Description
Mini cherry pies are charming bite-sized desserts featuring a flaky golden crust filled with a sweet and tart cherry mixture. Each pie offers a perfect balance of juicy fruit and crisp pastry, creating a delightful contrast in texture and flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 package refrigerated pie crusts (or homemade)
- 1 egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon milk (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
Instructions
- Prepare the cherry filling by combining cherries, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla extract, lemon juice, optional almond extract, and salt in a bowl. Toss gently and set aside.
- Roll out the pie crust on a floured surface and cut into 4-5 inch diameter circles, two per mini pie.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a muffin tin and place one dough circle in each cup, pressing gently.
- Fill each crust with about 1 tablespoon of cherry filling, then cover with a second dough circle. Seal edges by crimping with a fork and cut small slits on top for steam.
- Mix egg and milk for egg wash. Brush over pie tops and sprinkle with sugar.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until crusts are golden and filling is bubbly. Cool in pan for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- For a dairy-free crust, substitute butter with coconut oil or dairy-free margarine.
- Use gluten-free pie crusts or make your own with almond and coconut flour for gluten-free options.
- Replace granulated sugar with erythritol or monk fruit sweetener for a sugar-free alternative.
- For a vegan version, use non-dairy crust and brush tops with almond milk mixed with syrup instead of egg wash.
- Add cinnamon or nutmeg to the filling for extra flavor or mix in other berries like blueberries or raspberries.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini pie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: mini cherry pies, bite-sized pies, cherry dessert, flaky crust pies, holiday treats