Delicious Homemade Gluten-Free Blueberry Pie: A Perfectly Flaky, Sweet, and Tart Delight
This homemade, gluten-free blueberry pie offers a delightful balance of tart and sweet, featuring a luscious blueberry filling naturally sweetened with maple syrup, all encased in a tender, buttery, and flaky gluten-free crust. It’s a dessert that truly satisfies without compromising on flavor or texture, proving that gluten-free baking can be utterly irresistible.
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This post was updated in November 2018 to bring you the best gluten-free blueberry pie experience.
Embracing the Abundance: Our Blueberry Picking Adventures
There’s nothing quite like the joy of fresh blueberries, especially when they’re picked straight from the source. Since moving to the Pacific Northwest, the sheer abundance of locally and sustainably produced fruits and vegetables has been a constant delight, and we’ve been eagerly reaping the benefits. It’s a place where the simple pleasure of picking your own produce becomes a cherished tradition.
Just the other night, a friend and I ventured out to a breathtaking farm nestled at the edge of the mountains. Our mission? To pick as many blueberries as our baskets could hold, and for me, to secretly explore my budding dream of becoming a farmer. While my husband hasn’t quite approved of me moving onto a farm permanently just yet, the experience was truly inspiring. The very next day, another friend invited me for a second round of picking! Between the two trips, I managed to gather an impressive seventeen pounds of these sweet, juicy berries. And if it weren’t for some pregnancy-related rest restrictions, I’d be out there again, eager for more!
Every single berry has been worth the effort. We’ve been indulging in handfuls of fresh blueberries, and our freezer is now happily stocked with gallons of them, awaiting their turn in delicious recipes. Honestly, we’re seriously considering investing in a deep freezer just to keep up with all the incredible produce we’re picking and growing ourselves. It’s a wonderful challenge to have!
The Perfect Gluten-Free Blueberry Pie: A True Crowd-Pleaser
This particular homemade blueberry pie is a testament to how incredible gluten-free baking can be. It features a wonderfully tart and sweet blueberry filling, thoughtfully sweetened with pure maple syrup, all nestled within a beautifully flaky, buttery gluten-free crust. It’s the kind of pie that makes it incredibly difficult to stop at just one slice.
And yes, you could almost argue it’s healthy enough for breakfast! With fresh blueberries, rich butter, and an egg, it’s packed with wholesome ingredients. The first time I crafted this recipe, I made it entirely without refined sugar, and it was absolutely delicious. For the version I’m excited to share with you today, I’ve added just a touch of cane sugar to both the crust and the topping. This subtle addition provides that extra “oomph” of sweetness that truly elevates the pie, making it even more decadent. However, if you’re aiming to completely avoid sugar, feel free to omit it – the maple syrup provides ample sweetness on its own.
I recently served this pie to our small group, and the compliments flowed in. The most cherished feedback I received was, “This is really gluten-free? I can’t even tell!” For anyone who bakes gluten-free, this is truly one of the highest honors. It signifies that the pie is not just “good for gluten-free,” but simply excellent in its own right, appealing to everyone regardless of dietary needs. This pie proves that you don’t have to sacrifice flavor or texture to enjoy a delicious, wholesome dessert.
Why Choose a Gluten-Free Blueberry Pie?
Opting for a gluten-free blueberry pie extends the joy of this classic dessert to those with gluten sensitivities, celiac disease, or anyone looking to reduce gluten in their diet. But beyond dietary needs, a well-made gluten-free crust offers a unique lightness and crispness that many find incredibly appealing. Our recipe uses a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, which is key to achieving that desirable flaky texture that rivals traditional pie crusts. It’s about creating an inclusive dessert that everyone can enjoy without feeling like they’re missing out.
The Magic of a Flaky Gluten-Free Crust
The secret to an exceptional pie lies in its crust, and this gluten-free version is no exception. Crafted with cold butter and a careful technique, it delivers a tender, flaky, and golden-brown exterior that perfectly complements the vibrant blueberry filling. Many believe that gluten-free crusts are difficult to work with, but with the right blend of flour and a few simple tricks – like chilling your butter and using ice water – you can achieve an impressively light and flavorful result. The goal is to handle the dough minimally to prevent it from becoming tough, allowing the butter to create those irresistible layers as it bakes.
Sweetening Naturally with Maple Syrup
One of the highlights of this blueberry pie is its natural sweetness, primarily derived from pure maple syrup. This not only provides a rich, nuanced flavor that pairs beautifully with the blueberries but also offers an alternative to refined sugars. Maple syrup adds a depth of flavor that simple sugar often can’t, enhancing the natural tartness of the blueberries without overpowering them. The subtle addition of cane sugar in the crust and as a sprinkle on top is optional, allowing you to tailor the sweetness to your preference, making it a versatile recipe for various palates.
Tips for the Perfect Homemade Blueberry Pie
Creating a truly memorable blueberry pie, especially a gluten-free one, involves a few key steps and considerations. Following these tips will ensure your pie is not only delicious but also consistently perfect every time you bake it.
Picking and Preparing Your Blueberries
The quality of your blueberries directly impacts the final flavor of your pie. Whenever possible, use fresh, ripe blueberries, ideally those you’ve picked yourself or sourced from a local farm. If fresh aren’t available, frozen blueberries can work, but you might need to adjust the baking time slightly or thaw and drain them beforehand to prevent an overly wet filling. Always rinse your blueberries gently and pat them thoroughly dry before incorporating them into the filling. Excess moisture can lead to a soggy pie, which is easily avoidable with proper preparation.
Mastering the Gluten-Free Pie Dough
Working with gluten-free pie dough can be slightly different from traditional dough, but it’s by no means more difficult. Here are some pointers:
- **Keep Ingredients Cold:** Just like with regular pie crust, ensure your butter is ice-cold and cut into small pieces. You can even pop it in the freezer for 5-10 minutes before mixing. This helps create those flaky layers.
- **Don’t Overmix:** Overmixing gluten-free dough can make it crumbly or tough. Pulse ingredients quickly in a food processor until just combined.
- **Use Ice Water Sparingly:** Add ice water one tablespoon at a time until the dough just comes together. You want it moist enough to hold its shape, but not sticky.
- **Chill the Dough:** Always chill the dough after mixing and before rolling. This allows the flour to fully hydrate and the butter to firm up, making the dough easier to handle and preventing shrinkage during baking.
- **Flour Your Surface Well:** Gluten-free dough can be a bit more delicate, so liberally flour your counter and rolling pin to prevent sticking.
Achieving the Ideal Pie Filling Consistency
The perfect blueberry pie filling should be thick enough to hold its shape when sliced but still wonderfully juicy. We use a combination of cornstarch and gluten-free flour to achieve this. These thickeners work together to absorb the juices released by the blueberries during baking, creating a luscious, spoonable consistency. Lemon juice is also a crucial ingredient, as it brightens the flavor of the blueberries and balances their sweetness, adding a touch of essential tartness that makes the filling truly pop.
Serving Suggestions and Storage
This homemade gluten-free blueberry pie is absolutely divine served warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of freshly whipped cream. The contrast of the warm, fruity filling with the cold, creamy topping is simply heavenly. It also tastes fantastic at room temperature, making it a wonderful dessert for gatherings or potlucks.
To store any leftover pie, cover it loosely with plastic wrap or foil and keep it at room temperature for up to two days. If you prefer to extend its freshness, refrigerate it for up to four days. For longer storage, individual slices can be wrapped and frozen for up to a month. Simply thaw at room temperature or gently reheat in the oven for a quick treat.
Blueberry Pie – Gluten Free
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Ingredients
GF Pie Crust – Adapted from Martha Stewart
- 1 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour I use Bob’s Redmill One for One Flour
- 2 Tbs cane sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
- 1 stick cold unsalted butter cut into small pieces and placed in freezer for 5-10 minutes
- 1 large egg
- 1 to 3 tbs ice water
Blueberry Pie Filling
- 4 cups fresh blueberries- rinsed and patted dry
- 1/2 cup maple syrup like this one
- 1 tsp cornstarch like this one
- 2 Tbs GF flour
- 1/2 tbs lemon juice
- ~1tbs extra sugar to top crust
- 1 egg to make egg wash
Instructions
Pie Crust
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Cut up cold butter into small pieces and place in freezer for 5-10 minutes. In a food processor, pulse flour, sugar, and salt until combined. Add butter and pulse until mixture has no large pieces of butter remaining. Add egg and 1 tablespoons ice water, then pulse until well combined and dough holds together when squeezed, 1 minute. Add water one table spoon at a time if needed. Roll into a ball and place in the fridge or freezer for 5-10 minutes.
Pie Filling
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Preheat oven to 375F. In a large bowl, add washed and dried fresh blueberries, GF flour, and cornstarch and mix. Add maple syrup and lemon juice and mix well.
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On a very well floured counter, roll out dough until about 1-8-1/4 inch thick. Place in pie dish. Add pie filling to the center and fold over extra pie crust. In a small bowl, make an egg wash by scrambling one egg and brush over pie crust. Sprinkle with sugar. Bake for 50-60 minutes, until crust is golden brown. Cook and enjoy.
Embrace the Blueberry Season with a New Family Tradition
I genuinely hope you and your loved ones enjoy this delicious gluten-free blueberry pie as much as our family has. It has quickly become a cherished new tradition for us: heading out to pick an abundance of sweet blueberries and then transforming them into countless delectable pies. There’s a special magic in creating something so wholesome and delicious from scratch, especially when it brings everyone together around the table. So, go forth, embrace the blueberry season, and create your own unforgettable pie-making memories!
How much do you love blueberry pie? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
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