The other day I made these tiny pies, and I’ve been thinking about them ever since.
Quite honestly, they’re perfect for anything. Dinner parties, favors, lunches. Make a variety of flavors and help people feel less guilt about having the pumpkin, pecan, and apple pie at Thanksgiving. The recipe I’ve included is for pumpkin pie but you can do this with practically any other kind of pie.
The jar size is 4 ounces, and can be found among the canning supplies at most grocery stores. You should sterilize the jars beforehand, but you don’t need to worry about prepping the lids. You’ll use them, but because this is not a recipe for canning, you don’t need to worry about that tight seal. We just want to cover the pies.
Any pie crust should work for this, but I recommend one with lots of butter to ensure it can be molded up the side of the jar. Greasing the jars is unnecessary; I found it was quite easy to remove the pies. But keeping them in the jars is really what helps this pie stand out among the crowd.
They can also be frozen, unbaked, and then baked as needed. Let the jars thaw a bit before popping them in the oven, however, because as we all learned in high school science lab, glass doesn’t like extreme temperature changes.
And heck, if you call them tartelettes en bocal people will be even more impressed.
Pumpkin Jar Pies
2 pie crusts
16 4-ounce jars
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 cups pumpkin
12 ounces evaporated milk
Preheat oven to 425.
Roll out your pie crust, and using a large glass or circular cutter, cut out 16 circles. For each jar, pinch dough together and lower it into jar, then press dough up against the bottom and edges.
Using scraps, add on to the top edges of your crust until desired height. I recommend leaving about 1/4-inch space at the top. Put crusted jars on a cookie sheet and set aside.
In a small bowl mix together sugar and spices. In a large bowl, beat eggs and vanilla together, then mix in pumpkin. Stir in sugar mixture, then carefully add evaporated milk and stir until well incorporated.
Fill each jar with 1/4 to 1/3 cup of batter. Leave a small amount of crust a the top. There should be enough batter for 16 pies.
Bake on cookie sheet at 425 for 10 minutes, then reduce to 350 and bake another 20-25 minutes, until crusts are browned. Remove from the oven and let cool completely before adding lids and rings. Refrigerate until ready to serve, and decorate with whipped cream.
If you liked these pies, consider voting for me in Challenge 6 of Project Food Blog! You can do so by visiting right here. Thanks!
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I love these! I usually skip the pie crust and make just a custard or pudding. Now I must doe ones with crusts. Little portable pies; not just for picnics anymore!
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I’ve been thinking about them ever since, too. I LOVE this idea – thanks for sharing!
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Whoa. I want these!!!
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Oh my God! I can’t tell you how happy I am that you posted the instructions for these little pies. I loved them in your original *picnic post* and think that they would not only make fabulous little desserts for your own family but great little items to put into gift baskets etc.
Seriously, they are the cutest things I’ve seen in a long time. Thank you for this post.
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Um, these are sort of brilliant!
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So clever! I love the idea of gussying these all up with lids & ribbons & using them as party favors.
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these are awesome ! , wondering if anyone has had any luck with doing these in others kinds of pies besides pumpkin? like apples or chocolate even?
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Megan Reply:
October 26th, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Hi Shayne! I did make chocolate pudding pies in jars as well. I baked pricked the shells all over and baked them empty for about 15 minutes, then when they were cooled I filled them with cooked pudding. They worked really well! I haven’t tried apple yet, though it’s on my list.
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These are so cool! They’d be so great to serve as mini-desserts for Thanksgiving! Yum!
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what a great idea, will have to try them
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Could someone share ideas on how to whip these up as mini apple pies?
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These are adorable!
What a great idea!
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Such a tasty idea!
My main purpose for commenting, though, is to be able to follow any new comments made here. I’m watching for ideas for an apple pie version and preferred crust recipes.
Also, anyone find the perfect diameter size to cut the crusts?
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I love these. I have made them before, but without the crust. They are always a hit! Everyone has their own little pumpkin pie.
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VERY cute!
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I love these, perfect for taking along, even when trick or treating…
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Just beautiful! I love this idea ! They would make such a lovely gifts too!
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I absolutely love these! Better for portion control to. How wonderful to get to eat an entire pie and not feel awful about it!? Love it!
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Oh, how sweet, what a wonderful gift.
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What a great idea for a dessert to just have on hand and keep in the freezer. I wonder if you could do the same with like a chocolate cake or something.. Anyway, I will have to try. I had a really good homemade pumpkin pie with a sugar pie pumpkin. Thanks for the great idea. I voted for you
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I love these! They would be so nice on a fall picnic.
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OMG! I’m in love with this idea! Just wondering though, do they come out right if you cook them, freeze them and let them thaw to eat later? I love pumpkin but does anyone have other recipes that will work for these?
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I love this idea. It is perfect for christmas.
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These are adorable and such a clever idea. I’m clipping and saving!
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These would make brilliant hostess gifts!
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Uh ok, I could have sworn I commented on this when it came out but apparently I must have been drooling too much to do that! I came here again to send this post to a friend because they are the most unique dessert I have seen in a long time. They are simply perfect Megan.
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HA! This is such an amazing idea! I would love to give these as gifts… seasonal and delicious!
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These are so adorable! What a perfect little gift.. I love individual desserts.
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hey megan! it was so lovely meeting you this weekend. how amazing are those pies?!?!
you’re in a little bit of the video i shot! here’s the link if you want to check it out:
http://theactorsdiet.wordpress.com/2010/11/08/foodbuzz-kill/
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They look yummy. Have to try this,
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The recipe was great! thanks
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Oh shoot! I bought wide-mouth half-pint jars, instead of 4oz jars. So much for portion control.
Can’t wait to make these pies!
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I just came across this and think it would be fun to do lemon meringue for a back to school idea for my kids teachers… you know, all things yellow when it’s back to school in first grade. Has anyone done these with lemon meringue?
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CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Your recipe is being featured tomorrow at Feature Friday by LADY BEHIND THE CURTAIN! Come over and grab a “Feature Friday” button!
http://ladybehindthecurtain.com
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