Blueberry Pie Recipe Made With Fresh Blueberries
Recipe for Blueberry Pie baked with Fresh Blueberries in Flaky Crust
Jul 15, 2008
Blueberry Pie is an All-American favorite. This Blueberry Pie Recipe is made with a double flaky pie crust - top and bottom - and served with your choice of ice cream or sweetened whipped cream. Blueberry Pie à la mode anyone?
Health Benefits of Blueberries
It's no secret that blueberries pack a walloping punch when it comes to antioxidants. According to Wild Blueberries.com, "Dietary antioxidants come to the rescue. These phytonutrients, natural substances found in fruits and vegetables, neutralize free radicals and help prevent cell damage. Antioxidants also protect against inflammation, thought to be a leading factor in brain aging, Alzheimer’s disease and other diseases of aging." That's a great reason to make a Blueberry Pie!
Fresh Picked Blueberries vs. Frozen Blueberries
There's nothing like fresh ripe hand-picked blueberries right off the bush! Look for "Pick-Your-Own Blueberries" signs along the back roads in New England, USA. Wild Maine blueberries are supposedly the best and sweetest of all blueberries. Usually sold by the pound, they're a big savings over supermarket prices. Many families have made blueberry picking an annual tradition, bringing along a picnic lunch and sitting among the blueberry bushes!
Frozen Blueberries are an enormous time-saver when making baked goods and smoothies. They're also a good way to get your daily quota of antioxidants in the winter. But, are they really as healthy as fresh picked blueberries? The Wild Blueberry Association of North America says, "According to the FDA, frozen blueberries are just as healthy as fresh. In fact, they may even retain their nutritional value longer, helping to achieve additional servings of fruit in their diet year round."
Can You Make a Blueberry Pie with Frozen Blueberries?
Yes, just make sure to use frozen IQF (individually quick frozen) blueberries straight from the freezer. Do NOT thaw them out or there will be way too much liquid and the sad results will be a soupy pie.
Blueberry Pie Recipe Using Fresh Blueberries
- Recipe for 9" Double Crust Pie Crust (Click on The Best Pie Crust Recipe. This recipe makes enough for 4 crusts, so divide the crust recipe in half or use the other half for another project!)
- 4 1/4 cups blueberries, fresh or frozen
- 3/4 cup sugar (1 cup if the blueberries are tart)
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch or quick-cooking tapioca (5 Tablespoons for frozen blueberries)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon or nutmeg (optional for taste)
- 1 Tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons cold butter, cut in small pieces
- 1 Tablespoon milk or cream for brushing the top
- 1 Tablespoon sugar for sprinkling
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Roll out the pie crust bottom and tops according to directions leaving enough overhang to fold underneath. Place the bottom pie crust evenly in a 9" pie pan or ceramic pie dish and set aside. Fold the top crust in half and place a towel over it so it doesn't dry out.
- Toss together gently in a large bowl, blueberries, sugar, cornstarch or tapioca, spices if desired, lemon zest and lemon juice.
- Fold into prepared pie crust and dot with cold butter.
- Unfold the top crust and place over the top of the blueberry mixture. Fold the edges of the top crust over and under the bottom edges and flute according to your own preferences.
- Brush the pastry crust with milk or ceam and sprinkle evenly with sugar.
- Cut small decorative vent holes into the top crust using a knife or small cookie cutter.
- Place on a baking sheet and bake at 400 for 50-60 minutes or until top is golden brown and the juices are bubbling. If the edges start to brown too quick, ring the crust edges with a piece of aluminum foil.
- Let cool before cutting otherwise it will be too loose and look messy. Refrigerate before cutting for cleaner slices.
- Top with fresh whipped cream or ice cream for Blueberry Pie à la mode!
- Refreigerate leftovers if there are any!
- Serves 8.
For more antioxidant-rich blueberry desserts and baked goods, try Blueberry Crisp, Blueberry & Strawberry Muffins and Vegan Blueberry Muffins.
Sources: wildblueberries.com; medicalnewstoday.com; The Wild Blueberry Association of North America
