Beautiful Blackberry Pie

 

 

Earlier this week we went blackberry picking.  I told Chloe we would bake a blackberry pie and she didn't forget my promise - so while Daddy and Yates were off running errands the two of us got busy in the kitchen. 

 

A few things I find helpful when baking with a toddler:

 

1. Have everything already measured out into small individual bowls, that way they can pour all the ingredients into the mixing bowl themselves.

 

2. Simple is best.  I didn't do a traditional lattice pattern on the top of this pie, just laid the dough strips evenly on the pie and arranged the remaining strips diagonally across them - that way Chloe could help.

 

3. Have something they can taste while you are baking.  I laid out blackberries with sugar to the side and let Chloe munch on them - that way she didn't get upset when I told her she couldn't eat from the mixing bowl.

 

4. Wearing an apron and baking hat makes the experience all the more enjoyable.

 

5. Toddlers want instant gratification, so while Chloe understands that when the pie comes of the oven it is too hot to touch, that doesn't mean she can't smell it and admire her hard work.

 

 

 

// Lattice-Top Blackberry Pie //

6 cups  blackberries

1 cup sugar

3 tablespoons cornstarch

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

2 disks refrigerated pie dough

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, diced

1 large egg

 

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F with a baking sheet on the middle rack. In a large bowl, toss the blackberries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice and lemon zest. Let stand, mixing and coarsely mashing occasionally, 20 minutes.

Fit one round of dough into a 9-inch pie plate. Trim the edges, leaving a 1/2-inch overhang. Refrigerate while you continue. Cut the remaining piece of dough into approximately eleven 11/4-inch-wide strips.

Spoon the blackberry mixture into the pie shell. Dot the top with the butter. Arrange the dough strips in a lattice pattern on top of the filling and trim the strips close to the edge of the pan; roll up and crimp the edge. Lightly beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water and brush on the top and edge of the pie.

Place the pie on the hot baking sheet in the oven and bake until the filling is bubbling, 45 minutes to 1 hour. If the crust browns too quickly, cover it with foil and continue baking. Let the pie cool before serving.

 

// Adapted from Paula Deen's recipe //

 

 

Enjoy!

 

 



Favorite Photo Friday

 

 

 

She's pretty darn cute, isn't she?

 

 

I think so too.

A Fairy Princess Party

 

 

 

 

 

While Yates naps in the afternoons I cherish the time Chloe and I have just the two of us.  I never imagined having Yates so soon after Chloe was born, and while I am very, very thankful to be blessed with two beautiful, healthy children, I always imagined having more time - just Chloe and I before our second child was born.  In the afternoons when the house is quiet and just the two of us are awake (Coach takes a nap with Yates too), we both act like little girls, giddy that we have just the company of each other.  Chloe loves princesses - she thinks she is a princess (don't all little girls?), and thinks that Cinderella's castle, or any castle really, is her castle.  Lately she's been calling the small treehouse in our backyard her castle, so I decided that one afternoon we were going to dress up and have a party in her castle - complete with decorations, tea, her favorite stuffed animal, and a few good princess books.  It was a really special time, just the two of us princesses, in her castle surrounded by all things pink and pretty.

 

That afternoon I found myself acting like a little girl, sipping tea, wearing a crown, and reading children's books.  I felt naïve, innocent and happy - really, really happy.  I wanted to stay in Chloe's castle - with the make-believe and all things pink and pretty.  When we were finished with our party and leaving Chloe's castle to head back to reality, I turned to her and said, "Thank you, Chloe."  She looked at me as if she knew exactly what I was thanking her for and said, "Love you, Mommy."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Blackberry Pickin'

 

 

  

 

 

 

Yesterday morning we were up bright and early.  As in - dressed and had eaten breakfast by 8:00 am.  Trying to figure out what to do with the whole morning ahead of us I decided we needed to pick blackberries... for an excuse to make blackberry pie and to spend time just the three of us getting our fingers sticky and watching the sun rise high in the sky.  Chloe did a great job picking just the big, juicy ripe blackberries.  Yates thought the red, unripe ones were strawberries and didn't understand why Mama wouldn't let him pick them - especially since strawberries are his very, very favorite.

We left with four quarts of blackberries, stained fingers and shirts, and smiles on our faces.  It was still only 9:30 am... plenty of time to spend the rest of the morning filling our bellies with blackberries and planning out the yummy pie we are going to bake.

Monday

8:00 am // Blueberry muffins for breakfast

10:00 am // Walk to the park

2:00 pm // Picking flowers from the garden

3:00 pm // Splash pad

 

Oh, how I love summer days.