processor) to cut the butter into the flour. You want it to be crumbled but still have pea-size pieces of butter.
  • Add the sour cream and stir. It won't come together. Use your hands to knead the dough together a few times until it forms a ball. (I do this right in the bowl.)
  • Flatten out the dough and place onto a well-floured work surface. Sprinkle the top with flour. Roll the dough into an 8x10 inch rectangle.
  • Grab both of the short ends and fold it over like a business letter (see photos).
  • Rotate the dough 90 degrees. Roll the dough into another 8x10 inch rectangle. Fold it again like a business letter. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes at least.
  • Preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Roll out the dough into a 14x14 inch square. (let sit out of the fridge for a few minutes if it's too hard to roll out.)
  • Use a 3-inch biscuit cutter or similar sized glass to cut as many circles as you can out of the dough. Re-roll and cut as necessary until the dough is gone.
  • Line 2 large baking sheets with silpats or parchment paper. Line up 6 or 8 circles on each sheet (however many you can fit).
  • Use 2 spoons to add about 1 1/2-2 teaspoons Dulce de Leche to the center of each circle.
  • Use 2 spoons to add 1-2 tablespoons of the cranberry filling on top of the Dulce de Leche. Keep the edges of the circle clean.
  • Top each pie with another circle of dough. Pinch together with your fingers (pick it up if that makes it easier.) Crimp the edges with a fork.
  • In a bowl, whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon water. Brush the top of each pie with the egg wash.
  • Use a sharp knife to cut slits in the top of each pie. Sprinkle with sparkling sugar or raw sugar.
  • Bake at 425 for about 13 minutes, or until they are brown on top.
  • Let cool for 10-20 minutes before stuffing your face.

Notes

*You won't use the whole can of Dulce de Leche. I won't tell anyone what you do with the rest of it. Ditto for the cranberry filling.
You can make a version of this recipe using refrigerated pie dough and canned whole cranberry sauce. Cut as many circles out of the flattened dough as you can, fill with dulce de leche and a can of whole cranberry sauce. Follow the other instructions as written. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes.
Source: Crust recipe from Just a Taste, who got it from King Arthur Flour

Nutrition

Serving: 1hand pie | Calories: 278kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 131mg | Potassium: 61mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 565IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 278
Keyword: Cranberry, Dulce de Leche, Hand Pies
Did you make this? I'd love to see it!Mention @thefoodcharlatan or tag #thefoodcharlatan!

Other Thanksgiving dessert ideas!

Brown-Butter Cranberry Tart <<– Looove this:

Brown Butter Cranberry Tart from TheFoodCharlatan.com

Butterscotch Pumpkin Cake:

Butterscotch Pumpkin Cake | TheFoodCharlatan.comMaple Cheesecake with Roasted Pears:

Maple Cheesecake with Roasted Pears

Cranberry Cake with Warm Vanilla Butter Sauce:

Cranberry Cake with Warm Vanilla Butter Sauce

Cinnamon Cardamom Cake with Maple Pecan Frosting:

Cinnamon Cardamom Cake with Maple Pecan Frosting from The Food Charlatan

Other Thanksgiving dessert ideas from around blog-land:

Mile-High Apple Pie from Sugar Hero
Salted Caramel Bittersweet Chocolate Tart from Life Made Simple
Snicker Caramel Apple Pie from I Heart Naptime

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Comments

  1. Aldi’s has been selling their cranberries for a $1 a bag. I now, officially, have more bags of cranberries than frozen turkeys in my freezer. At least until I go to the store on Monday. Or until I make these pies.

  2. These pies are SO good!! I never would’ve thought of dulce de leche + cranberries either, but you’re beyond brilliant. And OHMYGOSH why does baked fruit take so dang long to cool off??? It’s like nature’s way of tormenting us. “Ha ha, neener neener, you just baked these amazing fruit pie, but you can’t eat it for another 27 million hours.” Not fair. ;) Pinned!

  3. I am in love with these, Karen! They are so good! I had to stop myself at two…. and then had to verbally reason with myself on why I needed to leave the rest for tomorrow at least. I’m going to make a batch to send with Tim for the ladies that work in the office. And a batch for my girlfriends. And a batch for Thanksgiving… And then maybe again just because. LOVE THEM!

    1. YAY! I’m so glad you loved them Heidi!! And I am super impressed with your self-restraint. I’m terrible. Also that’s a lotta batches, you are super nice to make all those for your friends! Thanks for leaving a comment Heidi!

  4. I’m in love with cranberries right now and these are simply gorgeous!
    Beautiful pictures!

    Pinned.
    Have a fabulous weekend!

  5. These hand pies look amazing–love the color in the filling. I love that your kid tried to scratch and sniff the display! I totally miss buying scratch and sniff things. I recently bought a pack of Mr. Sketch Scented Markers just to relive the childhood memories.

  6. If they invented scratch n sniff for the computer, I would never get any work done. I’d just be sniffing other people’s food all day long. That sounds really weird.

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