Jam-Filled Hand Pies with Healthy Chocolate Sauce

Happy (almost) Valentine’s day! I am single myself so the only plans I have is to indulge in some chocolate and desserts…because what is better than that? Oh and maybe some Netflix 😉

For me, berries and chocolate just seem like the perfect Valentine’s indulgence…and paired with a buttery flaky crust just makes it even better!

Although I would love to indulge in an uber fudgy unhealthy chocolate cake…I do have my priorities and that’s to eat healthily. So, I made sure to make this pastry as healthy as I could and I think I succeeded!

Of course, you could make this gluten-free, but I like my gluten so feel free to sub in whatever flours of your choosing!

Instead of butter, I used coconut oil.

Instead of using a super sugary jam I made my own.

and

Instead of pairing it with a refined sugar filled dipping sauce I made a healthy, yet delicious chocolate sauce made with only dates, coconut milk, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and coffee!

This recipe is…

Healthier than your average pastry

Vegan

Easy

Simple

Delicious

Will win over your Valentine <3

Jam-filled Hand Pies with Healthy Chocolate Sauce

---

By: Taavi Elizabeth     Makes: 7-8 hand pies

Ingredients 

Pie dough 

• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup cold coconut oil
• 2 tsp organic cane sugar
• Almond milk

Jam 

• 1 cup frozen or fresh mixed berries (or berry of choice)
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• 1 tbsp organic cane sugar
• Cornstarch slurry (mix together 1 tsp cornstarch w/ water)

Chocolate sauce

• 1/4 cup soaked dates
• 3/4 cup coconut milk (or add until desired thickness)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 tsp ground instant coffee or coffee syrup (got mine at Trader Joes)

Directions 

1. Start by making the pie dough. In a large mixing bowl add in flour and sugar. Cut in the cold coconut oil with your hands until it’s a crumb-like mixture.
2. Slowly mix in almond milk with a wooden spoon until a dough starts to form. Use your hands once it gets too hard. I eyeballed the almond milk, so just keep adding it in until you can form a smooth dough ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15 min.
3. While the dough is refrigerating, prepare the jam. In a small saucepan, reduce berries down until liquid starts to form. Add the cornstarch slurry, lemon zest, and sugar. Simmer mixture for 10-15 min. or until slightly thick. Transfer to a small jar and cool for 15-20 min. or until its thickened even further.
4. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Take the dough out and roll till it’s about 1/2 inch thick. Cut into circles and arrange on lined baking sheet. Take cooled down jam and place about 1 tsp of jam into center of circle. Brush some water or melted coconut oil around the edges and secure corresponding circle on top. Seal by pressing a fork along the edges. Optional: score a small heart on the surface for Valentine’s day!
5. Repeat that process for the remainder of the circles until you run out of dough. Brush hand pies with melted vegan butter and sprinkle on a bit of raw cane sugar. Bake for 15-20 min. or until golden brown.
6. While hand pies are baking, prepare chocolate sauce. Process all ingredients in a food processor and pour into a small dipping bowl.
7. Enjoy hand pies with chocolate sauce. Enjoy!