Out of the Clear Blue Pie
BC Berry Pie Bake-Off Winner, Lauren van Oosten’s “Out of the Clear Blue Pie” blew our judges’ taste buds away at last week’s Mt Pleasant Berry Festival. It took first place against such contenders as “Creme Brulee Berry Pie”, “Goes well with owl ice cream” pie, “Raspberry Mango Pie” and “Poke-a-Dot Pie” with cookie crumble topping and blackberries.
It’s visually stunning because of the fresh blueberries scattered on top after baking and the judges couldn’t help gushing over the caramelized cinnamon crumble crust. You’re all in luck because Lauren has shared her recipe and blueberries are still in season. (Find out who sells blueberries and where using our Product Search Feature)
Out of the Clear Blue Pie
Crust
- 1 cup plain flour
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 2 Tbsp white sugar
- 1/2 cup butter (at room temperature*)
- 1 Tbsp white vinegar
Filling
- 3 cups blueberries (frozen or fresh)
- 2 Tbsp plain flour
- 2/3 cup sugar (1/2 cup if using fresh berries instead of frozen)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
Garnish
- 2 cups fresh blueberries (do not use frozen for this part)
Method
Mix dry ingredients for the crust then cut in butter. Sprinkle with vinegar and then press into large pie plate. (It’s very crumbly and doesn’t look like it’s going to work but it does, you just have to do the best you can to press it in). Add 3 cups blueberries. Mix dry ingredients of filling and sprinkle over blueberries. Bake at @ 400 F for 50-60 min. A little less if in a glass pie plate. Remove from oven and immediately add remaining fresh blueberries evenly over the top. Let cool a little.
Best served warm with vanilla ice cream or pouring cream.
*I find it handy to freeze the butter and then use a cheese grater to grate it into the flour.
Tina Lau came in second place with her “BC Blueberry Pie” and Vancouver Farmers Markets vendor, David Introligator of French Made Baking won third for his “Zesty Basque Cake with Strawberry”. Check out photos from Berry Festival on Facebook and see some of the other amazing pies submitted to the BC Berry Pie Bake-Off. Check back in Summer 2016 to enter your favourite recipe or taste some of the best berry pie in the city!
