Simple Cherry Pastry Pies
Simple Cherry Pastry Pies combine sweet and tart cherries with a flaky, buttery puff pastry crust to create an effortless and delicious dessert. Perfect for all skill levels, these pies offer balanced flavors and versatility, making them an ideal treat for gatherings, snacks, or special occasions.
- Author: Nina
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 pies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Can be gluten-free with substitutions; vegan options available
Pastry
- Frozen puff pastry (thawed as per package instructions)
Cherry Filling
- 2 cups fresh or frozen cherries (thawed if frozen)
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Finishing
- Prepare the Cherry Filling: Combine the fresh or thawed frozen cherries with sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and vanilla extract in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy. Remove from heat and set aside to cool completely.
- Roll Out the Puff Pastry: Thaw the puff pastry sheets according to the package instructions. On a lightly floured surface, gently roll out the pastry to smooth the folds and stretch it slightly for easier handling.
- Cut and Fill the Pastry: Cut the pastry into evenly sized squares or circles. Spoon a generous amount of the cooled cherry filling onto half of the pastry pieces, leaving space at the edges to seal.
- Seal the Pies: Place the remaining pastry pieces on top of the filling. Press the edges firmly with a fork to seal the pies and prevent filling leaks during baking.
- Apply Egg Wash and Vent: Brush the tops of the pies with beaten egg to achieve a shiny, golden finish. Use a sharp knife to cut small slits or decorative vents on top to allow steam to escape while baking.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the pies for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
Notes
- Chill the pastry: Keep puff pastry cold before baking to ensure maximum flakiness and prevent shrinking.
- Don’t overfill: Use a moderate amount of filling to avoid leaks.
- Even vents: Create uniform slits for better presentation and steam release.
- Use fresh lemon juice: Enhances flavor better than bottled juice.
- Let pies cool: Allow them to cool for 10 minutes before serving to set filling and avoid burns.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pie
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: cherry pies, puff pastry, cherry dessert, easy baking, sweet pastry, fruit pies, vegan pie option, gluten-free pie option