Description
Delight in these simple cherry pastry pies made with a buttery, flaky crust and a sweet, tangy cherry filling. Perfect for a cozy dessert or an afternoon treat, these individual pies are easy to prepare using either store-bought or homemade pie dough. The cherries are combined with sugar, lemon juice, and cornstarch to create a luscious, thick filling, then baked to golden perfection with a shiny egg wash finish.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- Store-bought or homemade pie crust, enough for several small pies, rolled out to 1/8 inch thickness
- Butter, small pieces for dotting on filling and browning crust
- Egg wash: 1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water
Cherry Filling
- Fresh or frozen cherries, about 2 cups, washed and pitted if fresh
- Granulated sugar, 3/4 cup (adjust according to cherry tartness)
- Lemon juice, 1 tablespoon (freshly squeezed)
- Cornstarch, 2 tablespoons (to thicken the filling)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cherries: Wash and pit fresh cherries or thaw frozen cherries. In a mixing bowl, combine the cherries with granulated sugar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and cornstarch. Stir gently until all cherries are coated evenly, forming a sweet and thickened cherry filling.
- Roll Out the Pie Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pie crust dough to approximately 1/8 inch thickness. Cut the dough into circles or squares depending on your desired pie shape, ensuring they are sized appropriately for individual pies.
- Assemble the Pies: Place a generous spoonful of the cherry filling in the center of each dough piece. Dot small pieces of butter over the filling. Fold the dough over to enclose the filling and seal the edges securely by pressing them with a fork or your fingers to prevent leakage.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush the tops of each assembled pie with the prepared egg wash (egg beaten with water) to promote a shiny, golden crust once baked.
- Bake Until Golden: Arrange the pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cherry filling is bubbly and cooked through.
Notes
- Adjust sugar quantity based on the tartness of cherries for balanced sweetness.
- You can use frozen cherries; just make sure to thaw and drain excess liquid before mixing filling.
- Ensure the edges are tightly sealed to avoid cherry filling leakage during baking.
- Let the pies cool slightly before serving to allow filling to set.
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: cherry pies, cherry pastry pies, individual pies, fruit pies, baking dessert, homemade cherry pies
