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Mini Lemon Chess Pies

Prep Time45 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Dessert
Keyword: Cupcakes, Pie
Servings: 24 bites

Ingredients

PIE CRUST:

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup solid coconut oil
  • 3 TB cold butter
  • 2-4 TB ice-cold water

LEMON FILLING:

  • 1/4 cup butter melted
  • 3/4 cups granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 TB lemon zest from 1 large lemon or 2 small
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 TB all purpose flour
  • Powdered sugar for topping optional

Instructions

  • Combine flour and salt in large bowl; mix well. Cut coconut oil and butter into flour mixture using a pastry blender or fork until oil and butter resemble the size of small peas. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of water over flour mixture; gently toss with a fork. Repeat until mixture is moist enough to form a ball.
  • Gather pastry into a ball; flatten to 1/2-inch thickness. Cover; refrigerate dough 30 minutes.
  • In the meantime, preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 2 mini muffin pans with cooking spray.
  • Unroll your pie crusts and cut 2.5-inch circles with a cookie cutter or jar. Press each carefully into each mini muffin cavity. Re-roll dough as needed and chill until filling is ready.
  • Whisk melted butter and sugar until smooth, then whisk in eggs until the mixture is a rich yellow, about 30 seconds. Whisk in the salt, lemon zest, vanilla, lemon juice, evaporated milk, and flour (one at a time) mixing until smooth.
  • Fill each pie crust with 1 tablespoon of filling. You will have some filling left over (I usually just put mine in some creme brûlée cups and cook them on the side).
  • Bake pies for 17-20 minutes until the tops are no longer wet. The crust will just be very lightly brown. Cool pies completely before removing from pans. They should pop out easily with a knife. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, if desired!