These mini pear and cranberry pies are so easy to make, and are perfect for a party. Make sure not to skip the brown butter glaze!
Today is a very special day at our house…little man turns two!
I can barely even comprehend how two years have gone by…because I swear it was just yesterday that I was pregnant and googling every symptom I had (pregnant ladies: just don’t google it. You’ll sleep better).
It is crazy how much one little person can change your life…my priorities have completely changed, sleep seems a little less important, and the things I look forward to revolve less around the material stuff are more about those little moments.
I didn’t make these mini pear and cranberry pies with Kai in mind, but they are pretty much perfect for him…mini sized and so sweet (awww)! So I think it’s appropriate that I’m sharing them with you on his birthday 😉
While I do love pie, I find I rarely have a reason to make a whole pie. (Thanksgiving, you’re the exception, you always require a full-sized pumpkin pie.)
Ben doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth, and I do not need to eat an entire pie myself.
So I love the idea of mini pies…they’d be perfect as bite-sized party snacks, maybe a coffee-break snack, as an after-dinner sweet.
I used refrigerated pie crust rather than making my own because…well, I’m busy!! Like super-CRAZY-busy!! Plus I have yet to find that perfect pie crust (if you have, I’d LOVE to hear about it in the comments!)
But using pre-made pie crust makes these mini pear and cranberry pies so so so simple to make. Cut them out into 4 inch rounds, press into muffin tins, and add the pear/cranberry mixture. Throw them into the oven.
While everything is baking up, make the brown butter glaze. This is the stuff dreams are made of 😉
Drizzle the pies with the brown butter glaze just before serving. Don’t be afraid to be generous!
And voila! Perfect little mini pies.
Are you guys happy for fun comfort food, or what?
Mini Pear and Cranberry Pies with Brown Butter Glaze
Ingredients
- 1 package of store-bought pie crust (2- 9 inch pie crusts), cut into 4 inch rounds
- 1 cup cranberries
- 3 cups pears, diced into 1 cm cubes
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Brown Butter Glaze
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 1/2 cups of powdered sugar (187g)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 tablespoons milk (or more if you want a thinner consistency)
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 425°F.
- Roll out the pie crust and cut out 4-inch rounds. Keep rolling it out and cutting out rounds until you get 18 circles.
- Gently press circles into a muffin tray.
- In a medium bowl, stir together the cranberries, pear cubes, brown sugar and cinnamon. Spoon into the pie crusts (don't over-fill!).
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, until pie crusts are lightly golden.
- Let pies cool for 5-10 minutes in the trays, then using a knife, gently pop them out of the muffin trays, and allow to cool on a wire rack.
Brown Butter Glaze
- In a small saucepan, heat the butter. Cook it, stirring frequently, until the solids separate and begin to brown. It should smell nutty...do not burn!
- Once butter is browned, immediately transfer to a medium bowl containing the powdered sugar, vanilla and milk.
- Beat until smooth and completely combined.
- Transfer glaze to a ziplock bag, snip the corner, and drizzle over the mini-pies.
Awww! Happy birthday to your little dude! I’ll bet he absolutely loved having his own personal little pie! I mean, these are GORGEOUS, Denise! Pear and cranberries are the perfect match with brown butter!
Thanks, Sarah! I did give him a taste tester and he did NOT care for the cranberries…LOL! But I personally love the tart/sweet thing 🙂
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! A lil pie for a lil guy 🙂 These are so cute and the pear and cranberry flavor combo is so unique- but the sweet pear and tart cranberries must really complement each other 🙂
Aww thanks, Medha! I love pear and cranberry together 🙂 🙂
Happy Birthday to Kai! These little pies are adorable! I’d probably try them with the no-rolling oil crust that I use with my onion pie (with a bit of sugar added.) I’m with you that easy is the name of the game!
Oh yes! I’m all about the easy these days 🙂 Thanks, Andrea!
Well happy birthday Kai! And also, happy 2 year anniversary of being a momma to YOU! Kai sure has a great family, what a lucky guy. And you’re so right, never Google anything! I have a new rule. If I want to Google something, I have Shawn or my sister do it. Ha! I’m definitely sleeping much better. These little pies are so dang cute! Plus, it means not having to slice them and having that terrifying moment of trying to get the first slice out without it falling apart. The flavors sound delicious too!
You must be reading my mind, I was just saying to Ben that moms deserve a little something after going through labor and delivery…(OK I may have put it a little more crude…something about a watermelon?) Ha ha! And I’m glad you’re not googling! I feel like the worst possible thing always comes up first 😉 Thanks Natalie!
Aaw Happy Happy Birthday to Kai! Hope it’s an amazing day for all of you 🙂 Love these mini pies! They are so pretty and adorable! The pear and cranberry combo sound amazing!
Thanks, Kelly! It was pretty fun…we ate lots of birthday cake and had a family dance party 😀
Happy birthday to Kai, Denise! Love these mini pies – so cute. They’re perfect for an afternoon pick me up – just the right size!
Thanks, Geraldine! I love anything mini…I swear they taste better 😀
How cute are these little pies!? I love the fall flavors… and brown butter makes everything 500 times better. 😀 Happy Birthday to your little guy!
Thanks so much, Jess! I am with you on the brown butter thing. So delish!
Happy Birthday Kai!! I hope you guys have had a great day celebrating! Birthdays are so special!
And so are these little pies! I really love that these are in mini form, perfect for just a bit of something sweet!
Aww, thanks, Annie! We had a fun day, and he got to eat lots of ice cream cake 🙂 Thanks so much!
Eeeek! These are gorgeous! Just love the idea of ‘mini’ pies. And a big happy birthday to your little man!
Mini sized and so sweet… I love it! Mini food is just more fun to make and eat, isn’t it?! Happy Birthday to Kai! Time goes by WAY too fast once you have kids. 🙂
Happy birthday to Kai! Two is such a fun age…I honestly think my kids got “terrible” around 3. 🙂 Pear and cranberry is one of my favorite combinations, and I could eat about a dozen of these little cuties!
I can’t wait to try this recipe. Both my hubby and I LOVE pear pie, and adding cranberries & brown butter glaze sounds amazing!
oh, and if you want a great pastry recipe that never ever fails, use the Crisco one. (uses vinegar & egg) … if you can’t find the recipe, I’ll email it to you! Like I said, it NEVER fails, and is awesomely tasty & flaky!!!
I’ll be making your recipe tomorrow!!! (I’m sure I’ll rate it a 5/5!!)
Great tips, Berta! I still have not conquered pie crust!