Get ready to delight your taste buds with these incredible Rustic Mini Cherry Crescent Pies! Imagine flaky, buttery crusts, made effortlessly with convenient crescent rolls, cradling a sweet and tangy cherry filling, all crowned with a irresistible, crunchy streusel topping. These individual pies are a true revelation – so simple to make, yet they taste like they’ve been lovingly crafted from scratch. Perfect for any occasion, from a quick weeknight treat to an elegant holiday dessert, they promise to bring a smile to everyone’s face without the fuss of traditional pie making.
If you’re a fan of the delightful combination of cherries and pastry, you’re in for a treat! You’ll also adore our Cherry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake, these tempting Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies, and definitely our Sour Cherry Cobbler Coffee Cake. But for pure ease and charm, these mini crescent pies are hard to beat!
Why These Mini Cherry Crescent Pies Will Be Your New Favorite
These Cherry Streusel Crescent Pies are truly a game-changer for anyone who loves homemade desserts but is short on time. Each pie is a perfect individual serving, baked in a buttery, flaky crescent roll crust. The filling is a classic, rich tart cherry pie filling, providing that wonderful balance of sweet and tart that cherry lovers crave. But what truly sets these mini pies apart is the sweet, crunchy streusel topping – it adds an extra layer of texture and flavor that elevates them from good to absolutely divine.
Whether you’re searching for a decadent dessert to impress guests, a delightful breakfast pastry to kickstart your morning, or a convenient snack to satisfy a sudden craving, these pies deliver every single time. They’re incredibly versatile and satisfying.
The Convenience of Crescent Roll Dough
The secret to the astounding simplicity of this recipe lies in the use of pre-made crescent roll dough. Honestly, it’s a stroke of genius! Gone are the days of laboring over a homemade pie crust. With crescent rolls, half the work is already done for you. The dough is perfectly pre-portioned into triangles, which, with a little ingenuity, transform into ideal mini pie crusts when pressed into a muffin pan. This shortcut doesn’t just save time; it ensures a consistently buttery and flaky crust every time, rivaling many from-scratch recipes. It’s truly the perfect solution for achieving that coveted homemade taste with minimal effort.
The Star Ingredient: Cherry Pie Filling
Choosing the right cherry pie filling is key to the success of these mini pies. We recommend using a high-quality brand like Lucky Leaf for its rich flavor and ideal consistency. Tart cherry filling provides a vibrant, classic cherry taste that beautifully contrasts with the sweet streusel and buttery crust. You can find ready-made pie filling in most grocery stores, making this recipe even more accessible. The convenience of a canned filling means no pitting cherries, no cooking down fruit – just open, scoop, and bake!
Mastering the Streusel Topping
A good streusel topping is the “cherry on top” for these mini pies – literally! It adds a crucial textural element and a boost of sweet, spiced flavor. Our simple streusel recipe uses basic pantry staples: sugar, flour, cinnamon, water, and softened butter. The goal is a crumbly mixture that bakes into a golden, crunchy layer. The cinnamon is essential here, as it perfectly complements the cherry and provides that warm, comforting spice note that makes any pie feel truly rustic and homemade. Don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty when mixing the streusel; using your fingertips often helps achieve the ideal crumbly texture.
Other Cherry Dessert Delights
Craving more cherry goodness? We’ve got you covered! Explore some of our other favorite cherry-infused recipes that are perfect for any occasion:
- Cherry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake: A rich and creamy coffee cake with bursts of cherry.
- Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies: Indulgent cookies that taste just like your favorite candy.
- Sour Cherry Cobbler Coffee Cake: A delightful blend of cobbler and coffee cake with a tangy cherry twist.
- 50 Delightful Cherry Desserts: An extensive collection of cherry recipes for every preference.
How to Make Rustic Cherry Streusel Crescent Pies
This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal fuss. Follow these simple steps to create your own batch of delightful mini cherry pies.
Ingredients for Cherry Streusel Crescent Pies
For the Mini Pies:
- 1 can (approx. 21 oz) cherry pie filling (we used Lucky Leaf)
- 1 tube (8 oz) refrigerated crescent rolls (we used Pillsbury)
For the Golden Streusel Topping:
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tablespoon cold water
- ⅔ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
Step-by-Step Baking Guide
- Prepare Your Workspace: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a standard 12-cup muffin tin with nonstick cooking spray. This will prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of your pies.
- Unroll the Dough: Carefully remove the crescent roll dough from its tube and unroll it on a clean, lightly floured surface or a piece of parchment paper.
- Form Dough Rectangles: The dough typically comes in 8 triangles. To create a more substantial base for your pies, take two crescent triangles and press their long edges together to form a rectangle. You will end up with four such rectangles from one tube of crescent rolls. Gently pinch the seam to seal them together.
- Line the Muffin Tin: Press each dough rectangle firmly into a prepared muffin cup, ensuring the dough covers the bottom and extends up the sides to create a small cup. You want to make sure there are no gaps for the filling to leak through.
- Fill with Cherries: Spoon a generous amount of cherry pie filling into each crescent dough cup. Be careful not to overfill them, as the filling will bubble up during baking. Typically, about half of the can of cherry pie filling will be used for four pies. You can choose to make an additional four pies with the remaining dough and filling if you have another tube of crescent rolls on hand!
- Prepare the Streusel: In a small bowl, combine the granulated sugar, flour, cinnamon, cold water, and softened butter. Use a fork or your fingertips to mix the ingredients thoroughly until a crumbly texture forms. It should resemble coarse sand with some larger pea-sized crumbs.
- Top with Streusel: Generously sprinkle the prepared streusel topping over the cherry filling in each mini pie. You can add as much or as little as you desire for your preferred level of crunch. Don’t worry if you have some streusel leftover; it can be saved for another baking project.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the muffin tin in the preheated oven and bake for 12-13 minutes, or until the edges of the crescent rolls are beautifully golden brown and the streusel is lightly toasted. Keep an eye on them, as oven temperatures can vary.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pies from the oven and let them cool slightly in the muffin tin before transferring them to a wire rack. These mini cherry crescent pies are truly best served warm, allowing the flaky crust and warm cherry filling to shine.
Tips for Perfect Mini Cherry Crescent Pies
- Don’t Skip the Nonstick Spray: Even if your muffin tin is “nonstick,” a light spray provides extra insurance against your beautiful pies sticking.
- Seal Those Seams: When pressing two crescent triangles together, make sure to firmly pinch the seam to prevent the filling from seeping through during baking.
- Even Filling: Distribute the cherry filling as evenly as possible among the pies for consistent results and baking.
- Customize Your Streusel: Feel free to add a pinch of nutmeg or a tiny bit of almond extract to your streusel for an extra layer of flavor. You can also mix in a tablespoon of finely chopped nuts for added crunch.
- Watch for Doneness: Ovens vary, so keep a close eye on your pies during the last few minutes of baking. You want the crescent dough to be golden, not burnt.
Serving Suggestions & Flavor Variations
Classic Pairings
Of course, when we think of cherry pie, “à la mode” is almost always the top choice! For an elevated experience, whip up some homemade Cinnamon Cheesecake Ice Cream. But if you’re looking for a simpler yet equally delicious option, No-Churn Vanilla Bean Ice Cream is always a fantastic pairing. The cool, creamy ice cream melting over the warm, flaky pie is pure bliss. Alternatively, a dollop of fresh whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar adds a touch of elegance.
For an extra sweet touch, consider drizzling a simple vanilla glaze over the cooled pies. Just mix powdered sugar with a little milk or water until you reach your desired consistency. It adds a lovely sheen and another layer of sweetness.
Get Creative with Fillings
Not a cherry fan? No problem at all! The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability. You can easily replace the cherry pie filling with any other fruit pie filling you love. Think vibrant blueberry, comforting apple, sweet raspberry, or classic strawberry. Each variation offers a unique flavor profile while retaining the ease and charm of the crescent roll crust and streusel topping.
Storage and Reheating
Any leftover Mini Cherry Crescent Pies can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. To enjoy them warm again, simply reheat them in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) for about 5-10 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also gently warm them in a microwave, but the oven will help maintain that desired crispness of the crust and streusel.
Conclusion
In conclusion, these Cherry Streusel Crescent Pies are a truly delicious and incredibly easy dessert that anyone can enjoy creating and savoring. From their wonderfully flaky crescent roll crust to their sweet and tangy cherry filling, and finally, the irresistible crunchy streusel, these pies are guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth. They’re a welcome addition to any meal, whether you’re seeking the perfect breakfast treat, a quick and easy dessert for any night of the week, or a charming dish for holidays like Valentine’s Day or Christmas. Share them with loved ones or keep them all to yourself – we won’t tell!
Don’t forget to share your creations and connect with us on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook!
More Irresistible Fruity Desserts
If you loved these mini cherry pies, be sure to explore more of our delightful fruity dessert recipes:
- Delectable Raspberry Lemon Pastry Strudels
- Chocolate Cherry Oreo Dream Dessert
- Very Cherry Cheesecake Poke Cake
- Red Tart Cherry Crumble Pie
- Easy Cherry Cheesecake Dessert
- Lemon-Cream Cheese Crescent Ring
- Rhubarb Berry Crisp
- Easy Apple Cream Cheese Tart
- 30 Mother’s Day Desserts for Mom!
Rustic Cherry Streusel Crescent Pies
Author: Kim Lange
Don’t miss out on these Rustic Mini Cherry Pies! They are delicious and made with crescent rolls to give them a buttery, flaky crust and the streusel puts the cherry on top! No pun intended. 🙂
Cook Time: 12-13 minutes
Course: Dessert
Servings: 4
Ingredients
Pies
- 1 can cherry pie filling (like Lucky Leaf)
- 1 tube Crescent rolls (like Pillsbury)
Streusel Topping
- ⅓ cup of sugar
- ⅓ cup of flour
- ½ tablespoon of water
- ⅔ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray.
- Remove the dough from the tube, unroll.
- There are 8 crescent triangles. Make four rectangles of dough by keeping two of the triangles intact.
- Push and press the rectangle of dough into a greased muffin tin so that they form a small pie.
- Dish out a spoonful of the cherry filling into each crescent pie. (Don’t overflow, 1/2 the can will be left over after you fill the pies, so you can make an extra 4 if you want?)
- In a small bowl, combine sugar, flour, cinnamon, water and softened butter. Use a fork to mix up ingredients until crumbly.
- Sprinkle streusel on top of the cherry pies until desired effect, you may have some leftover depending on how much you use.
- Bake in a 375 degree oven for 12-13 minutes until the edges start to turn golden brown.
Notes
Best served warm!
Keyword: cherry, crescent roll dough, pie, streusel
I got inspiration for this sweet recipe from ‘Apple Pie Muffins’ by Mess For Less.