Spooky Ghost Hand Pie
Hot off the retro press: October 2023 • Freshly updated September 2025
Looking for a hauntingly delicious creation for a fall treat?
These ghost hand pies are a delicious nod to the retro Halloween treats of decades past.
With their flaky crust, sweet blackberry almond filling, and playful ghostly faces, they feel like something you’d find at a 1960s neighborhood party table. Fun, festive, and just a little kitschy.
Hand pies are a throwback to the vintage era of baking, where every dessert was made with love and attention to detail.
The combination of almond and blackberry, with its sweet yet tangy flavors, creates a harmonious balance and they are super cute!
History of hand pies
The history of hand pies can be traced back centuries, with variations found in different cultures around the world.
In medieval times, these portable treats were known as pasties, filled with savory ingredients and often enjoyed by laborers and travelers
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Variations of hand pies
If you're craving a burst of tartness, try a lemon hand pie with its bright and refreshing filling.
Perhaps a traditional apple hand pie will satisfy your sweet tooth with its cinnamon-spiced apples wrapped in flaky pastry.
For a tropical twist, a mango-passionfruit hand pie will transport your taste buds to a sunny paradise.
If you're feeling adventurous, consider a savory hand pie, filled with ingredients like cheese, spinach, or even barbecue chicken. These hand pies make for a satisfying meal on the go or a unique addition to a picnic spread.
Today’s Helpful Hint
To prevent hand pies from becoming overly soggy, you can thicken the filling.
This can be done by adding a tablespoon of cornstarch to the filling mixture.
The cornstarch will absorb excess liquid as the pies bake, creating a luscious filling without being runny.
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Making these spooky ghost hand pies is a delightful way to celebrate the Halloween season and add a touch of whimsy.
I always use the pie crust box to make my templets
Finely chopped almonds
You’ll cut at top and bottom for each ghost out of one pie crust sheet
Cut out lay flat
fill
Top and bake
Vintage Betty Crocker Recipe
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Glaze and top with an almond and use black icing for the eyes - optional for the eyes mini chocolate chips
Easy Ghost Hand Pies (Almond & Blackberry)
Time to Make: 60 minutes
Makes: 6-8 Hand Pies
(Any extra dough and filling can be used for smaller hand pies.)
💡 Storage Tip: Store leftover ghost hand pies in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for 5–7 days, or freeze—these reheat beautifully!
Ingredients
4 boxes premade pie crust
21 oz can blackberry pie filling
½ cup finely crushed almonds
1 egg
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper (optional).
In a medium bowl, combine the blackberry pie filling with the finely crushed almonds.
In a small bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of water and the egg to make an egg wash.
On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pie crusts (room temperature works best). Using a ghost-shaped cookie cutter (or template), cut out 2 ghosts from each pie sheet. Brush egg wash around the edges of each ghost cutout.
Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of the blackberry mixture into the center of one ghost cutout. Place another ghost cutout on top, fold the edges over, and press to seal with a fork.
Brush the tops with remaining egg wash.
Vent the pies: Cut small slits in the top of each ghost hand pie to allow steam to escape.
Arrange pies on the baking sheets and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until golden brown.
Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy these spooky-sweet treats!
Decorating Ideas 🎃
Add a simple glaze (try the Betty Crocker glaze recipe mentioned above) or frosting.
Here are some retro-inspired and playful decorating ideas for your Ghost Hand Pies:
Classic Spooky Faces
Mini chocolate chips or black frosting for eyes and mouth.
Sliced almonds for a little oval “O” mouth (so kitschy and cute!).
Black gel icing to pipe expressive faces (surprised, happy, or even spooky).
Retro Halloween Touches
Give them tiny candy bow ties or buttons (think M&M minis or orange sprinkle dots).
Add jack-o’-lantern–style mouths with black gel to give them vintage character.
Place them on a platter with candy corn or vintage Halloween candy wrappers for presentation.
Whether you're hosting a haunted gathering or simply looking to indulge in a ghostly treat why not try your hand at making a spooky ghost hand pie.
It pays homage to the rich history of hand pies while adding a touch of Halloween.
