Cupid’s Love Pies are the perfect dessert to celebrate love and sweetness, whether it’s for Valentine’s Day, an anniversary, or any romantic occasion. These delightful mini pies are packed with love in every bite, featuring a buttery, flaky crust filled with a luscious, rich fruit or creamy filling that’s sure to make anyone’s heart melt. With their vibrant, eye-catching design and sweet, indulgent flavor, these little pies are ideal for sharing with a loved one or presenting as a sweet gift. Their small size makes them both cute and convenient, making them a hit at any romantic gathering.
Each pie is made with a simple yet delicious crust that bakes up golden and crisp, perfectly complementing the filling of your choice. Whether filled with fruity jam, creamy custard, or a blend of both, Cupid’s Love Pies are sure to spark a little romance in every bite. Plus, the heart-shaped design adds a personal and charming touch that’s perfect for any celebration of love. These pies are a fun, playful, and delicious way to show someone how much you care.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
1. Romantic and Fun Design
The heart-shaped mini pies are visually adorable and add a sweet, personalized touch to any occasion.
2. Customizable Fillings
You can fill these pies with a variety of fillings—fruit jams, chocolate, or even creamy custards—making them versatile and easy to adjust to anyone’s tastes.
3. Perfect for Sharing
The mini size makes these pies easy to serve and share, perfect for parties, intimate gatherings, or as a thoughtful gift.
4. Flaky, Buttery Crust
The buttery, flaky crust provides the perfect contrast to the sweet filling, creating a balanced and satisfying dessert.
5. Simple to Make
With a few easy steps and ingredients, these pies are surprisingly simple to prepare, making them a fun and quick baking project for any occasion.
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Butter (cold, for the crust)
- Ice water
- Salt
- Fruit jam (strawberry, raspberry, or cherry)
- Granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
- Egg (for egg wash)
- Powdered sugar (optional, for dusting)
- Vanilla extract (optional, for the filling)
Variations
- Fruit Filling: Use any type of fruit jam or preserve for a fruity pie, such as strawberry, raspberry, or blueberry. You can even mix fruit jams for a unique flavor combination.
- Chocolate Filling: Fill the pies with a rich chocolate ganache for a decadent twist on the classic fruit pie.
- Lemon Curd Filling: For a tart and creamy filling, use lemon curd. It’s light, zesty, and pairs wonderfully with the buttery crust.
- Nutella Filling: For a chocolate-hazelnut twist, you can use Nutella or any other chocolate spread as the filling.
- Vegan Version: Substitute butter with vegan butter and use a dairy-free jam for a plant-based option.
How to Make the Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pie Dough
In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Cut the cold butter into small cubes and add it to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or your hands, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly add ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overwork the dough. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Step 2: Roll Out the Dough
Once the dough has chilled, lightly flour your work surface and roll out one of the dough discs to about 1/8-inch thickness. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter or a knife, cut out heart shapes from the dough. You’ll need two hearts for each mini pie, one for the bottom and one for the top.
Step 3: Assemble the Pies
Place one heart-shaped dough piece onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spoon about one tablespoon of fruit jam (or filling of choice) onto the center of each dough piece, leaving a small border around the edges. Top with another heart-shaped dough piece, pressing the edges to seal. Use a fork to crimp the edges and create a decorative border.
Step 4: Apply the Egg Wash
Whisk the egg and a tablespoon of water together to create an egg wash. Brush the top of each pie with the egg wash to give them a golden, shiny finish when baked. Sprinkle a little granulated sugar on top of the pies for extra sweetness and sparkle.
Step 5: Bake the Pies
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the pies for 15-20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Keep an eye on the pies to ensure they don’t over-brown.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Allow the pies to cool for a few minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a wire rack. Once they’ve cooled slightly, dust with powdered sugar if desired and serve. Enjoy these cute, delicious little pies with your loved ones!
Tips for Making the Recipe
- Chill the Dough: Make sure to chill the dough for at least 30 minutes before rolling it out. This ensures that the butter stays cold, which leads to a flakier crust.
- Seal the Edges Well: Be sure to press the edges of the pie dough together firmly to avoid the filling spilling out while baking.
- Use Quality Jam: For the best flavor, use high-quality fruit jam or preserves. You can even make your own fruit filling for a more homemade touch.
- Add a Touch of Spice: For added flavor, sprinkle a little cinnamon or nutmeg over the filling before sealing the pies.
- Egg Wash: An egg wash helps give the pies a beautiful golden color, but if you’re looking for a vegan option, you can use almond milk or a dairy-free milk alternative.
How to Serve
Cupid’s Love Pies are best served warm or at room temperature. Serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent touch. They make an excellent treat for a romantic dinner or as part of a dessert spread for Valentine’s Day. Pair them with a glass of champagne or sparkling cider for a festive, celebratory vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover Cupid’s Love Pies, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. You can also refrigerate them for up to 4 days if you want to keep them fresh longer.
Freezing
These pies freeze wonderfully! After baking, let them cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply bake the frozen pies at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
Reheating
To reheat the pies, place them in the oven at 350°F for about 5-7 minutes until they’re warm and crispy again.
FAQs
1. Can I make these pies ahead of time?
Yes, you can make these pies ahead of time and store them in the fridge or freezer. They can be reheated in the oven before serving.
2. Can I use a store-bought pie crust for the dough?
Yes, if you’re short on time, you can use a pre-made pie crust. Just roll it out and cut into heart shapes.
3. How do I make these pies vegan?
To make these pies vegan, substitute the butter with vegan butter and use a plant-based milk for the egg wash, such as almond or coconut milk.
4. What kind of jam should I use for the filling?
You can use any type of fruit jam or preserves, such as strawberry, raspberry, cherry, or blueberry. Homemade fruit fillings work wonderfully as well.
5. How can I make the crust extra flaky?
For the flakiest crust, be sure to keep the butter cold while making the dough and handle the dough as little as possible.
6. Can I add nuts or chocolate to the filling?
Absolutely! You can add a handful of chopped nuts or some chocolate chips to the filling for added texture and flavor.
7. How do I keep the filling from spilling out during baking?
Make sure the edges are well-sealed before baking, and avoid overfilling the pies. Crimping the edges with a fork can help secure the filling inside.
8. How can I make these pies gluten-free?
Use a gluten-free pie crust or a gluten-free flour blend to make the dough, and be sure to use gluten-free jam.
9. Can I freeze these pies?
Yes, these pies freeze very well. Just wrap them tightly and store them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat them in the oven when ready to serve.
10. Can I make a full-sized pie instead of mini pies?
Yes, you can make a full-sized version by using the same dough and filling, but adjust the baking time. A full-sized pie will need about 30-40 minutes in the oven.
Conclusion
Cupid’s Love Pies are the perfect dessert to show someone you care, combining delicious fruit fillings with a buttery, flaky crust in an adorable heart shape. They are simple to make, customizable, and ideal for any romantic occasion. Whether you’re baking them for Valentine’s Day or simply because you want to surprise someone special, these mini pies will add a touch of sweetness and love to your day. With their delightful design and irresistible flavor, they’re sure to become a favorite go-to dessert.
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Cupid’s Love Pies
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8–10 mini pies (depending on the size of the cutter) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cupid’s Love Pies are mini hand pies with a sweet, fruity filling wrapped in a golden, flaky crust. Perfectly shaped like hearts, these little pies are an irresistible treat that’s perfect for Valentine’s Day or a fun, homemade dessert for any special occasion. Simple to make and bursting with love and flavor!
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup cold water (more if needed)
- 1 tbsp heavy cream (for brushing)
For the Filling:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped (or any berry of choice)
- 1/2 cup raspberry jam (or strawberry jam)
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Pie Crust:
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and use a pastry cutter or your hands to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Gradually add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dough begins to come together. Be careful not to overwork the dough. If it feels too dry, add a bit more water, but keep the dough chilled.
- Divide the dough into two portions, shape them into discs, wrap in plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a small saucepan, combine the chopped strawberries, raspberry jam, lemon juice, cornstarch, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon (if using). Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and the berries release their juices, about 5-7 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the filling cool to room temperature.
- Assemble the Love Pies:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out one portion of the chilled dough on a lightly floured surface to about 1/8 inch thickness. Using a heart-shaped cookie cutter, cut out heart-shaped pieces of dough. You’ll need two hearts per pie.
- Place one heart-shaped dough cutout on the prepared baking sheet. Spoon about 1-2 tablespoons of the strawberry filling into the center of the dough.
- Place another heart-shaped dough cutout over the filling and press the edges together to seal. You can crimp the edges with a fork for a decorative touch.
- Brush the tops of the pies with heavy cream to give them a golden finish while baking.
- Bake:
- Bake the pies in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly.
- Remove the pies from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
- Serve:
- Once cooled, dust the pies with a little powdered sugar for a sweet finishing touch. Serve with a side of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence!
Notes
- You can substitute the strawberries with other berries like raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries, depending on your preference.
- If you don’t have a heart-shaped cutter, you can use a round cutter or any shape you like.
- These pies are great for making ahead. Just store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Valentine’s Day Treats
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American