A "dry" type of a Pennsylvania Dutch treat, Shoofly Pie isn't overly sweet or firm, & has the right amount of molasses flavor in every bite!
Let me begin by saying I take requests.
If a family member or friend asks me to make something special for them, I’m happy to oblige.
And when the item is something I’ve never tried (or even heard of, for that matter), all the better. I get my horizons expanded while making someone happy.
Case in point…my son-in-law’s friend mentioned that he hadn’t had Shoofly Pie (aka Molasses Pie) in some time, so my older daughter piped up and said I could make one for him.
I’d never had Shoofly Pie before. It being pie (one of my favorite desserts), I was eager to try one.
[Side note: I've seen it spelled Shoofly Pie, Shoo Fly Pie, and Shoo-Fly Pie. I'll stick with Shoofly, just to make things easy. Oh, and I'm sorry if the shoofly pie song is now stuck in your head.]
Jump to:
What is Shoofly Pie?
The Pennsylvania Dutch developed Shoofly Pie in the 1880s as a hand-held breakfast to be served alongside black coffee. It’s a molasses-based pie that’s tempered with brown sugar and finished with a crumb topping.
Those facts aren’t in dispute, at least according to Wikipedia.
However, in looking over several recipes for Shoofly Pie (and the comments within), I found that people had very strong opinions on how this pie should be made, and everyone’s grandmother made the best one.
Although to be honest, even though my grandmother never made Shoofly Pie, I’m sure if she did, hers would top all others (just sayin’).
Wet-Bottom or Dry-Bottom?
The main point of contention is whether Shoofly Pie should have a dry-bottom or a wet-bottom (feel free insert appropriate baby-bottom joke here).
For the dry bottom version, this molasses pie is baked until the filling is mostly set so it has a more cake-like consistency. The wet bottom version has a cake-like texture near the top where its mixed with the crumb topping, but has a gooier consistency nearer the bottom…think Butterscotch Pie or Pecan Pie without the pecans.
The main difference in achieving the two types seemed to be the amount of flour and brown sugar used and the length of time the pie was baked.
In the end, I settled on Land O Lakes’ Favorite Shoofly Pie…it seemed to be right in the middle of all the variations.
Which fat do you use in your recipe?
There was a lot of discussion about whether butter, lard, or shortening should be used in the pie (as well as the pie crust).
Well, shortening is processed (something I avoid, as long-time readers know), and I don’t eat lard, so I went with butter. You can choose for yourself.
I also went with my homemade pie crust recipe...yes, I play favorites. (so long as you're open about it)
How to make Shoofly Pie
Start with a single pie crust. You can use a store-bought 9-inch pie crust, but I prefer to make it myself, using my all-butter No Recipe Pie Crust. It's tried and true, and I can pronounce all the ingredients.
The filling is straightforward...Just mix the molasses with boiling water and baking soda. Make a flour/brown sugar crumb mixture. Reserve some for the topping, then add the wet ingredients to the remaining crumb.
Fill the chilled pie shell, top with the crumb mixture you set aside, and bake.
Easy, peasy!
Make a mini version
Since I was making this Shoofly Pie recipe for my son-in-law's friend, I adapted the recipe to make a mini version for my family. I just cut the filling ingredients in half and shortened the baking time to about 20 minutes.
How else was I going to try some?
Having never had Shoofly Pie before, I wasn't sure how it would (or even should) taste. My mini Molasses Pie was probably more on the "wet-bottom" side (the larger one was more dry, I was told), but it was luscious.
I loved the hearty molasses flavor and the crumbly topping...this pie was not too sweet, not too firm, and totally delicious.
Storing Tips
Here's some answers to these burning questions:
- Does Shoofly Pie need to be refrigerated? While you can refrigerate your Shoofly Pie for up to a month, it doesn't need to be refrigerated. It will keep quite nicely stored covered on your countertop for up to 5 days.
- Can I freeze Shoofly Pie? Yes, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap. To thaw, place in the refrigerator overnight. It's best to bring the pie to room temperature out on the counter before serving.
Another pie for Thanksgiving (or anytime)
Shoofly Pie is a great addition to the usual assortment of pies at a Thanksgiving dinner...I'm planning on making one (why not?).
Who knows, maybe someday my grandkids will come and ask me to make them my "famous" Shoofly Pie, and they'll brag to their friends how it's the best.
After all, I take requests!
Slainté! L’chaim! Cheers!
Tammy
Recipes for pie
Pies can be sweet or savory, and there are so many fillings. From fruits to nuts and custards, there's bound to be a pie that catches your fancy!
- Black Bottom Maple Bourbon Pecan Pie
- Shoofly Pie (Molasses Pie)
- Butterscotch Pie for Two
- Southern Brown Sugar Pie
- Chocolate Cream Pie for Two - with a no-bake option
- Treacle Tarts for Two
- Quick Mini Chocolate Raspberry Jam Tarts
- Apple Galette in Phyllo Dough
- Moroccan Beef Pie
- Mini Skillet Mixed Berry Crisp (Dairy Free) - with a cooked fruit filling and a buttery, crunchy topping, fruit crisps count as pies in my book!
- Old Fashioned Apple Crisp (Apple Crumble)
- Lemon Curd Marbled Cheesecake - while technically not a pie, cheesecakes are generally baked in a pie crust. 'Nuff said.
- White Wine Cheesecake
Recipes for pie crust & more
Need a base for a recipe? No problem! Here are recipes for pie crusts, graham cracker crusts, tart shells, and shortbread. Plus how to make a lattice pie crust!
- No Recipe Pie Crust - Can't beat a basic pie crust recipe, especially if it's easy to remember
- Classic Graham Cracker Crust - A popular choice for cheesecakes
- How to make Chocolate Cookie Crumbs - Use this quick recipe to make the base for this variation on the Graham Cracker Crust
- Basic Shortcrust Pastry - Pie crust enriched with egg, sturdy short crust pastry is perfect for tart shells
- Sourdough Shortcrust Pastry - Use this flavorful crust for savory pies & tarts, and it's a great way to use sourdough starter discard
- Homemade Shortbread Cookies - Many a bar cookie starts with a shortbread crust
- How to make a Lattice Pie Crust - Want to learn how to weave a lattice crust? I've got you!
📖 Recipe
Shoofly Pie (Molasses Pie)
Equipment
Ingredients
For the pie crust
- single pie crust, for a 9-inch pie pan (see Recipe Notes)
For the filling
- ¾ cup boiling water
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¾ cup molasses, mild or dark corn syrup (9 oz, 255g)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, (4¼ oz, 120g)
- ⅔ cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed (5 oz, 140g)
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, cold (1 oz, 30g)
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Prepare a single pie crust: Place the unbaked crust in a 9-inch pie pan, crimp edges, and set aside.
- Prepare the filling: Combine the boiling water and baking soda in a small bowl. Stir in the molasses, then set aside.
- Combine the flour and brown sugar in a medium bowl (crush any brown sugar “rocks” if you have them). Cut the butter into the flour mixture using a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Reserve ½ cup (2½ oz, 67g) crumbs for topping.
- Pour the molasses mixture, egg, and vanilla into the remaining crumb mixture. Whisk well.
- Pour the batter into the prepared crust, then sprinkle the reserved crumb mixture over the top.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then reduce oven temperature to 350°F and bake another 35-40 minutes or until filling is set.
- Remove from oven to a cooling rack. Cool for 30 minutes.
- Serve warm with whipped cream, if desired. Enjoy!
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