Blueberry Pie Pockets

Blueberry Pie Pockets

April 28:
National Blueberry Pie Day

We posted a recipe for cherry pie pockets for National Cherry Pie Day. Now we are blogging about blueberry pie pockets for National Blueberry Pie Day. The portable, petite pies seem to follow the mini-treats trend. Islander used her $10 toy, a lattice pocket pie mold, that Highlander got for her from the Williams-Sonoma store. The mold makes it quick and easy to prepare the pies. The blueberry filling may be substituted for any other favorite flavor (fresh fruits or canned pie filling) and the lattice crust may be made from scratch or rolled out from refrigerated pie dough. For a sweet snack, prepare something “as easy as pie” and bake blueberry pie pockets for National Blueberry Pie Day.

Recipe

(Inspired by Williams-Sonoma)

  • 1 package refrigerated pie dough, thawed
  • 1 can blueberry pie filling, partially drained (see Notes)
  • 1 egg, beaten with a tablespoon of water
  • sanding or turbinado sugar (we used Wilton brand white sparkling sugar) 

Directions

Unroll the pie dough on a slightly floured surface. Press out pairs of solid pieces and the lattice tops using the Williams-Sonoma mold. Partially drain the blueberry filling (optional).

Blueberry Pie Pockets

Put the solid side of the dough on the pie press. Place about two heaping tablespoons of the blueberry pie filling in the middle of the dough.  Brush the edges with egg wash. Top with the lattice side of the dough. Press the mold down to seal.

Blueberry Pie Pockets

Place on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the rest of the dough and blueberry pie filling. Freeze all pocket pies for at least an hour. Remove from the freezer and transfer to a lightly greased, foil-lined baking sheet. Brush the tops of the lattice with egg wash. Sprinkle sugar on top. Bake in a preheated oven at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes, or until the filling bubbles slightly and the tops are golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the blueberry pie pockets cool completely on a wire rack.

Blueberry Pie Pockets

Notes

  • Drain half of the liquid syrup from the can of blueberries so the filling is not so runny.
  • If not using the Williams-Sonoma mini lattice pie press, use a large cookie cutter to cut shapes in the dough. Pair them up, place filling in the middle, seal the edges by pressing down with the tines of a fork and brush the sides and tops with egg wash. Cut a few slits on the top as vents. Freeze until firm. Bake as directed above.
  • Do not deep fry the lattice pie pockets. They may be deep fried if both sides of the dough are solid pieces.
  • Re-roll out the pie dough to make more solid pieces and lattice tops.
  • July is National Blueberry Month. Search our blog for more recipes containing blueberries. 

 

Mini Strawberry Cream Pies

Mini Strawberry Cream Pies 

September 28: National Strawberry Cream Pie Day

Summer seems to linger later in South Texas. So before we say hello to the harvest season, we want to bid a final farewell to berry season with a strawberry cream pie. It is a light and luscious dessert with a pale pink shade that is perfect for all seasons and social occasions. Following the tiny treats-trend, we turned a standard size strawberry cream pie into many minis! The individual desserts are delicious as sweet, small servings. Try the traditional-sized pie as tiny treats! They are terrific to observe the transition of summer to fall as well as to celebrate National Strawberry Cream Pie Day.

Recipe

(Adapted from AllRecipes.com)

Ingredients

  • 15 mini pie crusts (we used Keebler brand; equivalent of 2 ½ packages of 6)
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 cup strawberries, mashed
  • 8 ounces (1 bar) cream cheese
  • 4 tablespoons granulated white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 4 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • extra whole strawberries for garnish

Directions

Beat the egg white and brush on the bottom and sides of the mini pie crusts. Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for five minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely.

MIni Strawberry Cream Pies

Wash the strawberries and dry with a paper towel. Cut into small pieces. Mash with a fork to yield one cup. Set aside. In a large bowl, blend the cream cheese with the sugar and vanilla.

MIni Strawberry Cream Pies

Fold in the mashed strawberries. In another bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream, gradually adding the powdered sugar, until stiff peaks form.

MIni Strawberry Cream Pies

Fold this into the cream cheese-strawberry mixture, reserving ½ cup of cream for the top garnish. Scoop into the mini pie crusts. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight until firm and set. Pipe extra whipped cream into a swirl top. Garnish with a small, whole strawberry. Serve chilled.

MIni Strawberry Cream Pies

Notes

  • One 8-ounce tub of Cool Whip may be substituted for the sweetened whip cream.
  • Make a standard size strawberry cream pie by cutting the filling recipe in half and spreading it into a pre-made crust.
  • Search our blog for more pie and strawberries recipes.