Are you tired of complicated desserts that take hours to make but disappear in seconds? I know that feeling all too well! These Cherry Pie Bites are the perfect solution – bite-sized bursts of sweet-tart cherry goodness wrapped in flaky, golden crust that will have everyone reaching for seconds.
Hi, I’m Michael, the heart behind FoodyDish! As someone who’s been perfecting these cherry pie bites for family gatherings and holiday parties, I can promise you they’ll be the star of your dessert table. The best part? They come together in a fraction of the time of a traditional pie, but deliver all that wonderful cherry flavor you crave.
In this recipe guide, I’ll walk you through selecting the perfect cherries, creating that irresistible flaky crust, and adding those special touches that make these mini desserts truly exceptional. From prep to presentation, you’ll discover how to make cherry pie bites that look as impressive as they taste!
Why These Cherry Pie Bites Work
- Uses readily available ingredients (fresh or frozen cherries work beautifully)
- Ready in under 45 minutes from start to finish
- Perfect for potlucks, parties, or individual desserts
- Portion-controlled treats that satisfy your sweet tooth
- Freezer-friendly for make-ahead convenience
- Kid-friendly both to make and enjoy
- Adaptable for different seasons and fruit availability
Choosing the Right Cherries for Cherry Pie Bites
Best Cherry Varieties for Mini Desserts
When making cherry pie bites, selecting the right cherries makes all the difference. Sweet cherries like Bing or Rainier offer natural sweetness, while tart varieties like Montmorency provide that classic cherry pie flavor. For the best balance, I recommend:
- Tart cherries for traditional pie flavor (fresh or frozen)
- Sweet cherries when you want less added sugar
- A mixture of both for a complex flavor profile
Cherry Buying Tips
- Look for plump, firm cherries with shiny skin and green stems
- Avoid cherries with bruises, soft spots, or wrinkled skin
- If using frozen cherries, choose unsweetened varieties for better flavor control
- One pound of fresh cherries yields approximately 2½ cups of pitted fruit
Cherry Substitutions
- Blueberries or blackberries make excellent alternatives
- Cherry preserves mixed with fresh fruit creates a quick filling option
- Dried cherries rehydrated in juice create an intense flavor
Ingredients & Prep for Cherry Pie Bites
Cherry Filling Essentials
Preparing your cherries properly is key to achieving that perfect balance of sweetness and texture in your pie bites. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2½ cups fresh or frozen cherries, pitted and halved
- ¾ cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional but recommended)
- Pinch of salt
Crust Components
- 2 refrigerated pie crusts (store-bought saves time)
- 1 large egg (for egg wash)
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 tablespoons coarse sugar for topping
Pantry Staples
- All-purpose flour for dusting work surface
- Vanilla ice cream for serving (optional)
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Step-by-Step Cherry Pie Bites Cooking Instructions
Pre-Cooking Cherry Pie Bite Prep
- Preheat your oven to 375°F and line baking sheets with parchment paper
- In a medium saucepan, combine cherries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and salt
- Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently until mixture thickens
- Remove from heat, stir in almond extract if using, and let cool completely
Cherry Pie Bites Assembly Method
- On a lightly floured surface, unroll pie crusts and cut into 3-inch circles (using a cookie cutter or glass)
- Place 1 tablespoon of cooled cherry filling in the center of each circle
- Fold edges up around filling, creating pleats as you go (leaving center slightly open)
- Whisk egg and water together and brush over exposed crust
Cherry Pie Bites Baking Instructions
- Transfer assembled pie bites to prepared baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart
- Sprinkle crusts with coarse sugar for extra crunch and sparkle
- Bake for 18-22 minutes until crusts are golden brown
- Check at 15 minutes and rotate pans if browning unevenly
Cooling Cherry Pie Bites
- Allow pie bites to cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes
- Transfer to wire racks to cool completely (about 15-20 minutes)
- Dust with powdered sugar just before serving, if desired
Pro Tips for Perfect Cherry Pie Bites
Avoiding Common Cherry Dessert Mistakes
- Prevent soggy bottoms by making sure your filling is completely cooled
- Don’t overfill your pie bites – 1 tablespoon of filling is perfect
- If your kitchen is warm, chill the assembled unbaked pie bites for 15 minutes before baking
- For extra flaky crust, use cold ingredients and handle the dough minimally
Tool Recommendations
- Cherry pitter for efficient prep (a must if using fresh cherries)
- Small cookie scoop for uniform filling portions
- Silicone pastry brush for applying egg wash
- Mini muffin tins can be used as an alternative shaping method
Storage & Reheating
- Store cooled pie bites in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days
- Reheat in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes to restore crispness
Looking for more delicious recipe inspiration? Check out my collection of sweet and savory treats on Pinterest where I share new ideas weekly!
Flavor Variations for Cherry Pie Bites
Sweet Spice Combinations
- Cinnamon-Cherry: Add ½ teaspoon cinnamon to your filling
- Cherry-Vanilla: Mix in ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- Cherry-Almond: Increase almond extract to ½ teaspoon and add slivered almonds to topping
Dietary Adaptations
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite gluten-free pie crust mix
- Reduced Sugar: Cut sugar by half and add 1 tablespoon honey
- Vegan: Use plant-based pie crust and substitute aquafaba for egg wash
Gourmet Flavor Twists
- Dark Chocolate-Cherry: Add mini chocolate chips to filling
- Citrus-Cherry: Add orange zest to the filling
- Cherry-Berry Blend: Mix cherries with blueberries for a colorful twist
| Flavor Variation | Additional Ingredients | Baking Adjustments |
|---|---|---|
| Chocolate-Cherry | 2 tbsp mini chocolate chips | None needed |
| Lemon-Cherry | 1 tsp lemon zest + extra 1 tsp juice | None needed |
| Spiced Cherry | ¼ tsp cinnamon + pinch of nutmeg | None needed |
| Cherry-Berry | ½ cup berries + ¼ cup extra cherries | May need 1-2 min longer |
| Coconut-Cherry | 2 tbsp toasted coconut | Sprinkle coconut on top before baking |
Serving Suggestions for Cherry Pie Bites
- Serve warm with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Create a dessert board with cherry pie bites, chocolates, and fresh fruit
- Drizzle with warm chocolate sauce or caramel
- Arrange on a tiered stand for an impressive presentation at parties
- Pair with coffee, tea, or milk for a delightful afternoon treat
- Stack in clear treat bags tied with ribbon for edible gifts
Cherry Pie Bites FAQs
Can I make cherry pie bites ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the filling up to 3 days ahead and store it in the refrigerator. You can also assemble and freeze unbaked pie bites for up to 1 month. Bake directly from frozen, adding about 5 minutes to the baking time.
How do I prevent my cherry filling from being too runny?
Make sure to cook the filling until it’s noticeably thickened. If you’re using particularly juicy cherries, you may need to increase the cornstarch to 2½ tablespoons. Also, cooling the filling completely before assembling is essential.
Can I use canned cherry pie filling instead?
Absolutely! For a shortcut version, use canned cherry pie filling. Just drain off some of the excess liquid first, and add ¼ teaspoon almond extract to enhance the flavor.
How do I know when the cherry pie bites are done?
The crust should be golden brown, and you might see a bit of filling bubbling in the center. The bottom edges should also appear set and lightly browned.
Conclusion
These Cherry Pie Bites are more than just a dessert they’re little packages of joy that bring smiles to faces and warmth to gatherings. Their perfect balance of sweet-tart filling and buttery crust makes them irresistible for any occasion, from casual family dinners to elegant holiday parties.
What I love most about these mini cherry desserts is how they combine the comfort of traditional cherry pie with modern convenience and presentation. They’re proof that sometimes the most delightful things come in small packages!
So go ahead gather your ingredients, preheat that oven, and treat yourself to these delicious cherry pie bites. I’d love to hear how they turn out for you and see the creative ways you make this recipe your own. Happy baking!
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Cherry Pie Bites: 5 Mouthwatering Mini Desserts You’ll Love
- Total Time: 28 mins
- Yield: 24 bites 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Mini cherry pie bites made with buttery pastry and sweet cherry filling an easy, bite-sized dessert perfect for parties, holidays, or a quick sweet treat.
Ingredients
1 package refrigerated pie crusts (2 crusts)
1 can cherry pie filling (about 21 oz)
1 egg (beaten, for egg wash)
1 tbsp sugar (optional, for sprinkling)
Flour for dusting the surface
Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a mini muffin tin.
2. Unroll pie crusts on a floured surface and cut into circles using a 2.5-inch cutter.
3. Press each circle gently into the muffin tin cups.
4. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of cherry pie filling into each crust cup.
5. Brush the edges with beaten egg and sprinkle lightly with sugar if desired.
6. Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until crusts are golden brown.
7. Cool slightly before removing from pan.
8. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.
Notes
Try using blueberry or apple pie filling for variety.
Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 18 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 bites
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: cherry pie bites, mini pies, easy dessert, party treats, bite-sized pie