Gluten-Free Mini Cherry Pie Bites
Bite-sized cherry pies made with convenient filo shells and fresh red cherries cooked into a glossy, thickened filling. Each miniature tart is topped with fluffy cream cheese whipped cream, creating an elegant dessert perfect for parties, holidays, or when you want the flavors of classic cherry pie in a portable format. The combination of tart cherries, sweet filling, and creamy topping delivers all the satisfaction of traditional pie with far less effort.
Ingredients
- 45 mini filo shells, 3 boxes, thawedmini graham cracker crusts1:1convenience
similar texture and size
- 4 cups red cherries, pittedfrozen cherries1:1dietary
thaw and drain excess liquid first
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup corn starch
- 1 recipe cream cheese whipped cream
Instructions
- 1
Add cherries to a saucepan and cover
- 2
Cook over medium heat until cherries release juice and come to a simmer, stirring often
- 3
Whisk sugar with cornstarch until smooth in a bowl
- 4
Pour mixture into hot cherries and juice and thoroughly combine
- 5
Reduce to low heat and bring to a simmer
- 6
Cook until filling has thickened, then remove from heat
- 7
Add approximately one cherry and sauce to each tart shell
- 8
Let cool to set
- 9
Prepare cream cheese whipped cream
- 10
Pipe whipped cream onto top of mini pies
Tips
Stir cherries often while cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even heating.
Let filling cool completely before adding whipped cream to prevent melting.
Use a piping bag for neat, professional-looking cream cheese topping.
Good to Know
refrigerate up to 3 days covered
make filling 1 day ahead, assemble day of serving
serve chilled or at room temperature
Common Mistakes
don't add whipped cream while filling is warm to avoid melting
stir cherry mixture constantly when thickening to prevent burning
Substitutions
thaw and drain excess liquid first
similar texture and size
FAQ
Can I use frozen cherries instead of fresh?
Yes, thaw frozen cherries completely and drain excess liquid before cooking to prevent watery filling.
How long do these keep in the refrigerator?
Store covered in refrigerator for up to 3 days. The filo shells may soften slightly over time.
Can I make the filling ahead of time?
Yes, prepare the cherry filling up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate. Assemble with shells and cream just before serving.