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
What an awesome way to do ahead chicken pot pies! A great way to deliver food to someone in need as well!
These are so adorably cute. Perfect for a snack. OR I could make these and give them to my Mom who would never make a dessert just for herself, but would take one of these out of the freezer and bake for a treat! Thanks for the wonderful idea!
Could you do this with pumpkin pie? These are soo adorable and I can not wait to try some.Mini versions of anything are just so darned cute!!
This is such a great idea for individual chicken pot pies too! I've been trying to figure out how to make little pot pies for toddler lunches… Your site has such great ideas for quick easy lunches (and I get soooo bored eating the same things over and over and over – even though my little one doesn't)
THANK YOU!!
I don't see why not!
Do you think this will work with the chocolate chip cookie pie recipe you posted the other day?
I love this sooo much I'm baking Pineapple ones for my wedding soon, and just want to know what size cookie cutters would work best? Similar to the maple leaf you used.
You've found your way into my heart! Thank you for this.
Taylor
http://www.maryjanesandgaloshes.com
How creative! I love this idea!! I accidently came across this site while looking up wedding stuff and I'm glad I did. This would be great gift for a variety of things! I think I might use these for my wedding shower instead of normal-boring cake! Thanks so much!!
I just stumbled upon this post yesterday afternoon and it inspired me to make pies for dessert that same day. I wrote a blog post of the results. Thanks for the inspiration.
http://zakkaobsession.blogspot.com/2011/01/apple-pie-is-best.html
I just delivered the last of the blackberry and cherry pies that I made for Christmas presents for fiends and they were a huge hit! To decorate the jars, I traced the lid of the jar onto a paper plate with a Christmas pattern, cut it out, and put that between the ring and the lid. Very festive and it should hold up in the freezer for as long as the pies are stored. Thanks for this cute idea!
It's the same post, the Christmas part is just using a cute cookie cutter for the top and dressing it up in Christmas cuteness 🙂
Where are the ideas for the Christmas jars? I see the picture but when I click on the link it's the old one.
Thank you so much for sharing this. What a cute idea..
Tried to read all the comments so sorry if this is a repeat, but has anyone tried a cheesecake in one of these jars????
Monica- yup, oven with foil works great 🙂
Thank you for your quick reply! Another question – if I give it fresh-baked, any tips for reheating and still preserving the crust-goodness? Should I tell people to just pop it in the oven with some foil on top?
Monica- it's really up to you. For Christmas gifts, I personally like them either baked, or unbaked but fresh (not frozen.) Then I tell them they can either pop it in the oven some time in the next few days, or freeze for later.
Thanks for this rad idea. I am using your post to make these into beef-guiness-pot-pie-in-jars for my friends for Christmas.
Do you recommend that I give them frozen, or bake'em first and give'em baked? That's the one issue I haven't worked out in my head.
How many things can you cook in a jar and give as gifts before people start looking at you strangely 🙂 My only fear is that nothing I make will be eaten, though they are all too polite to tell me so…I have a disastrous history in the kitchen….it usually ends with someone becoming violently ill…(I wouldn't eat anything that I gave to me either). I may have to design my own warning label/tag that points out that someone who CAN in fact cook without killing anyone provided the instructions for me.
What would be the reheating instructions?
I plan on giving these as christmas presents already cooked but would like some direction for their reheating use! Thanks!!!!
This is a awesome website. Thanks
Terrri- I'm not a canning expert so I have no idea!
Just a thought but has anyone tried to actually can these little treasures? I would be great to be able to just put them in the pantry for later use. Would that be possible do you think?
HELLLLLP, I'M AN ADDICT!! OMG you guys…. ever since I saw this cute idea I have completely cleaned out the ACE hardware of all their little jars and have been making everything that comes to mind in little jars. I'm a frozen meal in a jar psycho!! I have made the chicken pot pie, which was seriously the best thing EVER!! And now for Thanksgiving I have asked everyone what their favorite pie is and made it for them…. everyone gets their own pie!! However, I of course got carried away and made extra and several flavors for those who said "I don't care"….. I'm out of control!! I feel like I will soon look like the movie Baby Boom LOL. Thanks tons for the idea:)
PS. I made the pumpkin crumble in the jar…. I will let you know how it goes!! (I told you, I have the crazies)
Great idea! If i pre-bake them the day before and refrigerate…what directions do I give for reheating? Thanks!
Kyrene- I probably wouldn't make them in baby food jars (although they'd be *adorable*!) just because I don't know how heat safe they are in the oven, ya know?
hi! these look wonderful wonderful! i have few questions however, i have an 8 month sister who eats baby food from jars, would i be able to use those jars? if so how long would they need to bake? these are very cute and my baby sister loves pie so im sure she would enjoy one thats portioned just for her 🙂
Whoa, those are adorable and sooo cute!!! LOVE!
Carrie- it's totally up to you. Kind of depends on the situation. I think if you're giving them out at the office,I'd bake and cool them first and then wrap them up cute. If I'm say, taking dinner to someone or a treat to a friend who's sick, I'll take them frozen or pre-baked and pop them in their freezer for them.
what state are these in when you give them? frozen? pre freezer? baked? like say if i were to give them for gifts at the office?
Thanks!!