For picky eaters or variety, you can swap the cherry pie filling for apple, blueberry, or strawberry—just keep the amount of filling the same so the pies don’t burst. If your kids aren’t into visible fruit pieces, look for a smoother pie filling or mash the cherries a bit with a fork before spooning them in. To keep this a true 3-ingredient recipe, skip added sugar or glaze, but if you don’t mind bending the rule, you can sprinkle a pinch of coarse sugar on top of the egg wash before baking for extra crunch. If you don’t have a heart-shaped cutter, use a round glass or biscuit cutter and gently pinch the tops into a loose heart shape once they’re sealed. For smaller hands or snack-sized portions, use a smaller cutter and reduce the baking time by a few minutes, watching closely so they don’t overbrown. These can also be prepped ahead: assemble the pies, freeze them flat on a sheet, then bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the bake time. Let kids help by cutting the shapes and brushing the egg wash—it makes them feel proud when they see their golden little hearts come out of the oven every weekend.
