Sunday, May 24, 2009

Mini Sour Cherry Pies with Pistachio Crumble -- Sweet Melissa Sundays


Today's pick for Sweet Melissa Sundays comes from my blogging friend Michelle at Flourchild -- thank you, Michelle! :) This pie was one of the recipes that really caught my eye when I flipped through The Sweet Melissa Baking Book for the first time, and I was going to pick it when it was my choice, but Michelle beat me to it! That's fine though, I got to make it earlier this way, and absolutely loved this recipe!


I could not find fresh tart cherries around here but did find some frozen ones...




I bought a couple bags and these turned out perfectly in the pies! Next time I see fresh sour cherries (aka tart or montmorency cherries) I will pick up some just to make this delicious pie again. It was a last minute decision to make mini pies, I looked at my pie plates and did not have a 10 inch one, I had a 9 inch and a 9.5 inch...I was going to use the 9.5 but then thought mini pies would be easier to serve up to the kids, so I took out a standard muffin tin and got to work.




My changes were to use butter and margarine instead of butter and shortening in the pie crust --which I think turned out fine...



and to make the pistachio crumble in the food processor, since the oats and pistachios needed to be crushed up in there anyway, I figured it'd be easier just to make it all in there...perfect !


These little pies were absolutely delicious, not too sweet, not too tart, just amazing. The perfect combo of textures and flavors. I can see why this is a popular pie -- I will be making it again for sure.



Last Sunday, Katie of
Katiecakes (isn't that the cutest blog name?) picked Guinness Gingerbread for us to try... I baked along but didn't get a chance to post about it last weekend...



I used this holiday ale instead of guinness since we had some on hand, and used this Nordic Ware "fairy tale cottage" pan to bake the gingerbread in...



My only change to the gingerbread was to leave out the white pepper...I am really not a black or white pepper fan, sorry! The gingerbread was delicious, I loved all of the flavors and would make this recipe again for sure. My kids were crazy about the gingerbread, the all loved it and wanted me to make another when this one was all gone, I told them they might have to wait until next Christmas for some more gingerbread, but you never know :) I have to say I don't think this recipe is the best for a shaped pan, even though the volume was correct, it just didn't turn out as cute as I expected it to -- guess I will have to try the gingerbread recipe that came with the pan and hope for better results.


Lastly, a quick photo of the Lemon Icebox Cake...when I posted about this recipe I had not served it or tried it...


and there it is. I have to say that this recipe totally surprised me, in a good way! I didn't think we would really care for this one, and if it hadn't been picked by Jennifer of
Keep Passing the Open Windows as out Sweet Melissa Sundays recipe, I probably would have skipped it, but we all loved it, what an amazing cool and refreshing dessert, yum :)

15 comments:

Megan said...

Wow - you covered quite a bit of territory with this post!

Next time I am going to use the muffin pan like you did, I think the size is just perfect.

Flourchild said...

Great looking mini pies! Thanks for baking with me this week. So great minds think alike..you were going to pick this one too! Im so happy you liked this recipe. I thought the topping was the best part.

Jessica said...

I don't know where to start -- there are so many fantastic things on your post. I adore your fairytale pan and it looks like it was absolutely perfect for the gingerbread.
I am SO jealous that you found tart cherries -- I couldn't find any. Those mini pies look perfect for kids and adults. What a great idea.

Jessica of My Baking Heart said...

Very nice! :) Love the mini pies - so cute!

Katiecakes said...

Awh, cup pies! So so cute!

Also, I adore your cottage cake pan! Pity the gingerbread didn't take properly, it still looks amazing!

Katie xox

Michele said...

All three desserts look lovely. I especially love the mini-cherry pies. So cute!

NKP said...

Way to catch up! I have the fairytale cottage pan too, love NW's shapes!
Lovely offerings Andrea, just delicious.

Pamela said...

Your mini pies look wonderful! I didn't get to bake this week, but I will try this one soon, since everyone is RAVING about it. :o) I think the gingerbread looks pretty. I skipped the pepper in that recipe, too but I loved the cake. It was dangerous for me.

Sarah said...

I was hoping to pick the cherry pie, too! I love your minis, and I think the gingerbread looks great.

Anonymous said...

I love your mini-pies. Weren't they tasty! This was a great recipe. Your gingerbread house looks wonderful too. I'm glad you liked the icebox cake. Phew...did I get them all? :P

Lulu the Baker said...

I love the mini pies! Did you press the crust into the mini pans or actually roll out little circles??

Fit Chick said...

I love your idea of the mini pies; sometimes smaller is better. Glad you enjoyed the recipe. Your gingerbread pan is too cute!!! And the icebox pie was one I didn't think I would like but did. Great post!

Deb in Hawaii said...

I love the little pies and the cherry and pistachio combination sound so good! Your castle cake looks amazing and the lemon icebox cake too. You have been busy!

Unknown said...

Oh wow, so many desserts!! Your mini pies are so cute! I loved this recipe too. Your gingerbread looks great too - doesn't NordicWare have so many fun pans?

Elyse said...

Oh my goodness! your little mini pies turned out fabulously. I'm just loving their bite size goodness. This would be a totally dangerous thing for me. I could pop waaaay too many of those! Sorry I've been away for the past week; I had a good friend in town and wasn't able to do much on the computer. I'm back now, though :)

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