EASY STRAWBERRY HAND PIES

As promised, I said I would put up my super simple recipe for mini strawberry pies so here it is! These are simple, easy to add to and ready in less than a half an hour - and really, that's my kind of recipe. I like to put in minimal effort when it comes to cooking just because I can't be bothered to spend that long chopping away in the kitchen. So, here is my step by step recipe for fail proof strawberry (or cherry, or raspberry, or whatever else) pies!

WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
- one package (containing two) ready made pie crusts
- mixing bowl, spoon and fork
- cookie cutter
- fruit of choice
- complimentary jam/jelly/fruit preserves

First, on a floured surface, roll out your pie crust and chop up your fruit of choice in a bowl. I used strawberries! Once chopped, add a few scoops of the fruit preserves or jam to your chopped fruit and mix until it has... well, a pie filling consistency.

Using your cookie cutter, cut out your desired shapes. Remember you will need to "cut outs" per pie so if you want to make eight pies you need sixteen cookie cutouts.

Peel away the excess dough and brush half of your cutouts with melted butter. These buttered sides will essentially be the "top" of each pie.

You will probably need to continually reflour your working surface so that the pie dough doesn't stick to your table. When you're ready you can begin to add your fruit mixture to one half (the non buttered pieces) of your pie cut outs.

Once you've added all of your fruit mixture you can take each buttered cutout and place it on top of each fruit covered cutout. Make sure the buttered side is face up so that it will brown slightly in the oven. Next, use a fork to press the two cutouts together around the edges and make a small "X" on the top of your pie to allow heat to escape (unless you want what I like to call "bleeding heart" pies).

Bake at 350 for about ten to fifteen minutes or just until the tops of the pies are slightly golden. I like to serve these hot with vanilla bean ice cream! These are a great quick summer treat that's easy to substitute different fruits depending on what's available or if you're feeling adventurous try adding brown sugar, caramel or chocolate to one of your fruit mixtures!

If you decide to give these a try please comment below and let me know how it went! Do you guys have any easy dessert recipes you swear by?