Boo-Berry Pies Hand Pastries

These sweet little boo-berry pies are my answer to a festive, easy Halloween treat that brings pure joy to every autumn get-together. Using store-bought pie dough and jam, you can have charming ghost-shaped hand pies finished in under an hour. They are so simple to make with a cookie cutter and just a few kitchen basics—a fantastic beginner baking project or fun activity with kids.

Every fall, my kids love helping cut out the ghost shapes and filling them with sticky blueberry jam. They are always a hit with neighbors and party guests, vanishing almost as soon as they hit the table.

• Blueberry jam: adds a sweet juicy burst and pretty color try to find one with real fruit for the best results
• Fresh lemon juice: brightens the filling and cuts any excess sweetness use freshly squeezed for best flavor
• Kosher salt: balances out the jam and enhances the blueberries just a pinch makes a difference
• All-purpose flour: for dusting your work surface this helps prevent sticking and makes rolling easier
• Pie dough: store-bought or homemade both work choose a dough with real butter for best flavor
• 1 large egg: for the egg wash creates a shiny golden finish on the pies
• Confectioners sugar: makes the icing ultra smooth sift if possible for no lumps
• Lemon juice again: for the icing gives a little zing and keeps it from being too sweet

I always check for a good-quality, fruit-packed blueberry jam and a buttery pie dough—the little things make these stand out.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the Filling:

Mix blueberry jam with lemon juice and a pinch of kosher salt until smooth and glossy set aside while you prep the dough

Roll and Cut the Ghosts:

Dust your work surface with a little flour roll out the pie dough evenly until just under quarter inch thick using a ghost-shaped cookie cutter cut out twelve shapes

Shape the Ghost Faces:

Take half of your cutouts use a small round piping tip or straw to cut out two eyes in each make a round mouth with the larger end of the tip

Fill and Seal the Pies:

Arrange the remaining ghost cutouts on a parchment lined baking sheet spoon a little jam mixture into the center of each staying away from the edges

Egg Wash and Assemble:

Beat the egg in a small bowl brush the edges of the ghosts with filling place the cut out ghosts on top gently press and then crimp the edges together with the back of a fork

Bake to Perfection:

Brush the tops with more egg wash bake at four hundred degrees until golden about ten to twelve minutes cool slightly on the baking sheet before transferring

Mix and Ice:

Combine confectioners sugar lemon juice and a teaspoon of water in a bowl mix until smooth spread over the top of each ghost with an offset spatula or butter knife once pies are mostly cool

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Something about the little faces gets everyone smiling I love the way my kids giggle while cutting out the eyes and mouths it is a simple tradition that now means Halloween is near in our house

Storage Tips

Let pies cool completely before storing for best texture Layer with parchment in an airtight container Room temperature for a day or refrigerate for three days Freeze unglazed pies in a zipper bag for up to a month and reheat in a low oven

Ingredient Substitutions

No blueberry jam No worries Raspberry or cherry preserves work well For a vegan version brush the edges with oat milk instead of egg and double check that your pie dough is dairy free Gluten-free pie dough works in place of regular as long as it is chilled and handled gently

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Serving Suggestions

These are adorable arranged on a platter with extra icing for dipping Pair with cocoa or apple cider for party fare Tuck in a lunchbox for a fun surprise or wrap in cellophane for classroom treats

Cultural and Holiday Fun

Hand pies have been a treat in many cultures for generations Mini pies like these are especially fun for Halloween The playful ghost shape is always a conversation starter and sharing them has become a little family ritual every October

Commonly Asked Questions

→ How do I create the ghost shapes?

Use a ghost-shaped cookie cutter to cut the pie dough, and a small round tip or straw for the eyes and mouth.

→ Can I use homemade jam instead of store-bought?

Yes, homemade blueberry jam works beautifully and adds a personal touch to the pies.

→ What's the best way to seal the pastries?

Brush the edges with beaten egg and crimp together with a fork for a firm seal before baking.

→ Do these hand pies need icing?

The lemon icing adds brightness and sweetness, but they’re also delicious without it.

→ How should I store leftover hand pies?

Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days for best freshness.

→ Can I prepare these ahead of time?

You can assemble the pies and refrigerate before baking, then bake them fresh when needed.