This Finnish blueberry pie is a wonderful take on a summertime favorite. This Finnish delicacy is brimming with flavor, with a fresh blueberry and vanilla topping on a thick pastry shell.

Mustikkapiirakka, or Finnish blueberry pie, is about to become your new favorite summer treat. Instead of all-purpose flour and butter, rye flour is used to make the crust, which is then filled with blueberries, vanilla, and sour cream. The final result is a pie with a creamy texture but a tangy taste that is ideal for the warmer months.

What is Mustikkapiirakka?

Mustikka means blueberry in Finnish, whereas piriika implies pie. It’s a rich dish that falls in between cake and cheesecake. The blueberries make it light and fluffy, and it’s the ideal way to cap a summer dinner.

It features a crumby foundation, similar to that of a cheesecake. It also contains rye flour, an all-purpose flour crust, and a blueberry and sour cream filling, which is similar to tarts and cakes. If you can’t decide between the two dessert recipes, this is an excellent compromise.

While it is usually prepared with blueberries, it may also be made using bilberries. This is how they were originally produced in Finland. Both berries have comparable qualities and nutritional advantages. Blueberries are used in American recipes, although bilberries are used in the original final recipe. The primary distinction between the two kinds of berries is that bilberries grow alone or in pairs, while blueberries grow in clusters like grapes. Blueberries also have evergreen leaves.

Ingredients

The ingredients you use in your recipe are mostly determined by what is available in your location. As a result, blueberries are often substituted for bilberries in American cuisine. As a result, you may swap one for the other. Blueberries may be substituted for bilberries.

The berries are the most important component of this pie. Bilberries, wild berries, or frozen blueberries may all be used. Blueberries are high in antioxidants. They contain anthocyanin, which gives them their blue hue. They are not only beautiful but also healthy, containing enough levels of vitamin K and C, among other nutrients. They are also high in fiber and manganese. They also aid to strengthen your immune system.

You’ll need rye flour and all-purpose flour to create the crust. Rye flour, like blueberries, is high in fiber. As a result, the two are an excellent combination. You’ll also need melted butte crust for the crust, which, together with the egg, helps soften the dough. This pie is sweet, which is one of its qualities. As a result, cane sugar works nicely in this recipe. Then you’ll need baking powder to make the crust lighter, as well as vanilla essence.

Sour cream, additional cane sugar, and vanilla extract are required for the filling. You’ll also need cardamom, which is a popular spice in Finland. Cardamom is a fragrant spice of the ginger family. It complements blueberries and most baked items by adding a touch of something blossoming.

Time & temperatures

It should take you approximately an hour to prepare all of the ingredients and bake them. It takes 30 minutes to prepare and another 30 minutes to bake. Preheat the oven to 350°F-375°F.

Tips

• Use cooking spray to keep your pie from sticking to the bottom. You don’t want the crust to split apart when you remove it from the pan. Make sure the baking pan you use is oven safe and has a nonstick coating.
• Another suggestion is to use your hands to push the dough into and evenly around the base of the baking dish. Using your hands will also help you push the dough up the sides to form the pie’s walls.
• Check that the pie crust is the same thickness all the way around.
• You may get a flat top by running your fingertips over the edge.
• If using frozen blueberries, add a teaspoon of flour to keep them from sticking together. Coat the frozen berries with flour before spreading them out across the crust.
• When you arrange the berries on the crust, be care to scatter them evenly, and then save a few to sprinkle over the pie once the sour cream mixture has been poured on top.

How to make mustikkapiirakka (Finnish blueberry pie)

It’s as easy as starting (pun intended) to make Finnish pie. There are two ingredients required: the crust and the filling. You’ll need the ingredients listed above to make Finnish blueberry pie. Begin by creating the crust so that it may be baked before you add the filling.

Preheat the oven to 350°F to 375°F. To create the crust, cream room temperature butter with cane sugar. Try to make it airy and fluffy. After that, stir in the egg, flour, baking powder, and cardamom. You want a crumbly consistency that can be rolled into a ball without too much liquid.

The pie plate should then be sprayed with cooking spray. The goal is to ensure that it is nonstick. The pastry should next be rolled out and placed in the dish. Spread the pastry evenly across the dish with your fingers. Next, spread the dough around with your fingertips to create an equal foundation and cover the edges of the dish. The top edges of the dough may then be trimmed to provide a consistent thickness. The goal is to construct a mold of the pie plate using the crust. The crust should next be blind baked for around 10 minutes.

Prepare the filling while the crust is baking. Sour cream, cardamom, vanilla, sugar, and egg should all be combined. The consistency should be liquid enough to pour. The berries must now be prepared. If they are frozen, cover them with flour to keep them from sticking together. Remove the pie from the oven and equally distribute the berries over the top. Pour the sour cream over the berries, then return to the oven for another 20 minutes. The crust should be golden brown.

When it’s done, take it from the oven and let it cool for approximately 40 minutes before serving.