Mini Pumpkin Pies

Makes 12 to 15 mini pies
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

• 1 – 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 2 eggs and 1 yolk
• 1 cup canned pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1-½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 2 refrigerated pie crusts
• Egg wash

EQUIPMENT

• 12 to 15 regular mason jar rings with lids. The lids can be ones that have been previously used for canning.

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Place the canning lids inside the rings, with the rubber seals facing down, and place on the lined sheet pan.
2. Begin to prepare the filling by placing the softened cream cheese and the granulated sugar together in a medium bowl. With a hand mixer, mix the softened cream cheese and sugar together until smooth.
3. Add the eggs and the 1 yolk, the pumpkin puree, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice to the cream cheese and sugar mixture, and mix until smooth. Set aside.
4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the pie dough. Use a 3-inch round cutter to cut out 12 to 15 dough rounds, rerolling as needed.
5. Once you have your 12 to 15 dough rounds, use any remaining dough scraps to cut out 12 to 15 small decorative and autumnal shapes: leaves, pumpkins, acorns, etc. Use a paring knife to score the tops of each small shape.
6. Place each dough round in the prepared mason jar rings and crimp the edges. Brush each edge with egg wash.
7. Fill each crust with 3 tablespoons of pie batter.
8. Brush each decorative cut-out with the remaining egg wash, and gently place one in the center of each pie.
9. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until set.
10. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Top each pie with whipped cream and serve.

How adorable are these perfect little pies?! They’re exactly the right size to give you a taste of the ideal Thanksgiving dessert without filling you up too much, and the fact that they’re cute doesn’t hurt, either. Plus, using the mason rings makes it so easy to make them the right bite-sized shape. Great!