Make Mini Thanksgiving Pies Because Everything Is Better Bite-Sized

When I was younger, I never really liked Thanksgiving. I wasn't a big fan of meat, so I definitely didn't eat turkey. I also was a picky eater, so all I would eat were mashed potatoes. I never really looked forward to Thanksgiving. Now that I'm older, and therefore a much wiser person, I actually appreciate the holiday and all of the food that goes along with it.  

Considering Thanksgiving is a day that revolves completely around food, and family too of course, what holiday could possibly be better than that? Thanksgiving is the one day you can literally eat anything you want and your mom won't yell at you for "trying to watch your weight."  

If you're in need of a simple recipe to take to your Thanksgiving celebration to the next level, look no further. These mini pies are the perfect treat for when you're done stuffing your face at the dinner table with lots and lots of turkey and other delicious food. They're adorable and you can try as many different flavors as you want and not feel guilty since they're so small. You're welcome.  

Mini Thanksgiving Fruit-Filled Pies

• Prep Time:30 mins
• Cook Time:15 mins
• Total Time:45 mins
• Servings:12
• Easy

Ingredients

• For the crust:
• 2 1/4 cup flour
• 3/4 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup water
• For the filling:
• 1 cup blueberries
• 1 cup cherries
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 2 tablespoon sugar
• 1 lemon juiced

• Step 1

• Step 2

  In a large bowl mix together the flour and shortening. Then add the water. Mix together thoroughly. Roll the dough into a ball and cover the bowl. Let the dough chill in the fridge for about 15 minutes.

• Step 3

  After it's done chilling, roll it out on a floured surface. If you don't have a rolling pin you can use a wine bottle or cup. Make sure to roll the dough into a thin layer, but not too thin. Using the top of a cup or a mug form circles of dough. Set pieces aside for now. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

  

• Step 4

  With the remaining dough, use a knife to cut out thin slices of equal lengths. Place slices into a lattice pattern. This will be used as the top of each pie.

  

• Step 5

  In a small bowl, mix together the blueberries, 1/2 tablespoon of flour, 1 tablespoon of sugar. and half the lemon juice. In another bowl, prepare the cherries the same way. You can make the same mixture with different fruit, it just depends on your preference.

  

• Step 6

  Take your circles of dough you cut out and place them into a muffin sheet. Fill with each one with fruit. Top with your lattice pieces.

  

• Step 7

  Place them in the oven for approximately 15 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy!

  

These will definitely impress your whole family at thanksgiving, I promise.  They best part it, you have lots of freedom with this recipe.  As long as you stick with the recipe for the crust, you can pretty much use anything for the stuffing and not go wrong.  

Mini Thanksgiving Caramel Apple Pies

• Prep Time:15 mins
• Cook Time:15 mins
• Total Time:30 mins
• Servings:12
• Easy

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 3/4 cup Crisco shortening
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups chopped apples
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 bag soft caramels
• 1 large egg whisked
• 1 tablespoon water

• Step 1

  In a large bowl, mix together the 2 1/4 cups of flour and 3/4 cups of shortening. Then add the 1/2 cup of water. Mix together thoroughly. Roll the dough into a ball and cover the bowl. Let the dough chill in the fridge for about 15 minutes.

• Step 2

  After it's done chilling, roll it out on a floured surface. If you don't have a rolling pin you can use a wine bottle or cup. Make sure to roll the dough into a thin layer, but not too thin. Using the top of a cup or a mug form circles of dough. Set pieces on a cookie sheet. Preheat the oven to 400°F.

  

• Step 3

  Chop 2 cups worth of apples into small pieces. In a small bowl, mix together the apples, the tablespoon of flour, the cinnamon, sugar, and the lemon juice. In a separate bowl, whisk together one large egg with the tablespoon of water.

  

• Step 4

  Place several apple slices onto the dough (not too much though because you'll need to place another piece of dough on top). Add a few small pieces of caramels to each.

  

• Step 5

  Place another piece of dough on top of each. Use the whisked egg to make sure the top and bottom stick together. With a small fork, press into the dough around the mini pie. Take a sharp knife and slice too little slits into the top of each.

  

• Step 6

  Place into the oven for about 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve and enjoy!

  

I'm realizing now that these kind of look like those weird PB&J things from elementary school—Uncrustables. So, that's a nice throwback for you.    

Whichever ones you decide to make, I'm sure everyone will be impressed. Not only are they super cute, but they are also insanely good. You will not want to stop eating them, so for that I am sorry. For more fun Thanksgiving desserts worth trying, check this out.

Happy Thanksgiving!