Mini Berry Pies Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep a berry pie from being runny? ›

You can substitute cornstarch, but in my testing, tapioca flour thickens the sauce better. Cutting the pie: It's crucial to allow the pie to cool for the instructed amount of time. If your pie has excess liquid after cutting just spoon it out or soak it up with paper towel.

Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency. Tapioca starch is preferable for products that will be frozen because it will not break down when thawed. We like tapioca in blueberry, cherry or peach pies.

Use non-stick muffin tins (two sets of 12-cup tins will work for a dozen pies), and grease the cups before filling to make sure the little pies don't stick when they're done. Bake one tin at a time, in the center of the oven. The darker the finish on the pan, the faster the crust will bake.

Cornstarch makes for a shiny, glossy filling. A little goes a long way because it has twice the gelling power of flour. Flour thickens nicely but leaves more of a matte finish. You'll need to use twice as much as you would with cornstarch.

Crust dust is a 1:1 mixture of flour and granulated sugar. When baking a pie, especially a fruit pie, a couple of teaspoons of crust dust sprinkled into the bottom of the crust will help prevent the crust from becoming saturated with juicy filling as it bakes.

All-Purpose Flour

Flour is a popular thickener for sauces and soups, and it can be used to add body to your fruit filling. It's great because it thickens at low temperatures, but you'll need to use more of it because it's not as effective as some of the other starches.

The best way to thicken runny apple pie filling before baking it is to add some cornstarch, tapioca starch, or flour to your mix. To fix a runny pie that's already been baked, simply let it cool to see if it will congeal naturally.

All-purpose flour is an easy solution, as you're sure to have it in your pantry. Since it's lower in starch, you'll use more of it than you would higher-starch thickeners. Quick-cooking tapioca makes filling bright and clear, but also gives it a stippled and somewhat sticky texture.

I used 1/4 cup corn starch when I made a fresh raspberry pie, 1 tablespoon when I made a peach pie and 2 tablespoons when I made pineapple custard. It really just depends on the type of fillings and thickness you are going for when using corn starch.

Fruit pies keep at room temperature for two days; you can store them, loosely covered, in the refrigerator for up to two days longer.

How do you get mini pies out of a tin? ›

Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 15 minutes. Then very carefully with a knife, loosen the edges of each pie and gently lift out from the muffin tin. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.

Alternatively, you can use small pizza boxes, which will work equally well for transporting your pies. To prevent the boxes from sliding around, tape or tie them together. For added support and spill prevention, consider packing them into a larger box and using a rubber-grid shelf liner underneath to prevent slippage.

Thickening properties: Potato starch has the greatest thickening power of all the common starches and thickens at moderate temperatures. You'll need larger amounts of potato starch, similar to regular flour.

Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, 5-10 minutes until the mixture is thick enough to mound slightly _ until it looks more like pudding than sauce. If it is not cooked sufficiently at this stage, it will be runny even after it is chilled. If you're not sure, cook it more, not less.

If it is used in excess in a pie, the thickener will make the filling gloppy, a gel-like mess. This is found in many store bought pies.

Thickening Fruit Pies — Thanksgiving Tip of the Day

When thickening a fruit pie filling, there are several options to consider. Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency.

How to Make Perfect Berry Pie: Cook berries: Simmer berries, sugar and lemon juice in a large saucepan over medium heat until warm and juicy, about 5-10 minutes, gently stirring occasionally. Thicken filling: Spoon out about ½ cup of the juice from the pan into a bowl. Stir cornstarch into the juice until smooth.

And, finally, as much as a steaming-hot slice of apple pie sounds appealing, let your pie rest for at least an hour before slicing. The filling will thicken as it cools and don't worry—your pie will still be plenty warm enough to gently melt that scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of it.