Valentine's Strawberry Hand Pies

CRUST

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup cold unsalted butter, cut in cubes

1/2 to 2/3 cup very cold water

STRAWBERRY FILLING

3-3/4 cups strawberries, hulled and sliced

1/3 cup granulated sugar

1-1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1-1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

3/4 teaspoon orange zest

1/2 teaspoon salt

FOR ASSEMBLY

1 Large Egg

2 tablespoons water

1. Add flour, sugar and salt to a medium-sized bowl and whisk together.

2. Add butter cubes to flour and cut butter into the flour mixture until crumbs appear.

3. Slowly add the cold water into the flour to form a ball of dough. Knead dough quickly.

4. Remove the dough from the bowl and form into three or four balls. Cover each with plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator for 30-45 minutes.

DIRECTIONS FOR FILLING

1. Heat strawberries, sugar and cornstarch over medium heat in a small pot. Mix until combined, then bring to a boil for about 15 seconds.

2. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla, orange zest and salt. Let the strawberries cool to room temperature.

ASSEMBLE & COOK

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Whisk together egg and water. Set aside.

2. Add a bit of flour to a working surface and place dough on it. Quickly roll dough out to about 1/4 inch thickness.

3. Cut dough in heart shapes with a cookie cutter. Spoon about ¾ to 1 ½ tablespoons of the strawberry filling onto one half of each piece.

4. Brush egg wash around the edges of the dough and place the second piece on top.

5. Seal each hand pie by pressing the edges of the dough together with fork tines. Add tiny slits to the top of each pie.

6. Refrigerate for about 20-25 minutes to firm up before baking.

7. Once firm, brush with egg wash and bake for about 30-35 minutes until golden brown and puffed. Cool until room temperature or barely warm.