Pie in a Jar

I pretty much have the best mom in the world. Really. Have you ever noticed how the first comment on every one of my posts is from the same person? Yep, that's my mom. She is my biggest fan and supporter, not just in blogging, but in life. She is an ever-available listening ear and the one person I can always count on to have my back. My friends adore her, my kids adore her, my husband adores her, and I adore her.

Recently, my mom celebrated her 64th birthday (Happy Birthday, Mom!) And I was happy to host her birthday celebration. One of our family's traditions is that whoever's special day it is gets to choose the dessert. So when my mom mentioned pie, I knew just what I'd be making!

See, ever since I started my blog (and even before then) my mom has been sharing ideas with me. Ideas for recipes, crafts, kids' activities.....  One of the last times we got together, she showed me these adorable pies from Family Circle magazine. So cute! I knew I wanted to make them, but I wanted to wait for the perfect occasion. What could be more perfect than her birthday??

I knew I had a bunch of 1/2 pint Mason jars left over from my parents' anniversary celebration...

...8 jars, in fact....which was not nearly enough for the 2 different kinds of pie I wanted to make! So.... about an hour after this picture was taken and I had checked two different grocery stores to find the size I needed (at 10:00 pm, no less!) I was ready to start. No worries, though... my mom is worth it :)

I used refrigerated pie crusts, and started by cutting out 6 inch circles using a large cereal bowl to measure.

Next, I pressed each circle into a jar...

...and traced the lid to make the top crusts. After quickly mixing up the filling, I topped each pie, pinched around the edges, and cut slits in the top crusts:

I decided they could be cuter, so I used tiny cookie cutters to make little pie toppers:

When everyone woke up to this the next morning...

...they couldn't believe I was making them wait to eat them until after we sang "Happy Birthday!"

I can't say I blame them....!

Happy Birthday, Mom! We Love You!!

Apple Pie in a Jar

2 boxes refrigerated piecrusts

8 Tbsp butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 Tbsp lemon juice

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/8 tsp salt

6 cups apples, peeled, cored & thinly sliced  

1 egg, lightly beaten

turbinado sugar, for topping

Heat oven to 350 and set out 8 wide-mouth half pint jars. Cut out eight 6-inch circles and eight small circles (using jar lid as guide) from 2 boxes of refrigerated piecrusts. Press onto buttom, up side and over the lip of the jars.

In saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Stir in flour and cook, whisking continuously, until golden brown, 2 minutes. Add sugars, lemon juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and pour over apples. Toss to coat. Spoon into jars.

Top with small circles of dough, brush with lightly beaten egg and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.  Place jars 2 inches apart on large baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes or until golden.

Peach Pie in a Jar

2 boxes refrigerated piecrusts

8 Tbsp butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 - 3/4 cups granulated sugar

1/4 tsp almond extract 

6 cups peaches, peeled & thinly sliced

1 egg, lightly beaten

turbinado sugar, for topping

Heat oven to 350 and set out 8 wide-mouth half pint jars. Cut out eight 6-inch circles and eight small circles (using jar lid as guide) from 2 boxes of refrigerated piecrusts. Press onto buttom, up side and over the lip of the jars.

In saucepan, melt butter over medium-high heat. Stir in flour and cook, whisking continuously, until golden brown, 2 minutes. Add sugar and almond extract and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and pour over peaches. Toss to coat. Spoon into jars.

Top with small circles of dough, brush with lightly beaten egg and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.  Place jars 2 inches apart on large baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes or until golden.

 

So what's your favorite birthday dessert??

I'd love to hear from you!

Linking up to these great parties this week!

Thanks for taking a peek inside my Lemon Tree Dwelling!

I hope you feel right at home :)

-Cathy