The Sweetest Mini Cherry Pie Recipe You’ll Love to Bake

Sweet memories often bloom around these delightful mini cherry pies that capture childhood nostalgia in every adorable bite.

Tiny pastry shells cradle rich crimson fruit with delicate precision.

Baking these miniature treats feels like crafting edible art that fits perfectly in your palm.

Homemade desserts always carry a special magic that store-bought versions simply cannot match.

Each compact pie promises intense cherry flavor and buttery, flaky crust that melts effortlessly on your tongue.

Careful ingredients and simple techniques transform basic components into something truly spectacular.

Let these charming mini pies become the star of your next gathering.

Why Mini Cherry Pie Is Always A Treat

• Craft a Flaky Pastry Masterpiece: This recipe transforms simple ingredients into a delightful mini cherry pie with perfectly textured, buttery crust that crumbles beautifully in your mouth.
• Quick and Easy Dessert Prep: With just a few basic ingredients and simple steps, even novice bakers can create an impressive homemade dessert in under an hour, making it ideal for spontaneous sweet cravings.
• Versatile Family Treat: These mini cherry pies are perfect for individual servings, making them great for kids' parties, picnics, potlucks, or a cozy family dessert that everyone can enjoy without messy cutting.
• Customize with Creativity: The basic pie crust technique allows endless variations – swap cherries for other fruits, add spices, or experiment with different toppings to make the recipe uniquely yours.

Things You’ll Need For Mini Cherry Pie

• All-Purpose Flour: The base for a tender and flaky pie crust that provides structure.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the pie crust.

• Unsalted Butter: Cold butter creates layers and adds rich, buttery flavor to the crust.

• Ice Water: Helps bind the dough together without making it tough, keeps the butter cold for a flaky texture.

Steps To Bake Mini Cherry Pie

Step 1: Craft the Buttery Pie Crust

In a spacious mixing bowl, combine flour and salt, whisking them together until well blended. Introduce cold, diced butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or nimble fingers, work the butter into the dry ingredients. Continue blending until the mixture transforms into a texture resembling rough, coarse crumbs. Slowly drizzle in ice-cold water, adding one tablespoon at a time. Gently mix and press the dough until it starts to stick together and form a cohesive mass. Shape the dough into a smooth, round disk. Wrap the disk snugly in plastic wrap and tuck it into the refrigerator. Let the dough chill and rest for a minimum of 30 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld and the butter to firm up.

Step 2: Prepare the Fruity Filling

• Fresh cherries
• Granulated sugar
• Cornstarch
• Lemon juice
• Vanilla extract

Wash the cherries thoroughly. Pit each cherry, removing the stems and seeds. Slice the cherries into delicate, bite-sized pieces. In a mixing bowl, combine the cherry pieces with sugar, cornstarch, a splash of lemon juice, and a hint of vanilla extract. Stir gently to ensure every cherry is coated with the sweet, thickening mixture.

Step 3: Shape the Mini Pies

Preheat the oven to a toasty 375°F. Remove the chilled dough from the refrigerator. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough to a smooth, even thickness. Use a round cookie cutter or glass to cut perfect circles for your mini pie crusts. Carefully transfer the dough circles to a muffin tin, gently pressing them into the cups. Spoon the cherry filling into each pie crust, leaving a small space at the top to prevent overflow.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven. Bake the mini cherry pies for approximately 20-25 minutes. Watch for the crust to turn a beautiful golden brown and the cherry filling to bubble with delicious intensity. Once baked, remove from the oven and let the pies cool in the tin for a few minutes. Carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve warm or at room temperature, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat.

Helpful Hints For Mini Cherry Pie

• Chill Dough Thoroughly: Refrigerate the pie dough for a full 30 minutes to ensure a flaky, tender crust that's easy to handle and prevents shrinking during baking.
• Master the Butter Technique: Use cold, diced butter and work quickly when incorporating it into the flour to create those coveted small, pea-sized crumbs that guarantee a light, crispy texture.
• Prevent Tough Crust: Handle the dough minimally to avoid developing gluten, which can make the crust tough and chewy instead of delicate and crumbly.
• Customize Your Mini Pies: Experiment with different fruit fillings like blueberries or mixed berries to create variety while keeping the same delicious pie crust method.
• Make Ahead with Ease: Prepare the dough in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, or freeze for later use, making your baking prep super convenient.

How To Store Mini Cherry Pie The Simple Way

• Preserve your delightful mini cherry pies with care and precision.
• Refrigerate the pies in an airtight container for up to 3 days, keeping their flaky crust and sweet filling fresh and delicious.
• Wrap individual pies tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent moisture loss and maintain their perfect texture.
• For longer storage, freeze the pies for up to 2 months – simply place them in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Thaw frozen pies overnight in the refrigerator before serving, allowing them to gradually return to their original scrumptious state.

Best Matches With Mini Cherry Pie

• Pair with Creamy Vanilla Scoop: A classic vanilla ice cream complements the warm, buttery pie crust and sweet cherry filling, creating a delightful contrast of temperatures and textures.
• Match with Almond Champagne: The light, crisp bubbles of champagne cut through the richness of the pie, while almond notes enhance the fruity cherry flavor profile.
• Serve with Whipped Mascarpone: A dollop of smooth, slightly tangy mascarpone cheese adds a luxurious creaminess that balances the pie's sweetness and provides a sophisticated touch.
• Enjoy with Earl Grey Tea: The bergamot-infused tea's subtle citrus and floral notes create a harmonious pairing that elevates the cherry pie's delicate flavors.

Mini Cherry Pie Variations You’ll Enjoy

• Rustic Almond Cherry Pie: Enhance the crust by adding ground almonds for a nutty flavor. Mix 1/4 cup almond flour into the dry ingredients and sprinkle sliced almonds on top before baking.
• Spiced Bourbon Cherry Pie: Infuse the filling with a splash of bourbon and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to deepen the flavor profile.
• Lemon Zest Cherry Pie: Brighten the pastry by incorporating fresh lemon zest into the dough. Grate some lemon zest directly into the flour mixture to add a citrusy note to the crust.
• Lavender Cherry Pie: Create an elegant version by adding dried culinary lavender to the dough. Finely chop lavender buds and mix them into the flour for a subtle, aromatic touch.

Mini Cherry Pie Questions Answered Simply

• What's the secret to making a flaky pie crust?

The key is keeping your butter cold and handling the dough minimally. Cold butter creates steam pockets during baking, which results in those delicate, tender layers we all love in a perfect pie crust.

• Can I make the pie dough ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and refrigerate it up to 2 days in advance. This actually helps the gluten relax and makes the crust more tender. Just wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to prevent drying out.

• Why do I need to use ice water when making pie dough?

Cold water helps keep the butter from melting, which is crucial for creating a flaky texture. The chilled water ensures your butter stays solid and creates those beautiful, delicate layers when baked.

• What if my dough feels too dry or crumbly?

Add ice water very gradually, just one tablespoon at a time. Mix gently after each addition. The dough should just come together without being wet or sticky. Overworking can make the crust tough, so stop mixing as soon as it forms a cohesive disk.

Mini Cherry Pie Recipe

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4.6 from 13 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Sweet cherry goodness nestles perfectly inside delicate mini cherry pie pastry, promising a delightful dessert that captures homemade comfort. Buttery crust and luscious filling make these individual treats irresistible for weekend baking or special gatherings.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients (Pie Filling):

• 2 cups (300g) pitted cherries
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Pie Crust Ingredients:

• 1 ¼ cups (155g) all-purpose flour
• ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, cold and diced
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 34 tablespoons ice water

Flavor Enhancers and Finishing Ingredients:

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract
• 1 egg, beaten
• Coarse sugar

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Instructions

1. Combine flour and salt in a spacious mixing vessel, creating a foundation for the delicate pastry crust.
2. Incorporate chilled butter into the dry ingredients, methodically working it through with fingertips or a specialized pastry tool until the mixture transforms into a texture reminiscent of rough, uneven sand.
3. Introduce icy water incrementally, gently folding and pressing the ingredients until a cohesive dough emerges, avoiding overworking the delicate mixture.
4. Shape the pastry into a compact disk, ensuring smooth edges and an even thickness.
5. Encase the dough completely in transparent film, creating a protective barrier that prevents moisture loss.
6. Allow the wrapped pastry to rest and chill in the refrigerator, permitting the gluten to relax and butter to solidify, which will ultimately result in a more tender and flaky crust.

Notes

• Chill butter thoroughly before cutting to ensure the flakiest, most tender pie crust possible.
• Use a light touch when mixing the dough to prevent developing gluten, which can make the crust tough and chewy.
• Keep ingredients and work surface cold to maintain the butter’s integrity, creating those coveted delicate, layered textures in the crust.
• For a vegan version, swap butter with cold coconut oil or plant-based shortening, maintaining the same cutting and mixing technique.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Mixing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 211
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 73 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 29 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 31 mg