Shoofly Pie Recipe
Shoofly pie is something I always wanted to make but never did until now.
Gotta be a molasses person to love Shoofly pie
Now, if you’re not a molasses person, this pie won’t be for you. Shoofly Pie or Molasses Cake as some have called it dates back all the way to 1876 in Amish country.
Me, I’m a molasses person. I find that the older I get the more I crave and adore the rich strong flavor of deep, dark molasses. Adding to the fact that I’m a brown sugar lover and those are the two primary ingredients in a Shoofly pie, I can’t imagine not loving it.
Where did Shoofly Pie get it’s name?
Well according to the Chicago Tribune article
the unusual name was penned because ‘the pools of sweet, sticky molasses sometimes formed on the surface of the pie while it was cooling (and) inevitably attracting flies.’ Not so nice, but makes sense! Let’s try not to think of those flies as we move on to
How To Make A Shoofly Pie Recipe
Ingredients You’ll need are:
- All Purpose Flour
- Baking Soda
- Molasses
- Butter
- Brown Sugar (I’m using dark)
- Eggs
- Hot tap water
- Two Pie Crusts
Store bought or from scratch pie crusts are fine for this Shoofly Pie recipe
I am using store bought pie crusts because I need the dishes to be disposable. Make your own or buy them, whichever works best for you. We’re making pies and having fun so don’t get hung up on the idea that anything other than made-from-scratch is somehow below standard. Get in there and don’t let anyone rain on your parade!
Lets make us a pie, shall we?
- Place your brown sugar in a bowl…
- Add in flour
- Have happy children stir it up.
- Crack eggs into mixing bowl.
- Like so…
- Use mixer to beat those up a bit.
- Pour in molasses.
- Mix that up well.
- Add baking soda to hot water and stir to dissolve.
- Add into mixture.
- Mix that up a bit.
- Take flour mixture and add in butter.
- Cut in with fork.
- Until well mixed up, like so.
- Take about half of that and add it to the wet mixture.
- Like so…
- Let ‘er rip and mix it up really well.
- Pour (or ladle in my case) mixture into each pie shell .
- Like this. 🙂
- Sprinkle remaining dry mixture over tops.
- There, all ready to bake now! Bake according to recipe at bottom (preheat at 450 then reduce to 350 and cook for 30 mins)
- Allow to cool.
This was my first taste of Shoofly pie and I have to say I was delighted. I expected it to be a lot stronger flavor and even considered substituting honey for the molasses at one point just in case but it came out much milder than you’d expect and with a bit of a spongy, cakey texture. Would be DIVINE served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream drizzled with molasses!
[amd-zlrecipe-recipe:113]
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You may also like these pies:
Caramel Banana Pie AKA Easy Banoffee Pie
Sweet Potato Pie Southern Plate Style
“Shoo fly pie and Apple Pan Dowdy
Makes your eyes light up, your tummy says ‘howdy’,
Shoo fly pie and Apple Pan Dowdy –
I never get enough of that wonderful stuff…”
Sorry, but I can’t think about shoo fly pie without hearing that song in my head. Growing up near Pennsylvania Dutch country I am well acquainted with this pie and I LOVE it. Haven’t had it in years so maybe I’ll try my hand at actually making it (instead of ordering it off of a menu)!
My Grandfather use to say. if you can’t say something good about somebody, don’t say anything. So when the meanest ole man in the community died, they ask what good can you say about him now?
My Grandfather said didn’t he make a lovely Corpse?
Those pies look so good and would sure feed my sweet tooth! Love the look on Katy’s face…”what…who,me??” You are making wonderful memories with your children!!
Bountiful Blessings!
p.s. made your Mac & Cheese and Fire & Ice (again) yesterday! They have become favorites!
Hi Christy,
I love your tutorials! I also enjoy seeing the kids cook and have fun doing so. My 2 granddaughters (ages 7 & 8) love to help me in the kitchen when they come to visit. It it now tradition for us to make chocolate pudding together every time they are here. I found this easy recipe a few weeks ago and it is so simple that they already have it memorized.
Easy Chocolate Pudding
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 cup milk
1/3 – 1/2 cups chocolate chips
(I, too, usually use the store brands, but for this recipe, I prefer name brand chips.)
In a microwave safe bowl mix cornstarch and milk until smooth. Add chips. Microwave for 2 minutes. Remove and stir well to mix the melted chips. Return to microwave and cook again for 2 more minutes. Pour into desert dishes, if desired, or just leave in the bowl. (It won’t last long, anyway!) Serve warm or let cool. Great with Cool Whip or ice cream!
I usually let each of the girls make this recipe by themselves so they can each have a bowl to eat on while they are here! It’s also made with lots of LOVE, according to the 7 year old!!
Try it, you will like this!
Betty,
You are so very sweet to share this recipe with me! I know my kids will really enjoy making this – maybe as much as your granddaughters do! We’ll definitely be making it soon. My Katy is a chocoholic and they both love getting to cook.
Thank you so very much!
Gratefully,
Christy 🙂
beautiful scenery~ and we up here in the lehigh valley- make shoo fly pies all the time- it’s a pennsylvania dutch thing- along with FUnny cakes..have you ever made them?? my my they are so good! Your shoo fly pies look gorgeous- I would love a piece right about now! YUM!
thanks for sharing- always enjoy your posts.
Hey Roblovesleo!
Thank you for such a lovely comment!! I’m curious now as to what a funny cake is, can you tell me?
Is it something like a funnel cake?
Hi, Christy. Reading this a bit late, but I only found your website recently. A funny cake is really a pie, too–it’s got a gooey chocolate bottom, with a vanilla cake on top, baked in a pieshell.
Also, when shoofly pie is baked here in PA Dutch country, we use Turkey syrup–which you’ve probably never heard of, but it’s a real thick mild flavored molasses. Dark Karo is the closest to it that I can think of!
Thanks for all the recipes!
The shoo-fly pies look good, but I have to admit I have never actually tasted one. I think I have to pull you aside now though and lecture you on the last post where you berated yourself for buying a dehydrator. Now-since I am old enough to be yuor mama I am taking license to scold you. If you have the finances to buy something that makes you happy and you are going to use, you have every right to do so. I feel 100% sure that neither your husband or your children had the slightest objection and they will be the recipient of many wonderful goodies to come from that dehydrator. You might also calculate what money you will save by processing your own because in my neck of the woods a six ounces bag of dried peaches are over five dollars. My point is-you contribute to your family’s happiness and well being way beyond measure and buying a little something that makes you happy only makes you a happier, more cheerful mate and mama. So Miss Christy-you just enjoy that dehydrator and put every ounce of guilt away. I am done chewing on you now and I don’t feel guilty because I know I am right. As usual- LOL!
Well Mama Elaine,
You really started something. After I read your scolding I nodded the entire time, feeling more and more justified in buying it as you continued on.
Then, when I was done reading it…I decided then and there that was going to get me that electric blanket I’ve been dreaming about and longing for! LOL
So, not only did I end up with my dehydrator and no guilt, but I went and spent even more money to boot!!!
Sure have been nice and warm though! lol
You created a monster 🙂
Gratefully and appreciatively,
Christy
I’ve never had shoofly pie…but it sounds and looks delicious. I lovvve brown sugar although I don’t believe I’ve had much molasses…just on some glazed carrots (yummy!). I’ll have to try this sometime soon!
Hey Ashley!
If you like brown sugar, you’ll probably like molasses, too.
The first time you taste it on its own you might be surprised at the strong flavor but I bet if you walk away from it and think about it a bit, you’ll find your legs running back for another taste really soon!!!
I’m with you on the molasses glazed carrots..oh gracious they are good!