Description
Grandma’s Old-Fashioned Raisin Pie is a classic American dessert featuring plump raisins simmered in a sweet, spiced filling, enclosed in a golden, flaky double crust. This nostalgic pie combines the warmth of cinnamon and nutmeg with the tartness of apple cider vinegar, delivering a perfect balance of flavors that evokes cherished family traditions.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 2 cups raisins
- 2 cups water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar or lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
Pie Crust
- 1 double pie crust (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for a perfectly baked pie.
- Simmer Raisins: In a medium saucepan, combine the raisins and water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes to plump up the raisins and infuse them with moisture.
- Prepare Sugar Mixture: In a separate bowl, mix granulated sugar, brown sugar, cornstarch, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This blend will thicken the filling and add warm spices.
- Cook Filling: Stir the sugar mixture into the hot raisins in the saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add Finishing Touches: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the apple cider vinegar or lemon juice and the unsalted butter. Let the filling cool slightly to thicken further.
- Assemble Pie: Roll out the bottom pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch pie plate. Pour the raisin filling evenly into the crust.
- Top Crust: Place the second pie crust on top of the filling. Cut slits for steam to escape or create a lattice pattern if desired. Crimp the edges to seal well.
- Optional Glazing: Brush the top crust with milk or an egg wash to achieve a golden, glossy finish once baked.
- Bake: Bake the pie in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the pie to cool completely to set before slicing. Serve chilled or at room temperature, accompanied by whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if desired.
Notes
- For extra flavor and texture, add a handful of chopped walnuts to the filling before baking.
- Golden raisins can be used instead of regular raisins for a lighter, milder flavor.
- This pie tastes best served chilled or at room temperature, complementing well with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
