April Fools' Dessert Mini Pot Pies
Delight and surprise your guests with these whimsical dessert pot pies that cleverly resemble savory chicken pot pies. Perfect for April Fools' Day, these sweet treats are filled with creamy pudding and fun candy 'vegetables.' Although it requires some crafting, the smiles and laughs are guaranteed to make it worth your while. Ideal for family gatherings and a hit with kids, these mini pies are as delicious as they are entertaining. Makes 6 delightful mini pies.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
aluminum foil potpie tin
6 (4 1/2 inch)
refrigerated pie crust
1 package (15 ounces) (unrolled)
egg
1 (beaten)
water
2 tablespoons (mixed with egg)
vanilla or white chocolate instant pudding mix
2 (3 1/2-ounce) boxes (prepared with milk)
cold milk
4 cups (for pudding)
yellow starburst candies
4-6 (softened)
orange starburst candies
10-12 (softened)
green chewy Jolly Rancher or Tootsie Roll candies
3-5 (softened)
banana
1 (peeled and sliced)
dried apple rings
2-3 (chopped)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C).
2
Roll out one piecrust on a clean work surface.
3
Using an inverted potpie tin as a template, cut out a circle of dough that is about 1/2 inch larger than the tin.
4
Repeat the process with the remaining piecrust, cutting out additional circles as needed. Reroll any leftover dough to make more circles.
5
Crumple a piece of aluminum foil into a 1 1/2-inch ball and place it into each potpie tin. Cover each ball with a layer of foil to create a smooth dome.
6
Drape a dough circle over each foil-covered mound. Use the tines of a fork to crimp the edges of the dough and poke a few holes in the crust for venting.
7
In a small bowl, beat the egg with water until well combined.
8
Brush the egg wash over each dough crust.
9
Place the pie tins on a baking sheet and bake them for about 10 minutes or until golden brown.
10
Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack.
11
Prepare the instant pudding mix with the cold milk following the package directions. Refrigerate until ready to use.
12
For the candy vegetables, warm the Starburst or Tootsie Roll candies in the microwave for 12 to 15 seconds until soft.
13
Corn kernels: Roll a yellow candy into a 4-inch rope, then cut into 1/4-inch pieces. Shape each piece into a kernel.
14
Chicken: Cut dried apple rings into pieces about 1/2-inch wide.
15
Peas: Roll green candy into a 5-inch rope, slice it into 1/4-inch pieces, and roll each into a ball.
16
Potatoes: Cut a peeled banana into 1/4-inch thick rounds, and then into small cubes.
17
Carrots: Slice each orange candy into four equal squares.
18
Assemble the pies just before serving: Spoon about 2/3 cup of the chilled pudding into each pie tin.
19
Scatter the candy 'vegetables' and banana 'potatoes' throughout the pudding.
20
Gently set a baked pie crust on top of each pudding-filled tin to complete the illusion.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are April Fools' Dessert Mini Pot Pies?
They are whimsical dessert treats that look exactly like savory chicken pot pies but are filled with sweet pudding and candy vegetables.
What flavor of pudding is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses vanilla or white chocolate instant pudding mix to mimic the look of gravy.
How do you make the edible 'corn kernels' for the filling?
Roll yellow Starburst candies into a 4-inch rope, cut them into 1/4-inch pieces, and shape each piece into a kernel.
What is used to represent the 'chicken' in these dessert pies?
Dried apple rings cut into 1/2-inch wide pieces are used to simulate the appearance of chicken chunks.
How are the 'peas' created?
Green chewy Jolly Rancher or Tootsie Roll candies are rolled into a rope, sliced into 1/4-inch pieces, and rolled into small balls.
What ingredient is used to mimic 'potatoes' in the pie?
A peeled banana is cut into 1/4-inch thick rounds and then into small cubes to look like diced potatoes.
How do you make the 'carrots' for the dessert?
Orange Starburst candies are sliced into four equal squares to represent diced carrots.
What temperature should the oven be set to for baking the crusts?
The oven should be preheated to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (232 degrees Celsius).
How long do the crusts take to bake?
The crusts should bake for about 10 minutes or until they turn golden brown.
How do you shape the top crust of the pie?
Drape a dough circle over an aluminum foil-covered mound inside a potpie tin to create a dome shape.
Why is aluminum foil used during the baking process?
Crumpled foil balls create a smooth dome that supports the dough crust while it bakes so it keeps its shape.
How many mini pot pies does this recipe make?
This recipe is designed to make 6 delightful mini dessert pies.
What should be done to the candy before shaping it?
Warm the Starburst or Tootsie Roll candies in the microwave for 12 to 15 seconds until they are soft and pliable.
What is the purpose of the egg wash?
Brushing a mixture of egg and water over the dough ensures the crust becomes golden brown and shiny when baked.
When should the pies be assembled?
Assemble the pies just before serving to ensure the crust stays crisp and the banana doesn't brown.
How much pudding goes into each pie tin?
Spoon about 2/3 cup of the chilled prepared pudding into each tin.
How large should the dough circles be cut?
The dough circles should be about 1/2 inch larger than the potpie tin being used as a template.
What size potpie tins are recommended?
The recipe calls for 4 1/2-inch aluminum foil potpie tins.
Should the pudding be chilled before assembly?
Yes, the pudding should be prepared according to package directions and refrigerated until you are ready to use it.
How do you prevent the crust from bubbling or exploding while baking?
Use the tines of a fork to poke a few holes in the dough crust for venting before putting them in the oven.
Can I reuse leftover dough?
Yes, you can reroll any leftover dough to cut out additional circles as needed.
What type of candy is best for the 'peas'?
Green chewy Jolly Ranchers or green Tootsie Rolls work best because they are easy to shape.
Are these pies suitable for children?
Yes, they are highly kid-friendly, entertaining, and a hit at family gatherings.
How do you complete the visual illusion of the pot pie?
Gently set a pre-baked pie crust on top of the pudding and candy-filled tin.
What is the consistency of the pudding?
It should be creamy and thick, like standard instant pudding.
Is this recipe hard to make?
While it requires some crafting and shaping of candy, the process is straightforward and fun.
What kind of milk should be used for the pudding?
The recipe calls for 4 cups of cold milk to prepare the instant pudding mix.
Do you need to cook the candy vegetables?
No, they are only softened in the microwave so they can be molded into shapes.
How many boxes of pudding mix are required?
You will need two 3 1/2-ounce boxes of instant pudding mix.
What provides the crunch in this dessert?
The baked pie crust provides a flaky, crunchy texture that contrasts with the soft pudding filling.