my, oh my...mini pies!

A recent trip to Amish country found me coming home with mini pies. Just right for two, and so yummy, they gave me an idea...
this year for Thanksgiving I'll bake mini pies to share with
family & friends.

Pie making seems to be a lost art in our fast-paced world,
and really they're so simple to make. I've been using a dough recipe shared with me by a friend...I'm not sure where it originated, but I think it's the best. The secret ingredient
is the vinegar...it makes the crust tender and flaky.

Pie Dough
4 c. all-purpose flour
1 T. sugar
1 t. salt
1-3/4 c. chilled butter, diced
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c. ice water
1 T. white vinegar

Combine flour, sugar, and salt; cut in butter using a pastry blender or 2 forks. Whisk together remaining ingredients and add to flour mixture. Gently mix ingredients with your fingers until combined. Divide dough into quarters, shape each into a ball; wrap in plastic. Chill one hour before using. Makes 4 single crusts.

You'll find mini pie pans alongside the kitchenware in most stores. To make mini pies, simply reduce your recipe's baking time to about 35 minutes.

The pies pictured above hadn't been out of the oven long and
Little Man was pacing while I tried to take a picture.
"Can we eat them yet?!"

If you haven't done it before, give pie baking a try...
guaranteed smiles!