Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 5 cups (600g) all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup (57g) sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups (454g) unsalted butter, very cold
- 3/4 cup (170ml) ice water, more only if needed
For the Blueberry Pie Filling:
- 2 pounds (794g) fresh or frozen blueberries (if using frozen, do NOT thaw)
- 1/3 cup (71g) packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons (28ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 4 tablespoons (44g) cornstarch, divided
- 2/3 cup (132g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoons (21ml) pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
For the Egg Wash:
- 1 large egg
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons water
- 1/4 cup (50g) sparkling sugar
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Pie Crust
- In a large bowl, whisk together 5 cups flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Cut 2 cups very cold butter into small cubes and add to the flour mixture. Toss with a spatula to coat the butter.
- Using a pastry cutter, work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse meal with pea-sized butter pieces.
- Gradually add 3/4 cup ice water, mixing with a silicone spatula until the dough begins to form moist clumps. Add more water only if absolutely necessary.
- Turn the shaggy dough onto a clean surface and gently knead just until it comes together.
- Divide the dough in half (each half should weigh about 644g), shape into disks, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
Step 2: Prepare the Blueberry Filling
- In a medium saucepan, combine half the blueberries (1 pound/397g), 1/3 cup brown sugar, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon cornstarch.
- Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture simmers and begins to thicken (about 7-8 minutes).
- Reduce heat to low and cook for 2 more minutes, then remove from heat.
- Transfer to a large heatproof bowl and add the remaining blueberries, 2/3 cup granulated sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon each of allspice and salt, 1 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons butter, and the remaining 3 tablespoons cornstarch.
- Mix thoroughly and set aside to cool completely.
Step 3: Prepare the Bottom Crust
- Remove one disk of dough from the refrigerator 15 minutes before rolling.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough from the center outward, rotating a quarter turn after each stroke, until you have a circle about 16 inches in diameter and 1/4 inch thick.
- Carefully fold the dough in half and place it in a 9-inch pie pan, with the fold in the center.
- Unfold and gently press the dough into the pan, ensuring there are no air pockets.
- Trim the overhang to 1 1/2 inches beyond the rim, then refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
Step 4: Prepare the Lattice Top
- Remove the second disk of dough from the refrigerator 15 minutes before rolling.
- Roll out as before to a 16-inch diameter circle.
- Using a pizza cutter or pastry wheel, cut the dough into 12 strips, each just over 1 inch wide.
- Place the strips on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.
Step 5: Assemble and Bake
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of flour on the bottom of the chilled pie crust, then add the cooled blueberry filling.
- Create a lattice pattern with the dough strips: lay 7 strips parallel across the pie, leaving 1/4-inch between them. Fold back alternating strips and weave perpendicular strips through to create the lattice pattern.
- Trim the lattice strips to 1/2 inch overhang, then roll and crimp the edges to seal.
- Whisk together 1 egg and 1 1/2 teaspoons water, then brush this egg wash over the lattice and crust edges.
- Sprinkle with 1/4 cup sparkling sugar.
- Place the pie on a baking sheet and bake in the lower third of the oven for 15 minutes.
- Reduce temperature to 350°F (175°C) and bake for an additional 55 minutes, until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling.
- Cool on a wire rack for at least 4 hours before slicing.
Notes
- Keep everything cold – warm butter = tough crust. Return dough to refrigerator if it gets too soft while working.
- Don’t overwork the dough – handling it too much develops gluten, making the crust tough instead of flaky.
- Partially cooking half the berries is essential – this technique ensures your filling will set properly.
- Check your oven temperature with an oven thermometer – many ovens run hot or cold.
- Protect your crust edges – if they’re browning too quickly, cover them with foil or a pie shield.
- Bake on the lower rack – this helps the bottom crust cook properly and prevents a soggy bottom.
- Look for bubbling filling – your pie isn’t done until the filling is visibly bubbling, which activates the cornstarch’s thickening properties.
- Use a baking sheet under your pie – it catches any potential overflow and makes transfer in and out of the oven easier.
- Let the filling cool completely before adding to the crust – hot filling will melt the butter in your crust before baking.
- The pie needs adequate cooling time – cutting too soon results in a runny filling, no matter how well you’ve prepared it.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg