Tuesday, July 8, 2008

TWD: Double Crusted Blueberry Pie


This week's Tuesdays with Dorie (TWD) recipe was chosen by Amy of South in Your Mouth: Double Crusted Blueberry Pie. I've made plenty of pies in my day, but never a blueberry pie and never with a homemade crust. Honestly, I've always been too scared to make my own crust. There are just too many ways to mess it up! Don't overwork it, don't get it too warm, etc. I've always been worried that I would end up with a tough, dry, non-flaky crust. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I've always use the Pillsbury pie crusts in my pies :) So I was both excited and nervous about this week's recipe.


I don't have a full scale food processor yet, just a 3 cup attachment that goes with my blender, so I had to make the bottom and top crusts separately. I was careful not to overmix the ingredients, but was worried when Dorie left it open as to how much water to add (yes, I know, that's how it is with all pie crust recipes - but that's why I've avoided them up until now!). You're supposed to add the water slowly until the dough "will stick together when pinched." As I've stated before, I get terribly nervous when there are subjective instructions in a recipe like that. I ended up only adding the minimum of 3 tablespoons of ice water to the dough before it started to come together. It seemed almost too moist after just 3 tablespoons (it was all one large clump), and I was worried that it was ruined, but luckily it came together nicely and I was successful with my first pie crust attempt! (Ok, I admit it. The dough was super sticky and despite my efforts to dust my work surface with lots of flour, when I went to transfer it to my pie plate after rolling it out, I could not get it there in one piece... but hey - it still tasted great!)


Dorie's crust is buttery and flaky at the same time. She states that a crust made with butter is crispy and has good flavor, but is not flaky. To achieve a crust that is both flavorful and flaky, Dorie's secret is to use a fat ratio of three parts butter for every one part of shortening. While I was thrilled with the results of my pie crust, I'm not sure if I how often I will opt for the homemade pie crust in the future... I admittedly love the convenience of those premade pie crusts!


I used frozen blueberries instead of fresh, and threw in a few frozen raspberries too, as I didn't have enough blueberries to make up the full 2-1/2 pints Dorie suggests. Other than that, I followed the recipe completely, down to the bread crumbs. Yep, there are bread crumbs at the bottom of this pie, to help soak up the juices from the berries and prevent the crust from getting soggy. I had never heard of this technique before and like other TWD bakers, I was hesitant to try it, but I decided to trust Dorie in her infinite baking wisdom and sure enough, I couldn't taste them at all. (If you're too scared to try the bread crumbs in this recipe, you can also try graham cracker crumbs.)

I baked the pie for the recommended 60 minutes, but found that part of my crust on the inside was still a little raw, but edible (should have waited for the juices to bubble up more in the middle). Next time, I'll probably bake it an additional 10 minutes. The edges of this crust (as with most pies I make) did begin to brown a bit quicker than the center, so part way through the baking, I threw my handy pie crust shield on and it worked like a charm. If you don't have one, just wrap the edges with some foil.

I have a hard time waiting for pies to cool completely before serving (plus I also enjoy them warm), so I cut into this pie not too long after pulling it out of the oven. It was extremely runny, but quite delicious, as evidenced by this photo:


It set up very nicely, however, after I let it cool completely.


Thanks again to Amy for choosing this pie. You challenged me to make my first homemade pie crust - and it was a success! Will I make this again? I'll probably use the pie crust recipe again the next time I decide to make a homemade crust, but I think I've decided that while they are delicious, blueberry pies are not my favorite (I prefer the apple crumb pie and blackberry cobbler). If you would like the recipe, you can find it here (with recipe tips here). Make sure you visit the TWD Blog Roll to see how everyone else enjoyed this wonderful summer treat.

44 comments:

  1. Yeah, I am not a huge fan of the double crust because some part of the dough seems to get soggy.
    It turned out beautiful though.

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  2. This looks absolutely delish. I love Dorie's book! I made her lemon poppyseed muffins just yesterday. I'll be joining you all next week for TWD and can't wait!

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  3. *drool* That pie crust looks awesome! I can't believe it's your first!

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  4. that pie crust looks excellent! the berrys and the pie and ice cream look *delicious*. my sister always makes her own pie crusts, i rarely make pies but when i do i usually go for the pre-made ones. it is so easy that way!

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  5. Your pie looks beautiful. I love the color of your crust. It looks so flaky and delicious.

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  6. Your pie looks really good. I am not that patient at waiting for things to cool either, so I have some runny pie pictures too, but my oh my it was some good!

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  7. This was only your first time making a homemade crust and a blueberry pie?? You're a pro, if you ask me! :0)

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  8. Your pie looks delicious! I am sure that the raspberries gave it a little extra.....something!

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  9. Oh wow, that looks GOOD!! You did a fantastic job! I'm scared of pie crusts too, so I hear ya!

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  10. Your pie looks wonderful! Yum!

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  11. it looks delicious, especially with that ice cream on top, mmm :) glad your first homemade pie crust turned out well!

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  12. Awesome job with your first pie crust! After dozens, I still end up tearing them sometimes :)

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  13. Your crust looks just perfect! This was my first homemade crust too, but it was so worth it!

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  14. Your crust looks fabulous, and great photos!

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  15. Congrats on a beautiful pie crust. Look out, pillsbury!

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  16. Your pie looks beautiful. The raspberries and blueberries sound like a delicious combination.

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  17. Super job! Sometimes convenience wins out, though, for sure!

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  18. you may have had trouble with this crust - but you can't prove it by me! it looks jusr prefect!
    love all of the pics, too - yum.

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  19. Your pie crust looks awesome! Your first crust I am jealous!

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  20. I'm glad your first experience with pie dough was a success! Great job! Your pie looks yummy!

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  21. Okay, you had my undivided attention with that first shot with the fork. This has got to be one of the most gorgeous "first time" pie crusts I've ever seen...you could TEACH Pillsbury! Great job.

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  22. That looks so good with the melting ice cream!

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  23. your pie is downright gorgeous. and i'm crazy impressed by your crust--are you sure you're a first-timer? very nicely done. pillsbury's got nothin' on you. :)

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  24. Great job. The raspberries sound so good!

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  25. It looks beautiful. Love the picture with the pie just out of the oven. Yum!

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  26. Your pie looks perfect with the icecream on top! I think your pie looks great.

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  27. Oh my gosh your pie looks absolutely incredible. Love the golden color of your crust.

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  28. looks good! sometimes it's hard to tell when the bottom crust is done. my bigger pie plates are pyrex, so i can just look and see, but the minis i used here are metal. i had to pie the pie out to take a peak (and then pop it back into the oven cuz it wasn't done!).

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  29. YUM!! Your pie is BEAUTIFUL! I love this crust recipe, it's a keeper :)

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  30. congrats on your first homemade crust...you did a fantastic job!

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  31. Congratulations on making your very first pie crust! You did a great job!

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  32. That is one fine-looking pie! Really pretty! I've always been a doughaphobe too, but this crust is so nice to work with.

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  33. That first shot of pie with the ice cream on top - food porn at its finest! Beautifully done!

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  34. Oh my gosh, this is so cool - I've just followed the link to your blog off another blogger who's done exactly the same recipe from TWD - the idea must be really popular!

    It's great to be able to compare everyone's blueberry pies, i have to say yours looks sooooo delicious... drool.

    At a first glance, your blog looks great! I may be visiting more often, who knows ;)

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  35. This is so pornographic! Foodpornographic that is!

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  36. Very pretty! My food processor wasn't big enough and I went old school. Your pie looks great!

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  37. Your pie is so totally gorgeous. Fabulous job!

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  38. Your pie looks great! But I'm with you--apple crumb is my favorite, too.

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  39. I'm glad to see how beautifully yours turned out with frozen berries - fresh blueberries are absurdly expensive here, and I can afford the frozen ones!

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  40. I had to make the dough in 2 batches too, I figured it gave me 2 chances to get it right!

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  41. What a great job. Your pictures are terrific - they give that complete luscious look to the pie. I really should try this recipe.

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