Mennonite Girls Can Cook is a collection of recipes which were posted daily for a period of ten years from 2008 to 2018. We have over 3,000 delicious recipes that we invite you to try. The recipes can be accessed in our recipe file by category or you can use the search engine.

Recipe Search

Flashback Friday ~ Pie Crust

We have a winner for this book give away.  Check below this first segment.

 Who does not enjoy pie?  Just this past weekend, the Calgary Cousins reminded me that I needed to bake a blackberry pie, it's tradition.   It's always enjoyable to take some of the old traditional recipes and make something that everyone loves.  Today I'm going to share with you my blackberry filling.
It's Flashback Friday and I'm bringing you back to my original pie recipe from the Mennonite Treasury.  How many of you have this cookbook in your kitchens?  Mine is so dirty, that it's almost an embarrassment but non the less, it works well and this recipe has fed many crowds. If you need a real tutorial, check out the first MGCC book, where Anneleise guides us through a step by step tutorial.
Just wondering...is there someone here who has never tried making a pie?  Leave a comment and your name because you may just be eligible for our MGCC cookbook giveaway.  The lucky winner will receive her own cook book with a step-by-step pie making tutorial.   Leave your comment and name so we can contact you.  
I will announce the winner on this same post in the following week.  

We have a winner....The names were listed, folded and drawn from a hat.
Congratulations Selina!   You are the lucky winner. 
Thanks for the wonderful recipes on this blog, I don't comment often but I do look at it every day and use the recipes sometimes. I have never made a successful pie. I once tried when I was about 14 years old, but it was not a success. I sometimes make mini pies in my muffin tin, but they are not the same. I would love a copy of this book, and would use it often!! Especially after a tutorial.
Thanks again,
Selina.

Please email me with your contact information. 
You can reach me at margbartel13@gmail.com
Thank you.



Pie Pastry
  •  5 cups flour
  • 2 tsp. baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 lb. lard or shortening 
  • 2 tbsp. vinegar
  • 2 eggs
Instructions
  1. Sift dry ingredients, flour salt and lard in a bowl.
  2. Using a pastry blender cut into flour until the size of large peas.
  3. Beat eggs in cup, add vinegar and fill cup with cold water.
  4. Slowly add this wet mixture to the loose crumbs and keep mixing.
  5. Remember you don't want to over beat this dough!
  6. Keeps will in refrigerator.
  7. The pastry is enough for about 3-4 /10inch pies, depending on how thick you make the crust.
Blackberry Pie Filling
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 6 cups fresh blackberries 
  1. Mix sugar, flour and cinnamon together in a bowl.
  2. Add blackberries and coat well.
  3. Add this mixture into a pie crust and add the top pie crust.
  4. Make a few slits into the crust.
  5. Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes
  6. Then lower heat to 325 degrees for 20 more minutes.
Tip:
I do not cover my edges with tin foil, as suggested in many recipes and I generally don't add egg whites.   I prefer the edges and top crust to be well baked giving it a great flaky taste.


Here is my original Apple Pie filling used from the Betty Crocker Book.
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/3 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 tsp. nutmeg
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon
  • pinch of salt
  • 8 cups thinly sliced pared tart apples
  • 3 tbsp. butter
  1. Heat oven to 425 degrees, Prepare pastry as instructed above.
  2. Stir together sugar, flour, nutmeg, cinnamon and salt;
  3. Mix with apples.
  4. Turn into pastry-lined pie pan.
  5. Dot with butter.
  6. Cover with top crust and cut slits into the crust.
  7. Bake at 425 for 15 minutes and then reduce to 350 for 45 minutes.
Tip:
First of all, don't go and look for your old re-cycled apples. Use those for applesauce.  I try to find the most crisp apples. (Granny Smith, Gravenstein, Jonagolds, Spartans)



Apple Pie is a favorite at our home any time. Add a scoop of ice-cream and we've got mouths wanting more.  Left over pie is perfect for any breakfast meal.  Pies have replaced birthday cakes in our home. Somehow I never exceeded at baking cakes, so I resorted to making pies.


57 comments:

  1. I'm so happy to find this blog through Judy's blog! I love to cook, so I'll be checking in from time to time for recipes.

    Thanks so much everyone for sharing your special dishes.

    Hugs, Pat

    ReplyDelete
  2. Marg. . my mouth is positively watering. Thank you for the recipe and yes my old treasury looked much as yours did . . good thing I was treated to a new copy from Charlotte and Betty.

    I so agree with your advice about using fresh apples. . .oh boy .. now my mouth is watering again.

    Thank you so much for the great recipe. Your pictures are great.

    ReplyDelete
  3. i can hardly keep up with reading all these recipes, never mind trying to make them all...apple pie definately a winner, i will surely try this recipe, thankyou

    ReplyDelete
  4. Marg...I'm afraid my book looks worse than yours. It was a shower gift from my MIL back in 1971...yikes! And it has lots of notes in it...so I don't really care to part with it just yet.

    I use the pie crust on the Tenderflake lard box...almost identical to this. And I agree...tart apples are the best! Yellow transparent are one of our favorites.

    Airport Cafe makes great pies...but I'd rather come to your place anytime.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hey...Lovella...we should all send you a photo of our mennonite cookbooks and you could make a collage...mine does not even have a cover anymore and is so worn with use it is nearly impossible to read

    Marg, that looks so good. I have NEVER attempted pie...pie crust looks daunting. Do you think I could manage? Sigh...I only just bought measuring spoons and as I told Betty tonight...I only have one measuring cup! Guess I need to get with the program now that I am venturing into the field of true baking and WITH experienced women such as yourself. Grin...don't get me wrong....I can turn out some mean food items...food items that is. More and more with all your expert advice and fail proof recipes I am becoming a success. And besides...everyone at work eats the 'mistakes' anyway.

    You are all making me very popular indeed. Perhaps I might even try PIE!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Just an invite to any of you who happen to live close by, if you think you can't make pie, let's do it together!! That's the true fun of cooking as Menno's

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just out of curiosity, if this offer is still open, could you provide more information as to how people could meet together? We currently live in Abbotsford. Where could we meet and at what times? Thanks

      Delete
  7. Hi Marg,
    Kari pointed out to me who you are! You were asking about hamburgers or something on one of the comments and I was wondering if you wre referring to Ketletten ...large deep fried meatballs. They were a regular on the Menu in days gone by.

    ReplyDelete
  8. My mom always said if something ever happened to her, that I needed to make sure I took her Bible (what she referred her Mennonite Treasury cookbook - notes everywhere in it). I had my own which I bought many years ago in Clearbrook. My mom has been gone 8 years this past August and I reflect when I look through her very worn book, it is a "treasure" and she was an amazing cook. My grown girls have the new version of your cookbook and they too seem to have inherited their grandma's cooking skills. I refer to your website often and always find what I'm looking for. Barb

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Barb,

      I'm so happy to hear that you have such warm fond memories of your mother. Even though our mothers' have passed on, they have left us a great legacy..Happy to hear that your grown girls have the new version.
      Happy cooking.
      Marg

      Delete
  9. I come from a long line of pie and cookie bakers...cakes were never a big thing in our family except for angel food during strawberry season. I've had a busy summer and I need to "catch up" with you girls! I love flashback friday too. Thank you for the recipes....it was 2 for the price of one today! LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Thanks for the recipes I just love pie I have made lots of the recipes on your site thanks again

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'm50 and have never made a pie - only you great girls could make me admit that and not feel ashamed...I love that you offer to help people learn a new skill, rather than criticize or boast. Still more proof in the pudding (no pun intended!;o) that actions speak louder than words. And you Ladies are living proof of putting God's words into action! Bless you!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have 'attempted' to make pie crusts a few times but loose patience quickly. They look like a kindergartner made them. Thank goodness the family loves my Social Apple Betty. Funny that you should comment about the birthday pie. Growing up our mother preferred to make pies and for our birthday we would get our own individual pie and didn't have to share with our 6 siblings. Let me tell you we savoured every bite of that birthday pie.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hello! I'm Cristina and I ran upon your website yesterday while looking on google for a "cheese buns" recipe. I love your blog...so many amazing recipes to choose from! When it comes to pies, I have to admit I never made one before. It always looked like a complicated thing to make. It would be neat to see a step-by-step tutorial on how to make one so I can pass it on to the ones I love.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am 57 years old and have never attempted to make a pie crust. I agree with previous postings, it is just too scary. I love a nice flaky crust, but it just seems to daunting. My husband makes a great pie crust as does my mother. Sad to say it is a skill that will be lost to the future generations.

    ReplyDelete
  15. My mom made great pie crust and she passed that gene onto my sister. I, unfortunately didn't luck out in that department. I have tried to make pastry and it always ends up in a big mess in the garbage. I had a rare treat a couple of weeks ago. My sister came to visit and I asked her to make me some pastry. So I have 6 balls of pastry in the freezer for when I want to make a pie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You've got it made. But it might be a fun activity to do together. Cheers!

      Delete
  16. Winning a new cookbook would be great! Pies are very popular in this household

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nope, I have never tried to make a pie unless you count refridgerated crusts from the grocery story. My favorite is blackberry and luckily, I have a best friend who loves to pick those and will make up a celebration to bake a blackberry pie and invite me over. But your recipes are so successful maybe I will try this. Thanks for all of them you share with us.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Keep celebrating blackberry pie with your friend. Maybe someday you will surprise her. Sorry, grocery store pie crusts will not be eligible as winners for the 'give-away'

      Delete
  18. Nope, I have never tried to make a pie unless you count refridgerated crusts from the grocery story. My favorite is blackberry and luckily, I have a best friend who loves to pick those and will make up a celebration to bake a blackberry pie and invite me over. But your recipes are so successful maybe I will try this. Thanks for all of them you share with us.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Love pie, but I have never made my own....but it is definitely on my list of things to do. Might have to try now that apple season is upon us :) thanks for sharing. Sheena O

    ReplyDelete
  20. I've never made a pie -- pastry scares me. I don't think I've ever even done the premade ones from the refrigerator section.

    Sadly, my mother passed when I was just 23, and my father and stepmother have no idea where any of her recipes are. Some of them were from my grandmother (who was a master (professional) chef/baker), and it breaks my heart.

    Lynn Decker

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aw here do you live Lynn? I would love to help you bake some pies!!!

      Delete
  21. I can make the fillings okay and turn out a good pie but with prepared crusts, graham and otherwise. I want to learn how to do this better and quit second guessing myself with crusts. I learned how beat egg whites and do pizza crust that had stymied me in the past so there is hope!

    ReplyDelete
  22. My Mennonite Treasury cookbook looks the same as yours - well worn! And I use the same pie crust recipe.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm 51 and have never made my own pie crust. I cannot roll out cookie dough, so I figure, why try? I would love to win one of your cookbooks!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I'm really enjoying your website, the recipes all look great! I did not know about your cookbook, we put in a big veggie garden this year and I'm scrambling for cooking and preserving recipes. I've done lots of baking but pie has never been on my list. My mom was the pie maker! Thanks for the chance to win!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have tried many times to make my own pie crust, especially for blackberry cobblers (my favorite)! I never get consistent results. I have tried multiple recipes and am never fully satisfied with the final product. Oh, it's edible, it's just not as wonderful as I'd like it to be. I would love to win one of your cookbooks!!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Would love to win your cookbook. Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Your pie recipe is extremely similar to mine, though mine makes 5 crusts and we add 1 Tablespoon of sugar. Your must roll yours thicker. Plus some of my plates are 8 or 9 or 10 inch. I wish I could win, but I am already a very good pie baker. I hope your book will encourage someone else. So many folks are intimidated by pies...I wish they could see how rewarding a fresh beautiful pie is to serve to others.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I do make mine a bit thicker than thinner. I prefer to taste the crust, instead of it being soggy in fruit. And I have a variety of pie plates also, so it all works in the big scheme, doesn't it? It's fun to help others see the reward of making their own pie.

      Delete
  28. I have an old Edna Staebler cookbook that I absolutely adore and your pie crust is very similar to hers although she didn't put baking powder in it. Lard honestly makes the best, flakiest pie crust! With fall just around the corner, pies will be adorning my kitchen table soon!

    ReplyDelete
  29. I too fall into the never made pie crust group. I have made a pie but not with my own pie crust. For some reason it scares me. It is on my list of things to accomplish. Your post reminded me that I need to do this. Thank you and enjoy following your blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Never, give up...who am I to say that? I would love to make some heritage recipes, but they never taste as good as my grandmothers and she's long gone. Keep trying.

      Delete
  30. Nice giveaway Marg. Would love to try out the recipes in this cookbook. I have only made all butter pie crusts. But I am encouraged with the comments regarding using lard. My next one I think I will be brave and try with 1/2 butter (for flavor) and 1/2 lard.

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi
    I have a very hard time rolling out the crust so am wondering do you by chance have a recipe for a no roil crust I mean a pastry crust I can make the pastry but when it comes times to roll it out I am hopeless !!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. I've never made a pie or pie crust before. My mother made the best pie crust! ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  33. I never learned to make a pie, the blackberry pie looks great. Is it possible to purchase a copy of Mennonite Treasury
    Cookbook?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. http://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/9781550991321/derksenprinters/mennonite-treasy-of-recipes#.VeDYBXBHarU
      I could not find it available on Amazon. They are out of stock. Try some Christian bookstores.

      Delete
  34. I have baked a pie before but I just bought some Granny Smith apples today and was looking for a good recipe. Thanks to you I found one. Thank you!
    Patty

    ReplyDelete
  35. It sure would be fun if we could gather all of those who have never tried making pie dough and have a hands on tutorial. We have had a pie making class at Lepp Farms. They are always well attended. Keep trying!

    ReplyDelete
  36. As a NYer pie making was not something we did. I tried a few times I need help!!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Cheesecake, yes. Fruit pie with homemade filling and homemade crust, definitely not, I'd love to come to beautiful B.C. and have one of you teach me.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Been married 51 years and consider myself a good cook. The one thing I stay away from is making pies. I had a bad experience once with making the pastry . That part I never mastered and keeps me away from pie baking. If only it was easy!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Oh, do I qualify if it has been years and years since I've made a pie crust from scratch? I'd love to win the recipe book and learn how to make a good pie crust. I hate to confess this but I have been reduced to buying pie crust from the store! :-( Pat at npmofjeld@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  40. I have not attempted pastry in the past. I keep thinking I should one of these days......

    ReplyDelete
  41. I had a dismal failure in the past and never tried again - it's not really pie unless you make the pastry. I would be thrilled to win the cookbook. I might even be brave enough to try again . . . Cara casauriol@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thanks for the wonderful recipes on this blog, I don't comment often but I do look at it every day and use the recipes sometimes. I have never made a successful pie. I once tried when I was about 14 years old, but it was not a success. I sometimes make mini pies in my muffin tin, but they are not the same. I would love a copy of this book, and would use it often!! Especially after a tutorial.
    Thanks again,
    Selina.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I have made pies but sadly from store bought crusts. Would love a well tried recipe and other cooking recipe treasures.

    ReplyDelete
  44. My old and well splattered pie crust recipe is very similar to yours but without the baking powder. Making your own crust is so satisfying even if it's not as delicious as your own mom's was. I would like to learn how to do it with butter as well (for some of my friends who do not eat things made with lard). Apple pie is the favourite pie in our house and we always serve it with a nice slab of aged cheddar cheese! I've been in a pie making mood of late. Oh how wonderful it would be to sit in on a tutorial done by you amazing ladies!

    ReplyDelete
  45. I am ashamed to say I am 61 years old and have never made a pie. I am from a Mennonite home and I bake everything else, but for some reason have never made pie crust. And, apple pie, is my husbands absolute favorite dessert! Isn't that a shame?

    ReplyDelete
  46. I hope my comment will apear.....I posted yesterday, but don't see it anywhere....But i'd love to win a nice cookbook, the pie looks delicious!
    My husband and I picked blueberries yesterday, so i'm freezing some for a pie!
    Best wishes from Nicoline from Holland
    gbostens@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  47. Crystal
    Still haven't tried pie....but my family is looking forward to me trying :)

    ReplyDelete
  48. Hi there. Nope I've never made a pie before. We had one class in Home Ec where we were to make a banana cream pie. Unfortunately I was away from school recovering from an illness and another opportunity didn't come up that year. My mom is not a pie maker either. She mostly made a marble style cake in little loaf pans or in a bundt style pan. She also made cookies Which she called Oma cookies. I need to ask her about those. I cant remember how long it's been since she's made them. Maybe my daughter and I need to try our hands at homemade pie for my mom's 80th birthday next month. Maybe some oma cookies too. Some old and some new.Thanks for the recipe and please include me in your draw. Blessings.
    Rose

    ReplyDelete
  49. As of 3:00 pm Sunday, 2015, this blog post will be closed to any further entries. I will be choosing the winner in the next hours and will post the winner on this site tomorrow morning. Thanks for participating and let's watch the drum roll. Cheers. Thank you to all for your comments and hopefully you will have been inspired to try your hand at baking pie. Marg

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.