{Local Milk}is a stunning food blog based on the local ingredients and flavors of writer, photographer and self-admitted turophileBeth’snative state, Tennessee. I’ve had theseFig, Balsamic and Rosemary Hand Pieson my radar since she posted the recipe and those incredibly beautiful photos of them last month.

I thought they’d be a perfect alternative to those store-bought toaster pastries that kids always want around back-to-school time. Now I’ll admit, they’re definitely a bit more work than the ones that come in a box, but that’s why you’re here, right? This isFine Cooking, after all.

Beth offers up the original recipe for these pies, which includes macerating the figs in balsamic vinegar, sugar, rosemary and honey, as well as an alternative. You can choose to fill the pies with this sweet, herbaceous filling alone, or add a dollop of goat cheese for an even more luxurious texture and a bit of tang.

The extra work that you’ll put into these figgy hand pies will be well-worth the smiles on your kids faces. Not to mention how envious all the other kids will be looking at your beautiful masterpiece pies and back again at their stale toaster pastries. Happy back-to-school baking!