Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Uses store-bought puff pastry to save time.
- Deliciously Flaky: The pastry turns golden brown and crisp.
- Perfectly Sweet & Tart: The cherry filling balances sweetness with a slight tartness.
- Versatile: Enjoy them warm or at room temperature for an on-the-go snack.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 box (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 large egg, beaten with 2 teaspoons milk (for egg wash)
- Coarse sugar for garnish
For the Cherry Filling:
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 ½ tablespoons room temperature water
- 12-ounce bag frozen cherries (or 2 ¼ cups fresh cherries, pitted)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
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Prepare the Cherry Filling: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Stir occasionally until the cherries release their juices (about 4-6 minutes). Add the cornstarch mixture, bring to a boil, and stir for 1 minute. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and let cool.
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Prepare the Pastry: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out one puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface and cut it into 6 rectangles. Repeat with the second sheet, making 12 rectangles in total.
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Assemble the Pies: Place 6 rectangles on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon about 1 ½ tablespoons of cherry filling onto each. Brush the edges with egg wash, place another rectangle on top, and press the edges together with a fork to seal.
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Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the tops with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
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Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 6 pies
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
Variations
- Add Almond Flavor: Stir in ¼ teaspoon of almond extract for a nutty twist.
- Use a Different Fruit: Swap cherries for blueberries, apples, or raspberries.
- Drizzle with Icing: Mix powdered sugar and milk to create a simple glaze to drizzle on top.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for 4 days.
- Reheating: Warm in the oven at 350°F for 5-7 minutes or in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.
FAQs
1. Can I use store-bought cherry pie filling?
Yes, but homemade filling gives a fresher, more flavorful result.
2. Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the filling up to 5 days in advance and refrigerate until ready to use.
3. Can I freeze these pastry pies?
Yes, freeze unbaked pies for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time.
4. How do I prevent the filling from leaking?
Seal the edges well with a fork and avoid overfilling the pastry.
5. Can I air-fry these pies?
Yes, air-fry at 350°F for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.
Conclusion
These Simple Cherry Pastry Pies are flaky, buttery, and filled with juicy cherry goodness. Whether enjoyed as a sweet breakfast or a delightful dessert, these handheld pies are easy to make and guaranteed to impress!
Simple Cherry Pastry Pies
These Simple Cherry Pastry Pies are flaky, buttery, and filled with a delicious homemade cherry filling. Made with frozen puff pastry for convenience, these handheld pies are perfect for breakfast, dessert, or a quick sweet treat. Easy to make and bursting with fruity flavor, they’re a must-try for any cherry lover!
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 pies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 1 box (2 sheets) frozen puff pastry, thawed
- 1 large egg, beaten with 2 teaspoons milk (for egg wash)
- Coarse sugar for garnish
For the Cherry Filling:
- 1 ½ tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 ½ tablespoons room temperature water
- 12-ounce bag frozen cherries (or 2 ¼ cups fresh cherries, pitted)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Cherry Filling: In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine cherries, sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Stir occasionally until the cherries release their juices (about 4-6 minutes). Add the cornstarch mixture, bring to a boil, and stir for 1 minute. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla, and let cool.
- Prepare the Pastry: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out one puff pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface and cut it into 6 rectangles. Repeat with the second sheet, making 12 rectangles in total.
- Assemble the Pies: Place 6 rectangles on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon about 1 ½ tablespoons of cherry filling onto each. Brush the edges with egg wash, place another rectangle on top, and press the edges together with a fork to seal.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the tops with egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve: Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature!
Notes
- Add ¼ teaspoon almond extract for a nutty twist.
- Swap cherries for blueberries, apples, or raspberries for variety.
- Drizzle with icing by mixing powdered sugar and milk.