Mini Pie Perfection

I am a neat freak. I just can not tolerate anything messy. When I make standard pies it drives me crazy when the juice leaks all over the plate after the first cut. So, the last few years I've been making individual single serving pies.


Yesterday I made some with fresh blackberries.


And some with tart cherries.


When I am out thrifting, I always look for small bowls like these. They are the perfect size for the small pies. You don't want to use anything too shallow because you need a good ratio of filling to crust.


I always make a classic pate' brisee crust. I like a sweeter crust and a tarter filling rather than the other way around.


For the blackberry filling I put the fresh berries in a bowl.


Then sprinkle them with just about 1/4 cup of sugar.


And about 3 tablespoons of flour.


I add the zest of one half lemon.


I also squeezed about a tablespoon of lemon juice into the bowl. Stir this around and set it aside. Stir it a couple times while it is sitting being careful not to smash the berries.


I make the cherry filling by dumping 2 cans of pitted tart cherries into a heavy pot. I add 3 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with some cherry juice. I also add 2 teaspoons of almond extract. Bring this to a slight boil and stir until the liquid becomes clear and the filling just begins to thicken. Set this aside to cool completely.


I spray each cup with cooking spray so the pies will be easy to remove after they are baked. Then I mold a disk of dough into each cup.


When the cups are prepared I fill them to just below the rims with filling.


I gently lay another disk of dough on the top and crimp them around the edge. I place them on a parchment covered cookie sheet and brush the tops with cream and sprinkle course sugar on them. Just before baking I put a small slit with a knife on top of each of them to let the steam escape.


The blackberries get packed in rather tight because they will settle a lot as they cook. They get topped with a small piece of butter.


They are baked at 400 degrees for 20 minutes on the cookie sheet. Then the heat is lowered to 350 degrees and they bake for about 25 more minutes until golden. The juices should look thick and bubbly.


I let them sit to cool on the cookie sheets.


Some of them will bubble over the edge but I think that makes them look even better.


Yummers!


I think they are good enough to serve at an elegant dinner party.

One of these with a scoop of vanilla ice cream would be perfect.


After they cool completely, if you just give them the tiniest little nudge sideways, they will lift right out of the cup so you can serve them as above.

Stop back tomorrow for a killer recipe. I made something new today and I am so excited because it is one of the best things I've ever tasted!

Comments

Anonymous said…
Those little pies looks so delicious and could they have any better fillings than blackberries or cherries?

I don´t know why but cherries doesn´t seem to be that popular over here. I know several trees close to where I had my gardencentre and we were only two persons that picked them!

Have a great day now!
Christer.
Jane K said…
Oh my they looks so yummy, going to have to try them.
Verde Farm said…
These are adorble little pies. I love the idea of an individual pie all my own. They look wonderful too. I must try them!
Your mini blueberry pies are beautiful and look delicious!

Creative cooking ideas are your specialty!

Have a good weekend.

Blessings.

xoxo to "Teddy Red Fluffs".
Chris said…
Sweet Perfection in a cup!! :)
Wizardess said…
So cute! I will be making Chinese dumplings today, and I have the most beautiful oyster mushrooms to put in them. I don't freak over neatness much, but I'm going to try & make some nice crescent shaped ones to freeze for special times.
Anonymous said…
These are truly delightful just to look at. I bet they taste even better. xox Corrine
Ronda Kisner said…
I have been so into little pies lately and these look great! I haven't done a double crust one yet, this gives me inspiration!
wow...these look so cute....blackberry or cherry...hhhmmmmm..let's see...i know..i'll have one of each
:-)

looks great...bet the kitchen smells wonderful...

i am on day 3 of the seed culture

play-off saturday...
it is 77 degrees here right now
huh????
Anonymous said…
I'm making a quick stop to tell you I have left an award for you on my blog. If you don't like awards, as I know some people don't, I really just want you to know you are one of the people who have been a huge inspiration to me and I greatly appreciate that. Have a great weekend!
I love cherry pie/tarts. Don't think I've ever had blackberry though. They're too hard to come by up here, I guess.
Anonymous said…
What a great idea. I love these sweet little pies! Yes, I really think they are cute and of course, delicious.
Good grief, they look good! And delicious and so cute, too!

I'm a neat freak too, in some things, but I never thought of how-to-not make a messy pie. You are full of intuition.

Hugs & ♥'s...
'Cause Valentine Day is coming!
Amanda said…
i'll take 2 dozen please..lol :) they look so beautiful and so yummy!!
Sharon Day said…
I would give anything to be in your home every day and eating your treats but I know I'd be a size 30. I will just live vicariously from a safe distance. I cannot wait to see what you have for tomorrow! Keep it coming while I chew on some celery. I can almost smell those pies!
brokenteepee said…
I adore blackberries. your little pies are so cute.
Unknown said…
Oh golly I'll have to print this whole thing out. YUM!!!
Texan said…
I have to try this, the crust is the best part of any pie to me!! So this is great!
Deborah said…
I love this idea! I will be making these little pies.
My Grama's Soul said…
Hi...I just found you at green witch with sprinkles....You know....I'm going to learn how to cook yet...if I keep on stopping here!! (O:(O:

Jo
Suzie said…
With the exception of some specialty cakes, I'm not a big fan. .but oh boy, do I love fruit pies! I saw your first photo, and the word "perfection" popped into my mind.

I scrolling, I'm drooling, and reading. .and I'm thinking. .the only thing that would enhance these gems is a little ice cream. .and the very next sentence I read. .you've got it! Ice cream! Perfection made better! Only you could do it!
PumpkinBrain said…
I do not remember seeing pies that look so tasty. I guess I will have to make some for myself very soon.
Jennifer said…
Wow, these look good.
SharleneT said…
I love individual pies for the same reason -- can't stand oozing fillings. This will be my first year for the fruit trees, so I'm very excited about the first cherries! Have you tried to freeze these for later? (Haha, like anyone in your house leaves anything to freeze!) Give Teddy hugs for me.

Oh, I gave you two awards on my post! They require nothing more than accepting them!