Cherry Hand Pies | Reader's Digest Canada

Ingredients

• 6 tbsp water (divided)
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp cherry brandy
• 4-1/2 tsp cornstarch
• 1-1/2 tsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp quick-cooking tapioca
• 1/4 tsp grated lemon zest
• Dash salt
• 2 cups fresh or frozen pitted tart cherries (thawed and halved)
• 1 cup fresh or frozen pitted dark sweet cherries (thawed and halved)
• Pastry for double-crust pie
• 1 large egg
• 2-2/3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 3 to 4 tbsp hot water
• 2 tbsp butter (melted)
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• Freeze-dried strawberries (crushed, optional)