How do you bake a blueberry pie?

Baking a Blueberry Pie: A Step-by-Step Guide

Here's a recipe for a classic blueberry pie, with tips and tricks for success:

Ingredients:

For the Crust:

* 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

* 1 teaspoon salt

* 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces

* 1/2 cup ice water

For the Filling:

* 6 cups fresh blueberries, or 4 cups frozen blueberries (thawed and drained)

* 1 cup granulated sugar

* 1/4 cup all-purpose flour

* 1 tablespoon lemon juice

* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

* 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Make the Crust:

* Combine flour and salt in a large bowl.

* Cut in the cold butter using a pastry blender or your fingers, until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

* Gradually add ice water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the dough just comes together.

* Divide the dough in half and form each half into a disc.

* Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Prepare the Filling:

* In a large bowl, combine blueberries, sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon (if using), and salt.

* Toss gently to combine.

3. Assemble the Pie:

* Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

* On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disc into a 12-inch circle.

* Transfer to a 9-inch pie plate.

* Pour the blueberry filling into the crust.

* Roll out the remaining dough disc and cut into strips or lattice strips.

* Arrange the strips on top of the filling, creating a decorative crust.

* Trim and crimp the edges of the crust.

* Brush the top crust with milk or egg wash and sprinkle with sugar (optional).

4. Bake the Pie:

* Bake for 15 minutes at 425°F.

* Reduce oven temperature to 375°F (190°C) and bake for another 30-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.

* Let cool completely before serving.

Tips for Success:

* Use Cold Ingredients: Cold butter and ice water help keep the crust flaky.

* Don't Overwork the Dough: Overworking the dough will make it tough.

* Blind Bake the Crust: For a crispier crust, blind bake it before adding the filling.

* Thicken the Filling: The flour in the filling helps prevent the pie from becoming runny.

* Don't Overfill: Leave about 1 inch of space between the filling and the edge of the crust to prevent overflow.

* Use a Pie Shield: A pie shield helps prevent the crust from browning too quickly.

* Cool Completely: Let the pie cool completely before serving to allow the filling to set.

Enjoy your delicious blueberry pie!