March 03, 2011

blueberry-almond double crust pie

Why wait for summer to have blueberry pie? And why have boring pie? Let's add something in there this time. What goes with blueberry? Well on a recent research quest to find the perfect croissant on cape cod (and it's hard let me tell you). I had a fairly decent almond croissant and though wow, there should be blueberries in here. That almond, crunchy, sugary paste is so good and a tart blueberry would pair nicely with it. So, I'm sure this has been done before, somewhere....
It's really easy to do, I just used a double crust and filled the two layers of the crust with that wonderful almond paste by King Arthur (or you can make your own or use whatever brand you like). If you do decide to make this, please read recipe instruction beforehand. It's worth the effort...it really is. The subtle flavor of the almond paste is heavenly.
I want to make almond croissants. I just have such a craving for them. My quest to find croissants around here are sad. Therefore I must make my own. Anyone had success with making almond croissants? Would love to hear about it.

Fill with a 1/4 cup or so of fresh almond paste. Then cover with another layer of pie crust.


Fill with blueberries, cover with pie crust, egg wash. Bake. Done!




Blueberry-Almond Pie
print recipe

cook notes: I do not like to make my blueberry pies too sweet in general. I only added in 1/4 cup of sugar. If you like your pies sweet you might want to add more sugar in. Also, with my crust, sometimes I like to tuck the crust under and not out with edges. Feel free to do it how you want. Sometimes I just like to tuck them under to have a neat, round pie--just for fun. You don't have to add a double crust on the top like I did. I'm just a crust-junkie so that's why I did it. But you might like it. If you like your blueberry filling a little more runny and juicy then only add in 1 TB cornstarch.

Crust:
2 - One double crust (so we need 4 layers of pie crust or you could use 3: 2 on bottom and 1 on top. I used 2 on bottom, 2 on top. Do what you want, but we need 2 for bottom in order to fill the pie crusts w/ almond filling).
If you need a good pie crust and want to know what I always use, it's Martha Stewart's recipe. Martha's basic pie dough never fails me. But you use what you like or use pre-made pie crusts. Keep in mind the pre-made one's might cook differently than homemade; just keep an eye on them when baking.

Filling ingredients:
2 ½ pints of blueberries
2 TB fresh lemon juice
2 TB cornstarch
1/4 cup sugar

About ¼ cup of almond paste

Pie egg wash:
1 egg
2 TB heavy cream

In a glass combine the pie egg wash and mix/beat very well
In a bowl combine blueberries, lemon juice, cornstarch, and sugar. Mix well. Set aside.

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Spray your 9 inch pie pan with non stick spray. Place a layer of pie crust down. Fill & spread the almond paste. Cover with another layer of crust. Seal up the edges to close. Fill with blueberries. Take your egg wash and brush the edges of the pie. Place top layer of pie and seal all edges. Do it how you like but I like to tuck mine underneath. Feel free to do it however you like, just make sure they are sealed good.

Brush the rim of the crust with the egg wash and the entire pie. Poke a few slits on the top of pie before baking to let steam escape.
Place pie on a sheet lined with parchment paper.
At this point some of you might like to chill your pie. Please go ahead if you want too. I do not like to chill mine. I’ve never ever noticed a difference when I chilled it (unless it's summer or a hot kitchen). But do what works for you when handling pie doughs.
When ready to bake place pie in preheated 425 degree over and bake for about 15 minutes. Then turn heat down to 350 degrees and bake another 30 to 40 minutes. Mine was done at 30 minute mark; please check at the 30 minute mark.
To know when it’s done? Look for browned edges, bubbly insides.
Let cool before serving. Should serve 6-8.

46 COMMENTS:

Bridgett ~ La Bella Cook said...

A genius idea filling the crust and it looks so much better than anything you can find in a bakery. Love the almond paste.

doggybloggy said...

damn NO DAMN - IS WHAT I REALLY MEANT this is the shit...and I mean that! Holy all that is holy! Dawn this is above and BEYOND the call of duty...I LOVE THIS PIE!

the actor's diet said...

beautiful words: double crust

Leslie said...

Seriously? A double crust filled with almond paste. Are you trying to slowly kill me. Do you know how fat we would be if we were neighbors?? SHIT

Kelley {mountainmamacooks} said...

I'm speechless..........and drooling! This looks Uh-maze-ing!

Marina said...

Ooooh this sounds delicious! Fruit and almonds are such a great combo.

Joanne said...

Almonds and blueberries...now that's one I haven't thought of before. I would love to come home to a huge slice of this. Maybe you could drive down and drop one off? And then we can try making croissants together because they are something I have always wanted to tackle!

Liz said...

Mmmm blueberry pie! With LOTs of crust and almond paste - job well done, Dawn!

cindy* said...

love blueberry and almond! looks delightful.

The Duo Dishes said...

Yep! Blueberries and almonds are awesome together. Odense makes a good almond paste too. Thanks for mentioning King Arthur's version. That's good to know.

Nina said...

Stunning! Wow. What a combo.

mitzi @ my nikon eats food said...

that...looks heavenly.

Lauren at Keep It Sweet said...

So glad you went with the blueberry pie post, this looks incredible and now I am craving blueberry pie!

Pam said...

You. Rock. Plain and simple.

I wish you would open a bakery. Next door to my house. Right now. Please?

Shannon said...

wait, so there are 3 crusts in that pie? nice. and seriously delicious. love the almond filling you added! i just used the last of my summer blueberries in the crisp i just posted... sad! but delicious :)

Erica said...

LOVE blueberries. I'm so excited for more fresh fruit availability in summer!! The pie looks awesome. A double crust? Fantastic.

Mollie said...

Ummmm that is BEYOND! I just sent it to my cousin - this is her in dessert form! I may have to get over my fear of pie crusts to make this glorious concoction!

Carolyn Jung said...

You're killing me with that photo. My gawd, a flaky crust on the top AND the bottom, a filling bursting at its seams with fruity goodness, and then a huge blob of fluffy cream on top. I am swooning. ;)

Lael Hazan @educatedpalate said...

What a clever idea! A beautiful combo that produced a beautiful pie.

Lori said...

It all looks so good. You really are a creator of fabulous foods.

pigpigscorner said...

Can't help you there, I'm hopeless with pastries!
This sounds awesome, love the sound of that double crust!

Mary said...

This is what I like to call food porn. OMG! DIVINE!!

Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls

Naomi said...

I need to be eating this now.

Avanika [YumsiliciousBakes] said...

Oh yum a double double crust. That looks truly awesome!

Me and My Pink Mixer said...

Oh my gosh ~ that pie looks freakin' fabulous!! Want some now :)

Heavenly Housewife said...

Wow, that just looks so perfect! You did such an amazing job. I totally want a piece, and i dont even care for blueberries!
*kisses* HH

grace said...

quadruple crust = PHENOMENAL. and your filling is so thick and luscious! this is a masterpiece, dawn--bravo.

Mommyof2girlz said...

Found you through SITS, this looks amazing and the photos are awesome!

When Pigs Fly said...

Those pictures are so amazing. Now all I want to do is eat pie. Adding almond paste, sure genius.

IrresistibleIcing.com said...

I just had a foodgasm looking at this pic! I found your blog on SITS and I'm stalking. I mean following now!

The Mom Chef said...

Thank goodness for StumbleUpon, which is how I landed on your site and this recipe. I'm loving the double crust with almond paste between them. I'm loving the double crust on top and I'm loving the tucked under crust. the whole thing is absolutelyfriggenperfect.

Gloria said...

OMG Look amazing! Love blueberries! gloria

kat said...

I love blueberry pie & can only imagine the almond past makes it better

Mutfak Havlusu said...

Hi
it is seeing delicious
it look like english special cake:)
when i was in London i have tried this like it
it is great!
bye

Jenn @leftoverqueen said...

This is awesome! I love the almond paste and blueberry combo - sounds heavenly!

Averie said...

your pictures, your recipes, omg. i am in heaven.

thank you for sharing a little slice of blueberry heaven today :)

Barbara said...

What a fabulous idea, Dawn. You are the best and come up with smashing ideas!!
Cannot WAIT to try this!!

Mackenzie@The Caramel Cookie said...

Double crust pies are the best. Thats my favorite part!

Sprinzette @ Ginger and Almonds said...

Almond-filling? That's me sold. Add blueberries and I'm a fan. Looks fantastic.

Kevin said...

That is one nice looking pie! The almond and blueberry combination is a great one. A touch of amaretto would also be nice. :)

Healthy and Homemade said...

Double crust?? YES please!

Monica H said...

It's more like quadruple crust pie! This pie is insane but I bet it was wonderful- it sure looks tasty as I love blueberries. Never thought to pair it wil almond though. Will try that combo though next time.

Leslie said...

This looks so good, simple but the almond paste kicks it up a notch. Might be a real good treat for us this weekend. Thanks Dawn for yet another tasty escape. :)

Shelby said...

This pie looks AMAZING. I am making this one for certain!

Jo said...

Already a huge fan of your blog & your creativity. But, your pictures are just incredible, what type of camera do you use?

Unknown said...

ooohhhh i soooo love danish pastry and grew up with marzipan. so this is divine! i have a big stash of blueberries and will do a pie up for the holidays to kill everyone's diet hehe! oh, one thing you could add is a bit spirit such as a flavored rum! i did that before, whatever tickles you, i had some parrot bay on hand and it worked for me....