Pie in a jar

This was a really cute idea I saw on the web. It would make a nice little Christmas gift to give to your friends or neighbors.

Ingredients:

• 4 wide-mouth half pint mason jars with lids & rings. You need the type that are short and squatty, and stand about 2" tall.
• 1 9" pie crust, store bought or homemade
• 2 cups fruit pie filling, any variety, canned or homemade
• 1 Tbsp. melted butter
• 1 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• optional: small cookie cutters

Instructions:

• Make sure your jars are clean and dry. Roll out a portion of the pie dough so it's about 1/8" thick and about 7"x7". Use the screw-on ring from the jar lid to cut 4 circles out of the dough. Set these circles aside. Divide the remainder of the dough into 4 equal parts. Use your hands to gently press this dough into each jar so that it completely lines the inside of the jar, all the way up to the top.
• Fill each jar with about 1/2 c. pie filling
• The circles that were previously cut out will be the tops of the pies and will need a vent for steam to escape during cooking. Either cut a slash in the middle of use a small cookie cutter to cut out a shape. Place the circle on top of the pie. Pinch the edges of the crust to seal.
• Brush the top of crusts with melted butter and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Place metal lids and rings on the jars and tighten.
• The jars may now be stored in the fridge for a day or two, or they can be kept in the freezer for several months, or you can cook them immediately.

To bake frozen pies:

• Remove metal lids and rings from jars and place jars on a baking sheet. Place baking sheet in a cold, not pre-heated oven, and turn heat to 375 degrees. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes. Jars will be hot. Eat right out of the jar or scoop portions out and place on a plate.

To bake non-frozen pies:

• Follow same instructions as above, only pre-heat oven before putting the pies in.