The Dutch Shoofly Pie is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dessert that beautifully balances sweet molasses and a crumbly cinnamon-spiced crust. This simple yet rich pie is perfect for any occasion and is loved for its unique, robust flavor.
The standout ingredient in this recipe is molasses. Molasses is a thick, syrupy sweetener that's rich in flavor. It's not as sweet as sugar but has a deeper, more caramel-like taste. It's commonly found in the baking aisle of most supermarkets. If you're not familiar with it, be sure to add it to your shopping list.
Key Ingredients for Dutch Shoofly Pie
Pie crust: The base of the pie, providing a crispy texture that balances the soft filling.
All-purpose flour: It serves as the primary dry ingredient for the crumb topping.
Dark brown sugar: Provides sweetness and a hint of molasses flavor to the crumb topping.
Ground cinnamon: Adds warmth and spice to the crumb topping.
Salt: Enhances the flavors of other ingredients.
Ground nutmeg: Complements the cinnamon, contributing to the pie's overall spice profile.
Butter: Gives the crumb topping its rich, buttery flavor and crumbly texture.
Baking soda: Acts as a leavening agent, lightening the texture of the pie filling.
Hot water: It's used to dissolve the baking soda.
Molasses: The key ingredient that gives the filling its unique, rich flavor.
Egg yolk: Helps to bind and set the filling.
One reader, Bianca Hallman says:
This Dutch shoofly pie recipe is a game-changer! The rich molasses flavor combined with the buttery crumb topping is simply divine. The pie crust is flaky and perfect. It's a delightful treat that's easy to make and always impresses. Highly recommend trying it out!
Key Techniques for Crafting Dutch Shoofly Pie
How to preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F before starting the recipe to ensure it reaches the desired temperature when needed.
How to roll out pie crust: Roll out the pie crust to fit a 9 ½ inch pie dish, ensuring it is evenly spread and covers the bottom and sides of the dish.
How to combine flour and sugar in food processor: Use a food processor to combine the flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Pulse briefly until the ingredients are mixed.
How to scatter butter over flour mixture: Evenly distribute the butter over the flour mixture in the food processor, then pulse again until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
How to stir together baking soda and hot water: In a separate bowl, stir together the baking soda and hot water until the baking soda is completely dissolved.
How to whisk molasses and egg yolk: Add the molasses to the hot water and baking soda mixture, then whisk in the egg yolk until completely combined.
How to pour molasses mixture into pie crust: Pour approximately half of the molasses mixture into the prepared pie crust, ensuring an even distribution.
How to top pie with crumb mixture: Top the molasses mixture in the pie crust with approximately half of the crumb mixture, then repeat the process with the remaining molasses mixture and crumb mixture.
How to bake the pie: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake at 425 degrees F for 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue baking for an additional 20 to 25 minutes, or until the pie is set.
How to cool the pie: Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing and serving to ensure it sets properly.
How To Make Shoofly Pie (Dutch Dessert)
This shoofly pie is a traditional Pennsylvania-Dutch dessert made with molasses and a sweet and simple crumb topping topped with ice cream or whipped cream.
Serves:
Ingredients
- 1pie crust,unbaked
- 1½cups all-purpose flour
- ⅔cupdark brown sugar
- 1tspground cinnamon
- ¼tspsalt
- ¼tspground nutmeg
- 6tbspbutter ,cold, unsalted, and cut into tablespoon-sized pieces.
- ½tspbaking soda
- ¾cuphot water
- ¾cupmolasses
- 1egg yolk ,large, room temperature
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F and roll out pie crust and place in a 9 ½ pie dish. Set aside.
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In a food processor, combine flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Pulse briefly to combine.
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Scatter butter evenly over the flour mixture and pulse again until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Set aside.
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In a separate bowl, stir together baking soda and hot water until baking soda is dissolved. Add molasses and whisk until completely combined, then whisk in egg yolk.
-
Pour approximately half of the molasses mixture into your prepared pie crust. Top with approximately half of the crumb mixture, then top with the rest of the syrup mixture and finally top evenly with remaining crumbs.
-
Transfer to a 425 degrees F oven and bake for 15 minutes.
-
Once 15 minutes has passed, reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue to bake for another 20 to 25 minutes or until pie is set.
-
Allow pie to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 1261.81kcal
- Fat: 14.42g
- Saturated Fat: 7.36g
- Trans Fat: 0.28g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 4.48g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.32g
- Carbohydrates: 288.68g
- Fiber: 1.51g
- Sugar: 261.32g
- Protein: 3.05g
- Cholesterol: 32.93mg
- Sodium: 1483.36mg
- Calcium: 722.26mg
- Potassium: 4995.89mg
- Iron: 17.22mg
- Vitamin A: 63.56µg
- Vitamin C: 0.08mg
Crucial Technique Tip for Perfect Dutch Shoofly Pie
When making your Dutch Shoofly Pie, it's important to ensure that the butter is cold before adding it to the flour mixture. This will help to create a crumbly texture in the topping. Also, when adding the molasses mixture to the pie, pour it slowly to prevent it from seeping into the crust. This will help keep the crust crispy and prevent it from becoming soggy.
Time-Saving Tips for Making Dutch Shoofly Pie Dessert Recipe
Prepare the ingredients: Gather and measure all the ingredients before starting to make the pie to streamline the process.
Use store-bought pie crust: Save time by using a pre-made pie crust instead of making it from scratch.
Organize your workspace: Keep your kitchen organized and clean as you work to avoid wasting time looking for tools and ingredients.
Preheat the oven: Remember to preheat the oven before you start preparing the pie to save time during the baking process.
Follow the recipe: Stick to the recipe to avoid mistakes that could lead to time-consuming adjustments.
Substitute Ingredients For Shoofly Pie (Dutch Dessert) Recipe
all-purpose flour - Substitute with whole wheat flour: Whole wheat flour can be used as a healthier alternative to all-purpose flour, adding a nuttier flavor and more fiber to the pie crust.
dark brown sugar - Substitute with light brown sugar: Light brown sugar can be used as a substitute for dark brown sugar, although it has a slightly lower molasses content, it will still provide a similar caramel-like flavor to the pie.
butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can be used as a dairy-free alternative to butter, providing a subtle coconut flavor to the pie crust.
molasses - Substitute with honey: Honey can be used as a substitute for molasses, providing a similar sweetness and depth of flavor to the pie filling.
egg yolk - Substitute with flaxseed meal: Flaxseed meal mixed with water can be used as a vegan substitute for egg yolk, providing binding properties to the pie filling.
Presentation Ideas for Dutch Shoofly Pie
Elevate the pie crust: Create a delicate lattice pattern on top of the pie crust to showcase the craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Garnish with powdered sugar: Lightly dust the pie with powdered sugar to add a touch of elegance and a hint of sweetness to the presentation.
Incorporate a caramel drizzle: Create a beautiful caramel drizzle on the plate to add a sophisticated and artistic element to the dessert.
Add a dollop of whipped cream: Place a small, perfectly shaped dollop of freshly whipped cream on the side of the pie to provide a creamy and luxurious contrast to the rich flavors of the shoofly pie.
Use a decorative plate: Present the shoofly pie on a carefully chosen, elegant plate to enhance the visual appeal and elevate the overall dining experience.
Garnish with edible flowers: Adorn the plate with edible flowers, such as pansies or violets, to introduce a pop of color and a touch of refinement to the dessert presentation.
Incorporate a chocolate garnish: Create a delicate chocolate garnish, such as curls or shavings, to add a sophisticated and visually appealing element to the dessert.
Serve with a side of vanilla bean ice cream: Accompany the shoofly pie with a small scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream to provide a luxurious and complementary element to the dessert presentation.
Essential Tools for Making Shoofly Pie
- Food processor: A food processor is a versatile kitchen appliance that can be used for chopping, slicing, shredding, and pureeing ingredients. It's great for making pie crusts and crumb toppings for desserts like shoofly pie.
- Pie dish: A pie dish is a round, shallow dish used for baking pies. It's typically made of ceramic, glass, or metal and is essential for shaping and baking the pie crust.
- Mixing bowl: A mixing bowl is used for combining ingredients and mixing the pie filling. It's available in various sizes and materials, such as stainless steel, glass, or ceramic.
- Whisk: A whisk is a kitchen tool used for blending ingredients together, such as whisking the molasses mixture and egg yolk for the shoofly pie filling.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Measuring cups and spoons are essential for accurately measuring the flour, sugar, molasses, and other ingredients used in the shoofly pie recipe.
- Rolling pin: A rolling pin is used to roll out the pie crust to the desired thickness before placing it in the pie dish.
- Oven: An oven is used for baking the shoofly pie at specific temperatures to ensure the crust is flaky and the filling is set.
- Knife: A knife is used for cutting and slicing the pie once it has cooled, making it easier to serve.
Storing and Freezing Dutch Shoofly Pie
Once the dutch shoofly pie has cooled completely, you can store it at room temperature for up to 2 days. Simply cover the pie loosely with aluminum foil or plastic wrap to prevent it from drying out.
If you want to keep the pie fresh for a longer period, you can store it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Wrap the pie tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight container to prevent it from absorbing any odors from the fridge.
To freeze the dutch shoofly pie, wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and then aluminum foil. Label the pie with the date and place it in the freezer, where it will keep for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy the pie, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
If you prefer to warm up the pie before serving, you can reheat it in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for about 10-15 minutes, or until it's heated through. This works well for both refrigerated and frozen pies, but be sure to let a frozen pie thaw first.
For optimal taste and texture, it's best to consume the dutch shoofly pie within a day or two of baking, as the crust may start to soften over time due to the moist filling.
How To Reheat Leftover Dutch Shoofly Pie
To reheat leftover dutch shoofly pie, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the pie on a baking sheet and cover it loosely with aluminum foil. This will prevent the crust from browning too quickly while allowing the filling to heat through. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the pie is warmed to your liking. Remove the foil during the last 5 minutes of reheating to crisp up the crumb topping.
For a quicker method, you can use the microwave. Cut the desired portion of shoofly pie and place it on a microwave-safe plate. Heat on medium power for 30-second intervals, checking the temperature after each interval. Be careful not to overheat, as this can cause the filling to become rubbery and the crust to soften.
If you prefer a crispy crust, you can reheat individual slices of shoofly pie in a toaster oven. Preheat the toaster oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the slice directly on the rack. Heat for 5-7 minutes, or until the crust is crisp and the filling is warmed through. Keep a close eye on the pie to prevent burning.
For a stovetop method, place a slice of shoofly pie in a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Cover the skillet with a lid and heat for 3-4 minutes, or until the bottom of the crust is crisp and the filling is heated through. This method works best for individual slices and helps to maintain the texture of the crumb topping.
If you have an air fryer, you can use it to reheat your dutch shoofly pie. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place a slice of pie in the basket. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the pie is heated to your desired temperature. This method is quick and helps to maintain the crispy texture of the crust and crumb topping.
Is Making Shoofly Pie at Home Cost-Effective?
The cost-effectiveness of this dutch shoofly pie recipe largely depends on the availability and cost of ingredients. Molasses and butter can be pricey, impacting the overall affordability. However, the pie serves 8, making it relatively economical for a family of 4. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $10-$15, making it a reasonable dessert option. Rating: 8/10.
Is Dutch Shoofly Pie Healthy or Unhealthy?
The Dutch shoofly pie dessert recipe is a classic treat that, while delicious, is not particularly healthy. The main ingredients contributing to its unhealthy status are:
- Refined all-purpose flour, which lacks fiber and nutrients
- High amounts of dark brown sugar and molasses, leading to excessive sugar content
- Butter, adding saturated fat to the recipe
- Pie crust, which is often high in unhealthy fats and refined carbohydrates
These ingredients combined create a dessert that is high in calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats, while lacking in essential nutrients like fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
To make this recipe healthier, consider the following modifications:
- Replace a portion of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat pastry flour or almond flour to increase fiber and nutrient content
- Reduce the amount of dark brown sugar and molasses, or substitute with natural sweeteners like date paste or applesauce
- Use a smaller amount of grass-fed butter or replace it with coconut oil for a healthier fat profile
- Opt for a whole grain or nut-based pie crust to increase fiber and reduce refined carbohydrates
- Serve smaller portions and pair with nutrient-dense toppings like fresh berries or a dollop of Greek yogurt
By making these adjustments, you can still enjoy the classic flavors of Dutch shoofly pie while reducing the overall sugar, fat, and calorie content and increasing the nutritional value of the dessert.
Editor's Take on This Classic Dutch Dessert
This Dutch Shoofly Pie recipe is a delightful combination of rich molasses, warm spices, and a buttery crumb topping. The method of layering the molasses mixture and crumb topping creates a beautiful texture and depth of flavor. The pie crust provides a perfect base for the sweet and gooey filling. The baking process ensures a perfectly set pie with a golden brown, crunchy topping. This traditional dessert is a comforting and indulgent treat that will surely impress your guests. Enjoy it with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly decadent experience.
Enhance Your Shoofly Pie (Dutch Dessert) Recipe with These Unique Side Dishes:
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Appetizer and Main Dish Pairings for Shoofly Pie Dessert
Why trust this Shoofly Pie (Dutch Dessert) Recipe:
This recipe for Dutch Shoofly Pie is a tried and true classic, passed down through generations. The combination of molasses and brown sugar creates a rich, deep flavor that is irresistible. The step-by-step instructions ensure a foolproof result, and the use of cinnamon and nutmeg adds warmth and complexity to the pie. Trust in the traditional techniques and ingredients used in this recipe, and you'll be rewarded with a decadent, indulgent dessert that will surely become a family favorite.
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