Easy Cherry Hand Pies

Although some kids are going back to school this week, Im thankful we have a month left before my kids do.  Four more weeks of going to the beach and swimming in the lake, sleeping in without a jolting alarm beeping us out of slumber, and spending time with the people we love the most.   When friends of my children come over, Ive discovered they dont mind getting their hands busy and covered with flour with a fun baking project - especially one they can take home. Today, Im happy to have our friend Amaya over because she is new to baking and soaks in the entire process from start to finish. She is inquisitive, asking the right questions about the hows and whys, and is excited to see and taste the final product.   Older elementary aged kids seem to be the most eager to learn how to cook in the kitchen, because they tend to take a more independent approach to executing simple instructions without being overly concerned about the recipe. Instead, its all about discovery and learning how to make a dish on their own while having fun. For today's baking project, we decided on cherry hand pies. These mini desserts are easy to make and oh-so-cute (my daughters words, not mine).  In my experience, the most frustrating aspect to making a pie is rolling the crust out without it tearing. The beauty of hand pies, aside from their cuteness factor, is how forgiving rolling small balls of pie dough can be compared to the full sized version.  Ripping the dough is practically a non-issue, since we are working with very little dough, which can easily be lifted off a floured covered surface. When kids accomplish a delicious baking project like this, it gives them the confidence to try new things in the kitchen.  The more they explore cooking and baking from scratch, the less they will depend on packaged foods. They'll also be more likely to appreciate all of the wonderful benefits cooking from home can provide. Who can resist the scent of a homemade pie wafting through the air? Or what about the first bite of warm pie?  If you dont know what Im talking about, I invite you to try this recipe and discover what all the fuss is about. Enjoy!

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Alice Currah is the publisher of popular food blog, Savory Sweet Life. Her approachable everyday recipes are accompanied by beautiful step by step photos and have been featured online at Martha Stewart, Real Simple, The Pioneer Woman, Epicurious, Bon Appetit, Saveur, iVillage and many more. In March 2010, Forbes.com featured Alice as one of Eight of the Very Best Food Bloggers. You can find her on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook.