What an awesome TWD week…with the Fourth having so many cookouts and get-togethers, this was the perfect choice! luckily, I was able to pick my own berries for this pie earlier in the week, so to me, that makes it even better!
Dorie’s pie crust comes together so easily…I will use it over and over! (and I am not even a pie person!) Because I can’t sem to leave well enough alone, I did throw in a couple of extra touches to the crust…a pinch of cardamom, a little grated lemon peel, a splash of vanilla, and I used my vanilla sugar as well. The additions really flavored this crust up! I was very pleased, to say the least. I intend to make a separate post on Vanilla Sugar and Homemade Vanilla Extract some day, as once you try it, you’ll have an awfully hard time going back to the store bought variety.
For the blueberry filling, I think I followed Dorie’s recipe word for word. I probably added more lemon than she would have, but I love the zing it gives the berries. I did also add some orange zest, but only because I had it at the ready.
Back to the crust. I made the 9 inch pie and also an itty bitty guy that fit into the cutest little mason jar EVER. I bought those jars to put homemade babyfood in (which I only did ONCE, and now Seven eats real food most of the time, so it’s a good thing I have found an alternate use for these!) Because I was taking the big pie to a Fourth of July party at my parents, I wanted to make it look a little bit festive. I am a tad bit torn on whether the attmept looked cute or if it looked stupid…it’s such a fine line. But what I did was roll out the top crust and use my flower cookie cutter to just pierce the dough – going all the way through but not lifting out the center. I thought the flower somewhat resembled fireworks – that’s why I chose it. 
To take it a step farther, I used my food coloring pens and hand colored a few of the cut outs in red and blue before baking.
To take it a step farther, I used my food coloring pens and hand colored a few of the cut outs in red and blue before baking.
Then I sprinkled some demarara sugar on top for a little added sparkle.
Results?? Well, the jar pie was excellent – I couldn’t help but eat the whole thing by myself minutes after it came out of the oven.
Thank goodness I had the restraint to photograph it before inhaling it. The big pie? Well, it was great, too, but I prefer it warm. The consensus of the party-goers was an overwhelming thumbs up – one uncle even said “I drank it, because it was too good to eat.”
I think that means he really, really liked it.
What amount of leftovers I have will be warmed up and served with some vanilla ice cream – oh yum…my mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Thanks for such a great pick this week, Amy of South in Your Mouth…you’ve converted me to a pie person!!
Until next week…head on over to the TWD blogroll to check out what the other 200+ of us did!!
{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE the little fireworks!! Too cute!!
I simply adore your baby pie and wow, the fireworks are fabulous!! How wonderfully inventive! I am so impressed, and I just love the idea of using some cardamom for extra flavour! You GO girl!
The colors look so cute and festive! Great job.
As for homemade baby food… I did it once too. Maybe on the next baby, right? But by then I’ll probably be too busy with two kids lol!
That crust is brilliant!!!
I can’t wait to see your vanilla sugar/extract posts!
I think the fireworks are awesome! I’m a little jealous. You did a great job with everything!
i love the red and blue fireworks, nice touch! the jar pie is adorable
I absolutely love the decoration – fabulous! You really took this and ran with it!
I LOVE your top crust ~ so creative!
Absolutely cute, not stupid. Presentation is my weakest area, and I truly admire people who can figure out how to make things look beautiful.
I love the jarred pie and the fireworks pie, you are so creative! Great job.
so festive! I love it!
Wow…spectacular…and I am so copying this idea (I will, of course give you full credit) at my next pie baking session here…you are so creative! All of it gorgeous, the little jar one just so cute and so much fun to think about getting to eat the whole thing! Thanks for sharing…really, great job!
~Kayte
http://www.grandmaskitchentable.typepad.com
First of all, I must tell you how sorry I am to miss your Macaron posting….urghh
So, I just want to make the comment here, “Macaron” looks so gorgeous, I am impress and wow, no kidding! that’s I think how much its cost at “Bouchon” if its not more! I am 100% agree with you, what with all of those fuss?
Now about your “Blueberry Pie”, ahhhh looks so scrumptious! and all of those flower decoration? how creative!
Super cute, super lovely–for both pies! I’ve been meaning to try a mason jar pie, or cake, for awhile now. You’ve inspired me to actually do it!
The pies look amazing! I especially love the pie in a jar. I will certainly try it! Perfect for a luncheon. I am on the search for fresh blueberries I need to make this!
Your pie looks so cute!!!!! (not stupid) Your photos are gorgeous!!!
Very, very cute!! Love the fireworks!
omg…i LOVE your cutie little mason PIE! Soooo cute! i knew i gave you the pico award for a reason hehe!
Those red and blue stars were just adorable, plus that baby pie is pure cutesville.
The baby pie in the mason jar is the best! I also liked the decorations for the fourth, very festive! Great job!
WOW! Your pie looks amazing! I love the little flower cutouts and the red and blue! and the little baby food jar- how cute! Great job!
I love it! Your pies are fabulous!
What a great idea with the cookie cutters! I would have never thought of that, it is such a beautiful presentation, and so creative!
Wow! You must have put alot of time into that. Looks wonderful!
Esther
I gotta make me some of those mini pies! I hope everyone appreciated the effort you put in. Beautiful!
That mini pie looks so cute. Your larger pie is nice too. Don’t you love it when you can find other uses for things that you don’t normally have a use for?
This is so cute! Love the cutouts!!!
The fireworks decoration is great! I’m going to have to remember that I can use my food coloring pens on things other than cookies.
You are ingenious! I love the colored in cutout fireworks and the little pie in the jar is to die for! Just beautiful and I am so with you about how delicious this blueberry pie is! Your spice additions for the crust is a must try for me. And here I am with my own vanilla sugar and I never used it =D
Adorable mini pie, and I love how you decorated the big pie!!!
Your pie turned out great! Love the fireworks decorations.
Those fireworks are brilliant and the pie in the mason jar is the best idea ever!!! Great work!!!!
That is one of the prettiest pies ever! I love the “fireworks”! That mini is adorable too. I’ve got to remember the jar idea for next time.
Really cute little pie in the jar. I love that idea. The big pie did look festive and I agree that it did resemble fire works a bit. I loved the crust and will definitely be using it again! By the way, I love your posts. Your style always makes me laugh a little bit! ;oP
Very creative to do fireworks and the pie in a jar idea! Great job!
Shari@Whisk: a food blog
Seriously darling! I love what you did with the crust!
i love what you did w/the crust! not silly at all, soooo cute! the mason jar pie is lovely too!
You are a girl after my own heart; just can’t resist playing with spices! The jar pie is fantastic! I am a big fan of vanilla sugar, specifically vanilla powdered sugar and homemade vanilla extract. I just bottled up two jars as gifts yesterday.
Two thumbs up on the adorable little jar pie! and you get the creativity award for the pie crust. Great job!
Love the festive decorations!
Your pie is so festive and gorgeous! I love it!
Those pies are too adorable. And you picked your blueberries? Nice. Great work.
Oh my goodness. Cutest pie ever!
The crust.. the crust.. so fantastic! I’m with everyone else on this.. the mini one is too cute
Those food coloring pens are cool… never thought to use them on pie thanks for the awesome idea!