I had a total disaster while making something I had planned for today. You don’t think Kate and I have disasters? Oh, we do. You’re going to hear about mine around Christmas time (when I post the blue food that magically turned green when I cooked it against everything I tried to prevent it! ) So I realized I was going to have to scrap it and come up with something else and I was pounding my brain trying to think of something new and different. I started thinking about pie, but didn’t want to make a pie because everyone makes pie. Then I thought about mini-pies, because miniature versions are always cool. Then I thought about a darling little sugar-coated cookie-ish topper that would make these things the coolest thing on the party table. Perfect. Adorable. Delicious. And pretty darn easy too since you can use store bought dough and canned pie filling. You can certainly substitute homemade filling, but I love the bright artificial color of the canned stuff 🙂 Plus, it’s easy. I like easy.
Star-Studded Mini Pies
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Pie Crust Dough (or buy refrigerated ones in a pinch)
canned pie filling (something red and something blue)
2 T butter, melted
1/4 c granulated sugar
Preheat oven according to pie crust recipe.
Roll out your pie crust so it’s about this thick:
Don’t ask me how thick that is, I don’t know. I have fat fingers if that helps you gauge it from the picture. If you’re using a store-bought crust 1) Don’t tell Kate, she’ll TP your house in disgust. 2) Don’t buy generic (especially Walmart brand) and 3) Roll it out about 2 inches larger than it comes and you should be about right.
Using a cookie cutter, or a cup with about a 3 1/2 inch diameter, cut out circles of dough.
Place each dough circle center in one of the mini-muffin tin wells. The edge should over-hang a little. Gently roll the edge down with your fingers and then crimp it so it looks pretty.
They really don’t have to be perfect, I like that these little guys look rustic and homemade in the end.
Using a spoon, (I don’t know what else you’d use…) fill each mini pie a little over half full with filling. Don’t go crazy and fill them to the top. Catastrophic things happen. More on that to come.
Next you’ll need your cute little stars. My star cutter is about 2″ across and it was the perfect size. If you can’t find a cookie cutter you could always print out a stencil and cut the stars with a knife. You’d have to want these pretty bad though to go through that effort. Look through your kid’s playdough bin. That’s where I found mine!
Now the fun part. Dip your stars (both sides) in butter and then dredge in the sugar. Make sure to lick your fingers after the sugar starts piling up and making buttery sugar globs on your hands. Curse because you just finished working out and canceled it out with one lick. Wash hands and repeat.
Place a star on top of each little pie. It’s okay if it sinks down, it will puff up when it bakes.
Pop them in the oven and bake 15-20 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Remember when I told you not to fill them too full? This is what happens. Just so you know.
I filled the next batch only about 1/2-3/4 full and they still spilled over a bit, but I thought it was a perfect amount. I love how they spill out and look a little messy. It makes me want to just gobble them all up. And I love how festive they look with the red and blue.
You can serve them warm or at room temp. And they can definitely be made hours ahead of time.
darling, right?
2 pie crusts should be plenty to do 24 mini-pies. Depending on the recipe or brand of crust you use, you may be able to get closer to 30.
You’ll definitely have left-over pie filling- make these if you need more treats (and really now, who doesn’t need more treats?)
And if you’re not into berries, try one of these ideas:
gooey cookie filling
quiche filling for breakfast or brunch
use shredded apples in this apple pie filling
Bake the shells and stars separately and fill with Kate’s banana cream pie filling
I am SO glad I stumbled across your site! Thanks for all the wonderful recipes! I can't wait to try these out–they look simple and great! 🙂
I did it! I didn't get enough of a lip on the first batch, so I got to eat most of those, but the second and third batches came out perfect. I used all store-bought stuff, and only wished I had a 2nd or 3rd mini-muffin pan. It is 'easy', but still time consuming. But then, I also made a little box for each little pie. You can see my pictures here: http://plainbellied.blogspot.com/2009/09/i-just-couldnt-resist.html
Thanks again. I LOVE this!!!!
I found your blog from yourhomebasedmom.com's site. Both are my two favorite reads!
I made these this weekend and they came out GREAT! I used store-bought pie crust and cherry pie filling, but I did make my own blueberry pie filling. Also, my star cookie cutter was too big, so I cut little round toppers and cut a little x in the middle for the blueberry and for the cherry I cut out strips of dough and made an X. I was going to attempt lattice for the cherry, but didn't have the patience. Again, super recipe. So simple and delicious!
These were so good! I am loving your blog. In fact, I have made several of your recipes & posted them (with a link to you) on my blog after because they are so good. Thanks for more great recipes.
This is a delicious looking treat. What a great idea! We had beautiful fireworks in our area. Happy 4th!
Jackie at PhamFatale.com
I made these with my 8 and 6 year olds tonight. they were easy, fun, and tasted great! we had them with vanilla ice cream–yummy! thanks for yet another great recipe!!
That is such a cute idea! These would be perfect for a 4th picnic, no cutting pies!
These are super adorable! I love anything that bakes in a cupcake tin!
How wonderfully festive! Thanks for sharing that you have disasters too! It gives me hope that I can learn how to bake one of these day!
How wonderfully festive! Thanks for sharing that you have disasters too! It gives me hope that I can learn how to bake one of these day!
Rustic? I think your fluting is perfect!
They look cute – and yummy! – anyway!
Those are super adorable! And is there anything wrong with eating leftover pie filling with a spoon? …Just asking…
Totally never saw it coming, such a trap I would have walked into, especially since I'm greedy. I'm always trying to shove more, more, more! in it.
They look great just the same, totally cute idea!
Adorable!!!!! I love them. 🙂
So cute!
Those are just TOO cute & festive!!!!
I love this. I am going to make this for this weekend. I love all you r great ideals.
Yep, darling! I love the apple pie idea, as I don't really like the berry fillings (though w/ the red and blue it's just too perfect for the holiday!) Great job.
I am not in charge of the "desert", but the "dessert"…I really need to start proof reading my comments!
darling…I am in charge of a desert at a family BBQ on the 4th, looks like I found my recipe!
thanks guys!
Those are so dang cute! I have to make these some time!
Lyndy
So cute … and awesome photography skills! 🙂
These are just darling! I love that I can use my muffin pan to make them. Perfect for the 4th!
These are so CUTE!
ahhh…I love festive food! What a fun idea! I'm already thinking about my g-mas custard and bananas in these!
So cute. Almost to cute to eat, but who am I kidding! I'm sure they're delicious.
Yum! They look great 🙂
Oh, how adorable!!! Thanks for sharing!
Wow, those are super cute! Thanks for the great idea.