Mini Pies
In this Instructable, I will show you how to make mini pies using a cool mini pie and quiche maker by MasterChef. But you can also use a muffin pan. This mini pie recipe is super easy to make. You can have pies ready to be eaten in under 30 minutes! In this particular demonstration, I will show you how to make mini strawberry jam pies and mini blueberry pies. If I can do it, you can do it! Let's get started!
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Follow the easy steps below or watch the video tutorial or do both. :)
Ingredients and Tools
Ingredients:
For 6 mini pies use:
- 1 sheet of puff pastry (storebought or homemade)
- 1 - 12-inch pie dough crust (used for a 9-inch pie, storebought or homemade)
- 1 heaping tablespoon of jam per pie
- 1 heaping tablespoon of fruit per pie (blueberries, apples, favorite pie filling, etc.)
- 1 large egg for the egg wash
- 2 tsp. water for the egg wash
- 1/2 tsp. sugar per pie (if using fresh fruit like blueberries)
- A small dollop of butter (if using fresh fruit like blueberries)
Tools:
- Mini Pie maker or use a muffin pan
- Round cutter or cookie cutter two different sizes
- Fork
- Basting brush
- Small bowl
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Cut Out the Rounds
For these particular mini pies, I am going to use a bottom that will come from classic pie crust dough. You can make your own using this pie crust recipe or one of your own. Or you can just buy a pie crust.
The Master Chef mini pie and quiche maker comes with a cutter that has two sizes of circles/round. Larger size and smaller size. The larger size is used for the bottom crust, which is going to be taken from the pie dough. You can also just use two different sizes of round cookie cutters, instead of that tool.
Cut out six larger circles from the pie crust. Make sure to use flour on the table or counter, or roll the pie crust out on a silicone baking mat.
If you like you can butter the leftover scraps and sprinkle cinnamon and sugar on them, and then bake them at 350 for 10 to 15 minutes until golden brown.
Next roll out the puff pastry. You can use storebought puff pastry or this homemade puff pastry recipe. Once rolled out or unfolded, use the smaller round part and cut 6 rounds out. Then again you can take the scraps of puff pastry and do like you did with the scraps of pie dough, or just bake them and sprinkle powdered sugar on them. Or make mini cinnamon twists.
Egg Wash
Add the egg and water to a small bowl and whisk. This will be the egg wash and will act like glue to hold the bottom and top of the mini pies together.
Add the Bottom of the Mini Pies
Take your mini pie maker which essentially acts like a waffle iron, but has cavities in the shape of small pies. Then fill the cavities with the pie crust rounds. Just press them in until they form around the inside.
You can use a muffin pan as well.
Next, baste the top edges of the mini pies with the egg wash.
Filling, Top, Cook
Now time for the filling. You can use pretty much any pie filling that you would with traditional pies. Like the canned cherry filling, etc. Or any homemade pie filling. Also since these are so small jam and jelly work great as the filling.
Scoop 1 to 2 tablespoons of strawberry preserves/jelly, etc. into the bottom. Or if you like make a basic filling with fresh berries. A small amount of blueberries or blackberries is all that you need.
If using berries add 1/2 tsp or so of sugar to them, as well as a dollop of butter on top.
Next, place the puff pastry tops on and press down a little bit so they stick to the pie crust. You can certainly just used all puff pastry or all pie crust, but I like this combination. If using a muffin pan I recommend only use pie crust.
Then plug in the pie maker and pull the lid down and let them cook for 6 to 10 minutes until nice and golden brown.
If using a muffin pan, crimp down the top crust to the bottom crust and bake in an oven at 350 F for 15 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
Cool and Enjoy
Once the mini pies have finished cooking allow them to cool for 5 to minutes in the pie maker/muffin pan. This will help keep the tops to stay on.
Then just use a fork or spoon to pry out the pie from the cavity. It should come right out. Place them on a wire rack to cool longer.
If you want to you can use a knife and trim the edges around the pies to make them look nicer.
Serve them however you like, I like to top them with powdered sugar. Then eat them! Enjoy!
You may print the recipe here if you like.
Video Tutorial
Now watch those steps in action with this video tutorial. :)