Cherry Pie Tarts
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These cherry pie tarts were inspired by two treats I really enjoyed in my childhood years. First, there were Pop Tarts. Frosted or plain, I didn’t care, I loved them all. I’m not sure if they ever constituted “breakfast” in my house or if they were more of a dessert, but I do remember eating them with some regularity.
Then there were the little apple pies and cherry pies at McDonald’s. Those were the perfect ending to a Happy Meal in my youth. It’s been decades since I’ve eaten either of these treats, and I wanted to create a healthier version.
As soon as I finished making these cherry pie tarts and I took them out of the oven, I knew I would burn my tongue sampling one. It’s been so long, I just couldn’t wait. The simple filling is made with fresh cherries and a little maple syrup, but you could also use jam or melted chocolate chips for the filling. Any pie crust recipe should work for these tarts, but I love this vegan, coconut oil-based crust (adapted from Food52). You can substitute butter for the coconut oil and gluten-free flour for the whole wheat flour if needed.
Cherry Pie Tarts
Recommended Equipment
Ingredients
Ingredients for the Filling
- 4 cups cherries (about 1 lb., pitted)
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 tbs white whole wheat flour
Ingredients for the Crust
- 4 1/4 cups white whole wheat flour
- 1 cup softened coconut oil
- 2 tsps salt
- 2 tbs maple syrup
- 1 cup cold water
Instructions
- In a medium pot, simmer the cherries and 1/4 cup maple syrup over low to medium-low heat for 12-15 minutes, until the cherries are tender. Sprinkle in the flour and cook for another minute, stirring to thicken. Set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- In a food processor, mix all the crust ingredients except the water. Slowly add the water through the top of the food processor as it's running. Stop adding water when the dough comes together. You should be able to easily form a ball of dough.
- On a floured work surface, roll the dough into a large, 1/8-inch thick rectangle. Depending on your work surface, you may want to roll out half the dough at a time.
- Cut the dough into 24 rectangles (3 inches by 5 inches each). Alternately, you could use cookie cutters to make different shapes or you could cut it into smaller squares.
- Distribute 12 bottom rectangles on 2 cookie sheets. Add about 2 tablespoons of filling to the middle section of each rectangle, leaving room around the edge of the dough to join the top pieces.
- Place the remaining 12 pieces of dough on top of the filled bottoms, and press the edges with a fork.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, until the bottom of each tart is lightly browned.
- Cool on a wire rack and store in an airtight container.
Approximate Nutrition Info
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Cherry Pie Tarts Price Breakdown
This recipe makes 12 tarts and costs a total of $8.34 to make, or $.70 each. These cherry pie tarts are a delicious, healthy alternative to store-bought toaster pastries.
Thank you, I really enjoy your website!
Could you substitute your gluten free flour for the white whole wheat flour?
Nickie, gluten-free flour works well in this recipe too. Enjoy!
I am really not find of maple syrup. I wonder if honey can be used instead?
Yes, Melissa, honey would be good too. Let me know if you try it!
Have you done an apple variety too? I’d be all ears!
I haven’t, Laura, but great idea. I’ll get on it!
Annemarie,
I too have fond memories of hot apple pies, but my most favorite handheld pie was the Hostess cherry pie. To this day if I am in a Hostess outlet I cannot help myself and will buy one, though I’ve matured from my need to “go out for milk” at 8:30 pm after my toddlers were in bed and my spouse was home, and enjoy a Hostess cherry pie on the way back from the store. All by myself. Ah, the memories.
These tarts look very tasty–I’d like to make some healthier memories!
So yummy. . .
Did you use sweet cherries or sour cherries? I’m told they have to be used differently, is this true?
Diana, I assume I’m using sweet cherries because they don’t taste sour at all to me, but there’s only one kind of cherries at my supermarket here in Massachusetts. I recommend you taste the cherry filling mixture to see if you like the sweetness, then adjust as needed.
They are gorgeous 🙂
Thanks, Sarah! They taste as good as they look 🙂
I loved both of those kinds of treats too! Do you remember those Hostess (I think) fruit pies? I used to LOVE the apple ones. Can’t wait to give this recipe a try.
-Dana
Yes, Dana, I’m very well versed in the whole line of Hostess treats too! I hope you like these – they’ll work fine with gf flour too.
My daughter received the Toaster Pastry mold and cutter kit from WIlliam Sonoma last Christmas. The recipe it included took too long and she lost interest. We will have to try this recipe next time.
I hope this one works better for her, Nicky.