Spooky Jack-O’-Lantern Pumpkin Hand Pies | Fun Halloween Dessert Recipe

Halloween is the perfect time to get creative in the kitchen, and these jack-o’-lantern pumpkin hand pies are a fun twist on the classic pumpkin pie. Not only are they adorable with their carved pumpkin faces, but they’re also the perfect handheld size for kids, parties, and festive treats.

If you’re hosting a Halloween party, planning a spooky classroom celebration, or just want a fun baking activity to do with your kids, this recipe is simple, tasty, and sure to impress. Plus, with only a few ingredients, you can whip these up without spending hours in the kitchen.

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Why You’ll Love These Pumpkin Hand Pies

• Perfectly festive: Jack-o’-lantern faces make these pies a spooky showstopper.
• Individual servings: Great for parties or kids who want their own little treat.
• Kid-friendly baking activity: Let children help cut out the pumpkin faces!
• Classic fall flavor: All the warm, cozy spices of pumpkin pie in a mini form.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 1 package refrigerated pie crusts (or you can go ahead and make them yourself, if you prefer homemade)
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger mix)
• 1 egg (for egg wash)
• Whipped cream (optional, for topping)
• Small cookie cutters (pumpkin, leaf, or knife for carving jack-o’-lantern faces)

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Step 2: Prepare Filling

In a bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, sugar, and pumpkin pie spice until smooth. This will be your simple pumpkin pie filling.

Step 3: Cut the Dough

Roll out your pie crust and use a round cookie cutter (or a glass) to cut out circles about 4 inches wide. You’ll need two circles for each hand pie – one for the bottom and one for the top.

Step 4: Make the Jack-O’-Lantern Faces

On half of the circles, carefully cut out little eyes, noses, and mouths to look like jack-o’-lanterns. This is a great step for kids to help with (just supervise if they’re using a knife).

Step 5: Fill and Seal

Place a spoonful of pumpkin mixture in the center of a plain circle. Gently place a jack-o’-lantern cut-out circle on top, pressing the edges with a fork to seal.

Step 6: Brush with Egg Wash

Beat an egg and lightly brush it over the tops of the pies. This helps them bake golden brown.

Step 7: Bake

Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until golden brown and flaky. Let cool slightly before serving.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
• Package them individually in treat bags for classroom or Halloween party favors.
• Pair them with hot apple cider or pumpkin spice lattes for the ultimate fall treat.

Tips for Success

• Don’t overfill the pies or the filling will leak out.
• If you don’t have pumpkin puree, sweet potato puree works as a great substitute.
• Get creative with faces – make some spooky, some silly, and some classic jack-o’-lantern smiles.
• These can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container for 2–3 days.

Why These Jack-O’-Lantern Pies Are Perfect for Halloween

Halloween is all about fun, creativity, and a little bit of spookiness – and these pies check all the boxes. They combine the comfort of pumpkin pie with the festive fun of jack-o’-lanterns, making them a hit with both kids and adults. Plus, since they’re hand pies, they’re mess-free, easy to serve, and ideal for parties or school events.

So grab some pie crust, carve out some faces, and let the Halloween baking fun begin!

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Helpful Links

You may also be interested in;

• Skittles Pumpkin Experiment
• Ghost Strawberries Recipe
• Graveyard Brownies Recipe
• Frankenstein Cookies Recipe
• Pumpkin Sun Catcher Craft Template
• 2D Shape Pumpkin Pie Task Cards Free Download

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Nikki