Sometimes necessity really is the mother of invention. Last weekend I had a craving for blueberry pie. My husband and I were planning a nice dinner with just the two of us. For whatever reason blueberry pie became our necessity. When I suggested I bake a pie, my sweet husband said he didn’t want me to have to work too hard…we would simply buy a blueberry pie. Enter this (almost) homemade blueberry pie recipe.
We travelled from bakery to bakery and no blueberry pie could be found. I suggested we stop by the grocery store…you never know. When I came upon a sad looking shelf lined with apple pies – and no blueberry pies – I knew I needed a “Plan B”.
I grabbed the last 2 pints of blueberries, 1 pint of raspberries and ready made pie shells from the freezer section. I returned to the car and told my husband I had come up with a back up plan. With a few tweaks, I knew I could make turn these frozen shells into a delicious pie.
(Almost) Homemade Blueberry Pie Recipe
2 pints blueberries
1 pint raspberries
1 tbsp lemon juice
zest of 1 lemon
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup all purpose four
2 frozen deep dish pie shells
1 egg
1/4 cup water
Combine blueberries, raspberries, sugar, lemon juice. lemon zest and flour in a large bowl and set aside.
Now it is time to defrost the pie shells, according to the package instructions. Be sure to separate the pie shells, if you bought a pack of two shells.
Once the pie shells are defrosted, transfer one of the pie shells to a glass pie pan, that has been lightly dusted with flour. Work the defrosted pie shell, with your fingers, into the glass pan.
When the pie shell is in place, it’s time to pour the blueberry filling into the pie crust. Pile the blueberries higher in the middle of the pan. Place the pie into the refrigerator, until the top pie crust is ready to go.
Now it’s time to work on the top pie crust. Place the defrosted pie crust upside down on a piece of parchment paper. Flatten and roll out the pie shell. You are trying to flatten the shell and can repair any cracks by pressing the dough together.
Once the dough is rolled out, use a cookie cutter to create heart shaped vents in the pie shell. You could also use a knife to cut the vents.
Okay, remove the pie from the fridge. Place the flattened pie crust on top of the filling. Press the edges together.
Create an egg wash, combine egg and water together in a small bowl. Brush the egg wash on top of the pie.
Dust the pie crust with white sugar.
Bake the pie in a 425°F oven for 20 minutes. Then turn the temperature down to 350°F and continue baking for 35-40 minutes. Bake until the top is golden brown and the middle of the pie is bubbling.
Remove the pie from the oven and let it sit for about 20 minutes, before serving.
Enjoy with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream.
(Almost) Homemade Blueberry Pie
Ingredients
- 2 pints blueberries 4 cups
- 1 pint raspberries 2 cups
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- zest of 1 lemon
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup all purpose flour
- 2 frozen deep-dish pie shells
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup water
Instructions
- Combine blueberries, raspberries, sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, flour and sugar in a large bowl. Set aside.
- Defrost pie shells according to package instructions.
- Once defrosted transfer 1 pie shell to glass pie pan that has been lightly dusted with flour. Work defrosted pie shell to fit in the pie pan.
- Pour filling into the pie pan, pile higher in the middle. Place in the refrigerator, until top crust is prepared.
- Place the second pie shell upside down on a piece of parchment paper. Flatten and roll out pie shell. You are trying to flatten the shell and can repair any cracks by pressing dough together.
- Once rolled out use cookie cutter to create vents in pie shell...you could use a knife to cut vents.
- Remove pie pan from fridge, place flattened pie crust on top of filling. Seal the edges by pressing the edges of the crusts together.
- Create an egg wash, combine egg and water, brush egg wash on top of pie.
- Dust pie crust with 1/4 tsp granulated sugar.
- Bake pie in 425 oven for 20 minutes. Then turn the temperature down to 350 and continue baking for 35-40 minutes. Bake until top is golden brown and middle of pie filling is bubbling.
- Remove from oven and let sit for at least 20 minutes.
Notes
Nutrition
This blueberry pie was a smashing success. I’m not sure anyone would have known that this wasn’t homemade. I know that my homemade pastry would have probably tasted better – but on a hot Sunday afternoon it is nice to skip the pastry making step and get straight to the baking. Personally, I think this pie tasted even better the next night, paired with some creamy vanilla ice cream. Happy baking.
Check out these other amazing blueberry recipes
Bake lemon blueberry muffins from a blueberry pancake recipe
A classic bread pudding with pops of delicious fresh blueberries
Heather says
brilliant! I love little tips like this:)
Cate says
Love this recipe – seems easy and delicious! I love pie! And gorgeous pictures…
Danica says
I might have to try and make a gluten free version of this! Love blueberry pie!
Jen says
Hmm, that would be delicious too.
Melissa says
Yum!! Blueberry pie is my all-time fave and they are soooo good right now. I love that you used ready-made pie shells. I definitely have to try this recipe.
Dani @ lifeovereasy says
This looks delicious! Most days, I think “almost” homemade would be just perfect!
Meghan says
Stopping in from the cooking with Kids linkup. I can’t make a decent pie crust to save my life. I should have asked my grandmother to teach me before she died. 🙁 I just use the store bought dough because it seems like a shame to waste good pie on my pitiful crusts.
Jen says
Pie crust is a tricky thing to make. When I make it I just follow the recipe on the box of shortening…takes a few tries and a lot of tears…but it usually works out.
Melinda says
if it’s not storebought it’s TOTALLY homemade! thanks for sharing on #kidsinthekitchen
Jeannette says
Great improvising. Sounds like a fun date night 🙂