Amish Vanilla Pie

I am reaching out to all pie enthusiasts out there, this is one easy delicious pie that you must try.

The ingredients are very easy to come by in your pantry or your local grocery store. The Amish have made this pie very famous, you will not miss this special pie in an Amish restaurant.

After enjoying a slice of this pie the last time we visited the Amish communities near our neighborhood, I longed to make my homemade vanilla pie.

This pie is perfect for a cup of coffee on a chilly afternoon or great for dessert topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

The Amish Culinary Heritage

The Amish are a religious group of people that migrated from Europe to America in the 18th century in search of freedom of worship.

They live a conservative, peaceful life and will rarely mingle with other people.

The Amish have kept from using modern-day conveniences such as motor vehicles and electricity. This group of people has handed down cultural practices from one generation to the other.

They are famous for their avid farming skills, baking as well as carefully handed crafts.

A section of their youth in the recent past is slowly unable to resist the use of modern technology such as phones.

As much as many are breaking out of their religious practices they still practice their lifestyle.

Amish women are good cooks, always passing their recipes and cooking techniques to the young. After their church services, the Amish always have great meals which they share.

This repeated practice has made the Amish women perfect their culinary skills and even start flourishing businesses.

Why this recipe works

I love Amish recipes because most of their ingredients are easy to find and you could be having them in your pantry already!

This Amish Vanilla pie will not miss in any Amish Bakery you will ever visit or a farm sale in the Amish communities.

It is very easy to make and has a short cooking time, especially if you have made the pie crust before or even bought yours at the grocery store.

I have been on a journey of perfecting my skills in pie making. I enjoy making my fresh pie crust as the Amish do.

Let us explore the journey of making your homemade delicious vanilla pie. The combination of a flaky crust, a crumbly topping, and a creamy filling makes the pie absolutely unforgettable.

Ingredients and Substitutions

9-inch pie shell

This requires a single pie shell. When you are pressed for time, it's alright to buy your pie crust in the freezer section of your grocery.

If you have the time and enjoy working with different types of dough, follow this recipe for a flaky pie crust.

Pie Crust

• ¼ cup cold butter
• ¼ cup cold shortening
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ¼ teaspoon Salt
• ¼ cup Ice cold water
• 1 teaspoon vinegar

How to make Homemade Pie Crust

This recipe makes one 9-inch pie crust.

When using a food processor, pulse the flour with the cold butter and shortening until the mixture appears like sand.

You can use a hand pastry blender or your fingers to mix the flour and the butter.

1. Add a tablespoon at a time of ice-cold water and vinegar into the flour and butter mixture.
2. Turn over the mixture on a clean surface and form a ball with your hands. Work fast to form a ball, and let the dough rest in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes.
3. Roll the pastry dough into a disc, line up the pie plate, and set it in the refrigerator as you prepare the pie filling.

Top Part (Crumbly Flour Mixture)

All-purpose flour

Forms the major part of the crumb mixture. All-purpose flour works perfectly alright. I have not tried substituting this ingredient.

Brown sugar

Brown sugar sweetens the crumb mixture and adds the molasses flavor and dark color to the pie. You could substitute it with regular white sugar.

Baking soda and Baking powder: these two ingredients leaven the crumb enhancing its crunchiness.

Salt

Salt balances with the sweet flavors of the crumb topping.

Shortening

Shortening moisturizes the crumb, you could substitute it with butter for a greater flavor and aroma.

Bottom part (Creamy Pie Filling)

Brown sugar

Brown sugar adds a depth of sweetness to the pie filling, Brown sugar is less refined making it nutritious. You can substitute with white sugar too.

All-purpose flour

All-purpose flour thickens the pie filling. You can substitute it with cornstarch.

Dark Corn syrup

Corn syrup thickens the pie filling, giving it a gooey texture. Some recipes call for king syrup that has a rich amber color or molasses that has a dark color too.

In this recipe, we mixed a teaspoon of molasses into a quarter cup of corn syrup.

Large eggs

Eggs emulsify the pie filling contributing to its smooth texture.

Water

Water hydrates the pie filling increasing its viscosity. Keeps the mixture from sticking to the saucepan.

Vanilla extract

Vanilla brings with it its mild, sweet flavor to the pie filling, giving the pie its name.

The exquisiteness of the original vanilla extract elevates the Amish to another level of deliciousness.

Equipment

9 inch Pie plate

Rolling pin

Rolling out the pastry dough on the mat.

Food processor or pastry blender

A food processor or a pastry blender breaks margarine and butter into flour.

Saucepan

The delicious pie filling is cooked in a medium-sized saucepan

Mixing bowls

You will need a mixing bowl to mix the pie-filling ingredients.

Rubber spatula

Scraps the pie filling mixture into the mixing bowl effectively, ensuring no wastage and easy cleaning.

FAQ Amish Vanilla Pie

How do I store my leftover Amish Vanilla Pie?

This sweet pie stores for two days at room temperature on your kitchen counter.

It will keep longer and fresher (5 days) in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

If you want to enjoy the pie in the future or wait for a special occasion, wrap it with plastic wrap and freeze it for 3 months at most.

How do I tell when my pie is ready?

Your Amish Vanilla pie will be ready when the crumb topping will turn to a beautiful golden brown color.

How do I serve my Amish Vanilla Pie?

The Amish Vanilla pie is great with coffee, however, a scoop of vanilla ice cream turns it into an exquisite dessert by adding creaminess and milky flavor.

Vanilla ice cream on a Vanilla Pie just nails it!

Pro Tips

To keep your crust from getting soggy, blind-bake the pie before filling it with the pie filling.

Blind baking the pie crust

Blind baking is baking an empty single-crust pie. It is vital to blind-bake the crusts to prevent sogginess.

1. Preheat the oven to 345 F
2. With a rolling pin, out the pie crust to about 12 inches wide at the center.
3. Gently pick the rolled pie dough and line it on the pie dish. Make your desired patterns at the edge of the pie plate. Line the pie crust with parchment paper and place weights such as dry beans.
4. Brush the pie crust with melted butter and bake it for 15 minutes.
5. Brush with egg and bake for 10 minutes.

Recipe card