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Old-Fashioned Raisin Pie

This is the pantry pie that fed funerals and fed families for 150 years.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Servings 12 servings
Calories 255kcal

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 3 cups seedless raisins
  • 3 cups water
  • 3/4 cups packed brown sugar
  • 3 tbsp. cornstarch
  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1 1/2 tbsp. fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp. lemon zest
  • 1.5 tbsp. unsalted butter
  • 1 double pie crust 9-inch (see notes)
  • 2 tbsp. milk
  • 1 tbsp. coarse sugar for sprinkling

Instructions

Simmer the raisins

  • Combine the raisins and water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes to plump the raisins and build a flavourful liquid.

Thicken the filling

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, cornstarch, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir into the hot raisin mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens and the liquid turns clear -- about 7 to 8 minutes

Finish and Cool

  • Remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest, and unsalted butter. Let cool to room temperature before filling the crust. Do not skip this -- warm filling softens the pastry.

Assemble

  • Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F). Line a 9-inch pie plate with the bottom crust. Pour in the cooled filling. Cover with the top crust, seal and crimp the edges, and cut a few steam vents in the top. Brush the top crust with milk l sprinkle with sugar.

Bake

  • Place on the lower rack of the oven. Bake at 220°C (425°F) for 15 minutes, then reduce heat to 180°C (350°F) and bake for another 20 to 25 minutes until the crust is golden. Check at 15 minutes -- if the crust is already well browned, take it out rather than risk burning.

Notes

The vinegar version: Swap the lemon juice for 1.5 tbsp white vinegar for a sharper, more old-fashioned flavour.
Orange juice version: Replace ½ cup of the water with orange juice and use orange zest instead of lemon.
Serve with: Vanilla ice cream or sharp cheddar.
My Granny's Pie Crust
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Nutrition

Serving: 80g | Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 156mg | Potassium: 341mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 52IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 1mg