Description
Bring bakery-style magic to your kitchen with these easy Cherry Pie Bites, made with flaky puff pastry, glossy cherry pie filling, and a silky vanilla glaze. Each two-bite tart is perfect for dessert tables, holiday parties, and sweet snack cravings, and they come together fast with simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. This fun treat is ideal when you want dessert ideas that feel special but still fit into real life, from quick breakfast pastry moments to easy dinner party finales, weekend baking projects, and everyday food ideas and easy recipe favorites.
Ingredients
2 sheets frozen puff pastry, thawed but still cold
1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
24 maraschino cherries, drained and patted dry
1 large egg
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 cup powdered sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons milk or half-and-half
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan with nonstick spray or butter.
2. Unfold the thawed puff pastry sheets onto a lightly floured surface and gently roll each sheet just enough to smooth the creases and even out the thickness.
3. Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to cut each sheet into 12 even squares, giving you 24 squares total. Press each square into a mini muffin cup, letting the corners stand up over the edges to form little petals.
4. Spoon about 1 heaping teaspoon of cherry pie filling into the center of each pastry cup, making sure you get cherries as well as the glossy filling.
5. Place one drained maraschino cherry on top of the filling in each pastry cup, pressing it gently into the center.
6. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and water until smooth. Brush the exposed pastry with the egg wash, then sprinkle lightly with granulated sugar.
7. Bake for 14 to 18 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed and a rich golden brown around the edges. Rotate the pan halfway through baking if needed for even browning.
8. Let the Cherry Pie Bites cool in the pan for about 5 minutes, then run the tip of a small knife around each cup to loosen and transfer the bites to a wire rack.
9. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of milk or half-and-half, and the vanilla until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add a few more drops of milk; if it is too thin, whisk in a little more powdered sugar.
10. Drizzle the vanilla glaze over the slightly warm Cherry Pie Bites and allow it to set for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
For the flakiest results, keep the puff pastry as cold as possible and work quickly; warm dough will puff less in the oven.
These bites are best the day they’re baked, but you can re-crisp leftovers in a 325°F (165°C) oven for a few minutes before serving.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 18
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 bites
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 18
- Sodium: 180
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Unsaturated Fat: 5
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
- Cholesterol: 25
Keywords: cherry pie bites, puff pastry dessert, easy dessert, party dessert, holiday dessert, bite size dessert, cherry recipes, dessert ideas, easy recipe