Mini Raspberry Nutella Heart Pies Recipe
|

Mini Raspberry Nutella Heart Pies Recipe

Let me tell you, these Mini Raspberry Nutella Heart Pies are an absolute treat—and not just any dessert, but one that feels like a hug baked into a little heart-shaped package. The combination of tart raspberries and creamy Nutella tucked inside a flaky crust is pure magic. I love how they’re the perfect size for passing around at parties or sneaking one when you need a little pick-me-up. Plus, their adorable shape makes them a go-to for special occasions, especially Valentine’s Day or a cozy afternoon tea.

I’ve found these mini pies to be incredibly versatile and surprisingly manageable, even if you don’t consider yourself a pie expert. Once you get the dough rolled out and the fillings prepped, things move quickly. This Mini Raspberry Nutella Heart Pies Recipe really nails the balance between being impressive and approachable—something you’ll want to keep in your dessert rotation for sure.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient in this Mini Raspberry Nutella Heart Pies Recipe plays a crucial role, from building that tender crust to creating that luscious filling. I find having cold butter on hand and using frozen raspberries really help streamline the process without sacrificing flavor or texture.

  • All-purpose flour: The perfect base for a tender, flaky crust that won’t be too flimsy.
  • Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness to the dough and balances the tartness of the raspberries.
  • Salt: Enhances all the flavors and cuts through the sweetness.
  • Egg: Provides structure to the dough and acts as a binder.
  • White vinegar: A little secret ingredient that gives the crust a tender bite.
  • Ice cold water: Keeps the dough cool so the butter doesn’t melt prematurely.
  • Cold unsalted butter: Key for that flaky, melt-in-your-mouth crust—remember to keep it chilled!
  • Frozen raspberries: Convenient and juicy, perfect for that syrupy filling.
  • Nutella: That creamy, hazelnut-chocolate richness that pairs beautifully with raspberry tartness.

Variations

I like to mix things up with this Mini Raspberry Nutella Heart Pies Recipe depending on what I have in the pantry or who I’m baking for. These little pies are a fantastic canvas for different flavors, so don’t be shy about making it your own.

  • Swap berries: I’ve tried blueberries or blackberries and loved the different tang they bring—perfect for summer gatherings.
  • Go dairy-free: Use a dairy-free Nutella alternative and vegan butter to accommodate dietary needs without losing that chocolate-hazelnut goodness.
  • Add a sprinkle of spice: A dash of cinnamon or cardamom in the raspberry filling adds a warm, cozy twist that I find irresistible during fall.
  • Make it gluten-free: Using a gluten-free flour blend can work just as well, just keep an eye on dough hydration.

How to Make Mini Raspberry Nutella Heart Pies Recipe

Step 1: Create the Flaky Dough Base

Start this Mini Raspberry Nutella Heart Pies Recipe by pulsing your sifted flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor just to combine them lightly. Meanwhile, whisk together your egg, vinegar, and ice-cold water in a small bowl—this mixture will help bind the dough without making it tough. Next, add the chilled butter cut into small pieces and pulse until the texture is like small coarse crumbs; you want to see little dots of butter because that’s what makes your crust flaky later on. Then, pour the egg mixture over the flour and pulse just until the dough begins to hold together. If you mix too much, you risk developing gluten and ending up with a tough crust—so keep it minimal.

Step 2: Chill and Rest the Dough

Once your dough forms, take it out of the food processor and shape it gently into a ball. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and pop it into the fridge for at least 30 minutes to firm up. This chilling step is crucial—trust me, it makes rolling out the dough so much easier and keeps that buttery texture intact when you bake it.

Step 3: Simmer the Raspberry Filling

While the dough chills, place your frozen raspberries and sugar in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally, and cook until the berries soften and transform into a thick, slightly syrupy filling—about 10 minutes. Let it cool completely before using; hot filling can melt your dough and make sealing a mess.

Step 4: Assemble the Heart Pies

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment. On a lightly floured surface, roll out your chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thick (not too thin or the pies might leak). Use a 2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to punch out an even number of hearts—for each pie, you’ll need two. Arrange half of these hearts on the baking sheet and spoon a teaspoon of Nutella topped with a teaspoon of your raspberry filling onto each one. Moisten the edges lightly with water (using your finger or a brush), place another heart on top, and press the edges firmly with a fork to seal completely. This helps keep those fillings inside where they belong and gives the pies that cute crimped edge.

Step 5: Add the Finishing Touches and Bake

Whisk an egg with a splash of water to make an egg wash, then brush it gently over each heart pie. Sprinkle with a little coarse sugar for sparkle and crunch. Don’t forget to cut a small ‘X’ or steam vent on top of each pie with a sharp knife—this avoids sogginess and helps the pies bake evenly. Then pop them into the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and irresistible. When they come out, let them cool slightly so you don’t burn your fingers diving in!

How to Serve Mini Raspberry Nutella Heart Pies Recipe

A top view of six white bowls and an egg arranged on a white marbled surface. On the top left is a small bowl with clear liquid, next to it on the right is a small bowl of white sugar. On the top right is a medium bowl filled with cubes of pale butter. Below, in the center left, there is a large bowl filled with white flour piled high. Directly below the sugar is a solo brown egg resting on the surface. At the bottom left, a small bowl filled with fresh red raspberries. At the bottom right, another small bowl filled with dark, smooth chocolate spread with a shiny surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love finishing these beauties with a dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted Nutella for extra flair. Fresh mint leaves or a few whole raspberries on the side add a lovely pop of color that makes these pies look as good as they taste. If you’re serving at a party, tiny whipped cream dollops can be a cute, creamy addition.

Side Dishes

These mini pies pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream. For a cozy brunch feel, I sometimes serve them alongside a hot cup of coffee or a floral tea like chamomile. They also brighten up a cheese board if you’re going for a sweet-salty combo and want a little indulgence.

Creative Ways to Present

For Valentine’s Day or anniversary dinners, I arrange these Mini Raspberry Nutella Heart Pies Recipe on a pretty platter with edible rose petals and candles around for ambiance. Another fun idea I tried was skewering a few on cocktail sticks for mini pie “lollipops”—kids loved that! Holiday cookie jars filled with these make charming gifts too.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover pies? No problem. I store them in an airtight container at room temperature if I plan to eat them within a day or two. The crust stays surprisingly crisp, especially if you’ve sealed them well. For longer storage, refrigeration is fine but I recommend warming them up before serving to get that flaky texture back.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these mini pies both baked and unbaked. If you freeze unbaked, assemble the pies and flash freeze them on a tray before transferring to a freezer-safe bag—then bake straight from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time. This Mini Raspberry Nutella Heart Pies Recipe freezes beautifully, making it great for prepping ahead of time or surprising guests with a made-from-scratch treat.

Reheating

To bring back the fresh-from-the-oven vibe, I reheat leftover pies in a 325°F oven for about 10 minutes or until warmed through and crispy again. Avoid the microwave if you can; it tends to make the crust soggy. Using a toaster oven is a fantastic option for one or two pies without heating the entire oven.

FAQs

  1. Can I make the dough by hand instead of a food processor?

    Absolutely! Use a pastry cutter or two forks to cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until you get that coarse crumb texture, then mix in the egg-water mixture gently until the dough just comes together. The key is to keep the butter cold to get that flakiness.

  2. What if I don’t have heart-shaped cookie cutters?

    No worries at all. You can use any small cookie cutter shape or even a round one—just adjust how you seal the edges. The heart shape just adds a bit of charm, especially for gifting or special occasions.

  3. Can I use fresh raspberries instead of frozen?

    Yes! Fresh raspberries work beautifully, just keep in mind they might release more liquid, so cook them a bit longer to reach that thick filling consistency.

  4. How do I prevent the pies from leaking during baking?

    Ensuring you moisten the edges with water and pressing them firmly together with a fork is crucial. Also, cutting steam vents on top helps relieve pressure and keeps your filling inside. Avoid overfilling, too!

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Mini Raspberry Nutella Heart Pies Recipe has become a little slice of joy in my baking repertoire. They’re one of those recipes I reach for when I want to impress without stress, and their charm never fails to put smiles on faces. You’ll enjoy every step—from rolling out the dough to tasting that first warm, gooey bite. Give them a try—I promise you, once you do, you’ll be dreaming up every excuse to bake these sweet little hearts again.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Mini Raspberry Nutella Heart Pies Recipe

Mini Raspberry Nutella Heart Pies Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.6 from 99 reviews
  • Author: Lily
  • Prep Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 24 mini heart pies 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

These Mini Raspberry Nutella Heart Pies combine a flaky homemade pastry filled with sweet Nutella and luscious raspberry filling, making for a perfect delightful treat. Ideal for special occasions or a charming dessert, these bite-sized pies boast a beautiful heart shape and a golden crust dusted with coarse sugar.


Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1/4 cup ice cold water
  • 3/4 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces (12 tablespoons)

Filling

  • 2 ½ cups frozen raspberries
  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup Nutella

For assembly

  • 1 egg (for egg wash)
  • Coarse sugar (for sprinkling)
  • Water (for sealing edges)

Instructions

  1. Make the dough: Add sifted flour, sugar, and salt to a food processor and pulse until combined. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, white vinegar, and ice cold water. Add cold butter pieces to the processor and pulse until mixture resembles small coarse crumbs. Pour egg mixture over flour and pulse until dough forms.
  2. Chill the dough: Remove dough from processor, form into a ball, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
  3. Prepare raspberry filling: In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine frozen raspberries and sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture bubbles and berries soften into a slightly syrupy consistency, about 10 minutes. Let cool completely.
  4. Preheat oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and prepare a small bowl of water for sealing pie edges.
  5. Roll and cut dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out chilled dough to about 1/4 inch thickness. Use a 2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut an even number of hearts.
  6. Fill and seal pies: Arrange half the hearts on baking sheet. Spoon 1 teaspoon Nutella and 1 teaspoon raspberry filling onto each. Moisten edges with water, place an empty heart on top, and press edges firmly with a fork to seal. Repeat for all.
  7. Apply egg wash and vent: Beat an egg with a bit of water for egg wash. Brush tops of pies and sprinkle coarse sugar. Using a paring knife, cut a small ‘X’ on top of each pie to allow steam escape.
  8. Bake pies: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and cool slightly before serving. Serve warm, optionally with vanilla ice cream.

Notes

  • Use cold butter and ice cold water for a flakier crust.
  • Ensure raspberry filling is cooled before assembling pies to prevent soggy crust.
  • Sealing edges well prevents filling from leaking during baking.
  • The small vent cut lets steam escape, avoiding burst pies.
  • These pies can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days; reheat before serving.

Similar Posts