Valentine’s Day is one of those holidays that have become a bit too commercialized I think. I like to keep this holiday simple… help my son make and mail valentines & bake something special.
When I checked out the Kitchen Play February menu, I knew exactly which recipe I would tackle. This month’s sponser is Cherry Marketing Institute, and Julie from The Little Kitchen had a wonderful idea with her cherry mini pockets. I wanted to take her idea and change it up a bit to make a sweet heart shaped pocket for the sweethearts in my life.
Use your favorite pie dough. This is the perfect time to defrost the extra you have in your freezer from the holidays! Or, buy some pre-made. I tried out the Trader Joes pie dough and found it to be light, flaky, nicely packaged between 2 sheets of plastic wrap.
**Update** I was asked where I got my heart shaped cookie cutter… its actually an egg mold. I have used it for so many things, its a nice size. You can buy it from amazon…
Pit and chop about a handful of fresh sweet cherries. I bought a package of 16oz, used less than half of that to fill 4 heart pies (1 sheet of pie dough). Sprinkle and toss the cherries with about 1 TBSP of sugar.
Fill with Ricotta Cheese, and the chopped cherries.
Serve for breakfast, dessert, or anytime in between. This would be cute for a little girl’s tea party, or for a special brunch as well!
Recipe: Sweetheart Cherry Pies
Summary: Mini Pastries for Valentines Day
Ingredients
- pie dough
- fresh cherries, chopped
- ricotta cheese
- sprinkle of sugar
- 1 TBSP butter, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Roll out your pie dough (I like to do this between 2 sheets of plastic wrap). Cut out shapes with cookie cutter.
- Sprinkle and stir the sugar with the chopped cherries in a bowl.
- Lay out your heart cut outs on the baking sheet. Spoon on some fresh ricotta cheese, then spoon on the cherries. Lay down the top dough, seal to press with a fork.
- Brush the top with melted butter.
- Bake for about 15 minutes or until mini hearts are golden brown. The baking time will largely depend on the thickness of your pastry dough and your oven. Just keep close watch.
- Cool for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Dust with powdered sugar if desired.
Preparation time: 10 minute(s)
Cooking time: 15 minute(s)
