Pies

I finally got a few minutes to test out some of those personal pies that we were thinking about selling as fundraising potential. I watched a video that gave some pointers on using the machine and, thankfully, it helped because the little booklet the machine came with was a bit vague.

So, here are some photos that show how it went:

these are the fillings we used (apple, no-sugar cherry, blueberry, peaches, and strawberry)

first batch: as soon as I placed the pastry on the bottom it got stuck to the molding cup and began cooking as soon as it touched the machine. I barely had enough time to put filling inside the cups. As a matter of fact, I only managed to put filling in two of four, but covered them anyway because the booklet said to make sure there were four pies at a time.

Also, I put the wrong size pastry on the bottom and top, so it turned out looking a little funky, as you can see below when the 'lid' cooked but the bottom was so chewed up looking from getting stuck to the molding cup.

Second batch: I made sure the bottom was on the bottom and didn't plug in the machine until they were all down. I also floured the molding cup, which really helped alleviate the sticking problem.

Then I plugged it in and put the filling in and covered them quickly.

The tops of the pies obviously fit better and would reach the outside brim of the cup mold.

After 10 minutes...maybe a couple more minutes.

After 12 minutes. They look like they are not cooked through, but they are. Adam tried them and loved them. The no-sugar cherry was his least favorite, of course, because it lacked sugar.

One box makes 10 pies. These are the last two, which turned out weird shaped, though cooked better.

You can see the shape a bit better below. Adam said those last two tasted better because the pastry was a bit thicker.

Third batch: Moved along much better now that I know what I'm doing. The last two of the third batch were the best. So, it would appear the key is filling it to the top of the pie brim and then it actually touches the inner top side of the molding cup. (The booklet said not to fill it.) I also added regular cherry filling to the group of fillings available.

This is what the pies looked like from the side. These will be for the girls to taste tomorrow when they come over. Though Pia was ready to jump on the blueberry pie, but said she would wait, as I will for the peach pie.