Pear Hand Pies with Dark Chocolate Drizzle
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Pear Hand Pies with Dark Chocolate Drizzle are packed with pears that have been baked in brown sugar and cinnamon between a flaky crust dusted with coarse crunchy sugar. The drizzle of dark chocolate gives this pie a deep richness.
THIS POST HAS BEEN UPGRADED FROM 10/18/16 TO IMPROVE READER EXPERIENCE.

I think people are either pie lovers or cake lovers, don’t you? Me, I’m definitely a pie lover. That doesn’t mean that I would turn down a great slice of cake. If you throw in chocolate, the lines definitely get a little more blurred. These Pear Hand Pies with Dark Chocolate Drizzle would convince any cake lover that they are definitely a pie lover.
Growing up I had the largest pear tree right outside my bedroom window. I loved the pears that tree provided every year but during a storm, that tree would scrape my window making scratching noises and scary shadows. My imagination had me diving under the covers.
My grandmother canned those pears, and I could almost eat a whole jar by myself. I just loved how soft and sweet they were. The pears in this Pear Pie recipe are just like that. Pear filling baked between a flaky buttery crust and then drizzled with dark chocolate gives this pie a warm richness.
Making individual pies guarantee that everyone gets their own serving, and I’ll take mine with a scoop of ice cream.

What are the best pears for baking?
Anjou or Bosc is the recommended varieties for baking. However, I grew up using Bartlett Pears and that’s my go-to now because I love them! It’s not recommended to use Comice pears.
What is the history of hand pies?
According to Oregon Live, hand pies were usually meat so were called meat pies or pasties. They originated from 19th century England as a convenient lunch for Cornish tin miners. Thank you, England!
Tips for storing and baking individual pear pies:
- Individual fruit hand pies can be assembled and then frozen unbaked for up to 3 months. To Bake put them, place in a 350°F oven right from the freezer (no need to thaw). Bake 5 to 10 minutes longer than the original recipe calls for so in this case 35 to 40 minutes.
- Baked pear hand pies can be frozen as well. To reheat allow the hand pies to thaw (in the refrigerator overnight works great). Place on a baking sheet in a preheated oven and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until heated through. Cover loosely with foil is they start to get too brown.
- Fruit pies keep at room temperature for two days; you can store them, loosely covered, in the refrigerator for up to four days.
- I don’t recommend cooking them in the microwave. A quick reheat for ice cream purposes is encouraged, however!

A few gadgets to make this recipe easier!
- Biscuit cutter – Why buy 1 when you can have 9? Stainless Steel will not rust and these cutters are great for cutout cookies, empanadas, and even ravioli!
- Baking Sheets – These sheet pans are durable and I have four of them so I can everything baked in a jiffy!
- Unbleached Parchment Paper – This is my favorite parchment paper. It’s important to know that there is an oven temperature rating on parchment paper. If you exceed it your parchment paper can catch fire in your oven. This one is rated to 450°F, high enough for my bread recipes too.

- Dark Chocolate Puff Pastry Hand Pies
- Cherry (Heart-shaped) Hand pies
- Blueberry Pineapple Hand Pies
- Caramelized Pear Pie Filling
- Toasted Coconut Pear Muffins
- Pear Crisp
The BEST thing about Hand Pies!
The thing that I love the BEST about Hand Pies is that I get my own! I don’t have to be secretly disappointed by getting the smallest slice of a pie. Shhhh. You too right?
DON’T FORGET TO PIN THIS RECIPE TO YOUR FAVORITE PINTEREST BOARD FOR QUICK REFERENCE!
If you have some inspiration you’d like to see, leave me a note in the comments or drop me an email. I read and respond to all of my correspondence.
Iโm going to try these very soon! Have you ever made them with puff pastry? I wonder if that would work too?
They would be puffier but delicious as well!
Super idea to make these in advance, freeze them and bake just when you want a few or more! Along with a scoop of vanilla ice cream would be so delicious. Thank your for this beautiful hand pie recipe!
Thank you, Sandra! Ice cream would be an amazing idea with these little pies.
Great Pear Hand Pies with Dark Chocolate Drizzle! They look very attractive. Thanks for your videos and detailed instructions formulas. You make it easy to prepare food. I will try it soon. thanks again!
Thank you, Ramirez! I hope you enjoy them as much as we do.
I love the combo of chocolate and pears and I can’t get enough of these hand pies! I have made three batches this week!
Thank you! We love them too!
These looks incredible! I love that they can be made ahead also and that chocolate drizzle? YUM!! p.s. I did not know to check the rating for my parchment paper,great tip thank you!
Thank you, Deb!
Made this for a group of friends and they all loved it! Some ate it with ice cream, and others just used their hands. The crust was a huge hit, so this is very much a keeper!
Thank you, Susan! I’m so glad you enjoyed them as much as we do!
Chocolate and pear are an interesting combo! Your crust braid looks amazing!! Thank you!
Thank you, Richard! So glad you were kind enough to stop by!
Those flaky crusts have me swooning. I am so impressed with your photography….the photos all look amazing!
Thank you, Sandi! We really enjoyed these little pies.
I would have loved to grow up with a pear tree in my garden, but I would be scared by the scratching too haha!
These hand pies look totally delicious, and could definitely convert this cake girl!
Thank you, Michelle! I’ve always had a bit of an imagination!
I’m a “whatever Julie makes lover” Pies, cake, bread…. every single thing you make goes on my to make list. And each recipe Ive tried has been a real crowd pleaser at my house! Pinned this!
Thank you Michele! You are such a sweetie and I’m happy that you’ve tried some of my recipes!
Ooooh hm it’s tough but I think I’m in the cake camp. However, these hand pie may convert me! That chocolate drizzle is just to die for!
Thank you so much Tracy!
You know. . .I have to say that I could not pigeonhole myself as a cake or pie lover. I feel each has it’s own time and place. . .and sometimes I want a light & fluffy cake while other times I want a juicy pie. That being said, I think I would be game for one (well. . .probably more) of these beauties pretty much any time. As for that pear tree outside your window. Jiminy crickets! I don’t think I would ever be able to sleep.
Ha! Thank you Lynn. I agree that there are just some times when yu have to have cake, pies or heck I’m open for a cookie anytime!
I’m still at that indecisive stage so I have to keep sampling pies and cakes in rotation. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to make a firm conclusion, but these cute pies are fighting the pie corner well. That little drizzle of chocolate on the top has me wanting to reach in and take one.
Ha Jane, I like your thinking. All for the good of research right? Thank you my friend!
Cakes aren’t much of a temptation, but oh my, your hand pies are calling my name! I love everything about these, from the flaky crust and pear filling to that gorgeous chocolate drizzle… C’est magnifique!
Thank you Tamara! I’m with you girl. I’m more pie than cake. Throw chocolate into the mix and I’m a goner!
Boy would I be in trouble with this recipe!
I have a feeling I would go up a pant size because I couldn’t stop at one!
Thanks for the temptation Julie!
Michelle
Thank you Michelle! They were really good, and sometimes you are better off when they’re gone!
I have not baked with pears much this Fall but your recipe is giving me inspiration to do so. I just saw a recipe with pork tenderloin and pears (not the typical apples) which sounded good ๐ Love the finishing touch of chocolate!
Thank you so much, Judi. They were really good. John skipped the chocolate and put the rum sauce that I’d made for the peach upside down cake on them. I think he’s going to go through withdrawal now that it’s gone. Have a beautiful weekend. We are having wonderful fall weather.
I love the combo of pears and chocolate!! What fun pies for this time of year. So tired of pumpkin!
Thank you Jennifer! I love taking a pumpkin and apple break and a perfect pear is so yummy.
You had me at “pear” ๐ Can’t wait to try these!
Thank you so much, Allison!
I could stuff my face with these, Julie!
I know Debbie! Thank you. John drowned them in that rum sauce from my peach upside down cake.
Wow Julie, these pear hand pies look absolutely delicious! I cannot choose between cake or pie, it would have to be a little of both ๐
Thank you Marisa! I’m weak with both I fear!
Julie, you and I have had baked pears on our minds this week. One bite of that crustiness and the soft interior will send me to pie heaven ๐ I like the circular shape, when I’ve made these, they’ve been semi-circular. That chocolate drizzled over is so very tempting. Great job with your pictures too, they have a dramatic effect and draws the eye right in.
Thank you Loretta! I think I liked the circles too so you get twice as much crust. This is perfect pie season!
These look absolutely delicious Julie. Wowza. Given the choice between the two, I will almost always pick pie over cake– but I’m like you, I d enjoy a good piece of cake every now and then. Great job ๐
Thank you Jess! If I have the choice it’s pie. But if it’s only cake I’m not walking away I fear.
These sure look so pretty and yummy
Thank you so much Lynn! I sure love seeing those babies of yours grow.
Your pear hand pies look great and I’m sure they are delicious. And with the dark chocolate drizzle…oh my!
Thank you Ana! I really love pears and you know me and chocolate!
OMG Julie, pies had been on my mind for sometime and my oldest daughter has been begging me to make some apple pies for a while now… These pear hand pies with chocolate drizzle look so inviting.. I can only imagine what a warm bite of freshly baked pear pie would do to you
They are so delicious Sonal! Apples would work wonderfully too. Enjoy your day Sonal!