Just a few years ago I started making fruit pies with fresh fruit when it is in season. For me, what an amazing difference – the pies just seem to turn out perfect. I am sure having the fruit at its peak is one factor. Also frozen fruit always seems to have so much liquid and it is hard to know how much to keep and how much thickener to add.
I have tried many pie crusts but keep going back to this one. I like a somewhat thin flaky crust that is easy to work with….this one suits the bill for me. When I first made pie crust I would always do it by hand, but now I like the ease of using the food processor and I feel it still has the same perfect results.
For a two crust 9″ pie use the following:
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup Crisco
4-5 Tablespoons cold water
Place the flour and salt in food processor.
Add cubed cold butter and Crisco.
Pulse until you have fine crumbs. Add 4 Tablespoons cold water, add more if necessary. Dough should be firm not sticky.
Divide dough in two and flatten into disks. Wrap in plastic wrap or wax paper and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Roll dough on floured board. For the bottom crust roll a 12″ circle, use rolling pin to lift into pie plate. Add filling and place on top crust. Trim crust and crimp edges and add steam vents
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place pie on a lined cookie sheet and place it on center rack. Bake 20 to 25 minutes until the top crust is golden brown. Reduce oven to 350 degrees and continue to bake until juices bubble and crust is golden brown.
If you would like a little thicker crust increase the flour to 2 1/2 cups, and the butter and shortening to 1/2 C, and the water to 5T +. I use the same amount of salt.
So far this year I have made a blueberry and cherry pie and I am planning on a peach pie soon. Here are the ingredients needed for the fillings of each pie:
Blueberry:
- 6 cups fruit – rinsed and picked over
- 3/4 – 1 cup of sugar
- 3-4 Tablespoons of Tapioca
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
Sour Cherry:
- 6 cups fruit – stemmed and pitted
- 3/4 – 1 cup of sugar
- 3-4 Tablespoons of Tapioca
Peach:
- 6 cups fruit – peeled, pitted, and sliced
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup of sugar
- 3-4 Tablespoons of Tapioca
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg (optional)
You may add additional flavorings if desired. (I added other choices to the printable recipe).
Combine ingredients into bowl and allow to sit for 15 minutes before placing in pie shell.
Happy Baking,
Jane
Printable Recipe for Summer Fruit Pies (PDF)
PS. Don’t have time to bake a pie, but would like a fresh fruit desert – try Fresh Fruit Cobbler