James Beard's Blackberry Pie

Indulge in the timeless elegance of James Beard's Blackberry Pie, a classic dessert that celebrates the luscious, juicy sweetness of fresh blackberries. Nestled within a flaky, buttery homemade pie crust, the blackberry filling is brightened with a hint of lemon juice and thickened to perfection with cornstarch for a rich, velvety texture. A touch of optional ground cinnamon adds a subtle warmth, elevating this pie to gourmet status. With its irresistible golden crust—brushed with egg wash and topped with coarse sugar for a delightful crunch—this pie is the perfect centerpiece for any gathering. Serve it slightly warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to create an unforgettable dessert experience. Ideal for summer’s berry harvest or a cozy treat year-round, this recipe is a must-try for pie lovers and home bakers alike.

Nutriscore Rating: 60/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:50 mins

Total Time:80 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 2.5 cups All-purpose flour
• 1 cup Unsalted butter (cold, cubed)
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 6 tablespoons Ice water
• 6 cups Fresh blackberries
• 0.75 cup Granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
• 0.25 cup Cornstarch
• 0.25 teaspoon Ground cinnamon (optional)
• 1 large Egg (beaten, for egg wash)
• 2 teaspoons Coarse sugar (optional, for topping)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

Step 2

Gradually add the ice water, one tablespoon at a time, mixing until the dough comes together. Divide the dough into two discs, wrap them in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Step 3

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Step 4

In a large bowl, combine the fresh blackberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, and ground cinnamon (if using). Gently toss until the berries are evenly coated.

Step 5

On a lightly floured surface, roll out one disc of the chilled dough into a 12-inch circle. Carefully transfer it to a 9-inch pie dish, pressing it gently to fit.

Step 6

Pour the blackberry filling into the prepared pie crust.

Step 7

Roll out the second disc of dough into another 12-inch circle. Place it over the blackberries, then trim and crimp the edges to seal. Cut a few slits in the top for steam to escape. Alternatively, you can cut the dough into strips to create a lattice top.

Step 8

Brush the crust with the beaten egg and sprinkle with coarse sugar if desired.

Step 9

Place the pie on a baking sheet to catch any overflow, and bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

Step 10

Remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool for at least 2 hours to set before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1733.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3906.3

Total Fat 204.1g	0%
Saturated Fat 123.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 702.7mg	0%
Sodium 1299.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 487.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 54.5g	0%
Total Sugars 202.2g
Protein 51.5g	0%

Vitamin D 41IU	0%
Calcium 377.1mg	0%
Iron 20.3mg	0%
Potassium 1859.0mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 46.0%

Protein: 5.2%

Carbs: 48.8%