July 5, 2012

Berry Cutie Pies

I hope that everyone had a happy and festive Fourth of July! The Fourth of July has always been my favorite holiday because of the fun traditions my family has. Red, White, & BOOM! is the large firework display in downtown Columbus on July 3rd. My family has a favorite viewing spot where we watch the fireworks with family friends each year. This year, everyone was looking forward to the finale which was a tribute to the Columbus Bicentennial. After a 25 minute display, the finale filled the sky and many fireworks were let off in one huge blast. One of the most important parts of the night is the escape route for after the show. Luckily, my dad is an expert at navigating the traffic, and this year we beat the mass exodus and made it home in 18 minutes - practically unheard of since there are over half a million people that travel downtown to watch the fireworks!

On the morning of the fourth, all of my cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents get together to watch the Upper Arlington parade. Both of my parents grew up in UA and have been attending the parade since they were children. Our favorite part of the parade is the giant golden bear float and the OSU alumnae band. This year, the temperature reached 100 degrees, and everyone tried their best to stay in the shade! Before the parade, we get together for brunch, and I brought these adorable berry cutie pies!

Berry cutie pies are easy to make, and all of my family loved them! The colors of the fresh berries are perfect for Fourth of July. The crust is a traditional butter recipe, and it is easy to make. The berry filing is made by tossing fresh berries in a mixture of corn starch, sugar, and cinnamon. I found this recipe in my Cutie Pie recipe book which is full of bite-sized delicious desserts!






In addition to the fireworks downtown, we go to the Hilliard fireworks on the night of the fourth. My family always enjoys getting together with neighborhood friends to watch the local fireworks. I have to say, the finale is always breathtaking! Before the fireworks, we went to our friend Kelley's house to sample a festive Fourth of July cake that she made. Not only was it beautiful, but it was also moist and extremely delicious! The only ingredients required are 3 box cake mixes, food coloring, diet sprite, egg whites, and 4 tubs of whipped vanilla frosting. The cake takes time to bake because it is 9 individual layers, but the end result is worth the time in the kitchen. The recipe, which has become viral on Pinterest, can be found on this blog. Thanks for sharing Kelley!


Berry Cutie Pies
printable recipe
BUTTER CRUST:
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp. salt
3 tsp. sugar
1 cup cold butter
3/4 cup ice water

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Combine flour, salt, and sugar.

Cut in butter to dry ingredients using two knives, forks, a pastry blender, or food processor.

Stir in water until dough forms.

Roll out dough onto floured surface 1/8" thick.

Cut into 3" circles. Place each circle in greased mini muffin tin.

BERRY FILLING:
1 cup blueberries
1 cup raspberries
1 cup strawberries
1 cup blackberries
4 tbsp. corn starch
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Mix together all of the berries (cut strawberries into smaller pieces)

Combine corn starch, sugar, and cinnamon.

Add berries to dry ingredients and coat completely.

Spoon the berry filling into unbaked crust.

CRUMB TOPPING:
1/2 cup flour
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup butter (melted)

Combine flour, brown sugar, sugar, salt, and cinnamon.

Melt butter and stir into dry ingredients.

Mix in oats.

Sprinkle on top of pies.

Bake pies for 20 to 25 minutes.

Yields 36 cutie pies.



Recipe from Cutie Pies

Enjoy!

12 comments:

  1. How do you bake these? Or what do you bake them in?

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    1. You bake these in mini muffin pans. Press each dough round into a space in the mini muffin tin. Fill with fruit filling and crumb topping, and bake!

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  2. These mini pies are amazing...all the taste in a nice bite size! How festive for the 4th of July or any picnic because it is more of a finger food. Love it!

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  3. I love recipes like this! I make Paula Deen's lemon tassie cups and a peanut butter chocolate ganache cookie called fudge puddles that I found on one of the blogs. Both are super delicious and very rich so the petite cups are perfect to quench that sweet tooth. Now I've got some fresh blackberries as well as some blueberries and was looking for a recipe to use them up...your recipe sounds perfect for the job!! Thanks for posting these little bites. Can't wait to try them!

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  4. Those mini berry pies look so good. And don't seem that difficult make either! I'm gonna give them a go when berries come in season here.
    New follower :)

    Sarah @ That Teenage Feeling

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  5. Hi Bridget!

    I am so impressed by the photography on your site! This recipe looks great, but with the fab pics, it looks even better!! I also make a browned butter chocolate chip cookie, so I am looking forward to trying your recipe for that, and for these!! Nice job!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Katie! Glad you found my blog. Thanks for the comment :)

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  6. I LOVE this recipe and I make it pretty often during summer time for the staff at my work. However, I can never find the temp to pre-heat the oven to. I am sure it's there somewhere, but every time I make these little pies I search another site with a similar recipe to figure it out. Can you reply and let me know what the temp is supposed to be? Thanks!!!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for catching that Angie! It is 375 degrees, and I have added that to the recipe :) These are definitely one of my favorite summertime desserts too!

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    2. Woot! Making them right now! Happy 4th!!

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  7. I am not sure if these are exactly what i was looking for but they sound and look delicious and scrumptious I might make them next time i go to see my Aunt or Cousin ! Thanks for the recipe and keep on posting these delicious recipes !! Sincerely Frances Barker ......

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  8. Made these last night for today's celebration. Simple steps and a delicious outcome! Thanks for sharing the recipe!!!

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