Summer's Bounty: A Simple and Delicious Mixed Berry Pie Recipe

  

Summer is synonymous with sunshine, warm weather, and of course, an abundance of delicious fruits.  What better way to celebrate the season than with a homemade pie bursting with juicy, ripe berries? This mixed berry pie recipe is a classic dessert that is both simple to prepare and undeniably satisfying.

 

Fresh or Frozen? You Decide!

 

The beauty of this recipe is its versatility. You can use a combination of your favorite fresh berries, or frozen berries work just as well.  Frozen berries tend to be more readily available and affordable throughout the year, making this pie a perfect choice for any season.

 

Ingredients:

 

For the crust:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) cold unsalted butter, cubed

3-4 tablespoons ice water

For the filling:

4 cups mixed berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries)

3/4 cup granulated sugar

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 tablespoon butter, softened

Instructions:

 

Prepare the crust: In a large bowl, whisk together flour and salt. Using a pastry cutter or your fingers, cut the cold butter into the flour mixture until it resembles coarse crumbs. Slowly stir in ice water, a tablespoon at a time, until the dough just comes together. Be careful not to overmix.

Form the dough: Shape the dough into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, combine the berries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Toss to coat the berries evenly.

Assemble the pie: On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough to a 12-inch circle. Transfer the dough to a pie plate. Add the berry filling and dot the top with the softened butter.

Bake the pie: Crimp the edges of the dough and cut a few vents in the top crust to allow steam to escape. Bake the pie for 50-60 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

Cool and serve: Let the pie cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.

Tips:

 

For a thicker filling, you can add an additional tablespoon of cornstarch.

If your berries are very juicy, you may want to sprinkle them with a tablespoon of sugar and let them sit for 30 minutes before adding them to the pie. This will help to draw out some of the juices, preventing a soggy crust.

Don't have a rolling pin? No problem! You can press the dough into the pie plate using your fingertips.

Leftover pie can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

This easy and delicious mixed berry pie is a summertime staple. It's the perfect way to use up fresh berries or enjoy the taste of summer any time of year. So grab your favorite berries and get baking!