Mini Pear Pies

Something about autumn makes me wish I could do nothing but bake all day.  From the moment I woke up this morning, I purposed in my mind to bake something.  I had some pears that I needed to use up, so I decided on mini pies.  Please tell me -- is there anything cuter than a mini pie?  They were delicious and absolutely adorable.  We shared them with the neighborhood kids and they loved them.

Ingredients:

• 4 pears, peeled and thinly sliced 
• 1/4 c white sugar 
• 2 tbsp brown sugar 
• 1 1/2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg 
• Pinch of salt 
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Pie crust dough 

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees or according to pie crust instructions.  

In a large bowl, combine the pears, white sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and lemon juice. 

Using a large drinking glass or round cookie cutter, cut circles out of the pie crust dough.  Place half of the circles inside a greased muffin pan, stretching so the edges extend above the pan.  Fill each well with the pear mixture.  Top with the other half of the dough circles and seal the edges.  

Bake for 17 to 20 minutes, or until golden brown.  Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. 

Enjoy!