Mini Cherry Pies are the perfect single-serve dessert when you're craving homemade cherry pie that's just the right size for one.
Best Cherry Pie Recipe (Mini)
I like mini stuff. I think it's cute. The smallness just makes it seem more special. That's how I feel about this adorable mini cherry pie.
However, I wanted a real pie for my cowboy. Not a little muffin tin-sized pie. These individual cherry pies are exactly what my cowboy likes. Certainly not because they are "cute".
But because they are large enough to have a respectable amount of filling and plenty of his favorite part--the crispy, tender, buttery crust.
Dare I say, these pies are big enough to share, if that's what your heart desires. He didn't share.
Homemade Pies Are Love
Now, I'm not the store-bought crust and canned pie filling kinda pie maker. I think pies are special treats and I don't take the easy road here. If it's worth me making a pie, it's worth being extra.
Just so you know, pie-making is a bit of an art. But I'll do my best to walk you through the process. The crust is a feeling, not so much of a measurement, but I believe in you!
Just know, that practice makes a good pie maker.
The best thing you can do is make more pie and eat more pie. I like this idea, don't you?
Ingredients
Cherry Pie Filling:
- Sour Cherries in Syrup--NOT "Pie Filling". Using fresh cherries or frozen cherries works, too
- Cornstarch
- Almond Extract
- Sugar
Crust:
- All Purpose Flour
- Salt
- Shortening
- Water
How to Make a Cherry Pie
The process for a mini pie is the same as for a full-sized whole pie. So, if you prefer to make a large cherry pie instead of 1 mini cherry pie, adjust the ingredients. Brush the top crust with an egg wash, and sometimes I give it a sprinkle of coarse sugar.
Make Cherry Pie Filling:
- Dump the cherries and juices into a small saucepan. Add sugar and cornstarch.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat; reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, for about 1-2 minutes. You'll know the filling is done when it is thick, the cherries have released their juices, and the "goo" goes from being an opaque pinkish color to a clear, deep red color. Adjust the thickness of the cherries by adding more cornstarch mixed in cold water, if needed.
- Stir in almond extract. Set aside to cool slightly.
Make Pie Crust:
This 3 Ingredient Pie Crust is perfect for making a full-sized flaky pie crust. Or see the recipe card below.
Assemble Mini Cherry Pies:
- Divide the dough into 2 pieces. Roll out the bottom crust and fit it into the mini pie pan.
- Pour cherry filling into the bottom crust.
- Roll out the second crust and place it on top of the filling. Folding the top edge under the bottom crust.
- Brush the top of the crust with a beaten egg yolk and cut slits into the top crust for venting.
- Bake in a 425°F oven for 10 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F, cover with foil, and bake until the cherries are bubbly and the crust and topping are golden brown. Approximately 45 to 50 minutes.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool on a cooling rack before slicing.
- Serve with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.
Which Mini Pie Pan?
I like the 4 to 5-inch little pie pans! Just enough for one or two servings. The pies bake evenly and the pans are sturdy enough to be used again and again.
Substitutions and Variations
Choose a Fruit Mini Pies -- This is the basic premise of making a fruit pie. Substitute peaches, blueberries, blackberries, etc.
Crumble Topped Mini Cherry Pie -- Top the cherry pie filling with a small batch of Homemade Crumble Topping .
Cherry Hand Pies -- Roll the dough out in a 4 to 5-inch circle, place the filling on half, fold the crust over to make a half circle, and pinch the edges closed. Crimp with a fork. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake on a sheet pan until golden brown.
Easy Mini Pies -- Use pre-made pie crust and canned pie filling to make a fast and easy version.
Storage
Store leftover pie in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Refrigerate for longer storage
Something Else to Try
If you like it fruity, try our Peach Cobbler in a Crockpot with Cake Mix recipe. And for a cherry breakfast treat, try Black Forest Overnight Oats!
For an easy, but impressive treat for your sweetie try Easy Heart Shaped Cake.
If you want some other great cakes to consider check out one of my favorites, Chocolate Cake with Cream Cheese Filling
If chocolate isn't what you're hankering for right now, maybe a sweet and tangy Lemon Jello Cake is what you're after.
Oreo Mug Cake, Chocolate Chip Mug Cake, and Hot Chocolate Mug Cake can satisfy your sweet tooth in mere minutes.
Share the Love
Lastly, if you tried Mini Cherry Pies following this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or 5-star review!
I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.
And, of course, if you make this recipe, tag me on Instagram! Seeing your photos is my favorite thing!
Food Safety
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Mini Cherry Pies
Ingredients
Method
- Pour the cherries and syrup into a small saucepan. Add sugar and cornstarch. Cook on medium to medium-high.
- Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, for about 2-3 minutes. When the filling is thick, stir in almond extract. Set aside to cool slightly.
- Whisk the flour and salt together in a large bowl.
- Add shortening. Using a pastry cutter, briefly cut the shortening into the mixture until it resembles a coarse meal (pea-sized bits with a few larger bits of fat are OK).
- Drizzle the cold water in, 1 Tablespoon at a time, and stir with a fork after every Tablespoon has been added. Stop adding water when the dough begins to form large clumps.
- Transfer the pie dough to a lightly floured surface and carefully work the dough into a ball. Avoid overworking the dough.
- Cut the dough into 2 equal parts. Gently flatten the dough into 1-inch-thick disc using your hands. Work with 1 at a time. Keep the other dough in the refrigerator until you're ready to roll it out.
- Lightly flour the work surface, rolling pin, and your hands, and sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough. Use gentle-medium force with your rolling pin, start from the center and work your way out in all directions, turning the dough with your hands as you go. Between passes of the rolling pin, rotate the pie crust and even flip it to make sure it's not sticking to your work surface. Sprinkle on a little more flour if it's sticking. Roll the dough into a very thin circle, large enough to fit your mini pie dish. Your pie dough will be about ⅛ inch thick, which is quite thin. Visible specks of fat in the dough are perfectly normal and expected.
- Because your dough is so thin, use your rolling pin to help transfer the pie crust to the pie dish. Carefully roll one end of the circle of dough gently onto the rolling pin, rolling it back towards you, slowly peeling it off the work surface as you go. Pick it up, and carefully roll it back out over the top of the pie dish. Fold the edges of the dough under and crimp as you like.
- Pour cherry filling into the bottom crust.
- Roll out the second crust and place it on top of the filling. Folding the top edge under the bottom crust. Brush the top of the crust with a beaten egg yolk and cut slits into the top crust for venting.
- Bake in a 425 F oven for 10 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F. If the pie begins to get too brown, cover with foil. Bake for 45-50 minutes or until the cherry filling is bubbly and the crust is golden brown.
- Remove from oven and allow to cool before slicing.
- Serve with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.
Nutrition
Notes
- Use cherries packed in syrup or water NOT cherry pie filling
- Add more cornstarch if your filling isn't thick enough--Add 1 Tablespoon of cornstarch to a small amount of cold water and add to the filling. Bring to a boil again to get full thickening.
Chuckie says
I created this recipe just for the Cowboy. He's the most generous person I've ever known, except when it comes to sharing his cherry pies. Now he doesn't have to share. I hope you enjoy these cute little pies as much as he does.