Shoofly pie is a traditional dessert of the Pennsylvania Dutch, a community with roots in German immigrants who settled in the United States in the 17th century. This pie, also known as "Shoofly Pie" in English, gets its peculiar name because its sweet and sticky surface used to attract flies. In Latin America, although it is not found exactly under this name, similar recipes with a pastry base and sweet fillings are known in countries like Mexico, where pies and tarts are also very popular, or in Argentina, with its traditional desserts made with pastry and jams.
Shoofly pie stands out for its combination of molasses and spices that give it a deep and characteristic flavor. Traditionally, it is consumed in homes and at fairs in Pennsylvania and represents a delicious example of how German culinary culture influenced American cuisine. Its texture combines a crispy base with a dense and sweet filling, contrasted with a topping of butter crumbs that make this dessert unique.
How to Make Pennsylvania Dutch Shoofly Pie
To prepare this delicious pie, we must first grease a 9-inch pie dish with the prepared dough for the crust. This will provide the necessary structure for the filling and topping.
Mix the molasses with the egg yolk until you achieve a homogeneous and smooth mixture, which will be the base of the filling.
Dissolve the baking soda in boiling water and immediately add it to the egg and molasses mixture. Stir well and set this preparation aside.
In a separate bowl, combine the dry ingredients which include flour, nutmeg, ground ginger, ground cloves, cinnamon, salt, and brown sugar. It is important to mix everything evenly.
Incorporate the cold butter into the dry ingredients and mix until the mixture has the appearance of coarse crumbs, which will provide texture and flavor to the topping.
Carefully pour the molasses mixture over the pastry crust in the pie dish, making sure it is evenly distributed.
Sprinkle the butter and dry mixture crumbs over the surface, distributing them evenly to create a perfect topping without stirring.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the pie for 15 minutes. Then, lower the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and continue baking for 20 more minutes.
Finally, let the pie cool before serving so the flavors can settle and the texture is ideal for enjoyment.
