I think most folks shy away from baking pies from scratch because the very idea of scratch pie crust gives them the willies. Folks have been convinced by the presence of the premade, store bought kind that crusts are too complicated and/or they're not knowledgeable enough to handle the complexity of such a recipe. I'm here to tell you that's complete nonsense. Pie crust is one of the easiest peasiest things you'll ever make at home. Not only are homemade crusts better, they're cheaper, too. 

I use four ingredients in my pie crust- flour, salt, butter, and ice water. 

The thing that's so fabulous about mini pies is that you can make a variety of them, they're portable, and they're easy peasy to make. You can fill it with just about anything from eggs to fruit. You can make any kind of shaped pie you want- bake it in a muffin tin or seal the edges with a fork; make a roll like a canoli or pinch the edges together like a bag or satchel. It's yum no matter what you fill it with it or how you make it. Peace, B.

CRUST:2 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup of softened butter
about 1/4 cup ice water
This will make one 8-9 inch pie crust.

filling of choice

1 egg
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon water

*Depending on the size of your pies!

I almost always use home canned fillings for my mini pies. I used blackberry and strawberry/raspberry fillings for this batch because I was working an Independence Day theme. (Yeah, I served them with homemade whipped topping. They rocked.) You could use any pie filling you like. 

Making pie is a very hands on activity so be sure yours are clean. 

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Combine the flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Cube (or pinch apart) the butter and add it to the bowl.

You can use a food processor, two knives, or a pastry cutter to mix the butter into the flour and salt, but I just use my hands. It's simple and also satisfying to feel the butter and flour mix together as you pinch it all together to make a crumbly dough. 

It's gonna look like this when you're done. All crumbles and goodness.

Add the ice water a tablespoon at a time. Work the dough with your hands until it comes away from the sides of the bowl.

Form the dough into a ball. 

Lightly dust the counter with flour.

Roll out the dough to about 1/8th of an inch thickness.

Cut out whatever shapes you're going to need. 

Fill and seal.

Place pies on a greased cookie sheet.

Mix together the egg, sugar, and water. Brush over the pies and bake for 12 minutes.

Allow pies to cool and serve any old way you'd like.