Valentines : Mini Heart Pies

Who doesn't love a homemade pie. 
This valentine's try and whip-up these little mini pies to share with loved ones! 
These small delights are also a perfect size for stashing away as a little afternoon treat into a lunch box. Not only do they look totally cute, but you can also change out the jam for other filling items like Nutella. I don't know what it is, but some food just seems so much more entertaining and mouth-watering when it comes in an itsy-bitsy, teenie-weenie, one-bite size.

Photo credit: www.crosbiecrew.blogspot.com, yankiemagazine.com, marthastewart.com

Yield: 5-6 mini cute pies

You will need the following:

• 1 package refrigerated pie crust (or homemade pie crust dough)

• heart pocket press or heart shaped cookie cutter

• yummy raspberry (or any red) jam
, or even something like Nutella
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 1/4 cup of milk for edging

• 1/4 cup coarse sugar

• pastry brush

• parchment paper
-baking sheet

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment.
Roll out the dough and cut an even number of circles using a cookie cutter or a large glass (around 3 inches across). Re-roll scraps if necessary.

Using a heart cookie cutter or a butter knife, cut out the hearts.
Arrange half of the dough circles onto the baking sheet, then place a tablespoon of jam into the center of each.

Using your finger, lightly wet the edges of the circle with milk (or cream), then top with another dough heart, lightly pressing to seal.
Curl up the edges to help create a seal, then press down with the tines of a fork to crimp closed. This will keep the filling from leaking out. 

Photo credit: www.crosbiecrew.blogspot.com

Using a pastry brush, brush the tops of the hearts with a small amount of melted butter - you can also use the butter to help stick a decorate additional pie crust heart onto!

Brush the hearts with a tiny bit more butter, then generously sprinkle with coarse sanding sugar.

Poke a few holes around the heart with a toothpick to let the steam out while they are baking.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown then transfer to a wire rack to cool.

NOTE: You can also make little pie cups by using items like small muffin tins or other fun shapes which can be filled with things like ice cream after. Just look for different ways to have fun with it.