{lattice-topped} blueberry pie.

September 2, 2011 — 6 Comments

So, yeah. Lattice-topped pies are pretty awesome.

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Awesome to look at, awesome to eat – and surprisingly easy to make.

I’ll admit it: Something about the idea of a lattice-topped pie intimidated me. I’m not sure what it was. Perhaps it’s the fact the pie dough can be rather finnicky at times, depending on…who knows what. Some days my go-to crust is perfect – and other days, I can’t help but wonder why it’s my go-to crust.

Dan’s my number-one fan, and God bless him, he thinks I can do anything. When I made this pie, and was just so excited with how beautiful it came out, he’s all, “Duh. What did you expect? You’re a super-star!”

{Isn’t he the best?}

One thing I’ve learned: When intimated, head to a source you trust. I don’t trust any source more than Cook’s Illustrated. Those people are crazy. They go through like a million tests for a recipe to make sure they get it exactly right. So, that was my first natural place to look for a recipe. Because not only was this my first lattice crust, it was also my first pie. Seriously. Shocked? So was I, when I thought of it. Sure, I’ve made cobblers and tarts and crisps – but never a real, old-school pie with a double-crust.

Let me just tell you, if you’ve never made one, you should start with this recipe. You should probably make it this weekend. It is Labor Day, after all, and I don’t think there’s a more perfect all-American dessert for this special long weekend than blueberry pie.

Plus, there’s vodka in the pie crust. What more could you ask for?

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Blueberry Pie

Adapted from Cook’s Illustrated

Foolproof Pie Dough:

  • 2 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
  • 1 teaspoon table salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 12 tablespoons cold unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks), cut into 1/4-inch slices
  • 1/2 cup vegetable shortening , cold, cut into 4 pieces
  • 1/4 cup vodka, cold (see note)
  • 1/4 cup cold water
Blueberry Filling:
  • 6 cups fresh blueberries (see note)
  • 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and grated on large holes of box grater
  • 2 teaspoons grated zest and 2 teaspoons juice from 1 lemon
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca, ground (see note)
  • Pinch table salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten with 1 teaspoon water

For The Pie Dough: Process 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, and sugar in food processor until combined, about two 1-second pulses. Add butter and shortening and process until homogenous dough just starts to collect in uneven clumps, about 15 seconds; dough will resemble cottage cheese curds and there should be no uncoated flour. Scrape bowl with rubber spatula and redistribute dough evenly around processor blade. Add remaining cup flour and pulse until mixture is evenly distributed around bowl and mass of dough has been broken up, 4 to 6 quick pulses. Empty mixture into medium bowl.

Sprinkle vodka and water over mixture. With rubber spatula, use folding motion to mix, pressing down on dough until dough is slightly tacky and sticks together. Divide dough into 2 even balls and flatten each into 4-inch disk. Wrap each in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 45 minutes or up to 2 days.

Remove 1 disk of dough from refrigerator and roll out on generously floured (up to 1/4 cup) work surface to 12-inch circle, about 1/8 inch thick. Roll dough loosely around rolling pin and unroll into pie plate, leaving at least 1-inch overhang on each side. Working around circumference, ease dough into plate by gently lifting edge of dough with one hand while pressing into plate bottom with other hand. Leave dough that overhangs plate in place; refrigerate while preparing filling until dough is firm, about 30 minutes.

For The Filling: Adjust oven rack to lowest position, place rimmed baking sheet on oven rack, and heat oven to 400 degrees. Place 3 cups berries in medium saucepan and set over medium heat. Using potato masher, mash berries several times to release juices. Continue to cook, stirring frequently and mashing occasionally, until about half of berries have broken down and mixture is thickened and reduced to 1 1/2 cups, about 8 minutes. Let cool slightly.

Place grated apple in clean kitchen towel and wring dry. Transfer apple to large bowl. Add cooked berries, remaining 3 cups uncooked berries, lemon zest, juice, sugar, tapioca, and salt; toss to combine. Transfer mixture to dough-lined pie plate and scatter butter pieces over filling.

Roll out second disk of dough on generously floured (up to 1/4 cup) work surface to 11-inch circle, about 1/8 inch thick. Follow these great instructions from Bon Appétit for your lattice crust. Trust me, it’s easier than reading directions. Brush top and edges of pie with egg mixture. If dough is very soft, chill in freezer for 10 minutes.

Place pie on heated baking sheet and bake 30 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue to bake until juices bubble and crust is deep golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes longer. Transfer pie to wire rack; cool to room temperature, at least 4 hours. Cut into wedges and serve.

Notes: This recipe was developed using fresh blueberries, but unthawed frozen blueberries will work as well. In step 4, cook half the frozen berries over medium-high heat, without mashing, until reduced to 1 1/4 cups, 12 to 15 minutes. Grind the tapioca to a powder in a spice grinder or mini food processor. If using pearl tapioca, reduce the amount to 5 teaspoons. Vodka is essential to the texture of the crust and imparts no flavor; do not substitute. The tapioca plus the pectin from the grated apple created a juicy but sliceable filling.


6 responses to {lattice-topped} blueberry pie.

  1. avatar

    Ooh.. Vodka in pie dough! that’s pretty interesting!
    Miss Adriennely recently posted..Captains of Industry

  2. avatar

    I loooove your blog! new follower! xoxo :D
    Debby recently posted..Prosciutto Artichoke Pizza

  3. avatar

    Did you tried something else instead of vodka ? Some sweet liquor perhaps ?
    Marlene recently posted..What Degree Should i Get

    • avatar

      Nope, I used the vodka. There’s something in the vodka that helps achieve a nice, flaky crust. I’m not sure if a different liquor would work, but you can’t taste the vodka at all, so I would go that route! xxSAS

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