Shoofly Pie Recipe Molasses Crumb Amber Top

I’ve always found comfort in baking, and this shoofly pie recipe Molasses Crumb Amber Top is one of my go-to’s for that warm, cozy feeling. Just imagine the aroma of deep molasses and sweet crumbs filling your kitchen as it bakes, promising a truly hearty, satisfying dessert. This simple, family-friendly classic is perfect for busy families needing a sweet treat without fuss. This particular shoofly pie recipe with its Molasses Crumb Amber Top, passed down and perfected, is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Get ready for a dessert that’s easy to make, deeply flavorful, and always satisfying.

Ingredient List with Smart Choices

Gathering your ingredients for this delightful shoofly pie recipe Molasses Crumb Amber Top is straightforward, focusing on pantry staples for a truly authentic taste.

• Molasses: 1 cup (240ml) – essential for the deep, amber filling. (Use light molasses for a milder flavor, or dark for a more robust depth.)
• All-Purpose Flour: 1 ½ cups (180g) for the crumb, plus extra for dusting – provides structure for the crunchy topping. For a gluten-free shoofly pie, swap with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
• Unsalted Butter: ½ cup (113g) cold, cubed – creates that perfect tender, buttery crumb. (Or use a dairy-free butter alternative for a plant-based option in the crumb.)
• Brown Sugar: ½ cup (100g) packed – adds caramel notes to the topping.
• Granulated Sugar: ½ cup (100g) – for sweetness and texture in the crumb.
• Large Egg: 1 – binds the wet filling for a smooth consistency.
• Hot Water: 1 cup (240ml) – dissolves the baking soda and thins the molasses.
• Baking Soda: 1 tsp (5g) – reacts with molasses for lift and tender crumb.
• Salt: A pinch – balances the sweetness.
• 9-inch Pie Crust: 1 (store-bought or homemade) – the foundation for your delicious pie. Using a store-bought crust is a fantastic convenience for easy dinner ideas and meal prep recipes.

Easy Step-by-Step Cooking Directions

Making this shoofly pie recipe Molasses Crumb Amber Top is a joy, with each step bringing you closer to a comforting, family-friendly dessert. My secret for a truly flaky crust is always to keep the butter and water as cold as possible!

1. Prep the pie crust (5 min prep): Gently fit your 9-inch pie crust into a pie plate, pressing it against the sides. Crimp the edges decoratively (it should look neat and contained) and set it aside to chill briefly.
2. Make the crumb topping (10-15 min prep): In a medium bowl, combine 1 ½ cups flour, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup granulated sugar, and ½ cup cold butter (cut into small cubes). Use your fingertips or a pastry blender to quickly mix until coarse, pea-sized crumbs form (it should feel sandy and light). Set this delicious molasses crumb amber top aside. My tip: a food processor speeds this up wonderfully for busy family meals!
3. Prepare the wet filling (5 min prep): In another bowl, whisk together 1 cup molasses, 1 large egg, and 1 cup hot water with 1 tsp baking soda dissolved in it. Mix until the mixture is smooth and fully combined (it will look uniform and dark brown). If the mixture appears too thick, splash in 1-2 Tbsp more hot water to ensure it pours easily.
4. Assemble the pie (5 min assembly): Carefully pour the wet filling into your prepared pie crust. Then, evenly sprinkle the entire molasses crumb amber top mixture over the liquid filling. Ensure full coverage for that classic look and texture.
5. Bake (40-50 min bake time, 375°F/190°C): Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the crumb is beautifully golden brown and the filling is mostly set (a slight jiggle in the very center is normal, indicating it’s nearly done). The kitchen will smell amazing!
6. Cool completely (2-3 hours cooling): Allow the shoofly pie to cool for at least 2-3 hours on a wire rack before slicing. This is absolutely crucial for the filling to set properly and prevents a runny slice. The filling will firm up as it cools, giving you perfect slices.

Ideal Uses and Serving Suggestions

This classic dessert is perfect for many occasions. It’s a comforting weeknight dessert or a special treat for Sunday dinners and holiday potlucks.

• Occasions: Great for fall gatherings, family meals, or whenever you crave a hearty, sweet pie.
• Pairings: Serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream. It’s also delicious alongside a mug of hot coffee or tea.

Store leftover shoofly pie tightly covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat individual slices gently in the microwave or oven for a warm, comforting treat.

Everyday Benefits of Cooking with Shoofly Pie

This shoofly pie recipe uses budget-friendly pantry staples and is surprisingly easy to make. It creates a hearty, satisfying dessert, perfect for busy families looking for convenient options.

A delightful comfort food, this pie can be part of a balanced diet when enjoyed in moderation. It exemplifies healthy recipes for families and offers a delicious alternative to quick dinner ideas when you want something sweet afterward. It’s also a fantastic make-ahead option, fitting into budget meal prep for desserts.

Tips, Variations, and Dietary Adjustments

For the best results with your shoofly pie, paying attention to a few techniques makes a big difference.

• Technique upgrades: Don’t overmix the crumb topping; light hands ensure a tender texture. For the flakiest crust, ensure all ingredients are cold. Let the pie cool completely to allow the filling to set properly, preventing a runny center.
• Flavor tweaks: Add a dash of ground ginger, allspice, or cloves to the wet filling or crumb topping for a richer, spicier flavor profile.
• Dietary adjustments: For a low-carb version, explore alternative sweeteners for the filling and use a nut-based flour for the crumb (adjusting moisture as needed). For a plant-based shoofly pie, use flax egg and dairy-free butter. For kid-safe adjustments, use light molasses for a milder flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is shoofly pie suitable for gluten-free diets?

Yes, easily! Use a gluten-free pie crust and a gluten-free flour blend for the crumb topping to enjoy a delicious shoofly pie. The texture remains wonderful with these simple swaps.

How can I meal prep with shoofly pie for the week?

Bake the pie ahead, cool it completely, then slice into individual portions and store. It’s a great grab-and-go dessert or hearty snack throughout the week, making it ideal for efficient meal prep recipes.

What’s the best way to store homemade shoofly pie?

Store your shoofly pie tightly covered at room temperature for up to 2 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze individual slices, wrapped well, for a convenient treat later.

Can I use different types of molasses in this shoofly pie recipe?

Absolutely. Light molasses gives a sweeter, milder flavor, while dark molasses (like blackstrap) provides a more intense, robust taste. This affects the overall flavor of your shoofly pie recipe Molasses Crumb Amber Top significantly.

Why is my shoofly pie filling runny?

This usually means it’s underbaked. Ensure the center is set with a slight jiggle, and allow it to cool completely for the filling to fully firm up. I always let my shoofly pie cool for at least 3 hours; patience is key to a perfectly set filling, preventing a runny shoofly pie.

Can I make a shoofly pie without a top crust?

Our shoofly pie recipe Molasses Crumb Amber Top focuses on the traditional crumb topping. Shoofly pie historically has only a bottom crust and a crumb top, making it distinct from a double-crust pie with a full top crust.

What’s the origin of shoofly pie?

Shoofly pie is a traditional Pennsylvania Dutch dessert, believed to have originated in the 19th century. Its name is thought to come from the need to “shoo flies” away from the sweet, sticky molasses pie cooling on windowsills.

Conclusion

This easy shoofly pie recipe with its molasses crumb amber top brings simple, satisfying comfort to your kitchen, ideal for family dinners and a delightful addition to healthy recipes for families. Enjoy this classic dessert tonight; save it on Pinterest for future delicious family meals.

shoofly pie recipe Molasses Crumb Amber Top

---

• Author: Sarah Williams
• Total Time: 225 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Diet: General

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

This shoofly pie recipe with a Molasses Crumb Amber Top is a simple, family-friendly classic that promises a hearty, satisfying dessert. It features a deep molasses filling topped with sweet, buttery crumbs, filling your kitchen with a warm, cozy aroma as it bakes.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 cup (240ml) molasses, light or dark
• 1.5 cups (180g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
• 0.5 cup (113g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• 0.5 cup (100g) brown sugar, packed
• 0.5 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup (240ml) hot water
• 1 tsp (5g) baking soda
• A pinch salt
• 1 9-inch pie crust, store-bought or homemade

---

Instructions

1. Prep Pie Crust: Gently fit your 9-inch pie crust into a pie plate, pressing it against the sides. Crimp the edges decoratively and set aside to chill briefly.
2. Make Crumb Topping: In a medium bowl, combine 1.5 cups flour, 0.5 cup brown sugar, 0.5 cup granulated sugar, and 0.5 cup cold butter (cut into small cubes). Mix until coarse, pea-sized crumbs form.
3. Prepare Wet Filling: In another bowl, whisk together 1 cup molasses, 1 large egg, and 1 cup hot water with 1 tsp baking soda dissolved in it. Mix until smooth and fully combined. (If too thick, add 1-2 Tbsp more hot water.)
4. Assemble Pie: Carefully pour the wet filling into your prepared pie crust. Evenly sprinkle the crumb topping mixture over the liquid filling, ensuring full coverage.
5. Bake Pie: Preheat oven to 375F (190C). Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the crumb is golden brown and the filling is mostly set (slight jiggle in the center is normal).
6. Cool Completely: Allow the pie to cool for at least 2-3 hours on a wire rack before slicing. This is crucial for the filling to set properly.

Notes

For a truly flaky crust, keep butter and water as cold as possible. A food processor can speed up crumb topping preparation. Allow pie to cool completely for 2-3 hours for the filling to set properly, preventing a runny slice. For variations, use light molasses for milder flavor or dark for robust depth. Consider a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for GF, or dairy-free butter for plant-based.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 slice (188 g)
• Calories: 380 calories
• Sugar: 45 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 60 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg

Keywords: shoofly pie, molasses, crumb top, amber top, easy dessert, family-friendly, classic, baking, sweet treat