Blueberry pie is kind of magical, isn’t it? Imagine, now, what it would be like to bake it Finnish, with an easy but rich butter-dotted crust and a heart-filling of sweet, juicy blueberries tasting like a stretch of summer sealed up on each fork. Mustikkapiirakka is one of the most popular Finnish desserts and a favourite at cosy family get-togethers (when berries are available in the stores)
A Bit of a Backstory
Finland is commonly referred to as the land of a thousand lakes, but it can also be the land of a thousand berries. During the summer, blueberries (or blueberries, as the wild variety is known in Finland) grow in the forests in thick abundance. Finns have been wandering into the woods and picking them fresh with baskets as an activity that has been passed on in generations. Whether it be in jams, porridges, or in a variety of meals, blueberries feature in a number of meals; however, Mustikkapiirakka is the ideal comfort bake. It is a not-too-sweet, not-too-tangy pie that reminds most Finnish families of Finland of their childhood.
Ingredients
Here’s the classic version:
To make a crust:
- 1 – 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or a half rye will make it more rustic with a Finnish flavour)
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- A little bit of salt
- ½ cup (unsalted) softened butter
- 1 large egg
For the filling:
- 2 cups fresh blueberries (frozen works fine too, just don’t thaw first)
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour or potato starch (to thicken), in case you don’t have
- ½ tsp ground cardamom (optional, but very Finnish)
For topping (optional):
- Around half a cup of sour cream or plain yoghurt
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp sugar
Substitues
- Blueberries: Cultivated blueberries (or even blackberries) are difficult to come by, so I would resort to regular cultivated blueberries or even blackberries.
- Butter: Use margarine or coconut oil as a substitute in case you are dairy-free.
- Flour: You can check gluten-free mixes or use almond flour (it will change the texture of the crust).
- Sour cream topping: Greek yoghurt or creme fraiche is fine too.
Instructions
Step 1: Toss flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl and mix with a whisk
Put in melted butter and egg. Mix till you have a soft dough that comes together
Step 2: Using a lightly greased pie dish (about 9-inch), press the dough into the bottom and the sides of the dish
Step 3: Add the filling made up of blueberries
Toss the blueberries in sugar, flour (or starch), and cardamom (if you are using). Scatter onto the crust
Step 4: Take a small bowl and whisk there the sour cream or yoghurt, the egg and sugar
Slowly pour the blueberries to give a custard-like effect
Step 5: Heat the oven to 180 °C (350 °F)
After heating the oven at 180 C or(350°F), bake it for around 30 to 40 minutes or until the crust is properly golden and fillings begin to bubble.
Step 6: Leave to settle for 20 minutes or so to give the filming time to settle
Heat or room temperature
Serving Tips
- Serve with a spoon of vanilla ice cream or some whipped cream.
- The ideal serving of it is a hot cup of black coffee or tea in Finnish style.
- And yes, even Finish people have a piece of blueberry pie in their morning breakfast!
Precautions
- And when using frozen blueberries, there is no need to thaw them out–this stops the filling becoming thin with water
- Always strike a balance on sweetness. The desserts in Finland are usually less sweet, so add sugar to the taste
- Always allow the pie to rest before slicing, otherwise it can come pulling apart when hot
More About Mustikkapiirakka
Mustikkapiirakka is not merely a pie–it is a bit of the Finnish summer in a golden crust, filled with berries. Each piece tastes warm and homey no matter where you consume it, in a log cabin in Finland at a lake or in the middle of your kitchen anywhere in the world. Are you in the mood to find a dessert that is easy and soul filling? Well, this blueberry pie could be your new favorite.
