Well, here’s a recipe that just screams August for you!
These cute little sweeties are the cupcake of the pie world. I mean…why make just one big pie when you could make a dozen irresistible mini ones? I’ve always had a fascination with miniature things, personally. Both petite fours and baby shoes make me cry of joy. And the miniature fake food that used to come with American Girl dolls? Don’t even get me started.
For the filling, I just used a bag of Trader Joe’s mixed frozen berries—the same kind I use sometimes in my morning smoothies. It’s basically just a mix of frozen cherries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. You could totally use all one kind of berry or just use fresh. I’m all for fresh berries but sometimes the $$ of frozen wins.
And the crust? It’s just puff pastry. Let’s face it, sometimes frozen berries and puff make our lives that much easier. I’m only human, after all!
These are a great activity for little hands to take part in, too. Have your kids seal down the edges of the puff pastry after you’ve spooned in some berry filling. I love how perfectly portioned these little guys are!
Serve with vanilla ice cream or gelato, or pack into brown bag lunches for a back-to-school treat.
Is it really time to go back to school?
Can I go, too?
….please?
Mixed Berry Hand Pies
makes 12 small pies
Ingredients:
1 box frozen puff pastry, defrosted in fridge
1 16-oz bag frozen mixed berries
juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup sugar + more for sprinkling
2 T cornstarch + 2 T cold water
1 egg + 1 T warm water
Directions:
Whisk together the cold water and cornstarch in a small bowl until all the cornstarch is dissolved. Set aside.
Combine the berries, lemon juice and sugar in a saucepan and heat over medium high on the stove. Once the berries have burst and the mixture has started to simmer, slowly drizzle in the cornstarch/water and stir constantly while bringing up to a boil. Boil until thick, about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool while you prepare the pastry.
Preheat oven to 375.
Working with one piece of puff pastry at a time, roll out to smooth edges and then slice into six equal sized squares. Place squares on a lined baking sheet.
Place 1-2 tbsp berry mixture onto half of the pastry. Carefully fold over pastry and pinch all edges together well. Make three small slits into the top of each.
Whisk together the egg and water well then brush on each pie. Sprinkle a teaspoon of sugar over each.
Bake for 30 minute until golden brown.
Time:
45 minutes
Good things come in small packages.
Kathryn
August 9, 2011 at 4:38 amSuch a simple idea but they look wonderful!
Jessica
August 9, 2011 at 4:48 amOoooh… very tempting. 🙂
Baking N Books
August 9, 2011 at 4:48 amDo you ever bring your delights to the yoga studio? They must love you there 🙂
On another note – what’s up with with all the random links popping up on blogs and sites everywhere – that are highlighted and underlined and take you to some random scamming/ad page? Not just your site – it’s everywhere…?
Molly @ RDexposed
August 9, 2011 at 4:50 amI think for the first time ever (?) I bought frozen mixed berries on Sunday. Is this a sign?
Savannah
August 9, 2011 at 4:52 amThose look amazing! So much Better than McDonald’s!
Cait's Plate
August 9, 2011 at 4:53 amI’m so with you on the desire to go back to school. Every time this time of year rolls around I get SO jealous. Sometimes I go to Target just to stare at all the school supplies and mourn the loss of my educated years 😉
Oh, and of course the pies look phenomenal – I feel like I don’t even have to say that. Ha
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes
August 9, 2011 at 5:08 amI am getting puff pastry to makes these! Wow they look so good, I want vanilla ice cream and maybe 3-4 of those right now….haha 🙂
Heather (Heather's Dish)
August 9, 2011 at 5:09 ammmmmmm…so flaky and delicious! i’m all about the summer berries these days…yum!
AnneW
August 9, 2011 at 5:12 amThe American Girl shoutout… priceless 🙂
Sarah@The Flying ONION
August 9, 2011 at 5:13 amThey look cute AND tasty. Love them! 😀
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
August 9, 2011 at 5:27 amThese are so cute! I wasn’t really an American Girl doll collector as a kid, but my cousin was super into it and she probably had all the pastries and food accessories they made! PS. I’m not going back to school, but will you make my lunches for work every day? 😉
Bev Weidner
August 9, 2011 at 5:33 amI. DIE.
this looks fabulous!
…..i wonder how they ship.
Liv @ The Salty n' Sweet
August 9, 2011 at 5:38 amA much better alternative to McDonald’s apple pies!
kaila @ healthy helper!
August 9, 2011 at 5:41 amThese look amazing…..much better than any frozen toaster strudel for sure! My sister loves those so I would love to make these for her and see which one she prefers. Homemade or freezer burned? I know which one I would pick!
Laura
August 9, 2011 at 5:45 amAmerican Girl doll food!!! I remember specifically wanting the picnic outfit only because it came with all this wonderful food! These pies look amazing, and so perfect for the season.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen
August 9, 2011 at 5:47 amSo simple. Great way to use summer berries in a sweet treat!
Maryea {Happy Healthy Mama}
August 9, 2011 at 5:50 amWow these look so simple and delicious! Can’t get better than those two words. 🙂
Khushboo
August 9, 2011 at 5:52 amPortion control at its finest- love it!
katie @KatieDid
August 9, 2011 at 5:53 amThese remind me of the mini apple pie bars that I used to adore from McDonald’s… So wrong and so right at the same time.
jenna
August 9, 2011 at 5:54 amomg!!! this looks stunning!! what a fun suprise for a packed shool lunch! 🙂
Caroline @ chocolate and carrots
August 9, 2011 at 6:00 amBeautiful! I love it!
Hilliary@HappilyEverHealthy
August 9, 2011 at 6:02 amOh yum! Great idea, and so easy! I may have to make these when my family goes up north!
Hayley @ Hayley Daily
August 9, 2011 at 6:07 amThese look absolutely perfect. And if self control can be practiced (unlikely), they look to be the perfect little portion, too.
Ranjani
August 9, 2011 at 6:17 amLooks so delicious! And I bet you could freeze them unbaked and then you could bake up a cute little pie anytime you want one…
RhodeyGirl
August 9, 2011 at 6:19 amNow this is a baking recipe I like… I can TOTALLY do this!
I think I’d also add some of that crunchy sugar on top. Do you know what I’m talking about? What is it called?!?
Kristin
August 9, 2011 at 6:38 amI’m not sure what it is officially called but I was thinking the same….I think I’ll just buy some bulk Sugar in the Raw when I pick up the other things at the store. That would work I think?
Baking N Books
August 9, 2011 at 8:11 amLike crystallized sugar? I know Turbinado organic stuff is usually like that…
Deva (Voracious Vorilee)
August 9, 2011 at 8:16 amIs it sanding sugar? The really big crystals?
Sara
August 10, 2011 at 11:31 amTurbinado sugar=Raw sugar as I just learned last week actually! Big sugar crystals for that nice crunch you are looking for. Sanding sugar I think is finer, I think, don’t quote me though. If you want the raw sugar you can find it at coffee shops in little packet usually, that’s a typical sugar for in coffee I guess. Just in case you don’t want to buy a lot of it you could swipe some from a coffee shop or something. 😉
Laura @ Backstage Balance
August 9, 2011 at 6:19 amThese pies are adorable and totally remind me of something the American Girl dolls might bake up, especially Addie or Kirsten!
I was also way into their miniature food accessories, I had Molly and loved her little birthday cake with buttercream frosting. I don’t have the doll anymore (I’m grown up, after all) but I definitely have that little cake somewhere!
Erin
August 9, 2011 at 6:25 amOh American Girl dolls! I completely forgot about them! Little food, real or fake, is adorable and makes me want to eat more of them (the real ones) than if they were regular sized. Love how easy this looks!
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove
August 9, 2011 at 6:36 amThese would be perfect for breakfast!!
Jen @ keepitsimplefoods
August 9, 2011 at 7:12 amLOVE hand pies!
Estela @ Weekly Bite
August 9, 2011 at 7:17 amI love the name ‘hand pies’! Can’t believe I’ve never heard of it before 🙂
Kamaile
August 9, 2011 at 7:21 amSo easy and most puff pastry is vegan so without the egg wash I’m in!
Sally Anne @ PaleoRunnerGirl
August 9, 2011 at 7:30 amAwww! I love the American Girl shout out! I had Kirsten and I remember the day I got her “lunch” in the mail! I LOVED playing with the miniature food. I remember wanting Molly’s lunch because she had a teeny tiny oreo! I thought that would be SO cool!
These mini pies look like such a fun idea. I think I may use this recipe for a fun kid’s cooking activity. Thanks, Jenna!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
August 9, 2011 at 7:35 amLove these!! They look like the apple pies that you get from McDonalds. Except 100 times better, of course 😀
Holly @ Food, Make-Up, Hair
August 9, 2011 at 7:39 amHi Jenna –
I had to get one of those nifty silicone baking mats ever since I saw you using one – and let me tell you they are perfect for cookies. But I’m a bit obsessed with keeping mine clean and not letting food spill on it, so when I see that you have berries all over yours, I’m wondering how you wash yours?? Since I’m a silicone mat newbie, I’m not sure if in the sink is best or if it can go in the dishwasher, etc.
Thanks!
Holly
jenna
August 9, 2011 at 8:05 amJust soap and warm water! it will get a little funky over time, but still works great. I just scrub mine with a sponge and let it soak.
E
August 9, 2011 at 7:44 amThese look delicious! I always buy the small pies like that when I go down to Amish country (I live in Ohio) – now I can make ’em myself 🙂
Girl in the pink
August 9, 2011 at 7:48 amI’m all for minature-izing my fav desserts, looks deliscious!
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles
August 9, 2011 at 7:56 amYOu can come to school with me, the students would LOVE you!!! ….These look great and the frozen berries totally did the job!
Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary)
August 9, 2011 at 8:11 amBack in the day my Mom would let my brother and I pick out a hand pie each as a special treat… really, I think it was so we’d be quiet the whole time we were at the store 😉
Deva (Voracious Vorilee)
August 9, 2011 at 8:17 amI love this recipe. I think I may have to pick up the ingredients for it next time I’m planning a girls’ night – the portions are perfect and they look like perfect Kirsten food!
Anna @ Food Fitness Frolicking
August 9, 2011 at 8:19 amWOW. These look so tasty and delicious!
Emilie
August 9, 2011 at 8:21 amThese treats remind me of something my grandma used to make! They look amazing, and I bet they taste amazing, too. Thanks for sharing!
Nicole
August 9, 2011 at 8:22 amThese look great! That first pic scared me and had me thinking that it was going to be complicated and messy to make those bad boys. But, not so!
Moni'sMeals
August 9, 2011 at 8:33 amOh My! These look just perfect if you ask me. I am so glad I have endless blueberries too. I hope to try this out, who would not love them? 🙂
Congrats on day 8!
Kelsey @ aslolife
August 9, 2011 at 8:43 amLove it–would be perfect to bring as a snack to work!
Lola
August 9, 2011 at 8:44 amYum! 🙂
Emily @ Life on Food
August 9, 2011 at 8:49 amAnything baby size makes me happy…as long as it is not too small. Then I have to eat two or three! I love using frozen fruit for baking and smoothies. The fresh stuff gets eaten right away, just plain and simply delicious!
Rachel @ The Avid Appetite
August 9, 2011 at 9:01 amThese look like the perfect treat. Oh and the fact that they are super duper easy doesn’t hurt either!
CJ @ http://healthy-happy-whole.com/
August 9, 2011 at 9:03 amFor some reaon they remind me of poptarts or those little pies they sell at the store. Obviously much cuter and better tasting but it brought back memories from elementary school. I love foods like that 🙂
Erin
August 9, 2011 at 9:03 amThose look so delicious! Definitely bringing them to my next bbq…
Sharon
August 9, 2011 at 9:31 amMmmm these look great! I am totally making this next weekend…
Katrina
August 9, 2011 at 9:36 amBeautiful photos in this post! Those hand pies look so yummy!
Lea @ Healthy Coconut
August 9, 2011 at 9:37 amThanks for this easy baking recipe. I would love to try this and mango and jackfruit filling, it reminds me of a dessert that I had during my honeymoon in the Philippines.
Mellie
August 9, 2011 at 9:42 amI LOVE mini things! My sister and i always made mini food and stuff for our dolls because it was cheaper. It was so much fun. And I can’t beleive you want to go back to school- I’ll mail you some of my homework 🙂
Aja
August 9, 2011 at 10:16 amThose look great.
Jackie @ That Deep Breath
August 9, 2011 at 10:20 amThese are so cute! They remind me of the mini pies that used to go in the hot lunches in elementary school..but 100x better. Can’t wait to try this!
Teresa
August 9, 2011 at 10:25 amOh my goodness! Whole-wheat cinnamon bread and now these mini pies? You’re on a hot streak! I’m going to make these tonight!
Jennifer
August 9, 2011 at 10:30 amThese little treats are beautiful and look delicious. The perfect transition from summer to fall! Love from runningwithmascara.com
Ann
August 9, 2011 at 10:38 amI am also a lover of all things mini, and these fit the bill! Also, individually portioned dessert is just a wonderful thing. And occasionally not making your own pastry crust.
Carre at Kiss My Whisk
August 9, 2011 at 10:45 amLook simple and tasty! I’ll be making these soon!
Abby
August 9, 2011 at 10:57 amSO DELICIOUS! I cannot WAIT to make these for my next Ladies’ Night! I just adore pie and all things fruit and pastry. These are the perfect answer to my current problem: I love pie, but if I baked it I’ll eat the whole thing. Voila! Thanks a million 🙂
Whitney @ My Life.My Heart. My Journey.
August 9, 2011 at 11:25 amOh. My. Gosh.
Jess @ Fit Chick in the City
August 9, 2011 at 11:58 amYou are amazing!
Urban Wife
August 9, 2011 at 1:20 pmI miss being in school. Taking summers and holidays off, for granted. These pies might make me feel better. 😉
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
August 9, 2011 at 2:38 pmWould it be bad to admit that after basketball and volleyball practice growing up that I could take down a huge Hostess Cherry Pie with fake powdered sugar frosting and fake fruit in it? And I loved it! 🙂
I need to make these, the grown up version, stat.
Maggie
August 9, 2011 at 6:31 pmA brown bag packed full of these for lunch? Yes, please.
pam
August 9, 2011 at 6:51 pmoh good Lord those look delish. and also…in my heart i see a sweetened cream cheese mixture inside those pretty little things.
Margo @ Peanut Butter Trees
August 9, 2011 at 8:15 pmThese are so adorable and look scrumptious!
Maggie
August 10, 2011 at 7:36 amJenna, I have a biggilion cherries to use up. I’m thinking of making a double batch of these – one for now and one for later. Do these handpies freeze? If so, should I just assemble or go all the way through the baking process?
Thanks!
alex
August 10, 2011 at 10:08 amdoll house stuff gets me every time…tiny and cute. LOVE!
Joan
August 10, 2011 at 5:44 pmJust made them, on a scale from 1-10 a 3…very disappointing
Megan@ MegGoesNomNom
August 11, 2011 at 8:04 pmThese totally look like Micky D’s pies! But surely much more delicious I am sure. 🙂
Michelle
August 14, 2011 at 1:12 pmI made these last night…………so easy and sooooo yummmmmy!
Ana
August 16, 2011 at 5:45 pmSo good! Just made them. Can I store the left over berry mix in the refrigerator or freezer? If so, about how long will it last?
jenna
August 16, 2011 at 5:46 pmit will last about a week in the fridge!
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Jesse
March 21, 2014 at 8:58 pmHi, Is T…tablespoon or teaspoon?
Thanks