Fresh Cherry Mini Pies Recipe
These Fresh Cherry Mini Pies offer bite-sized bursts of summer with juicy, sweet cherries nestled in buttery, golden crusts. Perfectly sized for parties, picnics, or a delightful handheld treat, these pies combine a flaky homemade dough with a vibrant cherry filling enhanced by lemon and vanilla for a fresh, tangy sweetness.
- Author: Douaa
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 10–12 mini pies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Pie Dough:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 6–8 tbsp ice water
Cherry Filling:
- 3 cups fresh pitted cherries
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Finishing:
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
- Optional: coarse sugar for sprinkling
- Make the Pie Dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, and sugar. Cut in the cold, cubed butter with a pastry cutter or your fingers until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing gently until the dough just comes together. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Prepare the Cherry Filling: In a medium saucepan, combine the pitted cherries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens slightly and becomes syrupy—this should take about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and let the filling cool completely before assembling.
- Preheat and Prepare Pans: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a muffin tin or line with paper liners for easier cleanup.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a round cookie cutter or a glass roughly 3 inches in diameter, cut out circles large enough to line the muffin tin cavities.
- Assemble the Mini Pies: Press each dough circle gently into the muffin tin cavities. Spoon the cooled cherry filling evenly into each dough-lined cup. Cut smaller dough circles or strips for lattice tops and place them over the filling to create a top crust.
- Apply Egg Wash and Garnish: Brush the tops of the pies with the beaten egg to give them a beautiful golden finish. Sprinkle coarse sugar over the tops if desired for added sparkle and crunch.
- Bake: Bake the mini pies in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the crusts are golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pies to cool in the muffin tin for about 10 minutes before carefully removing them to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is very cold to achieve a flaky crust.
- Chill the dough for at least one hour to make rolling easier and prevent shrinkage during baking.
- Use fresh, ripe cherries for the best flavor; if cherries are unavailable, frozen cherries can be thawed and drained before use.
- Adjust sugar in the filling according to the tartness of your cherries.
- For an extra touch, serve with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
- Store leftover mini pies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini pie (approx. 85g)
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 16g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0.1g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: cherry mini pies, fresh cherry dessert, bite-sized pies, summer fruit pies, homemade cherry pies, handheld pies, party desserts