Mini Cherry Pies: The Perfect Homemade Treat for Two
Don’t let summer pass you by without savoring these delightful Mini Cherry Pies! These individual cherry pies are perfectly portioned for two, baked in ramekins, and feature a luscious homemade pie crust embracing a vibrant cherry pie filling. They are the epitome of a sweet, seasonal indulgence, designed for intimate moments or a delightful personal treat.
The arrival of summer always brings with it the dream of tart cherry picking. There’s a magic to plucking those ruby-red gems straight from the tree, but the window for fresh tart cherries is notoriously short. Over the years, countless summers have seen me miss this fleeting opportunity, whether due to travel, moving, or unexpected weather. One year, an early season almost caught me off guard, saved only by a timely check of the farm’s social media page. We even braved a rainy day, knowing it was our only chance to gather nature’s bounty.
Last year brought disappointment as a severe freeze wiped out the entire crop, leaving no cherries to be found. But this year, fortune smiled upon us! The absence of a freeze meant an incredibly abundant harvest. Instead of our usual modest five pounds, we happily found ourselves with a whopping seven pounds of tart cherries. Whoops! This delightful “accident” means one thing: an abundance of delicious homemade desserts in my future, including these exquisite Mini Cherry Pies.
These individual desserts are a celebration of summer’s finest. Each pie features a tender, buttery, and flaky homemade pie crust, perfectly cradling a rich, sweet-tart homemade cherry pie filling. Baked in convenient ramekins, they offer the perfect serving size without the temptation of an entire pie. And for those scorching summer days when turning on the oven feels like a monumental task, I’ve even tested these small-batch cherry pies in the air fryer with fantastic results!
Tart cherries, also widely known as sour cherries, live up to their name – they possess a distinct tartness that makes them less ideal for raw snacking. However, this very quality makes them absolutely perfect for baking. When combined with a touch of sugar and encased in a golden, double pie crust, these tart beauties transform into arguably the best cherry pie you’ll ever taste. While a full-sized pie is tempting, these mini versions offer all the flavor with delightful portion control. You can enjoy one now and share the other with a loved one, or simply save it for a later craving – no judgment here!
