Delightfully Fresh Blueberry Pie Filling
Experience the joy of homemade blueberry pie filling with this delightful recipe that beautifully preserves the fresh taste and texture of ripe blueberries. No more overly processed fillings! Using a unique method that simmers a portion of the berries and combines them with cornstarch for thickening, this pie filling bursts with flavor. The addition of lemon zest, cinnamon, and nutmeg elevates the natural sweetness of the berries, making it a perfect topping for your favorite pie crust. This recipe allows you to achieve a fresh, vibrant, and aromatic filling that is sure to impress your family and friends.
8
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Blueberries
2 pints (Rinse and drain)
Sugar
3/4 cup (None)
Cornstarch
3 tablespoons (None)
Water
3 tablespoons (None)
Lemon Rind
1 teaspoon (Grated)
Cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (None)
Unsalted Butter
2 tablespoons (Melted)
Egg
1 (Well beaten with a pinch of salt for egg wash)
Sugar for Topping
2 tablespoons (None)
Pie Crusts
2 (Store-bought or homemade, rolled out)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup of the rinsed blueberries with 3/4 cup of sugar. Cook over low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is very liquid.
2
In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch with the water until smooth. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the warm blueberry mixture in the pan.
3
Increase the heat to medium and continue cooking, stirring frequently, until the mixture comes to a full boil and becomes clear and thick.
4
Once thickened, pour the hot blueberry filling into a large mixing bowl. Allow it to cool until warm, which will help maintain the integrity of the fresh berries.
5
Gently fold in the remaining 3 cups of blueberries, the grated lemon rind, cinnamon, nutmeg, and melted butter until fully blended.
6
Let the blueberry filling cool completely before adding it to the prepared pie crust.
7
After placing the filling into the bottom pie crust, cover with the top crust. Brush the top with the beaten egg wash and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of sugar.
8
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Once the pie is in the oven, reduce the temperature to 375°F. Bake for approximately 40 minutes.
9
Check the pie halfway through. If the edges are browning too quickly, cover them with strips of aluminum foil to prevent burning.
10
Let the pie cool before serving to allow the filling to set.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Delightfully Fresh Blueberry Pie Filling?
It is a homemade pie filling designed to preserve the fresh taste and texture of ripe blueberries using a unique simmering and thickening method.
How many blueberries are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 2 pints of blueberries, which are rinsed and drained before use.
How is the pie filling thickened?
The filling is thickened by mixing 3 tablespoons of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of water and stirring it into a simmered blueberry and sugar mixture.
Why are only some of the blueberries cooked initially?
One cup of blueberries is cooked with sugar to create a liquid base, while the remaining three cups are folded in later to maintain their fresh texture.
How much sugar is used in the blueberry filling?
The filling uses 3/4 cup of sugar, plus an additional 2 tablespoons of sugar for sprinkling on top of the crust.
What spices are included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg to enhance the flavor.
What is the role of lemon in this recipe?
One teaspoon of grated lemon rind is added to provide a vibrant citrus aroma and balance the sweetness.
How long should the initial blueberry and sugar mixture cook?
It should cook over low heat for about 5 minutes or until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is liquid.
At what temperature should the pie be baked?
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, then reduce the temperature to 375 degrees Fahrenheit once the pie is inside.
How long does the blueberry pie need to bake?
The pie should bake for approximately 40 minutes.
What should I do if the pie crust edges brown too quickly?
If the edges brown too fast, cover them with strips of aluminum foil halfway through the baking process.
What is the purpose of the egg wash?
The egg wash, made from one beaten egg and a pinch of salt, is brushed on the top crust to help it brown and hold the sugar topping.
How many servings does this blueberry pie make?
This recipe yields approximately 8 servings.
Can I use store-bought pie crusts?
Yes, the recipe allows for either two store-bought or homemade pie crusts.
Why must the cooked filling cool before adding the remaining berries?
Cooling the mixture until it is just warm helps maintain the integrity and fresh snap of the uncooked blueberries.
When do I add the butter?
Two tablespoons of melted unsalted butter are folded into the warm filling along with the fresh berries and spices.
How do I know when the cornstarch mixture is properly cooked?
The mixture is ready when it comes to a full boil and becomes clear and thick.
Is the butter salted or unsalted?
The recipe specifically calls for 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter.
What is the first step in preparing the blueberries?
The blueberries should be rinsed and drained before any cooking begins.
Why is it important to let the pie cool before serving?
Letting the pie cool allows the blueberry filling to properly set so it does not run when sliced.
How much water is mixed with the cornstarch?
Exactly 3 tablespoons of water are used to create the cornstarch slurry.
What total number of ingredients are required?
There are 11 ingredients in total, including the crust and topping.
How much cinnamon is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
How much nutmeg is required?
The recipe requires 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg.
What is used for the topping?
A combination of an egg wash and 2 tablespoons of sugar is used to top the pie.
Do I need to stir the mixture while it boils?
Yes, you should stir frequently once the heat is increased to medium to prevent sticking and ensure even thickening.
How many cups of berries are added after the cooking phase?
Three cups of rinsed blueberries are folded into the warm thickened base.
What size saucepan is recommended?
A medium saucepan is recommended for cooking the initial berry and sugar mixture.
Does the recipe use grated or sliced lemon?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of grated lemon rind.
What is the final step before putting the pie in the oven?
The final step is to brush the top crust with an egg wash and sprinkle it with sugar.