So today is the wrap up for Fun with Jars. It will be moved aside for Farm Fresh Fridays now that the Farmer's Markets and Fruit Stands are open in Ontario. I thought I would send it off with a big bang. I've been dying to make these for ages. So I hauled my butt to the store to buy wide mouth canning jars. I think it's the only kind I don't have. I picked up a case and got busy. Making pies in jars. Who knew? So much fun, so cute and such a huge pain in the rump. It's really flipping hard to get the dough in the jars properly. I mean wicked hard. I tried just cutting round pieces bigger than the jar but as you push them into the jars they fold over all over the place and you end up with a big old weird top. I tried strips but that looked weird. Finally I just starting winging it. Piecing bits together as I went. You get some spillage but heck it's pie so who gives a flip. I mean who in their right mind would refuse to eat a pie based on it not being perfect. Okay so maybe Martha would but it's not like we're buds or anything. It's not like she's gonna show up here and then stomp off cuz she saw some pie leaked out the bottom. And quite frankly Martha if you're that uptight then I don't want to share my jars with you. So there!
So for all you less uptight people I'd love to share my jars with you. I mean look at these things. They are beyond adorable. Who would not love little apple or cherry pies served in cute little jars? You'd have to be out of your mind not to love these. I am totally in love with them. I want to marry them. I really do. Seriously.
Apparently you can actually freeze these little suckers. Again, who knew? I think it's such a cute idea. I think next spring I am going to plan ahead for our scorching, blazing hot summers and make a gazillion of these before it gets hot. Then I can just pop one or ten out every time I need a snack. Seems like a reasonable plan to me. I mean who wouldn't want to be able to snack on pie on a moments notice? I know I am all for pie snacking on the fly.
I've done Shepherd's Pie in a jar before but I had never done fruit pies. So I had no idea what temperature to cook these at so I did some ninja googling and came upon Squawkfox- Tiny Tarts: How to Make Pie in a Jar. That site is a mountain of information. I'd never seen it before so I had a blast poking about. It gives a way better tutorial than I'm about to so seriously you should scoot over there and see how it's done by pros. Cuz here you're just getting my slapped together jars Martha won't even look at. Martha honey, stop making the rest of us feel like under-achievers. Seriously woman, drop a pie on the floor, wear a shirt with a stain on it in public, heck let us see you covered in pet hair. I still can't figure out how you never have any on you. I have as many pets as you do and no lint roller from heaven above is going to get it all. You must be using black magic or something to get rid of it. What's your secret Martha?
Okay so I went on a tangent. Sorry. It happens. Maybe I need to shove some pie in my pie hole so Martha doesn't show up and take a strip outta me. Not that I think she could. I'm pretty tough. I may not be rich, or famous, or have loads of Friesian horses, or my own tv show, or my own magazine, or my...wait, where was I going with this anyway. Oh ya, I could take Martha in a smack down. Not a money challenge, but an actual smack down for sure. I'm scrappy like that.
Okay so now that I've embarrassed myself fully and challenged Martha to a duel maybe I should tell you how to make pie. In jars. Take that Martha!
Apple Pie in Jars | Cherry Pie in Jars
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 and a half packages of ready-made crust
For the Apple Filling:
For the Cherry Pie Filling:
- 1 can store-bought cherry pie filling
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Clean your mason jars.
- Spray the heck out of your mason jars with non stick spray.
- Roll out the dough a little thinner than it is in the package. Use a pizza wheel to cut into pieces. Now place the pieces in your jars and press them so you have very little gaps. Just keep working it till you get the groove going.
- Set aside.
- Peel and cut up your apples. You want small cubes for jars. Sprinkle the lemon juice over them to keep them from browning while you measure out everything else.
- Combine brown sugar, flour and spices in another bowl and mix. Then pour over your apples and mix it all together.
- Spoon the apples into 8 of the 12 jars. Fill about ¾ of the way.
- Put a pat of butter on each one.
- Top with more crust.
- Pinch or use a fork to seal them up.
- You can brush the top with milk or butter if you like. I didn't this time.
- Open can, spoon into the remaining 4 jars.
- Top with crust.
- Pinch or use fork to secure tops.
- Make sure you leave a steam hole.
- Using a little cookie cutter to make the hole is fun.
- Place all the jars on a rimmed baking sheet. Carefully place that in your preheated oven. Cook for 35 to 45 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove and let cool or eat right away.
- Serve with a big old jar happy smile!
Notes
Nutrition
See, it's as easy as pie. Oh come on now. You didn't think I was going to get through a whole pie post without saying that did you. I mean by now you should all know the cheesy, corny jokes are never far away. Yah, I went there. And I'll do it again, I'm sure. It's how I roll. Lunatic style. And this is how you roll and press your pies in jars. Subtle right!
Press your dough inside like so!
Get your edges all ready so you can press them down later!
Get your apple mixture all mixed up and ready to go!
Spoon in the filling!
Now add a pat of butter on each for yummy goodness!
Top with dough. I experimented since this was my first go at these!
See, cutie patootie hearts. So adorable I might barf!
Okay so the photos of the steps blow. What can I tell you, my cell blows too. As does my multi tasking skills. As does my kitchen lighting. As does my sentence skills. Thankfully my pie skills rock! Maybe Martha will see and feel bad for me and send me an Iphone as a gesture of kindness. She'll take pity on me, then I'll email to thank her, then she'll call me, then she'll invite me up to her place to go horseback riding, then we'll become BFF's. Okay...so...ya...probably not. I suppose us underachievers can dream right.
I did not say my crust skills rock. Clearly they do not. They might roll, but rock they do not. It's really freaking hard to get these right. I intend to practice till all my neighbours look like Santa Claus so I can nail this. I might even send some to Martha to Santa her up too.
Okay so are you sick of looking at pies in jars yet? No. Anyone. Anyone. I hope you haven't nodded off or been inspired to go visit Martha . As we say goodbye to Fun with Jars I'm a little sad but also filled with wild anticipation at all the fun posts I'll be doing for Farm Fresh Fridays. I had a blast with that series last summer. So out with the old and in with the new. I could make a totally inappropriate Martha reference right now but I'll refrain. After all I really do love me some Martha. I also know she has a wicked sense of humour. Did you all see her years ago with Conan O'Brien when they did a whole skit based on romance novel covers. It was beyond funny. The woman can cook and take a joke. I still think I can take her in a smack down though. All that jar lifting and filling has made my guns like steel. How do you like me now Martha baby.
Other Apple Recipes from Cravings of a Lunatic:
Fried Apples with Apple Caramel Sauce, pictured below:
Apple Pull Apart Bread with Caramel Drizzle, pictured below:
Turtle Apples, pictured below:
Spring Apple Pie, pictured below:
Christmas Apple Pie, pictured below:
Other Cherry Recipes from Cravings of a Lunatic:
Cherry Cobbler Pizza, pictured below:
Black Forest Bites, pictured below:
Black Forest Cheesecake, pictured below:
No Bake Black Forest Cheesecake, pictured below:
Coconut Whipped Cream and Cherry Parfaits, pictured below:
Toodles and smoochies! xx
The Mom Chef
After my experience with lattice pie crust today, your pies in jars look heavenly! I just wonder about the piling guilt I'll feel at seeing the stack of empty, dirty little jars in the sink. It's another great idea a la you.
Kim Bee
I need to tackle lattice myself. It intimidates me a little bit. These are just so cute.
I have older kids so I haven't done dishes in years.
Thanks. Muah!
Squawkfox (Kerry)
Hi Kim Bee, Thank you so much for your kind words! Your pies look divine -- far better than my own. Cheers, Kerry
Kim Bee
Awe Kerry how sweet are you. I was in awe of yours and loved your post. You have a great sense of humour. I'm so touched you stopped by.
Maureen @ Orgasmic Chef
I love pie!! I'll take 5 jars 🙂
These all look so delicious!
Kim Bee
Only 5? They are so much fun. I'm going to do them again for a party. This time maybe they'll be neater. Or not.
Thanks! xx
Sandra's Easy Cooking
You are so creative....those are killing me right now, because i want some 🙁 Great recipe and tempting photos(you have no idea how tempting...i might search for something sweet right now):))) xoxo
Kim Bee
Awe thanks Sandra. I had been wanting to make them for ages. So glad I took the plunge. They are just too cute for words. You should just make a fruit salad in a jar. Cute and just as sweet without all the calories.
suzanne Perazzini
They look super little pies. I did individual chicken pies for dinner last night and they turned out really great and we could even lift them intact out of the dishes, which makes them so much easier to eat.
Kim Bee
There's just something about cute little individual size foods that gets me. I love the small chicken pot pies.
Carla
Aha we sorta had similar ideas, but def a different approach! I should make pie in a jar bc my pudding pies always leak out everywhere when cut haha great idea! I'll use my pie filling w your pie jar and call it a party 🙂
Kim Bee
Lol I was so worried we did the same thing. I love yours. I took a quick peek before I had to run off somewhere earlier. So cute. Okay it's a deal. Party time.
Jen @ Juanita's Cocina
I would like to make an order...for one million cute pies in jars. Cherry AND apple.
And definitely NOT from Martha. Only from Lunie.
Kim Bee
Lol, okay that's gonna take awhile.
Yeah, I like the way you think.
Lyn @LovelyPantry
Kim, these look divine! Those hearts are so pretty! I love apple pie! Not sure I could have just one of these jars though...
Kim Bee
Thanks so much Lyn. I had so much fun even though the crust is a bit frustrating.
Anna @ hiddenponies
Wow, your patience always impresses me with your fun with jars! I like to chuck everything in one big bowl, so I love these even more because I could never do it 🙂 And you're totally right and now the question will HAUNT me - why don't we see pet hair on Martha??
Kim Bee
Lol, thanks. This one wore me out a bit but once you get your dough mojo it's not so bad.
Right! I think she's like a cyborg or something. Made with anti pet hair repelling metal.
*I'm so going to get sued!*
Debra Kapellakis
Those are adorable. Thank you for going to the trouble to figure it all out! YUM! Your ranting cracked me up!
Kim Bee
Awe thanks Debra. It was fun. I love a challenge so this was good for me. I kind of went off. Poor Martha took the brunt of it.
Kristen
I have a gf version of the apple pie waiting to be published...haven't gotten to it, but it's in the draft file. Yours look fantabulous, but seriously, I wouldn't try to get mine out of the jars...that's just too many dishes to wash girl!
Kim Bee
Um, that's why I had children. I haven't washed a dish in a looonnnng time. Can't wait to see a GF version. You rock!
Cathy W
Oh, what does Martha know? Your pies look delicious! I'm going to have to get in on this food in jars thing. Adorable. 🙂
Kim Bee
Right! Thanks. I had fun with this. Have been wanting to try it for eons.
DB-The Foodie Stuntman
Pie in a jar? Very creative
Kim Bee
Yeppers. Thanks. I love food in jars. It's just so cute.
Terra
I am in love with this fun post! It looks like you had lots of delicious pie leftover:-) I love finding treats that are all mine, I wouldn't have to share LOL:-) Hugs, Terra
Kim Bee
Thanks. Had a blast with this one. I just think there's something so adorable and fun about individual desserts. They take me to my happy place. Hugs right back at ya girl!
torviewtoronto
deliciously done pies in a jar I haven't tried in jars
Kim Bee
Thanks. You must try it Akheela. It's such a cute idea and fun for parties.
Choc Chip Uru
Do you do bulk delivery overseas? 😀
These are stunning! I can't decide which one is better because they are equally gorgeous and delicious!
Cheers
CCU
Kim Bee
Lol, I would fear for your life shipping these that far. You could just come visit me and we could make them together. xx
Anita at Hungry Couple
OK, so I already know how to make pie and I've been tempted to make them in jars. I was kinda hoping you'd teach me the secret to getting the dough in there. Recently I made pie cups in an over-sized muffin tin and spent hours wrestling with the dough even for just for that. I mean flour is now officially part of my decorating scheme here cause it's never coming out. But apparently you don't have a magic secret to tell me as to how those jar pies in the magazines look so perfect. Retouching would be my guess. Leakage or not, I would totally eat your pies, though, and they look delicious. Oh, by the way, I'm not sure you could take Martha in a fist fight. She looks like a dirty fighter.
Kim Bee
I had a friend retouch some photos for me but I felt weird about using them. I mean it's not real if it's retouched that much. There is no way even Martha could get all these suckers in there without making some holes. I could totally take her. I am not above tossing some flour in her eyes to gain an advantage.
Kristina
I'm just having fun picturing Martha stomping off... 😉
I like the little leaks in the pies, it looks pretty!
Kim Bee
She does look like a stomper.
Thanks. They are just too cute. I'll be doing them again cuz they're purty!
Kristi Rimkus
How fun is this! The perfect barbecue dessert if you ask me. Everyone would be so impressed. 🙂
Kim Bee
Awe thanks so much. It was just such a cool idea that I had to test it out. They freeze really nicely too.
Hester @ Alchemy in the Kitchen
Kim,
I'd put my money on that challenge, with you to win of course. "Perfect" has no place in homecooking. The leaking juice and crazy crusts are all part of the love! Such great photos. These pies are cute as hell!
Kim Bee
See I always knew you were a sharp gal. Thanks. I really had way too much fun once I got my jar mojo going.