Blue Ribbon Group Blue Ribbon Mixed Fruit Pie
Minnesota State Fair Best Pie Winner
This Blue Ribbon Mixed Fruit Pie is a Minnesota State Fair award-winning recipe made with fresh blueberries, rhubarb, and strawberries. Recipe credit goes to Faye Peterson, who won best overall pie with it in 2014.
Best Pie at the Fair
The judges, a panel of food science professionals, chose the top pie based on appearance/color, texture/internal appearance, and flavor/aroma. In other words, it is all about execution…as in pie baking perfection:
- A filling with excellent viscosity. (I love that word by the way; referring it its thickness.)
- Fantastic flavor.
- Perfectly browned on top.
- And no soggy bottom!
Faye says this pie crust recipe, handed down from her mother, is more durable and fool-proof than most. She says this comes from using vinegar, egg, and shortening. Our tasters referred to the crust as “flaky yet firm” and “a perfect compliment to the rich, fruity filling.”
If you’re someone intimidated by home-made pie crusts, give this one a try. We found it forgiving and, so delicious! You can make the crust ahead and refrigerate or even freeze it. Just bring it back to room temperature before rolling it out. Note: the pie crust recipe is for three crusts, so you will have one extra to make a cream pie, meringue, or some other one-crust pie. You can never have too much pie dough around. Am I right?!
Pro Tip
Using fresh blueberries, rhubarb, and strawberries is best. However, if that’s not an option, thaw and drain your frozen fruits and use the same portions: 2 cups blueberries and 3/4 cup each rhubarb and strawberries.
Bake Your Best
With the state fair season just around the corner and July being peak blueberry season, now is the perfect time to make this award-winning Blue Ribbon Mixed Fruit Pie. Plus, it’s a great practice run if you’re registered for 2021 Minnesota State Fair baking competitions a.k.a. Blue Ribbon Baking Day.
Hint Hint! There is a Best Fruit Pie Contest with $175 in prizes. Register by August 10, 4:30pm. Open to Minnesota residents only.
Enjoy & Good Luck!
-Cyndi
Note: This is an edited re-post from our sister website, StateFairRecipes.com
Blue Ribbon Mixed Fruit Pie
Crust:
3 cups all-purpose flour (+ extra for rolling out dough)
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon sugar + extra for sprinkling on top
1 cup vegetable shortening
1 egg
1 tablespoon white vinegar
5-6 tablespoons cold water
Filling:
2 cups fresh blueberries
3/4 cup chopped fresh rhubarb (1/2-inch pieces)
3/4 cup sliced fresh strawberries (1/4-inch thick)
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Dash of salt (1/16 teaspoon)
2 tablespoons butter, cut into thin pats
In large bowl, combine flour, salt, and sugar. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until the mixture is crumbly or crumbs are the size of a pea. In a two-cup glass measuring cup (or bowl), beat egg, vinegar, and cold water. Slowly add to flour mixture, tossing and stirring with a fork until liquid is absorbed, being careful not to over-mix. Divide dough in thirds and form each into a disk. Freeze or refrigerate one for later use. Roll out one portion on lightly floured surface into a circle large enough to fill a 9-inch pie plate (stoneware or glass are Fay’s preferences) with an 1/4-inch overhang (so about 12-inches). Press into plate, leaving extra crust around the edges.
In medium bowl, mix sugar, flour, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt; set aside. In large bowl, combine blueberries, rhubarb, and strawberries. Add the sugar mixture to the berries and gently toss to combine. Place in prepared bottom crust. Add pats of butter on top.
Roll out second pie crust into a circle large enough to fit as a top crust with overhang (about 11 inches) and place on top of filling. Tuck top edges under bottom crust edges and crimp. Cut air vents on top. Sprinkle sugar on top. Bake at 350 degrees F for 1 hour, or until bubbling. Keep an eye on oven and cover edges if needed to prevent overbrowning. Let pie completely cool before slicing and serving.
