A mini cherry pie baked in a small baking dish makes the perfect fruity dessert to serve one or two people. Juicy cherries are piled high on top of a buttery crust and topped with a sweet cinnamon-spiced streusel topping. This is the only cherry pie recipe you need!
Using a hand mixer, mix together butter and sugar in a medium-sized bowl until well blended. Add flour, cornstarch, and salt and mix until combined.
Press the dough firmly into a lightly buttered 5-inch baking dish using your fingertips or the back of a spoon.
Bake 18-20 minutes, until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool, about 20 minutes.
To make the filling
In a 2-quart saucepan, stir together the pitted cherries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil over medium heat; reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently for 5 minutes.
Evenly spoon the cooked cherries and sauce over the top of the cooled cookie crust. Set aside.
To make the topping
In a small bowl, stir together the flour, sugars, and cinnamon. Blend in the softened butter using a fork and mix until combined.
Spoon the topping over the cherries and place the baking dish on a baking sheet. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the filling is bubbly and the topping is golden.
Allow the pie to cool or enjoy while still warm. Top with whipped cream or ice cream, if desired.
Notes
Expert Tips
Baking Dish Size: The ideal dish for this mini cherry pie recipe is a 5×5-inch baking dish. Comparable sizes like 5×7 or 6.5×5-inch will work too. Using a dish of similar size ensures that your crust and filling turn out perfectly. A larger dish could result in a thinner crust that burns easily, as well as less substantial filling.
Softened Butter Is Key: For the pie crust and streusel topping, use butter that’s softened yet still cool to the touch. To test, press your finger into the butter; it should leave an indentation. Soften your butter by leaving it on the counter for about 30 minutes before use. For a quicker method, microwave cold butter for 10-15 seconds, watching closely to avoid melting.
Traditional Pie Crust Option: If you prefer a traditional pie crust, feel free to swap out the shortbread crust. Just make sure to adjust the baking time accordingly.