Easy 4-Ingredient Strawberry Pie Cookies: Quick, Fun & Irresistible Mini Dessert Bites
Prepare for a delightful treat that perfectly blends the comforting essence of a classic pie with the convenient, bite-sized charm of a cookie. These **Strawberry Pie Cookies** are truly miniature strawberry pies, crafted with an incredibly simple list of just four essential ingredients: luscious strawberry pie filling, convenient pre-made pie crusts, a single egg for that golden glaze, and a sprinkle of sanding sugar for sparkle. This recipe is designed for ease and enjoyment, making it a fantastic option for bakers of all skill levels. Get ready to create adorable, delicious cookies that are as fun to make as they are to eat!
There’s something universally appealing about the combination of fresh, sweet strawberries and flaky, golden pie crust. We absolutely adore both strawberries and pie, and by bringing these two culinary loves together, we’ve created something truly special: delightfully cute cookies that perfectly mimic the appearance of small, individual strawberry pies. They’re an ideal dessert for parties, potlucks, or simply a sweet afternoon snack, offering all the flavor of a full-sized pie without the fuss.
Effortlessly Delicious: Crafting Your Own Strawberry Pie Cookies
These Strawberry Pie Cookies stand out for their incredible simplicity. The core of this recipe relies on readily available refrigerated pie crusts, which form the base and decorative top of your “cookies.” Once you’ve cut your cookie-sized pie crust rounds, a generous spoonful of sweet strawberry pie filling is added to the center. The magic continues with delicate strips of pie crust, which can be artfully arranged over the filling to create a traditional lattice pattern – or you can let your creativity shine and design any fancy top crust you desire! The beauty of these mini pies lies in their charming appearance and the surprising ease with which they come together.
Essential Ingredients for Perfect Strawberry Pie Cookies
With just four ingredients, these mini pies are incredibly straightforward to prepare. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need to make these delightful treats:
- Pie Crusts: For ultimate convenience and a consistent result, we recommend using four store-bought refrigerated pie crusts. These save a significant amount of prep time, allowing you to get to the baking and enjoying part much faster. If you’re feeling ambitious or simply prefer the taste and texture of homemade, you can certainly opt for your favorite homemade pie crust recipe. Just be sure to prepare enough dough to yield a similar amount of crust as four store-bought rolls. The key is a flaky, tender crust that holds its shape and provides a delicious contrast to the sweet filling.
- Pie Filling: The star of the show! This recipe specifically calls for one 21-ounce can of strawberry pie filling. This ready-to-use filling is a fantastic shortcut, packed with juicy strawberries and a perfectly balanced sweetness. However, if you have a cherished homemade strawberry pie filling recipe, feel free to use it. The versatility of this recipe also extends to flavor: don’t limit yourself to strawberry! Cherry, raspberry, blueberry, apple, peach, or even a mixed berry filling would all work wonderfully, allowing you to customize your mini pies to suit any taste or season.
- Egg: A single egg is crucial for creating that beautiful, golden-brown crust and ensuring the lattice strips adhere properly. It’s used as an egg wash, which not only acts as a “glue” for the pastry strips but also gives the baked crust a lovely shine and a rich, appetizing color that makes these cookies look professionally made. Be sure to lightly beat the egg before brushing.
- White Sanding Sugar: This ingredient is primarily for aesthetics, adding a delightful sparkle and a touch of extra sweetness to the finished cookies. Sprinkling white sanding sugar over the egg-washed crust before baking creates a gorgeous, glistening finish. If you don’t have sanding sugar on hand, regular granulated sugar works as a perfectly acceptable substitute, providing a similar subtle sweetness and a slightly less pronounced sparkle.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Strawberry Pie Cookies
Creating these charming mini strawberry pies is a simple and enjoyable process. Follow these easy steps to bake a batch of homemade goodness:
- Prepare Your Workspace and Dough: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Next, unroll two of your pie crusts onto a clean, flat surface. Using a cookie cutter (we recommend one about 2.5 to 3 inches in diameter), carefully cut out circles from these two crusts. These will form the bases of your mini pies. Place these cut-out circles onto your prepared baking sheet, leaving a little space between each.
- Fill and Prepare for Topping: Now for the delicious filling! Add 1-2 tablespoons of the strawberry pie filling to the center of each pie crust circle. Be mindful not to overfill, leaving a small border of pie crust exposed around the edges. This border is essential for sealing the top crust. Next, unroll the remaining two pie crusts. Using a pizza cutter or a sharp knife, cut these crusts into small, uniform strips. These strips will become your decorative lattice topping.
- Assemble the Lattice Tops: In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg to create your egg wash. Carefully brush this beaten egg around the exposed edge of each pie crust circle on the baking sheet, making sure no strawberry filling is on the edges where the strips will attach. Now, take your pie crust strips and artfully arrange them in a lattice pattern over the strawberry filling on each cookie. Gently press the ends of the strips onto the egg-washed sides of the bottom crust. Be delicate during this step to prevent the strips from breaking, aiming for an even, attractive pattern.
- Refine and Garnish: Once all your strips are neatly placed, use the same cookie cutter you used for the bases to gently press over each assembled cookie. This step helps to clean up the edges of the lattice, ensuring a perfectly rounded and professional finish. Brush a second layer of the beaten egg over the entire top surface of each cookie – both the lattice and any exposed bottom crust. Finally, generously sprinkle with your sanding sugar (or granulated sugar) for that beautiful sparkle and hint of crunch.
- Bake, Cool, and Enjoy: Place your baking sheet into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the pie crusts turn a beautiful golden brown. The baking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on them. Once baked, remove the cookies from the oven and allow them to cool completely on the baking sheet before serving. Cooling is crucial as it allows the filling to set properly, preventing it from being too runny. Then, it’s time to serve and enjoy these delightful mini strawberry pies!
Strawberry Pie Cookie Recipe
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Ingredients
- 4 store-bought refrigerated pie crusts
- 21 oz can of strawberry pie filling
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp of white sanding sugar or granulated sugar
Instructions
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Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This ensures even baking and easy cleanup.
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Roll two of the pie crusts out on a flat, lightly floured surface. Use a 2.5-3 inch cookie cutter to cut circles out of these two pie crust rolls.
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Carefully transfer the cut-out crust circles to the prepared baking sheet. Spoon 1-2 tablespoons of the strawberry filling into the middle of each cookie, ensuring you leave a small, clean border of pie crust around the strawberry filling. Unroll the last two pie crusts and use a pizza cutter or knife to create small, even strips for your lattice topping.
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In a small bowl, whisk the egg until beaten. Brush the beaten egg around the clean edges of the cut-out pie crusts on the baking sheet. This acts as a sealant. Take the pie crust strips and carefully weave them into a lattice pattern over the strawberry filling on each cookie, gently pressing the edges down onto the egg-washed sides of the bottom crust. Handle the strips carefully to prevent them from breaking.
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Once you have all the strips placed and secured, use the same cookie cutter to carefully place it over the assembled cookies. This will help trim and neaten the edges of the lattice, creating a perfect round shape. Brush another layer of beaten egg over the entire top surface of each cookie, then sprinkle generously with white sanding sugar for a beautiful sparkle.
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Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the tops are beautifully golden brown and the filling is bubbly. Baking times can vary, so monitor for the desired golden color. Let the cookies cool completely on the baking sheet before serving. This allows the filling to set and prevents a messy bite. Serve and enjoy your homemade mini strawberry pies!
Notes
Nutrition
Delicious Variations for Your Strawberry Pie Cookies
While strawberry is undeniably a classic and beloved flavor, the true beauty of these mini pie cookies lies in their incredible adaptability. You can effortlessly transform the flavor profile by simply swapping out the pie filling. Imagine a batch of tart cherry pie cookies, vibrant blueberry pie cookies, comforting apple pie cookies, or even exotic raspberry and lemon versions! Each will deliver a unique and delicious experience, allowing you to cater to different tastes or seasonal fruits. Feel free to explore and make any kind of mini pie you desire! For the ultimate convenience, store-bought fillings are perfect, but if you enjoy the process of crafting your own, a homemade pie filling will undoubtedly elevate these treats to an even more artisanal level.
Homemade vs. Store-Bought Pie Crust: Your Choice!
For most occasions, I find myself reaching for store-bought refrigerated pie crusts. They are a fantastic time-saver, ensuring that these delightful cookies come together quickly and without stress. However, if you have a bit more time and a passion for baking from scratch, making your own pie crust is an incredibly rewarding experience that adds an extra layer of flavor and flakiness. My personal favorite is an All-Butter Pie Crust recipe; it’s wonderfully rich and bakes up beautifully for these cookies. Should you decide to go the homemade route, you’ll likely need to triple a standard single-crust recipe to ensure you have enough dough to make a full batch of cookies and use up all the delicious pie filling. Whichever you choose, ensure your crust is cold when working with it to maintain its flaky texture.
Expert Tips and Tricks for Perfect Strawberry Pie Cookies
Achieving bakery-quality mini pies at home is simpler than you might think with these handy tips:
- Parchment Paper Alternatives: If you find yourself without parchment paper, don’t fret! A light coating of nonstick cooking spray on your baking sheet will work just fine to prevent your cookies from sticking.
- Maximize Your Dough: Don’t let those pie crust scraps go to waste! After cutting out your initial circles, gather the leftover dough, gently roll it into a ball, and then flatten it with a rolling pin. You can usually get a few extra cookie cut-outs from the re-rolled dough, ensuring every last bit of that delicious crust is utilized.
- Cookie Cutter Substitutions: No cookie cutter on hand? No problem! A clean drinking glass, a small bowl, or even the rim of a can (ensure it’s clean and safe!) can be used to cut out perfect circles. Just pick an item that’s roughly the size you desire for your cookies.
- Preventing Soggy Bottoms: To ensure a crisp bottom crust, avoid overfilling the cookies. Too much filling can make the bottom crust soggy. Also, ensure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature so the crust bakes quickly and sets before the filling has a chance to soak in too much.
- Chill Your Dough: If your pie crust becomes too warm and sticky while working with it, pop it back into the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes. Cold dough is much easier to handle and results in flakier baked goods.
- Even Lattice Strips: For a beautiful and professional-looking lattice, try to cut your strips as uniformly as possible. A ruler can be helpful if you want perfectly straight and equally sized strips.
- Egg Wash is Key: Don’t skip the egg wash! It’s essential for both binding the lattice strips and achieving that irresistible golden-brown color and glossy finish on your cookies.
Storing and Freezing Your Strawberry Pie Cookies
These delightful mini strawberry pies are best enjoyed on the day they are baked, when the crust is at its crispiest and the filling is perfectly set. However, if you’ve made a larger batch or want to enjoy them over a few days, proper storage will keep them fresh. Once completely cooled, store your Strawberry Pie Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days. For longer preservation, these cookies freeze beautifully! Simply place the completely cooled cookies in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe airtight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature or gently reheat them in a low oven for a warm, comforting treat.
More Delicious Strawberry Cookie Recipes to Try:
If you love the sweet taste of strawberries, you’ll adore these other fantastic cookie recipes:
- STRAWBERRY POP-TART COOKIES
- FROSTED STRAWBERRY COOKIES
- STRAWBERRY CREAM CHEESE SUGAR COOKIES
- STRAWBERRY COOL WHIP COOKIES
- STRAWBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES
- STRAWBERRY CAKE MIX SANDWICH COOKIES
- STRAWBERRY THUMBPRINT COOKIES
- FROSTED STRAWBERRY COOL WHIP COOKIES
- STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE COOKIES
- STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE COOKIE BARS
- STRAWBERRY COOKIE CUPS
- STRAWBERRY CAKE MIX COOKIES
These **Strawberry Pie Cookies** are the epitome of simple elegance in baking. Requiring only 4 ingredients—pre-made pie crust, a can of vibrant strawberry pie filling, an egg, and a sprinkle of sugar—they deliver all the delightful flavors of a classic strawberry pie in an adorable, easy-to-handle cookie format. Perfect for any gathering or a sweet indulgence, these mini pies promise a fun baking experience and a truly delicious result that everyone will love.