Shoofly Pie (Amish Molasses Pie)

I made this pie (and its mini counterpart) for a bake sale after reading a book set in an Amish community.

A Gift of Grace: A Novel by Amy Clipston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a quick little read focusing on relationships as Rebecca’s English nieces join her Amish community after the death of their parents.

Rebecca’s patience and reliance on God were a refreshing virtue to see play out in a novel. Unfortunately, the rest of the characters were laughably one dimensional and the story overall was very predictable.

View all my reviews

The book included recipes, but I ended up using one I found online instead of the book recipe.   This one (I think) would be considered a dry bottom Shoofly Pie (chosen because I was worried about the wet bottom making it to a bake sale.)

We ate the mini at home and I wasn’t so sure about it.  The pie looked lovely but honestly, flavorwise it wasn’t my cup of tea, so I debated whether I should actually blog the recipe (or take it to the bake sale).

Fast forward to the bake sale (sold by the slice).  I live in the midwest, so very few people are familiar with Shoofly Pie (more common closer to the east coast).  I only saw a couple people buy the shoofly pie, but about halfway through the sale, a woman I didn’t see buy the pie came up and asked it I knew who had made the Shoofly Pie (surprising to me that she actually knew it by name - like I mentioned, this is not a common pie in my area).  I told her that I had made it and she broke into a huge smile and told me that I had nailed it!  She hadn’t had Shoofly Pie in ages and it tasted just like home!

You guys, I melted!  I am so happy I was able to bring joy to someone!  And, even though it wasn’t my personal favorite, it might be yours, so here Shoofly Pie.

This recipe is also perfect for this week's Sunday Funday theme of Country Cooking!

Sunday Funday

Country Cooking

• Karen’s Kitchen Stories: Amish Country Casserole 
• Cook with Renu: Beet Greens Jowar Thalipeeth 
• Food Lust People Love: Crispy Iron Skillet Chicken Thighs 
• Palatable Pastime: Grandmother's Country Green Beans 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Macaroni Ranch Salad 
• Amy's Cooking Adventures: Shoofly Pie (Amish Molasses Pie) 
• Mayuri's Jikoni: Southern Tomato Sandwich 
• Sneha's Recipe : Stuffed Chicken Drumsticks In Saucy Tomato Gravy

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Recipe Note:

-Since I made this for a bake sale, I used a disposable foil pan, which was much smaller than my regular pie plates, so I had enough crust and filling to make a 4-inch mini pie as well.  If using a deep 9-inch pie plate, this recipe will make 1 pie.

Shoofly Pie (Amish Molasses Pie)

Adapted slightly from Brooklyn Farm Girl

1 Recipe Pie Crust of choice

Crumble

1 ½ cups all purpose flour

1 cup brown sugar

¼ cup vegetable shortening

Pie Filling

1 cup molasses

¾ cup very warm water (around 120 degrees F)

1 egg

¾ teaspoon baking soda

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F

Line a deep 9-inch pie tin with the pie crust (alternately, line a smaller disposable pie tin and a mini pie plate).  Place in the refrigerator to chill.

Place the crumble ingredients in a bowl and cut the shortening into the flour and sugar to form small crumbles.  Set aside.

Whisk together the filling ingredients.

Pour half of the crumble mixture into the chilled pie crust.  Slowly pour the filling over the crumble.  Top with the remaining crumble mixture.

Place on a baking sheet (in case of drips) and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or until filling is set.

Remove from oven and cool to room temperature and serve.

Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.  Cover and store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3 days.