Nothing says Halloween quite like pumpkins—and these Jack-O’-Lantern Pumpkin Hand Pies bring the spirit of the season straight to your dessert table. Flaky, buttery pastry filled with a spiced pumpkin filling and decorated to look like smiling (or spooky!) jack-o’-lantern faces, these handheld pies are the perfect treat for October gatherings. They’re small enough for kids to enjoy, but rich enough to satisfy any pumpkin pie lover.

The beauty of these pies lies in their charm—they’re as fun to make as they are to eat. Whether you carve silly faces or creepy ones, each pie turns out unique, just like carving real pumpkins. Best of all, they deliver that warm pumpkin-spice flavor wrapped in golden pastry, giving you all the cozy vibes of fall in a portable, party-ready treat.

Why We Love This Recipe

We love these Jack-O’-Lantern Pumpkin Hand Pies because they’re a blend of nostalgic Halloween fun and delicious autumn comfort food. They’re simple enough for beginner bakers but creative enough to impress guests.

The pumpkin filling is smooth, spiced, and just the right amount of sweet, while the pie crust bakes up golden and flaky. Kids love helping cut out jack-o’-lantern faces, and adults love that these pies taste just like mini pumpkin pies in hand-held form.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

• Festive and Fun – Combines Halloween traditions with a delicious dessert.
• Portable Treat – No messy cutting or plating like a traditional pie.
• Family-Friendly – Decorating turns into a fun holiday activity.
• Crowd-Pleaser – Pumpkin spice lovers and Halloween fans alike will adore it.

These pies aren’t just desserts—they’re edible decorations that make any party extra special.

Recipe Information:

• Preparation Time: 25 minutes
• Baking Time: 20–25 minutes
• Total Time: ~50 minutes
• Servings: 8–10 hand pies
• Calories: ~210 kcal per hand pie

Course and Cuisine

• Course: Dessert / Snack
• Cuisine: American, Seasonal (Halloween/Fall)

Ingredients

For the Pumpkin Filling:

• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ¼ tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

For the Crust:

• 2 ready-made pie crusts (or homemade, if preferred)
• 1 egg (for egg wash, beaten with 1 tbsp water)
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar (optional, for sprinkling)

Quick Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix pumpkin puree with sugar, spices, vanilla, and salt.
3. Roll out pie crusts and cut into pumpkin shapes using a cookie cutter or template.
4. Carve jack-o’-lantern faces into half of the shapes.
5. Spoon pumpkin filling onto plain pumpkin shapes, then top with “face” cut-outs.
6. Seal edges with a fork, brush with egg wash, and sprinkle sugar.
7. Bake 20–25 minutes until golden brown.

Step-by-Step Preparation:

Step 1: Make the Filling

• In a bowl, mix pumpkin puree, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, vanilla, and salt. Set aside.

Step 2: Prepare the Crust

• Roll out pie crusts on a lightly floured surface.
• Using a pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter (or a homemade paper template), cut out 16–20 pumpkin shapes.
• On half of them, use a small knife to cut out jack-o’-lantern faces.

Step 3: Assemble the Pies

• Place plain pumpkin shapes on a lined baking sheet.
• Spoon 1–2 tablespoons of filling into the center of each.
• Place a jack-o’-lantern cut-out crust on top and press edges with a fork to seal.
• Brush tops with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.

Step 4: Bake

• Bake in preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, until golden and flaky.
• Cool for 5–10 minutes before serving.

How to Serve

• Serve warm with a drizzle of caramel or whipped cream.
• Arrange on a festive Halloween platter.
• Pair with apple cider, hot chocolate, or pumpkin spice lattes.

Tips for this Recipe:

• Don’t overfill, or the pies will leak.
• Chill assembled pies for 10 minutes before baking for cleaner shapes.
• Use a sharp paring knife for detailed jack-o’-lantern faces.
• Egg wash makes them golden and shiny—don’t skip it!

Variations:

• Apple Filling: Swap pumpkin puree for spiced apple pie filling.
• Chocolate Pumpkin Pies: Add 2 tbsp cocoa powder to the filling.
• Savory Version: Use mashed sweet potato with herbs instead of sweet pumpkin.
• Mini Ghosts: Use ghost-shaped cutters for a spooky twist.

Freezing and Storage

• Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freezing (Unbaked): Freeze assembled but unbaked pies for up to 2 months. Bake straight from frozen, adding 5 minutes to baking time.
• Freezing (Baked): Freeze baked pies for up to 1 month. Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.

Special Equipment Needed

• Pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter (or template + knife)
• Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
• Pastry brush (for egg wash)
• Small sharp knife (for carving faces)

FAQ:

Q1: Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes, assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Q2: Can I use fresh pumpkin puree?
Yes, just be sure it’s well-drained to avoid soggy pies.

Q3: Do I need a pumpkin-shaped cutter?
Not necessarily—you can use a round cutter and carve the top into a pumpkin shape.

Q4: Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, simply use a gluten-free pie crust.

Conclusion

Jack-O’-Lantern Pumpkin Hand Pies are a delightful Halloween treat that combines the fun of carving pumpkins with the comfort of fall baking. Buttery, flaky crusts filled with spiced pumpkin goodness make them as delicious as they are festive. They’re easy to prepare, endlessly customizable, and perfect for parties or cozy nights at home.