Making a batch of savory bacon, apple and cheddar hand pies and carving pumpkins with friends, in partnership with Mirassou Winery. Jump to recipe.
As we enter peak fall, all gusty winds, jackets, and piles of leaves, I’m clamoring to slow down the year’s accelerating pace. So, I did the thing that always grounds me and gathered a few close friends for a candlelit evening of revelry. Specifically, a pumpkin carving party. Nothing crazy or competitive, just a relaxing evening of low-key creativity and good conversation.
I picked up a selection of smallish pumpkins (and a few winter squash for good measure) and a couple of pumpkin carving kits. Before my guests arrived, I cut open the tops and scooped out the seeds, which I saved, roasted, and pulled from the oven just as people came in. Besides pumpkin seeds, I kept the snacks simple with an autumnal cheese board and tiny bacon, apple and cheddar hand pies with a golden sheen, flaky crust, and savory sweet filling.
I wanted to keep things (nearly) effortless and served Mirassou Winery Pinot Noir alongside my array of snacks. Because fall weather and red wine were meant to be together, but also because with its approachable flavor and pops of berry and oak, Mirassou’s Pinot Noir complemented the mix of apple-y brightness, nutty cheddar, and the savory sweetness of caramelized onions and smoky bacon beautifully.
I’ve never had so much fun carving pumpkins and enjoyed the mix of creativity and friendship. From here on out, I’m adding a pumpkin carving party to my list of annual events.
- 1 recipe chilled double crust pastry dough
- 6 strips thick-cut bacon
- 1 yellow onion cut into thin half moon slices
- 6 fresh bay leaves
- sea salt
- fresh ground pepper
- 2 cups diced apples from about 2 medium apples
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 2 ounces cheddar
- 1 egg lightly beaten
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Prep pastry dough according to these directions, divide into two rounds, wrap in plastic, and chill.
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In a large, deep-sided skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat, turning once, just until edges crisp. Remove bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons bacon fat (reserve the rest for another use). Add the onion and stir to coat in the grease. Add a pinch each sea salt and pepper. After 2 minutes, edge heat down to low. Continue to cook the onion, stirring occasionally, until it’s golden brown and tastes sweet, about 20 minutes. Fold in the apples and cook 10 minutes more. Turn heat up to medium and add the flour. Cook 5 minutes, stirring often. Fold in cheese. Remove bay leaves; set aside for garnish. Remove pan from heat and set aside to cool.
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Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment.
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On a lightly floured sheet of parchment, roll out one of the chilled dough rounds into a large rectangle, about 1/8-inch thick. Use a 3-inch biscuit cutter to cut out 20 – 22 rounds. Gather and reroll any scraps up to 2 times.
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Set a dough round on prepared baking sheet. Add 2 tablespoons filling in a tight ball in the center of the round. Top with another dough round, pressing down the edges on all sides. Flute edges. Repeat until you have 20 hand pies. Repeat steps for the second dough round, until you have a total of 20 – 22 hand pies arranged on baking sheets.
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Working quickly, brush tops of pies with egg then use a sharp knife to cut 3 (½-inch) long vents in the top. Slide into the oven and bake 25 minutes or until pies are a rich golden hue and the filling is bubbling. Cool briefly, then serve.
these look absolutely divine. cute pumpkins too!
Your party is GORGEOUS, and those little hand pies are speaking directly to ME!
I love your tablescape and the hand pies sound fabulous!
Oh my gosh I love this! Perfect idea for a fall party. And those pies are divine! xoxo
fabulous! WOW what a spread!
My husband is gonna go nuts for these!!!
Love this. What a great table.
Hi, I’m actually trying this recipe and you’re missing a couple steps. 1) When to add the bay leaves you later have to remove, 2) When to add the bacon you just cooked (I threw it in when I added the apples, but that was just a guess). Only other suggestion is damn girl, only 2oz of cheese for that much filling? I used more like 4 before it felt like it was distributed enough. I did prep ahead and that worked fine, so good call on that suggestion. Overall tasty and looked just like the photos.