Here is what you need to know to make these charming Pie in a Jar's for your friends, or you know... for yourself.

The jars that you would be looking for are jelly jars, more specifically, a 4-8 oz jelly jar. Any jar that is intended for canning use will be oven safe because they are made to withstand heat. A lid is not imperative, however, it can be useful, especially if you intend to transport the pie, or if it needs to wait for some time in the refridgerator. I adore the wide mouth pint size for these! Looking at this picture, it's the little guy on the very end.

You will also need pie crust. If you choose to use premade pie crusts, a 9 inch pie crust will do approximately four jars, unless you are using a recipe that calls for both a top and bottom crust, and then one 9 inch pie crust will do two jars. Of course you can use your own recipe for pie crust, these are just approximations for us corner cutters.

You will need your intended filling, whether it be a fruit, cream, or whatever you choose.

Here is the general how to.

Using about a fourth of the pie crust, squish it into the bottom and up the sides of the jar, using your fingers. If the dough tears, do not worry, just use your little fingers to cram it all around and seal up any tears by pinching and squishing. Do not go all the way up to the lip. If you go all the way up over the lip the crust will break when you are attempting to put a lid on the jar. If your jar requires a top crust, use the jar ring as you would a cookie cutter to get the right size topper, seal the edge by crimping.

Next, add your filling. Then top with your second crust as needed. You can get all fancy at this point and do a decorative dough leaf if you want. Each jar will require about a half cup of filling.

Now bake according to your filling directions. I find it more successful to set the jars on a cookie sheet before it goes in the oven to avoid certain disaster.

Keep an eye on your little beauties while baking, just in case they get done early. If you are doing a pie that does not require cooking, such as a pudding pie, cook according to crust directions and then fill with prepared filling.

Now, resist the urge to eat these straight out of the oven, you could burn yourself! Give it a few minutes at least.

Here are some additional tips. You can prepare these ahead of time and let them freeze, then unthaw before baking. This could be helpful if you are preparing them as a gift to your *cough* self. When the pies are ready, I suggest you wait to lid them until they are relatively cool to avoid moisture being trapped under the lid, giving you soggy crust. You can add whipped cream after cooling as well, but only do this right before serving, as it could also make your crust soggy. Also, I would recommend letting the jar defrost and thaw before putting it into a hot oven, jars are made to withstand high heat, however, I don't know how a frozen jar will do when popped into a hot oven.

Search Cook'N for great Pie recipes to use to fill your jars. Did you know that Cook'N software will help you double your recipes easily? If you are using this to gift large groups of people, it could really make things easier!

Sources:
https://uploads.notempire.com/images/uploads/cherry_and_blueberry_pie_fg-2.jpg
https://img0.etsystatic.com/000/0/6250688/il_fullxfull.243360820.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/ethelgloves/5998967672/
https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QJfTpmxJbic/TQt5jP_qAjI/AAAAAAAABZk/VZWF22kk0c4/s1600/pie1.jpg
https://www.missionrs.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/diy-pie-in-jar-02.jpg