I have an obsession with pies. There, I admit it! There is something of perfection in a sweet treat wrapped in flaky pastry. I have made almost every kind of pie there is....but I think my all time favorite are the the little mini pies in a jar.
They are super easy to make and perfect for little helping hands. The first thing you need to do is find a dozen small "jelly" size canning jars wide mouth openings. These work the best. Wash and dry them, and then preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
If you are in a hurry, you can use pre-made pie dough that you find in the refrigerator section of the grocery store. If you have the time and love making your own dough, this recipe is my favorite.
Flaky Pie Recipe
3 Cups All-Purpose Flour
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Cup Cold Butter
1/2 Cup Cold Butter Flavored Shortening
1 Egg
2 Teaspoon Vinegar
Ice Water
In a processor, add flour, butter (cut into pieces), shortening, and salt. Pulse with your chopper blade until the shortening and butter is cut into the flour. It will look like small meal. Add egg and vinegar. Cut into mixture with your pulse setting. Turn the processor to slow and slowly add ice water a little bit at a time until the mixture comes together in the size of peas. It will be about 2 to 3 tablespoons of water.
A few tips to make this dough fabulous...make sure everything is cold...work fast...touch the dough as little as possible.
After you have your dough made you will press the dough into the cups. I have tried rolling it and it does not work well. The best method is to round a piece in your hand and flatten and squish into bottom of the jar. It should be thin and smooth with no holes. Press pieces onto the sides of the jars and up the sides. If you plan on freezing the pies before you cook them...leave the dough below the edge of the jar. If you plan on baking them right away you can leave an edge up over the side of the jar.
Fill the jar 2/3 of the way with your favorite pie filling.
If you want a "top" for your little pie, take a handful of the pie dough and roll out between two layers of wax paper. I use this technique to avoid using too much flour and it makes the dough easy to transfer. Cut out mini-hearts, or any other shape you like. Brush the dough with whipped egg and sprinkle with sugar.
Place on cookie sheet and into a 350 degree oven and bake for 30 t0 35 minutes.
After 30 to 35 minutes place the pie dough hearts on top of the filling and bake another 10 to 15 minutes until they are golden brown. Take out of the oven and let cool.
Once these little gems are cooled they can be decorated with cute labels, tied with string and given as gifts. If you are wanting to freeze them, seal them with a lid and place in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you are wanting a sweet treat, thaw them and heat slightly if desired.
There is nothing better to sweeten a day than your own little cutie-pie in a jar!
There is nothing better to sweeten a day than your own little cutie-pie in a jar!
