Fruits of the Forest Pie is one of my absolute favorites. I tried to make this version a little healthier than the average store bought kind but it is still extremely tasty! One thing that I had to experiment with a little bit was the crust baking times which I increased here to 10-15 minutes. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Serving Size : 6 mini pies
A Cupcake tin and a small mixing bowl will be needed for this recipe.

Ingredients :

Crust :
4 Oatmeal Packages (Flavored is recommended: Brown Sugar, Apple Cinnamon, Peaches and Cream etc.)
Half a stick of butter

Filling :
1 cup frozen strawberries and rhubarb
1 tbsp. blueberry preserve
1 tbsp. raspberry preserve
1 diced nectarine
1 diced apple

Topping :
Whipped Cream
Small Slice of orange or another fruit (strawberry, blackberry, etc.)
Sprinkle some extra oatmeal on top of each

Step 1: Making the Crust

What's usually the worst part of the pie, is the crust. I decided to make a more yummy crust recipe that people wouldn't just push to the side of their plate and later feed to the dogs.

4 Packets of oatmeal
1/2 stick of butter
*Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

1. Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl
2. Mix in a small mixing bowl the oatmeal packets and butter. Make sure that it is mixed very thoroughly.
3. Depending on the size of your cupcake tin, scoop a generous tablespoon of the mixture into each cupcake hole.
4. With your fingers form the crust evenly around the hole. Try to make the crust no more than 1/2 inch thick all the way around.
5. Bake the crust for 10-15 minutes, or until hard and crust like and then take out of the oven to cool.

Step 2: Bring in the Filling!!

Ahhh everyone's favorite part of pie, the filling. Fruits of the Forest pies usually have strawberry, rhubarb, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, cherries and occasionally an apple or two. I made a somewhat different version due to the availability of what I had at my house. I recommend that you do the same, mix and match due to what fruits you have and prefer.

1 cup frozen strawberries and rhubarb
1 tbsp. blueberry preserve
1 tbsp. raspberry preserve
1 diced nectarine
1 diced apple

1. Dice the apple and nectarine
2. Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix very well.
3. Scoop about 1.5 tablespoons of the filling into each crust cup. Make sure each cup is full!
4. Bake the pies for 15-20 minutes

Step 3: Garnish and Sides

To make it look pretty, you can put a dollop of cool whip on the top, or spread it over like the top crust. Or you can sprinkle some left over oatmeal on top to really give it the crust topping look. You can put a small fresh fruit on top, or cut a small slice of orange and put that on top. I highly recommend eating it with a small scoop of vanilla ice cream. But however you choose to serve it, enjoy!!