We have a cherry tree in our yard and every year about this time, we get a nice amount of fruit, just enough to fill a few bowls for snacking and also make a wonderful dessert.
Last year, I made cherry cobbler from the fruit picked from our tree, but this year I was in the mood for pie! Not one large pie. Mini pies. Cute little individual morsels that entice you with their golden crust, and are just enough to satisfy a craving for ripe summer cherries!
My craving for cherry pie prompted my quest for the perfect pie crust, and forced me to learn how to make my own flaky crust from scratch, thanks to the highly rated recipe I wrote about yesterday.
To make twelve mini pies, I simply used a basic cupcake tin. While the dough chilled, I prepared the pie filling, first by pitting the cherries. Pitting cherries is messy business, so wear an apron and arm yourself with a pitter to get ‘er done right.
When perfectly ripe, cherries are so naturally sweet and moist, so I kept the filling ingredients as easy as . . . pie. 4 cups of pitted cherries + 1/3 cup of sugar + 1 tablespoon of pure almond extract. That’s it!
I had to use enough dough for three (not two!) pie crusts (which is why I was glad I doubled the crust recipe yesterday), and then used a small appetizer bowl to make the first layer of crusts for my mini pies.
Once in the cupcake tin, I layered each one with pie filling, placed another layer of crust on top, pinched them closed with a fork, then brushed the top with egg white. I baked them at 350 degrees for about 35 minutes (or when the crust turned golden brown.)
Flaky crust + fruit filling = heavenly mini cherry almond pies!
Served with tea, they make a perfect afternoon treat.
Vanilla ice cream or fresh whipped cream might make them even better.
They didn’t last very long in our house, and they were divine!
Download 8 ½ x 11 printable recipe here.
Click on second link for ‘Mini Cherry Almond Pies’.
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Wonderful, wonderful pics of this yummy dessert – I´d love to try! :-)
Dear GOD. This post is equally wonderful and evil! Must.Try.These. :)
They look delicious! Yum Yum!!
They look very pretty. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
: )
Julie M.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful and delious creation! I love your plate too!
I love cherries! I may have to make this myself. Yummy! I made a pie in February that was to die for, http://thefirstapartment.blogspot.com/2011/02/sandra-lee-ing-martha-stewart-boozy.html but I could probably just swap the pears for cherries and it would be just as good!
~Blair
Hi Kate –
Thankds for sharing this recipe. I think I will make them and top with my fruit dip!
http://lattenene1.wordpress.com/2010/08/04/fruit-dip-yum/
Renee @ Lattenene’s Cup of Chat
Hello Kate,
Cherries and almond…what’s not to love?
janet xox
Those look delish! You always have the best pictures with your recipes. :)
Oh goodness gracious, these look heavenly. I have a thing for cherries, and almond, and perfect pie crusts…love your pie crust comparison in the previous post~I bookmarked it and if I’m feeling ambitious this summer, by goly I’m making me a pie!! :)
These look great. My husband grew up with pies for dessert so when we got married 15 years ago I had to learn to make pie crust STAT!! Here’s another great recipe to make with cherries for next year’s harvest: http://www.marthastewart.com/260666/sour-cherry-crumb-cakes
those look so good. cherries were on sale at the market this week, and i bought a large bag. not sure if i’m ambitious enough to make homemade pie crust, though! might have to cheat with some *gasp* store bought crust. ;)
Yuuuummmmmmmmm!
I love cherries! These look yummy galore!
My ex-m.i.l. used to make cherry pies too; only she left the pits in. Can you imagine my shock at almost losing a tooth the first time I ever had a piece of cherry pie, at their home. Awwww the healing balm of divorce.
Thanks for the recipe, I will be trying this.
Your photography is top notch…the most beautiful I have seen on a blog.
The mini pies are such a good idea! I’m gonna have to steal it. :)
These sound AMAZING and look cute!!! Good combo! You have the best pictures!
I am pinning this!!
Looks yummy! With the cherries selling for 99c a pound, I will have to give this a shot. Thanks for sharing!
Did you hear my stomach growling? Those look perfect, from the color and flakyness of the crust to the juicy oozing of the cherries to the size!
Where are your plates from? the one with the beautiful border with the final pie on it and the cherries. Beautiful!
ummm yes they look heavenly! May I come over for a tea party? The set up is gorg!
Hey Nicole, those plates were found at Marshalls for $2.50 each, I LOVE them.
xo
Kate
Ooh yum. I’m not much of a cherry fan, but berries would be awesome! I love pies!
xoxo
Lila Ferraro
These look delicious, and your photos are gorgeous!
oh yum!!! Those look FANTASTIC!!!!
My mouth is watering and my eyes are in heaven. Thank you for sharing!!
These must be heavenly!! Perfect for summer!
I made these today after seeing your post. Fantastic!! And I was able to use a 2.5 inch cookie cutter for the tops and it fit perfectly! Thank you so much for all your posts. You are genuinely someone I look up to for a lot of DIY. :)
Yum. It is too early for cherries here but if I can work up the courage to try making pie crust myself I am going to try these. I love cherries!!!
Thank you so much for the inspiration! With my pie cherries about ready to pick, I needed to get rid of my last bag of frozen ones. My college-age son and a couple of his friends came over to eat last night and I made them these individual pies (used the large muffin tin – better size for hungry boys). They were AWESOME! I have been so intimidated about making my own crust but no more. Paula’s pie crust is so delicious! I love your site. Look at it everyday . . . thank you!
A cherry tree? I am so jealous! These look fabulous
Kate, your photography is simply gorgeous! Pin-worthy for sure! :)
I’m going to maakkeee thiiiiiiiiisssss
ok, I think I will be making these tomorrow. First think in the morning I’m going to have to go to the store to get all the fixings. Thanks!