I used to think that baking a pie crust was impossible. It has always been one of those things that I have wanted to learn. From the wholesome Dutch Apple Pie, cherry pie, and pumpkin pie they all seemed out of reach. I decided to bite the bullet so to speak and give it a try. I was surprised that it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. Yes, it does have to chill in the fridge, but the crust is so worth it when it’s homemade. Have no fear though you can use the pre-made crusts in the freezer section of your grocery store. If you do, just adjust and baking times according to their directions.
I am using the same crust that I used for the Caramel Pear Pie so the instructions will be very similar.
Pie Crust – 2½ cup flour ~ 1 cup cold butter, cubed (2 sticks) ~1 tsp salt ~ 1 tsp sugar ~ 6 to 8 tbsp ice cold water
Filling – 1 pound bag of frozen blackberries ~ 2 Asian Pears, diced ~ 4 TBSP flour ~ 3/4 cup sugar ~ 1 TSP lemon juice ~ pinch of salt ~ 1-2 TBSP butter
Directions: Remove butter from freezer. Butter should be frozen (I always store butter in the freezer for baking purposes). In a food processor add the flour, salt and sugar and mix till combined. Add the cubed butter and pulse until the mixture is mixed (should be chunky crumbles). Add the ice water one tablespoon at a time and continue mixing. The dough should start to hold together. Go slow and check after each one.

- Pie Crust - 2½ cup flour ~ 1 cup cold butter, cubed (2 sticks) ~1 tsp salt ~ 1 tsp sugar ~ 6 to 8 tbsp ice cold water
- Filling - 1 pound bag of frozen blackberries ~ 2 Asian Pears, diced ~ 4 TBSP flour ~ ¾ cup sugar ~ 1 TSP lemon juice ~ pinch of salt ~ 1-2 TBSP butter
- Remove butter from freezer. Butter should be frozen (I always store butter in the freezer for baking purposes). In a food processor add the flour, salt and sugar and mix till combined. Add the cubed butter and pulse until the mixture is mixed (should be chunky crumbles). Add the ice water one tablespoon at a time and continue mixing. The dough should start to hold together. Go slow and check after each one.
- Remove dough from food processor and place it on a cutting board or mat. Roll into a ball and cut in half forming the top and bottom crust.
- Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour or up to 2 days before using.
- Preheat oven to 375° F. Take out your dough and roll out so that it’s about ¼ inch in thickness.
- Using a biscuit cutter or even an upside down cup, cut out about 12 circles and arrange in your mini-pie dish or small pie tins.
- Run the blackberries under some warm water to thaw. Once thaw pat dry. Dice the pears and toss with the blackberries. Mix in the flour, sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Spoon onto the dough leaving a little room for it expand. Top with a few small cubes of butter. You can bake them as is or cut out top crusts. If using a top crust pinch the crusts together to form a seal. Cut slits in the top to allow steam to get out. Use a pastry brush or the back of a spoon and light wet with water or egg whites for a nice brown crust.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes for mini-tarts or 30-35 minutes for small 6" pie. For an 8-9 inch full pie increase time to 35-45 minutes.
yummy! those look cute too! never baked a pie, but apple is my fave!
The smell of pie baking is the best. You should give it a try! Apple is my favorite too though I am trying to branch out.
They are adorable.
I am leery of making and eating pie crust. Very calorie laden so I stay away from them.
That was a party pooper statement, but why I avoid pies.
Those baby pies, however, are not as big as a slice of pie!
Beautifully presented. I am not real neat all the time, especially if tasks are tedious.
Blueberry is my favorite filling. Bet these were delish!
Love, SMD’s Momma
Me too!! I try to keep it out of the house and sampling the pies for quality control (of course) was hard. Yes, I need to bake in the morning so a day of other running around doesn’t make me rush. I love that they are little so you don’t feel as bad indulging.
These look like they could be in a bakery – so good!!!! I’ve always wanted to try to make crust and now with your directions I might actually be able to do it lol
Why, thank you! Such a great compliment. Oh you should even just to say you can! The smell of if baking alone is worth it.
These look sooo good! I made mini apple pies last year and they didn’t turn out nearly as pretty! I am going to try your cup method for cutting the crust this year since I don’t have a biscuit cutter!
Thank you! The mini’s are much more doable. You really can use anything. I have used a bowl for larger pies, clean and empty coffee cans, pickle jars. Really anything close in size to what you need.
I am sharing this with my Dad! So up his alley!
Thank you. Hope he likes it!
Those are adorable and I am sure they taste amazing too! I’m a weirdo…I love apple pie but after I pick most of the apples out…I like the crust and the caramelized glaze on the inside, warm, with ice cream.
Thank you. Haha! I have never heard anyone picking out the apples but I know the filling is the best part especially the cinnamon sugar mixed with the crust!
=) You have just made me the happiest girl in the world!
Need to make this and eat it all. In moderation – of course – Yeah – I meant MODERATION.
hehehe.
Awww thank you. Yes, moderation! 😉
They look awesome! I might have to try mini pies this fall.
Mini-pies are fun because you can always mix and match fillings. They are perfect to practice different crust options too.
My little sister (by little, I mean she was 23 at the time) and I tried to make The Pioneer Woman’s pie crust one year at Thanksgiving. We accomplished it but it was UGLY. And hard. And time consuming. I don’t know that I’ll do it again.
I do enjoy making pie filling, though, so it’s a bit of a conundrum for me.
Ohhh I haven’t tried hers but I do have Ina’s printed out to try. That doesn’t sound like fun! This one is only 15 minutes to put together then in the fridge to cool, fill and bake. Smaller is better especially to practice.
Shut up! Yum!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I NEED that pie right now!
I have got to get better at baking.
Haha! Practice makes perfect! Mini-pies are perfect for practice but a full pie is less work sometimes too. Just do it!!! 😉
Sounds yummy and I’m super impressed with the lattice one!
Thank you. The lattice crust is so fun to do. It is easier than it looks but it really makes it look fancier.
These looks so creative and pretty! i’ve yet to attempt to make any type of pie! I might need to bite the bullet one of these days.
Thank you. I love making pies. Oh you should. It is such a fun skill to have and a perfect holiday gift.
I would have never thought to mix blackberry and pear but this looks so, so, so yumm!!!!!
Thank you. I love mixing random ingredients.
OMG I am drooooling over here!!! This is perfect pie weather today!
Thank you! 😉 This is perfect pie weather. I just love making them too since they make the house smell so good.
LOVE pie this time of year… definitely saving this 🙂
I love this time of year and pie is a part of it. Thank you.
Oh my. This one looks too complicated for amateur me but sooo yummo!!
Oh no!! It is easier then some I have read but I totally understand.
Mmm. I am a big fan of pie.
Pie is never a bad thing! 😉
First off, these are too cute for words and sound divine!
Second off, I’ve never made pie crust in a food processor. That really intrigues me. Pies were my responsibility on Thanksgiving ever since I turned 12 and decided I was going to master them one Summer when I was visiting my grandma (we ate pie every night that trip. haha) I always mixed the crust with knives (to dice in the butter) and blended in the water with forks to keep it “airy.” This sounds a lot faster! haha
Thank you! Yes, it’s so much easier and you really only pulse it for like 20-40 seconds so it still stay light.
These turned out so cute!!! I love the designs in the crust!!!!! My favorite is blueberry! 😀
I love the lattice crusts though mine never end up very straight. Haha! I’ll keep that in mind for when you finally visit!!
i have never made a pie, heck i dont think ive ever even eaten homemade pie. can i come to your place? lol they look delicious!
No way!!! You must rectify that immediately!!! Homemade pie is so much better than store bought. You may come and i shall bake you a pie! 😉
I may be the only person EVER that doesn’t like pie (it;s just the crust I can’t get into) but this sounds and looks pretty dang delicious!
Say what?!! Haha! The filling is the best part though.
This is still on my list of things to do before my birthday next year and I’ll definitely be doing it this Fall I think. Fall always makes me want to bake!!
Pie is such a good Sunday project. Just give it a try, it is so worth it. I do so much baking in the Fall!
Yum! Yea, I have never made my own pie crust. I always freak when it comes to baking. But I do love me some pie 😉
I love fresh pie crust. People tend to be either pro-baking or pro-cooking. Baking is totally my zen place.
Those look so good!!
Thank you so much! They were tasty and perfect size to not overeat them! 😉
These look delicious! And they’re easier in the way of portion control. Great idea!
YUM, this sounds like such a yummy combo! My fav pie is blackberry peach so I bet I’d like this!
Blackberry peach is a really good combo too! Thank you.
Those look beautiful and amazing! You made it look and sound so simple but I don’t know how to bake so I never have any of the ingredients to bake. If I were to try it I’d have to get the kind of flour you could buy in bulk so that I could just buy what was needed. Except I don’t know if the same can be done with baking soda and powder. Can I just come bake with you at your house?
Haha! It doesn’t take that much flour to bake. Though you would have to keep it in the fridge if you don’t bake often or it will get weebles. My kitchen is always open! 😉
This is probably my favorite recipe post you’ve done! So so yum. I love pie so much!i really love classic apple but any fruit is good.
Wow, thank you. The classic apple is a favorite of mine too.
Those sound really good! As much baking as I do I’ve never made my own pie crust. I think that will be my goal for my Thanksgiving apple pie 🙂
It really makes a huge difference and it really is easier than it looks.
Oh goodness, this looks incredible!! I love pie so much. And I was so intimidated by pie crust too, until I made it. Definitely not as hard as it looks! 🙂
Yes, I was so intimidated by pie too but it really isn’t so bad.