Mini Heart Pies

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Mini Heart Pies are an adorable and delicious dessert perfect for special occasions or whenever you want to spread a little love. These bite-sized treats feature flaky, golden crusts filled with your favorite sweet fillings, such as fruit preserves, chocolate, or Nutella, and are shaped into charming little hearts. A dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of glaze adds the finishing touch, making them as beautiful as they are tasty.

I first made Mini Heart Pies for Valentine’s Day, and they were an instant hit! The delicate, buttery crust paired with the sweet, gooey filling was simply irresistible. What I love most about this recipe is its simplicity and customization—you can use any filling you love and decorate them to suit the occasion. Whether you’re surprising a loved one or treating yourself, Mini Heart Pies are a delightful way to share some sweetness!

Perfect for:

  • Valentine’s Day
  • Anniversaries
  • Birthdays
  • Casual gatherings
  • Pie lovers

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Here are 10 reasons why these Mini Heart Pies will quickly become a go-to treat:

  • Adorable Shape: The heart shape adds a personal and charming touch to every pie.
  • Variety of Fillings: Choose from fruit preserves, chocolate, or even savory fillings to suit any taste.
  • Crispy and Flaky: The buttery, flaky crust is perfectly balanced with the sweet filling inside.
  • Perfect Portion Sizes: These mini pies offer a satisfying bite without the guilt of a large dessert.
  • Easy to Customize: You can swap fillings or add toppings like whipped cream or powdered sugar.
  • Fun to Make: Get creative with the shape, design, and flavors, making it a fun activity for the whole family.
  • Great for Gift Giving: These mini pies are ideal for homemade gifts, especially for loved ones.
  • Ideal for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday or a casual get-together, these pies fit the bill.
  • Make-Ahead Option: You can prepare these mini pies in advance and bake them right before serving.
  • Kid-Friendly: The bite-sized nature makes them perfect for kids, while the simple recipe is easy to follow.

Preparation and Cooking Time

  • Total Time: 2 hours (including chilling time)
  • Preparation Time: 45 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 20 minutes
  • Chilling Time: 30 minutes
  • Servings: 12 mini pies
  • Calories per serving: Approximately 250-300 calories
  • Key Nutrients: Protein: 2g, Carbs: 35g, Fat: 15g

Ingredients

For the Pie Crust:

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • ¼ cup ice water

The Filling:

  • ½ cup fruit preserves (strawberry, raspberry, or your choice)
  • ¼ cup chocolate chips (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch (for thickening the filling)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

For the Egg Wash:

  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon milk

Optional Garnish:

  • Powdered sugar
  • Whipped cream

Ingredient Highlights

  • Butter in Crust: The cold butter helps achieve the flaky texture in the pie crust.
  • Fruit Preserves: Offers a sweet, jammy filling with natural fruit flavor.
  • Chocolate Chips (Optional): Adds a rich, indulgent layer to the pies for chocolate lovers.
  • Egg Wash: Gives the pies a golden, glossy finish once baked.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the Pie Crust:

  1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt.
  2. Cut in Butter: Add cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work it into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs.
  3. Add Ice Water: Gradually add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just begins to come together.
  4. Chill Dough: Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and form it into a ball. Wrap it in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Prepare the Filling:

  1. Cook Filling: In a small saucepan, combine fruit preserves, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Heat over medium, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
  2. Add Chocolate Chips (Optional): Stir in the chocolate chips for a rich chocolate fruit filling.

Assemble the Mini Heart Pies:

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Roll Out Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to about ¼-inch thickness.
  3. Cut Hearts: Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out dough hearts.
  4. Fill the Pies: Spoon a small amount of filling into the center of half the hearts, leaving a border around the edges.
  5. Seal the Pies: Place another dough heart on top of each filled one and press the edges together using a fork to seal.
  6. Brush with Egg Wash: Brush the tops of each pie with the egg wash (egg and milk mixture).

Bake the Mini Heart Pies:

  1. Bake: Place the pies on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
  2. Cool: Let the pies cool on a wire rack before serving.

Serve:

  1. Garnish and Serve: Dust with powdered sugar or serve with whipped cream for extra sweetness.

How to Serve

Here are 10 serving suggestions for Mini Heart Pies:

  • As a Valentine’s Day Treat: These pies are perfect for sharing with your special someone.
  • With a Hot Beverage: Pair with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for a cozy treat.
  • For Afternoon Tea: Serve as part of a light and elegant spread for a tea-time gathering.
  • As Party Favors: Package individual pies in cellophane bags as sweet party gifts.
  • For Breakfast or Brunch: Serve mini pies alongside other breakfast favorites like fruit and yogurt.
  • With Ice Cream: Top with a scoop of vanilla or strawberry ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
  • As a Gift: Present these pies in a box or tin for a homemade gift.
  • With Fresh Berries: Garnish with fresh berries for an added burst of flavor.
  • As a Birthday Treat: Serve at birthdays as a cute, personalized dessert.
  • On Picnic Days: These pies are perfect for picnics, easy to transport and enjoy outdoors.

Additional Tips

  • Chill Dough Well: Ensure the dough is chilled before rolling out to keep it flaky.
  • Don’t Overfill: Add a small spoonful of filling to avoid overflows when sealing the pies.
  • Egg Wash for Gloss: Brush the pies with egg wash for a golden, shiny finish.
  • Experiment with Fillings: Try different fillings such as apple, blueberry, or even caramelized nuts for variety.
  • Keep Pies Small: The mini size ensures they bake evenly and are perfect for portion control.

Recipe Variations

  • Apple Cinnamon Filling: Use chopped apples and cinnamon for a classic filling.
  • Lemon Meringue Filling: A tangy lemon curd with a fluffy meringue topping.
  • Peach Preserves: Substitute fruit preserves with peach or apricot for a unique flavor.
  • Nutella Filling: Use Nutella and bananas for a rich, creamy filling.
  • Savory Mini Pies: Fill with cheese and spinach, or ham and cheese for a savory version.
  • Coconut Filling: Add shredded coconut to a custard base for a tropical twist.
  • Pumpkin Spice Pies: A seasonal version with spiced pumpkin filling.
  • Cherry Filling: Use sweet or tart cherries for a fruity twist.

Special Equipment

  • Heart-Shaped Cookie Cutter: For cutting perfect heart-shaped pies.
  • Rolling Pin: To roll out the dough evenly.
  • Pastry Brush: For applying the egg wash.
  • Baking Sheet: For baking the mini pies.
  • Wire Rack: To cool the pies after baking.
  • Fork: To press and seal the edges of the pies.

FAQ Section

  1. Can I use store-bought pie crust?
    Yes, pre-made pie crust works well if you’re short on time.
  2. How long do these mini pies last?
    They can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  3. Can I freeze these pies?
    Yes, freeze the unbaked pies on a baking sheet, then transfer to a bag or container. Bake directly from the freezer.
  4. What can I substitute for fruit preserves?
    You can use fresh fruit, cooked and sweetened, or even chocolate ganache.
  5. Can I use a different shape?
    Yes, use any cookie cutter shape you like, such as stars or circles.
  6. What’s the best way to cut the dough?
    Use a sharp, clean cookie cutter for clean edges.
  7. Can I add nuts to the filling?
    Yes, chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts add texture to the filling.
  8. Can I make these pies ahead of time?
    Yes, make them up to 1 day in advance and store in an airtight container.
  9. Can I make savory mini heart pies?
    Absolutely! Try cheese, spinach, or ham fillings for a savory twist.
  10. How can I prevent the pies from leaking filling?
    Ensure the edges are sealed well and avoid overfilling the pies.

Conclusion

Mini Heart Pies are an adorable and delicious treat, perfect for special occasions or just because! These small, hand-held pies are made with flaky, buttery pie crusts shaped into cute heart forms and filled with your favorite fillings, like sweet fruit preserves, chocolate, or even savory options like cheese and spinach. Once baked, they’re golden and crisp, with a delightful filling surprise in every bite.

These pies are great for Valentine’s Day, parties, or gifting. You can decorate them with a sprinkle of sugar before baking or drizzle with icing after they cool for a touch of sweetness. They’re easy to customize and fun to make with kids or friends.

I can’t wait to see how your Mini Heart Pies turn out! Be sure to share your photos on Instagram and tag me—I’d love to see your beautiful creations. Don’t forget to leave a comment and let me know how you made this dish your own!