Classic Blueberry Pie with Frozen Blueberries

Why This Recipe Works

This recipe is simple to make, but it still required loads of testing to get it just right. I tested different sugar quantities, different citrus and spice notes in the filling, different baking temperatures and times, and more to make sure that this recipe was perfect. Because if you're going to make a homemade pie from scratch, you want it to be perfect. Here's why this recipe will be your new favorite!

• Simple & Easy to Follow - Homemade pie can be intimidating (I know because I've been there), so I created this recipe to be foolproof and included detailed instructions and loads of tips and tricks to help you bake a perfect blueberry pie. Even if you've never baked a homemade pie before, you got this!

• Frozen Blueberries - I opted to use frozen blueberries in this recipe for several reasons. First, they're available all year round, so our blueberry pie cravings won't be limited to the early summer. Second, they're typically picked and flash-frozen at their peak ripeness, so their flavor and nutrients are in-tact. Third, they're generally more affordable than fresh berries. Frozen berries will release more liquid than their fresh counterparts, but that's no problem since we're pre-cooking our pie filling (more on this in a second).

• Citrus and Cinnamon - A bit of citrus is a staple in blueberry pie (it enhances the flavor of the berries), but I wanted to include a bit of cinnamon so decided to use both! I love the taste of cinnamon with blueberries (like in these blueberry streusel muffins) since the spice flavor complements the sweetness of the berries so well. Most blueberry pies use lemon juice (and sometimes zest, too) to enhance the berries' flavor, but I opted to use orange juice instead since it also pairs really well with cinnamon. Plus, if you're using my perfect pie crust recipe you'll already have some leftover orange juice on hand! Of course, if you prefer, you can use lemon juice instead.

• Pre-Cooked Filling - If you've ever made a blueberry pie and ended up with a runny or soupy filling when you sliced into it, I bet you didn't pre-cook the filling (or at least didn't cook it long enough) before baking the pie. No shame, I've done it too! But pre-cooking the filling is your secret insurance policy to making sure that the filling sets when the pie bakes. You'll cook off some of the liquid from the berries ahead of time, so that the berries won't release too much liquid when the pie bakes and you'll have a set filling and clean slices when it's time to slice the pie. And let me tell you... your friends and family will be impressed!

• Make Ahead - Much of this recipe can me prepared ahead of time. Homemade pie crust dough can be made and refrigerated up to 3 days in advance (or up to 3 months in advance and frozen). The blueberry pie filling can be made up to 2 days in advance, cooled to room temperature and then stored in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to use. And the pie itself can (and should) be baked a day before you plan to serve it so that it has time to fully cool and set.

Ingredient Notes & Substitutions

Pie Crust - Use your favorite pie crust to make this pie. Here's mine.

Frozen Blueberries - Like I mentioned above, frozen blueberries are a more affordable option that's available year round. Feel free to use fresh berries instead if you have them.

Cornstarch - Cornstarch is used to help thicken the pie filling to ensure it sets when baked, allowing for clean slices.

If you're curious to explore other options for thickening pie filling, King Arthur Baking has a wonderful guide on pie thickeners, including how much thickener to use for different types of fruit pies.

Sugar & Brown Sugar - A mix of both white and brown sugars create a more complex sweetness in the pie filling.

Cinnamon - A dash of cinnamon in the filling complements the sweet blueberries for a more delicious filling.

Orange Juice - A little bit of orange juice in the filling helps to enhance the blueberry flavor.

Egg - And egg wash (mixture of egg and water whisked together) brushed on top of the pie before it bakes creates a beautifully shiny crust.

Turbinado Sugar - Turbinado sugar, with its large crystals, light brown color and sweet caramel-molasses flavor, adds a sugary crunch to the top of the pie. Feel free to skip the sugar if you prefer.

See recipe card at the bottom of this post for full ingredient list and measurements.

Special Equipment

In addition to essential baking equipment (like a whisk and cooling rack), I recommend some special tools for making this recipe.

• Pan for cooking blueberries (a 3-5 quart saucepan, sauté pan, or Dutch oven will work well).
• Rolling pin, for rolling out the pie crust.
• 9-inch glass pie plate, for baking the pie. (See recipe note for using a 9.5 inch or deep dish pie plate.)
• Rimmed baking sheet, for catching any drippings from the pie as it bakes.
• Pastry brush, for brushing egg wash onto the pie crust before baking.
• Pie crust shield, for keeping the edges of the pie crust from over browning when baking (optional, or DIY a pie crust shield with a bit of aluminum foil).

Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions

Before you begin, prepare the pie crust dough. The dough should be separated into two discs (one for the top crust and one for the bottom crust) and will need to be refrigerated for at least 2 hours before using.

Step 1: In a large pot, cook blueberries, both sugars, cornstarch, orange juice, cinnamon, and salt until thick and bubbling. Transfer the filling to a bowl and let it cool to room temperature.

Step 2: Roll one disc of pie crust dough into a circle that's 12 inches in diameter. Carefully transfer the rolled out crust to your pie plate.

Step 3: Pour the room temperature pie filling into the crust.

Step 4: Roll out the other disc of dough into a circle that's 12 inches in diameter. Place the rolled out dough over the filling in the pie plate (or create a lattice pie top). Trim any excess, then seal or crimp the edge.

Step 5: Prepare an egg wash by whisking together an egg with 1 Tablespoon of water. Brush the egg wash over the crust, then sprinkle turbinado sugar over the egg wash.

Step 6: Bake the pie at 425°F for 20 minutes then turn the oven temperature down to 350°F and continue baking for 45-50 minutes, until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling. Let the pie cool completely before slicing and serving.

See recipe card at the bottom of this post for detailed recipe instructions.

Recipe Tips

While rolling out the dough, be sure to alternate directions and roll your rolling pin beyond the edges of the dough to ensure an even thickness throughout. The circle should be a few inches larger than the diameter of your pie place.

A lattice pie top isn't just pretty, it allows steam to escape from the pie through the gaps in the crust as it bakes. I'll show you how to create a lattice pie crust in this post. If you prefer to stick to a solid pie crust, be sure to slice a few vents into the top of the pie before baking.

It's helpful to put a rimmed baking sheet under the pie in the oven to catch any drips from the pie as it bakes.

A scoop of vanilla ice cream is absolutely delicious with a slice of blueberry pie, and it will also help to hide any imperfections in the crust that you may want to cover up.

Recipe FAQs

Storage Instructions

Store pie in a sealed container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 3 days. The pie will taste best at room temperature, so allow the pie to sit at room temperature before serving if storing it in the fridge.

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