Mini Chocolate Pies

by

Cindy

March Madness is our theme this week and unfortunately my team is already out of the brackets.  I was cheering for my Alma Mater, Western Kentucky University.  I guess I'll cheer for UK now, but I'm seriously thinking about changing sides and going to IU.  Now that I'm back in Indiana I may have to rethink the UK - IU thing.  Some of you may just have to use some persuasive comments and try to convince me which team I need to support.  We'll see. lol

This recipe is simple and easy and the little pies are so cute.  They look kind of like wontons but taste oh so much better.  They have a chocolate Hershey's kiss center that kind of melts in your mouth. I didn't have a pie shell so I decided to make one from scratch.  Pie crusts are not hard to make especially if you have a food processor.  If you don't have time or just don't want to make one, use the refrigerated pie crusts or thaw one out.  I think the pie crust sheets would be the best for this recipe. 

Pie Crust

1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

4 T butter, cut into 1 T slices

5 T shortening

pinch of salt

3 T ice water

Measure the flour and salt into the food processor with the regular blade attached.  Add the butter and shortening.  The butter needs to be very cold.  Pulse three times with three counts per pulse to lightly mix the ingredients.  With the motor running, pour ice water into the work bowl 1 T at a time and probably not using all 3 T.  Add water until the dough just starts to get noticeably crumbly.  Don't wait until it is a big clump or it will be too wet and will turn out tough. 

 Stop the machine, dump the crumbly dough out on a wax paper or in a bowl.  Gather the dough into a ball with your hands and squeeze to make it stick together.  If it won't form a ball, add just a little bit more water.  Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Mini Chocolate Pies

pie crust or sheet

14 or more Hershey's kisses (don't use the almond ones - it needs to have more chocolate)

1 egg white and 1 T water

powdered and granulated sugar for dusting

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Roll out pie dough onto a lightly floured surface.  Place kisses on dough about 2 1/2 inches apart.  Find a glass or bowl that is about the size you need to cut and use it to make circles in dough. 

Slide a knife under each circle to ease off of surface.  Fold half of pie dough around kiss.  Now fold up both sides of remaining dough and pinch edges together.  See picture.

Continue cutting dough around kisses until all dough is used up.  Re-roll any scraps until all dough is used up.  Whisk together egg white and water.  Brush all little pies with this egg wash and sprinkle with granulated sugar.  Bake for 20-28 minutes or until golden brown.  Remove and let cool for 5 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.  Dust each one with powdered sugar and serve.

Pie Crust Recipe adapted from Allrecipes.com

Mini Pie Recipe by the picky-palate.com