Spooky Cherry Eyeball Pies Recipe

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Cook Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

This recipe makes 12 servings. Adjust ingredient amounts as needed, but cooking steps remain the same.

• Pies:
• 2 sheets refrigerated pie dough
• 1 (21 ounce) can cherry pie filling
• 6 fresh or frozen pitted dark sweet cherries
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon water
• Decoration:
• 1 small tube white decorator icing with a small round tip
• Red berry sauce or seedless raspberry/strawberry jam, slightly warmed for drizzling

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 375F (190C) and grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
2. Roll out the pie dough on a clean surface. Use a 4-inch cookie cutter to cut 12 circles. Press each into the muffin cups to form mini pie shells and pierce the bottoms with a fork.
3. Pre-bake the empty shells for 10 minutes or until lightly golden. Let them cool for 5 minutes.
4. Evenly spoon cherry pie filling into each shell.
5. Roll out the remaining dough and cut 12 smaller 3-inch circles. Place each on top of the filling and crimp the edges to seal.
6. Slice dark cherries in half and place one half, cut side down, in the center of each mini pie.
7. From dough scraps, cut one large and one small crescent for "eyelids." Position them gently over each cherry so about half the cherry peeks out.
8. Whisk the egg and water together and brush the tops of pies and eyelids with the egg wash.
9. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the crust is golden and filling is bubbly. Cool pies in the tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
10. Before serving, add a tiny dot of white icing on each cherry to mimic an eye glint. Draw a thin line along the lower edge of each cherry.
11. Drizzle red berry sauce on a plate to resemble a pool of "blood" and place each eyeball pie in the center for a spooky presentation.

Cooks Note

To make your own white icing: whisk 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar with a few drops of milk. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a small round tip.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

• Calories: 238
• Total Fat: 9g (12% DV)
• Saturated Fat: 3g (16% DV)
• Cholesterol: 16mg (5% DV)
• Sodium: 156mg (7% DV)
• Total Carbohydrate: 36g (13% DV)
• Dietary Fiber: 2g (6% DV)
• Sugars: 5g
• Protein: 2g (5% DV)
• Vitamin C: 5mg (5% DV)
• Calcium: 16mg (1% DV)
• Iron: 1mg (5% DV)
• Potassium: 121mg (3% DV)

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Values may vary depending on your nutritional needs.

History of Spooky Cherry Eyeball Pies

The Spooky Cherry Eyeball Pie is a contemporary twist on classic American fruit pies, developed specifically for Halloween celebrations. While cherry pies have been a staple in American kitchens since the 19th century, the idea of transforming them into eyeball mini pies emerged in the early 2000s as part of the growing trend of themed desserts for festive occasions. The playful combination of horror imagery and sweet flavors reflects a modern fascination with edible theatrics, where food is both visually entertaining and delicious.

Regional Variations

Though originating in the United States, variations of the eyeball pie can be found in North America and parts of Europe where Halloween is widely celebrated. In the U.S., bakers often use cherry or raspberry fillings, whereas in the UK, similar mini pies might use blackcurrant or mixed berries to achieve the same vibrant red blood effect. Some regions even add a touch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the filling for extra warmth, giving each version a subtle local flavor distinction.

Differences from Similar Dishes

Unlike traditional cherry pies, which are usually served as full-sized desserts, the Spooky Cherry Eyeball Pie is miniaturized and highly decorative. Its defining feature is the eyeball design, created with a cherry half, crescent-shaped dough eyelids, and white icing to simulate reflections. This playful presentation sets it apart from standard tarts, cobblers, or fruit-filled pastries. While conventional pies focus solely on taste, eyeball pies balance flavor with an eye-catching visual impact designed to delight and spook.

Typical Serving Occasions

These mini pies are predominantly served during Halloween parties, themed events, or horror movie nights. They often appear on dessert tables alongside other spooky treats like ghost cupcakes and candy corn, and they are sometimes placed on a blood-red sauce or jam to intensify the eerie effect. Due to their dramatic presentation, they are also popular for social media food photography and festive potlucks, where a visually striking dessert is key to impressing guests.

Interesting Facts

• The concept of edible eyeballs has been used in desserts worldwide, from gelatin eyeball candies in Japan to almond-studded marzipan eyes in Europe.
• Miniature pies allow for individual servings, which makes them easier to share and less messy than cutting a full pie.
• The cherry was chosen not only for its flavor but also for its natural resemblance to an eyeball when halved, making it perfect for a creepy yet realistic look.
• Some bakers enhance the effect by adding a thin line of dark chocolate around the cherry, mimicking the iris of an eye.
• Spooky Cherry Eyeball Pies are part of a growing trend in gourmet Halloween foods, where traditional desserts are creatively adapted for seasonal fun.

FAQ about Spooky Cherry Eyeball Pies Recipe

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