PIE CRUST IN MUFFIN TINS RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 12 muffin cups with cooking spray.
• Roll out a single pie crust onto a flat surface. Using a large cookie cutter or any circular lid, cut out a 4-inch circle of dough. Press each dough circle into the bottom of a muffin tin cup, leaving a tiny rim of dough sticking out at the top. Repeat with remaining dough to fill all 12 muffin cups.
• Fill each cup until nearly full, about 1/4 cup, with pie filling.
• Use the remaining dough to create a top crust to cover each pie. To make a lattice crust, use a knife or pizza cutter to cut out thin strips of dough, then lace together to form a lattice. To make a standard crust, cut out a circle of dough just large enough to cover the top of the bottom crust. Cut a few small slits into the crust. Then using your fingers, gently press the top crust onto the bottom crust until they stick together and no gaps remain.
• Use a pastry brush to brush the tops of each pie with the whisked egg. Then bake 30 to 40 minutes, or until the crust is lightly golden and the filling begins to bubble.
• 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.

Steps:

• Make cherry pie filling: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine cherries, water, lemon juice, 1/2 cup sugar, and cornstarch. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes. Spray a muffin tin with nonstick spray. Use the rim of a glass to cut large circles into pie crust (they should be big enough to line the whole muffin cup). Press crust into muffin tins and up the sides. Spoon over filling until each is full. Roll out remaining scraps of pie crust and slice into lattice strips with a pizza cutter or knife. Make a crosshatch crust; trim excess. Brush tops with milk and sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake at 350° for 23 to 25 minutes. Let cool slightly, then remove from muffin tin and serve.