I am really happy to be back to consistency with these Bakealong projects. It’s so fun to make something because I want to, and the recipes are always something I’m excited to try, but that I might not have discovered on my own. This month was no exception – Blueberry Hand Pies were the perfect recipe for July.
Brian and I made our usual blueberry picking trip this month, so our blueberry reserves are plentiful once again. I appreciated the fact that the recipe works with fresh or frozen blueberries, allowing me to use some of last year’s harvest and keep in mind that these would be great any time of year. The frozen blueberry filling thickened well and worked perfectly, so if you don’t have fresh blueberries, there’s no reason to skip this recipe.
This is a great recipe. The ingredient list is basic and the steps are easy to follow. This may have been the most straightforward King Arthur Flour recipe I’ve completed as part of Bakalong so far.
I confess: I did not take my time assembling these. My dough spent a couple hours in the fridge (which should’ve been fine) and ended up really hard. I gave it some time to warm up, but it set my evening back a bit. I also didn’t use a straight edge when I cut my squares, so they were far from the same size. I also just used the tip of a knife to stab somewhat random holes in the tops, instead of trying to be even and presentable.
Regardless, the hand pies held together well and baked up nicely. All of the above considered, they didn’t look as bad as they could’ve. I was really happy with the taste and they kept well for a few days, until we ate them all. I’ll definitely be making these hand pies again – they would be perfect for a party or picnic. I’m already thinking about a batch for our Tanglewood trip in September.
In case you missed it:
Each month, the folks at King Arthur Flour post a recipe and tips for the #Bakealong challenge. Anyone is invited to make the recipe and share their creations on social media. It’s a really fun way to try new things and be part of a community. If baking interests you at all, you should join in next month.
April’s #Bakealong: Chocolate Babka
October’s #Bakealong: Everyday Whole Grain Bread
September’s #Bakealong: Inside-Out Pumpkin Muffins
August’s #Bakealong: Pane Bianco
Just a reminder, by way of full disclosure: I have no affiliation with King Arthur Flour and received no compensation for writing about Bakealong. I’m just participating because I love to bake!