Pie, Oh Pie: How To Bake Mini Pies With Big Flavor
From apple pie to savory turkey pot pie, follow our 3 simple steps to create mini pies for any gathering.
It’s time we took the guesswork out of baking pies. Complicated pie dough recipes, hard-to-make fillings, soggy crusts … we say no more!
Our dainty and delightful miniature pies are simple to make using our magic ratio for pie dough, some sweet or savory filling and a muffin tin or ramekins. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to make your own mini pies, just follow our three simple steps.
Step 1: make the pie dough
The magic ratio to remember when making perfect pie dough is 3:2:1. To serve 12 mini pies, use butter or your favorite cooking oil to coat your muffin tins or ramekins. Then mix together:
3 parts flour (12 oz) + 2 parts butter (8 oz) + 1 part water (4 oz) + 1 tsp salt + 1 tsp sugar
After mixing the dough, let it sit for about 5 minutes, then distribute it throughout the muffin tin. You can also use the remaining dough to make a pie cover and decorate the tops of the pies however you like.
Tip: Take the stress out of the pie-making mess with Liquid Dish Soap from Home Made Simple. It’s made with plant-based ingredients and is tough on grease.
Step 2: add your favorite fillings
Heat your oven to 350 F. Remember that you can customize these pies by adding what you like, so have fun with them! Not sure what to add? Here are three ideas:
How to make mini savory turkey pot pies
Leftover veggies + turkey + butter
Tip: Want the secret to better butter? Cut the butter into pieces, spread them evenly in a pan and melt over medium-high heat. Remove when the butter is three-fourths melted and stir. This will distribute the butter evenly and prevent it from burning.
How to make mini rosemary apple pies
Rosemary or thyme + chopped apples + syrupy filling
Tip: To make a “liquid gold” syrupy pie filling, combine apples, brown sugar and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Let the mixture sit in a bowl for 1 hour to draw the juice from the apples. Next, drain the juice and place it in a saucepan. Simmer until it’s reduced by half. Drizzle the remaining liquid over the apples to create a syrupy filling, and enjoy!
How to make mini pumpkin pies
Canned pumpkin + sweetened condensed milk + cinnamon + nutmeg + brown sugar
Tip: Brown sugar can clump and harden if not stored properly — and once it hardens, it’s useless. To prevent this, place an apple slice, orange peel, bread slice or marshmallows into the bag of sugar and store it in an airtight container.
Step 3: bake and enjoy!
Bake the pies for about 30 to 40 minutes. Watch for crust to turn a light golden color and the filling to start bubbling before you remove. See how simple it is to become a master of mini dessert creations? These pies are small, but they pack a big punch.