These are individual-sized pies made in little glass jars that can go straight from your freezer to your oven to your mouth. SO cute. You can make these with store-bought crust and canned filling or jazz it up with homemade like we do. And just for added cuteness we teamed up with crafting expert Lolly for some personalized tags. These are just about the best little gift from the kitchen you could share with someone!
Pie in Jar
This is the type of jar you’ll need.
They’re half-pint jars, but short and squatty instead of tall and skinny (Ya know, like me as opposed to my mother. Why oh why did I have to get the other parent’s genes??!) Mine are made by Kerr (Here’s the link to buy them from Amazon). They’re stinking cute as is, don’t you think? Something about a short squatty jar makes me giddy with the thoughts of fun things I could put inside. Ya know, like PIE. (And also cupcakes.)
Step 1: Pie Dough
The first thing you’ll need is dough. You can use any pie dough you like. Here’s a great tutorial on making a basic crust. That particular recipe will make 4 jars. You can also use the all-butter crust from this post. Or if you’re really in a pinch, even a store bought crust will do.
Step 2: Make a topper and line the jar
Roll out a small handful of dough. This is just for the tops of your pies, so eyeball about that much. Grab the ring part of your jar and use that as your cookie cutter. Brilliant, right? Cut out the tops and set aside.
Use the rest of the dough to line the jars. (No, you do not need to grease them) The great part is that there’s no rolling required! Just take little pieces and press them in. Make sure it’s pressed all the way up to the top of the jar, or pretty close to it.
Step 3: Fill ‘er up
You’ll need about 1/2 C filling for each jar. You can use any filling your little pie-craving heart desires, even (gasp) canned! You can also use the same method shown in the galette post to use any fruit you happen to have around.
Here’s the basic recipe (for 4 pies)
2 C prepared fruit (pitted, diced, peeled, etc.)
2 T sugar- brown or white (use more or less depending on sweetness of fruit)
2 T flour- (again, more if your fruit is super juicy like cherries, less if it’s pretty dry)
1 T butter (divided between the pies)
Seasonings/flavorings- cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and almond extract, citrus zest etc)
Play around with it and come up with something yummy! I made 2 different pies in my pictures: one, a cut-down version of Kate’s Apple Pie and one with fresh cherries and almond extract.
When your filling is all combined, divide it between the jars and dot a pat of butter on top (about 1/4 T)
Step 4: Top it off
Make sure your “lid” has a vent so steam can escape. You can use a knive to make a couple of slits or a tiny cookie cutter to make it decorative. I am in LOVE with these little Autumn Leaf Pie Crust Cutters that my sister gave to me last fall. Oooh, I just saw this year’s set has an acorn in it! I might have to get that one too–how cute is that little acorn??! My little maple leaf is pretty darn cute, too.
When your topper is ready, slip it onto the top of the pie. It will be large enough that the outside edge goes up the side of the dough-covered jar a bit, as show in the picture below. Then use your finger, or a fork (as seen above), to press the 2 pieces of dough together to seal. And nobody even think about mentioning the state of my fingernails.
Another option is to do a crumb topping. I put a basic crumb topping on my cherry pies and they were sooo yummy.
Crumb Topping (for 4-6 pies)
1/4C brown sugar
1/4 C flour
2 Tbs oats
1/4 tsp cinnamon
3 Tbs cold butter
Combine sugar, flour and cinnamon. Cut in butter. Add oats and stir to combine.
And I couldn’t help but try a mini lattice on one. Eeek! Dying of cuteness overload. (Click here for a how-to on a lattice pattern)
** Optional step here that I HIGHLY reccomend: Brush pie tops with butter and sprinkle with sugar at this point. Yumminess highly instensified!
Step 5: Freeze ’em!
Ready for this? When your pies are all done and topped, place metal lids back on and seal them tight.
Then pop these little cuties in the freezer. There they will stay until you find yourself having an insatiable craving for home-baked goodness. You’ll be reaching for the crumbs at the bottom of the keebler box when suddenly your eyes will light up because you remember you have THESE sitting in your freezer.
Or when you have unexpected guests in need of impressing, or a friend needing to be cheered up, or it’s Thursday…I can think of a million reasons why one should have a constant supply of fresh pie in the freezer.
Step 6: Bake ’em
Now first let me say that one of the biggest concerns from everyone is about the jars breaking in the oven. All I can say it that I’ve baked hundreds of these and never once has a jar broken. These are canning jars- they are designed to be boiled, pressure cooked, etc. So it’s different than putting any ol’ piece of glass in the oven. They bake just fine!But if you’re freaking out then my advice would be this: remove lids from jars and place jars on a baking sheet. Place baking sheet in a COLD oven. Then turn the oven to 375. That will give the jars a chance to warm up slowly as the oven preheats. If you’re really worried you can always let them sit at room temp for a bit first before putting them in a cold oven. Bake for about 50-60 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the middles are bubbly. If you’re baking them fresh and not frozen they take about 45 minutes.
Depending on your filling you can pop them right out of the jar and onto a plate like so:
Or just eat them right out of the jar. There’s something way more fun about eating it right out of the jar…
And if you have oozing cherry filling, that might be the only option!
Change out your cookie cutters on top for cute holiday versions
Lolly is the brain behind Lollychops. Some of you may remember last year when she designed these cute cute Christmas tags for us to put on our goodies. So of course, I instantly thought of her when I realized that I could not sleep at night knowing these mini-pies could be better dressed. They needed just a touch of Lolly. And she delivered like always with these adorable tags!
All of the directions are right on the tag and you can write a little To/From on it. Plus in true Lolly fashion there’s like, a million different versions to go with any flavor you could possibly imagine.
These little pies are perrrrrrfect for giving. So once you have these cuties made up, download Lolly’s tag set, and get your cute on. People will think you are amazing because not only did you come up with the brilliant idea to make a mini pie in a jar, you also made an adorable personalized tag. Talk about moving up a notch on the popularity ladder.
–> CLICK HERE <– to head over to the Lollychops blog and get all of the instructions and details on downloading and using the tag sets. And here is a direct link to the tags.
All of the rest of you- get baking and have a great week!
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Questions & Reviews
Such a sweet idea! Definitely saving this one for my besties!
Thank you for sharing!
Wow, these are a nifty idea! They were easy to make and delicious…and I love that you can freeze them for emergency desserts!
I did them one better-made a savory filling for dinner…I mixed cut up leftover meat (chicken/turkey/pork tenderloin) with veggies (peas, carrots, parsnips, onions, celery, etc.) and a bit of stock with flour to thicken…instant (and healthy) pot-pies…also freeze well and can be reheated in a pinch.
Thanks for the creative cooking ideas!
These are the best gift to cook and send to Afghanastan! You never have to worry about shelf life because as soon as my Son gets them he has a crowd of his “peeps” surronding him to see what kind of goodies he has. They know I always send extra to share! If you send them just make sure you cook them fully and they seal. Priority mail, they will get there in about 7 days and they are always great! Enjoy!!
I just saw these listed on this site and I think they are adorable, practical, easy to personalize and easy to ship. Love it! Great site!
http://thehungrygoddess.com/2012/02/hgeats-edibles-fave-tweets-valentines-day-ideas-from-deliver-love/#comment-114
This is an adorable idea! I love it 🙂 I don’t eat pie but I know a lot of people that would love this gift idea 🙂 So glad I came across this post from a list of ideas for V-Day goodies > http://www.skinnyscoop.com/list/hungrygoddess/deliver-love-diy-food-gifts-for-valentines-day
My boyfriends mother was always bringing him baked goodies, she is in hospital. These little minis are so cute, and he has the jars from when I canned the salmon.
such a cute idea i will have to make these.
This would be so easy to adapt into a miniature apple dumpling… and those tiny apples that come in bags would be well-suited. They would HAVE to be eaten inside the jar, but stuffing raisins and all that into a hollowed apple is one of those joys our modern moms have all but lost. The jar would even help keep the pie crust layer from falling down the sides of the apple. I hope I remember this idea some five years or so from now, when my kids aren’t ankle-biter height anymore! THANK YOU!
THIS IS THE CUTEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN!!! OMGoodness I LOVE IT!
My sis-in-law is pregnant and we’re planning a July picnic baby shower. These pies will make a great dessert for the festivities!!
Made these around Thanksgiving time and they were a HIT! People Loved them and they were sooo cute 🙂
My neighbor gave me a mixed berry one and it was delicious. What a great neighborly Christmas gift.
I recieved on as a christmas persent from a student and it was wonderful. I just had to figure out how to make some myself.
I love this idea! We are making them as Christmas gifts. If we prebake them before giving them out, what would be the directions for reheating?? Maybe I just missed it…
Oh, whatever. Pop in a warm oven (350) till it’s warmed through, maybe 10 mins or so? Or even in the microwave. Just make sure to remove lids!
OK this is just about the cutest most amazing idea ever! Not only will these make great gifts and satisfy emergency pie cravings, but I could also send
pot pie/shepherd’s pie/pizza pie etc in my husband’s lunches!
Thank you SO much!
Making these for teacher Christmas gifts this week!! (and one for me too of course! Have to be sure they’re okay to give away!) 🙂
I’m new to the site, just found it Wednesday. I wanted to make the single serving pie but could only find the tall 1/2 pint jars. Made one to “test” before fixing as gifts. The tall jars, though not as cute, work fine. I tell everyone that this is my new, most favorite place to hang out, when I’m not using your wonderful ideas. Thank you so much for blessing us with your talents.
I can’t wait to make these! But I have a question, I’m going to be making them as gifts, and I would like to bake them before I give them. They will be cold before they will be eaten, so can they be microwaved to reheat them?
Hi!
I just wanted to let you know that we’d included a link to this adorable idea in our Stuff those Stockings Collection in Artizen Magazine. Here’s the link that opens directly to the article: http://publications.catstonepress.com/issue/50117/24 (You can view more pages by just clicking the page edges or in the toolbar.) I hope you’ll get several click throughs to your website from the magazine!
Have a wonderful Holiday season! Feel free to get in touch if you have any questions about the magazine.
Cindy Marks
Publisher, Artizen Magazine
[email protected]
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Artizen-Magazine/105057472871588
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ArtizenMagazine
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello! These are great! I was wondering if you can do pot pies the same way, have you tried them?
Thanks,
Sabrina
Hi I love these pies! I want to gift them for christmas this year, but I have a few questions.
Should I freeze them and just give them as gifts?
Can you bake them and then give them?
If so, how long should they cook them to just warm them up?
I have no idea what to do, please let me know!!!
Question! I’m wanting to do some of these litle pies in a jar as Christmas goodies, and I was wanting to do some other kinds of pies. I’m doing an apple pie which is covered in this post, but I also want to do a pecan pie and a chocolate cobbler. How should I go about determining the oven temp and bake times for these? I would have just gone with what their respective recipes called for, but I noticed that your temps and times for this apple pie in a jar vs the original apple pie recipes are different. Can you please give me some advice on this? These will likely be baked after being frozen. Thanks!
I just bought the jars. I’m so excited to make these as gifts for Xmas! Thanks for sharing.
So I am going to be making these with about 14 7th and 8th graders for my Home Ec class 🙂 I am soo excited 🙂 !!!
I made these cute little apple pies for my son who could not be home for Thanksgiving. He loved it! Now I have a way to send Mom’s homemade goodness to my son in college for Christmas too! Thank you!
I love this idea. My husband probably thinks I’m insane because I just started squealing about baby pies! I just found your site and I am in love. While reading your bio’s, I kept laughing. My husband’s an engineer from Seattle and served his mission in Curtiba, Brazil. I’m from Boise, and love to bake! So many similarities 🙂
This is such a cute idea. Great explanation & great pictures! I think this would be a super idea for party favors at a holiday party. Thank you!
I am obsessed with the jar idea. I want to make everything and anything in a jar now! I am making the pie in a jar for thanksgiving this year! I went to the William Sonoma site and bought the pie crust cutters, but they just came in and are so big!! It seems like yours are mini ones. Are they, or do I just have smaller mouthed jars than you? My crust cutters are about the same size as the opening of my jars. Tear! I HAVE to do the leaf cut out. So adorable!!
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