Description
Celebrate the flavors of summer with triple berry pie! Give the juicy berry filling a head start on thickening by cooking it for a few minutes on the stove. As the pie cools, the filling sets into a jammy, yet sliceable consistency. Serve with vanilla ice cream for a sweet summertime dessert!
Ingredients
- Homemade Pie Crust or All Butter Pie Crust (both recipes make 2 crusts, 1 for bottom and 1 for top)
- 3 cups (about 435g) fresh blueberries, divided
- 1 and 1/2 cups (about 188g) fresh raspberries, divided
- 1 and 1/2 cups (about 240g) fresh blackberries, divided
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/3 cup (40g) cornstarch
- 1 Tablespoon (15ml) fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- egg wash: 1 large egg beaten with 1 Tablespoon (15ml) milk
- optional: coarse sugar for sprinkling on crust
Instructions
- The crust: Prepare either pie crust recipe through step 5, including chilling for at least 2 hours. I usually make the crust the night before. The pie crust recipe makes 2 crusts and you’ll be using both crusts.
- Make the filling: Place 1/2 cup of each type of berry in a medium bowl and set aside.
- Place the remaining 2 and 1/2 cups blueberries, 1 cup raspberries, and 1 cup blackberries in a medium saucepan set over medium heat. Add the sugar and cinnamon and cook, stirring frequently, until the berries begin to release some juice. Place the cornstarch and lemon juice in a small bowl. Remove 3 to 4 Tablespoons of warm berry juice from the saucepan, and add it to the bowl of cornstarch. With a fork, whisk together the cornstarch and juices until cornstarch is dissolved and you have a smooth paste. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the saucepan with the berries. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is simmering and starting to thicken into a jam consistency, about 5–7 minutes; if you have an instant-read thermometer, the filling is done cooking when it reaches about 185°F (85°C). Remove from heat and stir in the reserved berries (1/2 cup of each), lemon zest, and vanilla. Set aside to cool at room temperature for 20 minutes or up to 1 day. If not using after 20 minutes, cover lightly.
- Adjust the oven rack to the lower third position and preheat to 425°F (218°C). Place a baking sheet on the bottom oven rack to catch any berry juices.
- Roll out the chilled pie dough: On a floured work surface, roll out one of the discs of chilled dough. (Keep the other disc in the refrigerator until needed.) Turn the dough about a quarter turn after every few rolls until you have a circle 12 inches in diameter. Carefully place the dough into a 9-inch pie dish. Tuck it in with your fingers, making sure it is smooth.
- Spoon the filling (it’s ok if it’s still warm) into the crust and place the pie in the refrigerator as you roll out the top crust.
- Arrange the lattice: Remove the other disc of chilled pie dough from the refrigerator. Roll the dough into a circle 12 inches diameter. Using a pastry wheel, sharp knife, or pizza cutter, cut strips of dough; in the pictured pie, I cut 10 1-inch-wide strips. Remove the pie from the refrigerator and carefully thread the dough strips over and under one another, pulling back strips as necessary to weave. (Here’s a lattice pie crust tutorial if you need visuals.) Press the edges of the strips into the bottom pie crust edges to seal. Use a small paring knife or kitchen shears to trim off excess dough. Flute or crimp the pie crust edges with a fork.
- Lightly brush the top and edges of the pie crust with egg wash. Sprinkle the top with coarse sugar, if using.
- Bake the pie at 425°F for 20 minutes; then, keeping the pie in the oven, reduce the oven temperature down to 375°F (190°C). Place a pie crust shield (see Notes for homemade shield) on the edges to prevent them from over-browning. Continue baking the pie until the filling’s juices are bubbling everywhere, including in the center, 45–55 more minutes. If you want to be precise, the internal temperature of the filling taken with an instant-read thermometer should be about 200°F (93°C) when done. Tip: If needed towards the end of bake time, if the top looks like it’s getting too brown, remove the pie crust shield and tent an entire piece of foil over the pie.
- Remove pie from the oven, place on a cooling rack, and cool for at least 5 hours before slicing and serving. Filling will be too juicy if the pie is warm when you slice it.
- Cover leftovers tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: This a great pie to make 1 day in advance, because the filling will have time to set overnight. The pie crust dough can also be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Feel free to prepare the filling 1 day in advance. See end of step 3. Baked pie freezes well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and allow to come to room temperature before serving.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Glass Mixing Bowl | Silicone Spatula | 9-inch Pie Dish | Rolling Pin | Pastry Wheel or Pizza Cutter | Zester | Citrus Juicer | Pastry Brush | Sparkling Sugar | Pie Crust Shield | Instant-Read Thermometer | Cooling Rack
- Frozen Berries: I strongly recommend using fresh blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. If you decide to use frozen berries, do not thaw them first. The pie will take several more minutes in the oven if using frozen berries, and will have a juicier filling.
- Other Fruits/Berries: For best results, I encourage you to use the recipe as written below with blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. If desired, you can replace the raspberries or blackberries with chopped strawberries. Or you can replace the blueberries with halved cherries. No other changes necessary.
- Aluminum Foil Pie Crust Shield: You can purchase a pie crust shield or make one from aluminum foil. Cut a 14-inch square of aluminum foil. Fold in half. Cut out a 5-inch semi-circle on the folded edge. Unfold. Carefully fit the aluminum foil over the pie crust edges, securing down on the sides as best you can (careful, the pie is hot!), leaving the center of the pie exposed.
- Check out my 10 Best Tools for Baking Pies.