These sugar-free cherry chocolate hand pies combine a rich chocolate pastry with a glossy cherry filling, creating a delicious dessert that feels indulgent without the added sugar. The pastry is soft, flaky, and slightly chewy, while the cherry center brings a bright, fruity contrast to the deep chocolate flavor. Perfect for anyone following a low-carb or sugar-free lifestyle, these hand pies are satisfying, portable, and easy to prepare.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
A delicious sugar-free dessert that still feels indulgent
Low in net carbs, making it suitable for low-carb lifestyles
Rich chocolate pastry paired with sweet-tart cherries
Easy to make with simple ingredients
Perfect for snacks, desserts, or meal prep
Portable hand pies that are great for on-the-go treats
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Dough
1 3/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup almond flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons cream cheese
1 large egg
1 tablespoon powdered erythritol or another sugar-free sweetener
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
pinch of salt
Cherry Filling
1 cup sugar-free cherry pie filling or chopped cherries cooked with sweetener
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the shredded mozzarella and cream cheese. Microwave for about 60–90 seconds, stirring halfway through, until the cheese is melted and smooth.
Add the almond flour, cocoa powder, sweetener, baking powder, salt, egg, and vanilla extract to the melted cheese mixture. Stir until the dough becomes thick and uniform.
Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll it out to about 1/8 inch thickness.
Cut the dough into circles approximately 4 inches in diameter using a cookie cutter or glass.
In a small bowl, mix the cherries, chia seeds, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of the cherry filling into the center of half of the dough circles.
Place another dough circle on top of each filled circle and press the edges together with a fork to seal.
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water to create the egg wash. Brush it lightly over the tops of the hand pies.
Transfer the pies to the prepared baking sheet and bake for 18–22 minutes until the pastry is firm and slightly crisp.
Allow the pies to cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Drizzle with melted sugar-free chocolate or lightly dust with powdered sweetener if desired.
Approximate nutrition per hand pie:
Calories: 214
Net carbs: 4 g
Protein: 9 g
Fat: 17 g
Fiber: 4 g
Total carbs: 8 g
Variations
Chocolate Berry Hand Pies
Replace the cherry filling with sugar-free raspberry or blueberry filling for a different berry flavor.
Chocolate Almond Hand Pies
Add 1 tablespoon finely chopped almonds to the filling for a nutty crunch.
Chocolate Cream Cheese Hand Pies
Mix 2 tablespoons cream cheese with sweetener and use it as part of the filling along with cherries.
Double Chocolate Version
Add a few sugar-free chocolate chips inside the filling before sealing the pies.
Cinnamon Chocolate Pies
Add 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon to the dough for a warm, spiced flavor.
Storage/Reheating
Storage
Store the hand pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing
Place cooled hand pies in a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months.
Reheating
Reheat in an oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 8 minutes or until warm. You can also microwave them for 20–30 seconds, though the pastry may be softer.
FAQs
Can I use fresh cherries instead of pie filling?
Yes. Cook fresh cherries with a sugar-free sweetener and a little lemon juice until softened, then thicken with chia seeds.
Is this recipe suitable for diabetics?
It is designed to be sugar-free and low in carbs, which many people with diabetes prefer, but individual dietary needs may vary.
Why is mozzarella used in the dough?
Mozzarella melts smoothly and creates a flexible dough when combined with almond flour, making it ideal for low-carb pastry.
Can I replace almond flour with coconut flour?
Coconut flour absorbs much more liquid, so it cannot be substituted directly without adjusting the recipe.
How do I keep the dough from sticking?
Rolling the dough between two sheets of parchment paper prevents sticking and makes it easier to handle.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes. The dough can be prepared and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before shaping the pies.
Why are chia seeds used in the filling?
Chia seeds help naturally thicken the filling without adding sugar or starch.
Can these hand pies be made dairy-free?
This specific dough relies on cheese for structure, so it is not easily made dairy-free.
How do I know when the pies are done baking?
They should feel firm and slightly crisp on the outside with a light golden-brown finish.
Can I add a chocolate drizzle on top?
Yes. Melt sugar-free chocolate chips and drizzle lightly over the cooled hand pies for extra flavor.
Conclusion
Sugar-free cherry chocolate hand pies are a delightful dessert that balances rich chocolate pastry with bright cherry filling. They are easy to prepare, low in carbs, and perfect for anyone looking for a satisfying treat without added sugar. Whether enjoyed as a dessert, snack, or special homemade treat, these hand pies deliver indulgent flavor in a wholesome, sugar-free package.
Sugar-free cherry chocolate hand pies made with a rich chocolate almond-flour pastry and a sweet-tart cherry filling. These low-carb treats are soft, flaky, and indulgent while remaining suitable for sugar-free and low-carb lifestyles.
Ingredients
1 3/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup almond flour
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons cream cheese
1 large egg
1 tablespoon powdered erythritol or another sugar-free sweetener
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 cup sugar-free cherry pie filling or chopped cherries cooked with sweetener
1 teaspoon powdered erythritol for dusting (optional)
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine shredded mozzarella and cream cheese. Microwave for 60–90 seconds, stirring halfway through, until melted and smooth.
Add almond flour, cocoa powder, sweetener, baking powder, salt, egg, and vanilla extract to the melted cheese mixture. Mix until a thick dough forms.
Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper and roll to about 1/8-inch thickness.
Cut the dough into 4-inch circles using a cookie cutter or glass.
In a small bowl, mix cherries, chia seeds, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Let sit for about 5 minutes to thicken.
Spoon about 1 tablespoon of filling onto the center of half the dough circles.
Top with another dough circle and press the edges with a fork to seal.
Whisk the egg and water to create an egg wash and brush over the tops.
Place the pies on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 18–22 minutes until firm and lightly crisp.
Cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.
Optional: drizzle with melted sugar-free chocolate or dust with powdered sweetener.
Notes
Rolling the dough between parchment sheets prevents sticking.
Allow the pies to cool before eating so the filling sets properly.
Sugar-free raspberry or blueberry filling can replace cherries.
Add sugar-free chocolate chips to the filling for a double-chocolate variation.
Store leftovers in the refrigerator for best texture.
