Lemon Hand Pies are individual mini pies filled with bright lemon pie filling or lemon curd, folded into flaky crust, baked until golden brown, and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar. They’re portable, easy, and irresistibly delicious.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

You’ll love this recipe because it’s quick, simple, and uses store-bought pie crust for convenience. The sweet and tangy lemon filling pairs perfectly with the buttery, flaky crust. These handheld pies are perfect for entertaining, gifting, or satisfying citrus cravings.

Lemon Hand Pies

If you love bright citrus desserts, these lemon hand pies are a must-try. Made with flaky refrigerated pie crust and filled with sweet-tart lemon pie filling or homemade lemon curd, they deliver fresh lemon flavor in a perfectly portable package.

Hand pies are ideal when you want all the flavor of a traditional pie without the need for slicing and serving. Their individual size makes them perfect for parties, bake sales, brunch spreads, picnics, or afternoon treats.

This easy lemon hand pie recipe uses store-bought pie crust, making it simple enough for beginner bakers while still delivering bakery-style results. The crust bakes up golden brown and crisp, while the lemon filling stays smooth and creamy inside.

The balance of sweet and tangy is what makes these mini lemon pies so irresistible. The filling provides a bright citrus punch that contrasts beautifully with the rich, buttery crust.

Brushing the tops with beaten egg white gives the pies a glossy finish and helps them bake to a beautiful golden color.

A generous dusting of powdered sugar adds a delicate sweetness and a classic bakery-style look.

These hand pies can be enjoyed warm or chilled. In fact, they’re especially refreshing when refrigerated and served cold, making them perfect for spring and summer desserts.

You can easily customize this recipe by adding a simple glaze instead of powdered sugar or mixing berries into the lemon filling.

Whether you’re baking for a holiday, hosting brunch, or simply craving a lemon dessert, these lemon hand pies are easy, elegant, and full of fresh citrus flavor.

Servings & Time

Servings: 12 hand pies
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 boxes (14.1 ounce each) refrigerated pie crust

• 1 can (15 ounce) lemon pie filling (or homemade lemon curd)

• 1 egg white, beaten (reserve yolk for sealing edges)

• 1/2 cup powdered sugar (optional)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Remove pie crusts from packaging and allow to come to room temperature.

2. Unroll pie crusts and cut 6 circles from each crust using a 4-inch biscuit cutter. Re-roll scraps if needed to get 6 circles per crust.

3. Place 1 tablespoon of lemon pie filling into the center of each circle.

4. Brush edges with water or beaten egg yolk. Fold dough in half and pinch edges to seal completely.

5. Fold sealed edge over slightly and press with a fork to secure. Poke the top once with a fork to prevent bursting.

6. Beat egg white until frothy and brush over tops of each hand pie.

7. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart.

8. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until golden brown.

9. Remove from baking sheet and cool completely.

10. Sprinkle generously with powdered sugar before serving. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Tips

• Seal Edges Well: Prevents filling from leaking.

• Don’t Overfill: Too much filling can cause bursting.

• Chill Before Baking (Optional): Helps pies hold shape.

• Use Homemade Lemon Curd: For richer flavor.

• Store Refrigerated: They taste amazing cold.