Raspberry Crumb Pie
Taste testing is one of the great perks of my job. Every summer when our first batch of Raspberry Crumb Pies comes out of the oven, I take one home with me so that my family and I can perform “quality assurance.” It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it! Raspberries are at their best in the midsummer months. For best results, seek out raspberries that are slightly soft and plump. Raspberries continue to ripen after they are picked and have a short shelf-life, so try to make this pie within a day or two of bringing home your raspberries. Raspberry pie is equally good made with a traditional pastry piecrust (as photographed here with a lattice topping) or a Cinnamon Sugar Crumb Topping, but, I have to say, I’m partial to the crumb topping—the sweetness is a lovely complement to the raspberries’ tartness. Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of Whipped Cream (page 193). This pie can also be made with the Traditional Pastry double crust (page 5).
Recipe information
Yield
Makes one 9-inch pie, 6 to 8 slices (level: easy)
Ingredients
Crust and topping
Filling
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 425°F.
Step 2
To prepare the pie shell, on a clean, lightly floured work surface, roll out half a ball of dough with a rolling pin until it forms a 10-inch circle. Wrap the remaining half of the dough tightly in plastic wrap and reserve it in the refrigerator for future use for up to 5 days. Fold the circle in half, place it in a 9-inch pie plate so that the edges of the circle drop over the rim, and unfold the dough to completely cover the pie plate. Using your thumb and index finger, crimp the edges of the pie shell. Brush the edges of the pie shell with heavy cream to create a perfect, golden brown finish. Set the pie shell to the side while you make the filling.
Step 3
To prepare the filling, gently and thoroughly wash and dry the raspberries, then set them aside in a medium bowl. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, flour, and cinnamon. Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the raspberries, tossing them gently until they are thoroughly coated. Gently place the raspberries in the pie shell, taking care not to break down the berries. Sprinkle the Cinnamon Sugar Crumb topping over the raspberry filling, covering it completely.
Step 4
To bake, place the pie plate on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Reduce the heat to 375°F and continue baking for 40 minutes. Transfer the pie plate to a wire cooling rack and allow the pie to cool and set for 1 1/2 hours before serving. If you choose, add a dollop of whipped cream to each slice to serve.
Step 5
Raspberry Crumb Pie is best served either at room temperature or warmed at 350°F for about 10 minutes. It will keep at room temperature overnight and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
