This simple blueberry pie makes a festive summer dessert, perfect for the Fourth of July.
What’s your very favorite thing about summer? Mine is definitely the BBQs. (Or cookouts or whatever you call them in your neck of the woods.)
As much as I love Christmas and Thanksgiving, July 4th has always been my favorite holiday because growing up I could wear a swimsuit to the dinner table and not get in trouble for it; at heart I’m a very casual person.
And not only is July 4th a more casual holiday than its winter-y counterparts, but you get to end your meal with fireworks—and who doesn’t love sparklers and Roman candles and those boppy little flower thingys that change colors?
Every year my dad and brother would drive up to Washington at the end of June to buy the good fireworks, the kind that are illegal in Oregon, and I looked forward to their show with the kind of excitement most children reserve for Santa.
OK, it was actually excitement mixed with a little fear because I was an anxious kid and legend has it that my dad once lit a bottle rocket off inside a house. I was always afraid he’d do that again and burn our house down and I wouldn’t have time to save both our dog and my blankie.
But I digress. My love for the 4th has lasted into adulthood. Now, I love sitting on the patio in the sun while the grill heats up, drinking iced tea and, most likely, ruining my dinner with half a pint of Halo Top mint chip.
But it’s a holiday so extra ice cream doesn’t count. I can have that AND a slice of blueberry pie with more ice cream on the side (vanilla this time) and really end my meal in style.
This blueberry pie is the simplest of summer desserts—I’ve made three already this week because they’re so easy to throw together. (And because my first pie somehow ended up on the ground. But let’s not talk about that.)
I used a store-bought pie crust and my favorite EASY blueberry pie filling recipe, which hails from the trusty Good Housekeeping cookbook.
If blueberry pie isn’t your jam you could make a star-spangled cherry pie or apple pie or whatever your heart desires. You can also make your own crust but I took the easy route to give myself a few extra minutes of sitting on the patio time.
AKA, ice cream eating time.
If you don’t have a small star-shaped cookie cutter you can just freehand it.
And while I’m on the subject of freehand-ing pie crust decorations, I have to thank my dear friend Dana from piesandprejudice.ca (is that the cutest name or what?) for all her advice before I made this pie. I was initially going to color my stars red and blue but after the Fourth of July cheesecake cake incident I thought plain would be just fine.
Dana makes the most insanely creative pies and she seriously freehands the decorations. Check out her Instagram feed for all kinds of pie inspiration.
Why bother cutting more pieces when I can just eat right out of the pan?
Happy Monday!
This simple blueberry pie with stars cut out of the crust makes a festive dessert for the Fourth of July--or all summer long!
- 1 9- inch double pie crust store-bought or make your own
- 5 cups fresh blueberries
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- finely grated zest of half a lemon
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 egg yolk
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Combine the blueberries, sugar, flour, cinnamon, lemon zest, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Mix until well combined and let sit at room temperature while you roll out your crust.
- On a lightly floured work surface, roll out 1 of the crusts to 11 inches in diameter. Carefully transfer to a 9-inch pie plate. Spread filling over the crust, then refrigerate pie while you work on the top crust.
- Roll the top crust out on a lightly floured work surface to 11 inches in diameter. Cut stars out of the top with a small star-shaped cookie cutter.
- Remove pie from the refrigerator and carefully lay the top crust over the pie. (I like to drape the crust over my rolling pin to transfer it.) Pinch the edges to seal the crust and trim off the excess dough. Combine the heavy cream and egg yolk in a small bowl and brush over the top crust.
- If desired, decorate the top of the pie with the cutout stars by brushing both sides of the stars, then pressing lightly onto the crust.
- Place the pie on a large baking sheet and bake for 40 to 50 minutes, until the pie crust is golden brown. If pie gets too dark, cover with foil in the last few minutes of baking. Allow to cool at room temperature before slicing and serving.
Adapted from The New Good Housekeeping Cookbook
grace says
i always have to use something stronger than flour (usually tapioca) in my blueberry pie fillings, but you’ve nailed it! bravo!
Kelsie says
The flour worked here, but I’m usually a tapioca girl too. Thank you, Grace! Happy Monday, my friend!
blahnikbaker says
Gosh there’s nothing like a pie!! So American and so delicious!!
Kelsie says
Right? Pie is just too good :). Happy Saturday, Zainab!
hummingbirdthyme says
We are such a blueberry-loving family! I love this simple recipe, too! They are just starting to be “in-season” here’s so I’m pinning this recipe to use later! Thanks!
Kelsie says
Thank you Laura! YAY for blueberry season 🙂
Julie is Hostess At Heart says
This is one beautiful pie Kelsie. I love making and eating them but have never tried a blueberry. Perfect for the fourth.
Kelsie says
Thank you so much Julie! I’m totally into blueberry pies right now–they’re so perfectly summer-y!
kitchenriffs says
Who doesn’t like pie? Or love it, really? At this time of the year fruit pie is a must, and blueberries are a wonderful choice. Good stuff — thanks.
Kelsie says
Thank you John! Pie is definitely a must around here :). Hope you’re having a great week!
Kankana says
I never baked a pie! don’t know why? And every time I look at a gorgeous like the one you shared, I get so excited to bake one 🙂
Kelsie says
Oooohhh definitely try your hand at pie! It really is easier than you’d think, especially if you buy your crust :). Thank you Kankana, and happy Wednesday!
marcie@flavorthemoments says
Fruit pies, crisps, and cobblers are my favorite desserts in the summer especially, and I’m loving this gorgeous blueberry pie! I love the 4th of July too — all the stars and red white and blue! This pie is the perfect dessert for such a great occasion — you did such a great job!
Kelsie says
Thank you so much, Marcie! Hope you’re having a great week, my friend!
heather (delicious not gorgeous) says
my favorite thing about summer is all the fruit!! and i can’t remember the last time i had blueberry pie (my family is very into strawberry and cherry), so i think it’s time to make one (;
Kelsie says
YES! You just can’t beat the fruit this time of year! Happy Wednesday, Heather!
Kelly @ Kelly Lynn's Sweets and Treats says
Your pie is so pretty!! I have fond memories of 4th of July celebrations growing up as a kid 🙂 This pie looks delicious! And I totally love the cute star cut outs!! Xoxo
Kelsie says
Thank you so much Kelly! The Fourth is always so much fun isn’t it? Have a great rest of your week!
Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
This is good old fashioned home baked greatness!! This pie is making me hungry and it’s just beautiful!! Take care.
Kelsie says
Thank you Stacey! Have a great rest of your week!
thatskinnychickcanbake says
What a fun way to jazz up a pie for the 4th of July! My hubby loves blueberry pie and I’m sure he’ll be dropping hints for me to bake one before the summer is over!!
Kelsie says
Thank you Liz! Blueberry pie is one of my favorites, too :). Hope your week is going well!
Carlee says
Is it possible we share some DNA? Ice cream appetizer followed by pie and ice cream dessert sounds like a perfect 4th of July to me!
Kelsie says
I think we might. We have very similar eating habits! Who needs real food when there’s pie and ice cream around? Hope you’re having a great week, Carlee!
Lindsay | With Salt and Pepper says
So gorgeous and festive Kelsie! That crust is perfect!
Kelsie says
Thank you so much Lindsay! Happy Wednesday!
chef mimi says
Beautiful. I need to get more creative wit pies. Hell, I need to bake pies!!!
Kelsie says
Haha! Thank you Mimi!
Kelly says
This pie is just gorgeous, Kelsie! So perfect for the 4th and all summer barbecues!
Kelsie says
Thank you so much, Kelly! I just can’t even wait for 4th of July BBQs!
piesandprejudicebaker says
OMG you are the sweetest! Thank you Kelsie for the surprise shout-out and kind words, you’re awesome girl! I saw your wonderful pie on IG earlier but hadn’t had a chance to read your post yet.
Your pie turned out absolutely gorgeous!! I LOVE how you did the stars and the delectable berry filling showing through. I want to dig right in! I am with you on the eating straight from the pie pan thing, why bother cutting another piece if you can just eat it all there haha! I have been to the US a few times for your holiday and reallly enjoyed all the festivities. You guys know how to celebrate it right! I was at a campsite somewhere in Montana once for the 4th and met a few campers who invited us to sit around their bonfire with a drink and eat S’mores. I love that and the BBQs too, of course for our Canada Day. So casual and fun and always a fun way to catch up with family and friends. ESPECIALLY if we get a pie like this one…I know I would eat it all if you let me! hehe
Such a cute story about your dad and the rocket, too That would explain your fear, maybe? Fortunately you don’t remember much and your dad DIDN’T burn the house down haha. He clearly LOVES his fireworks, so cute and funny.
Thanks again for the mention and hope you have a GREAT week, lovely! 🙂
Kelsie says
Awwww thank YOU Dana! I so appreciate your help in working out my pie ideas! Someday I’m going to get around to dyeing the crust. . .just not quite yet :). I would definitely let you eat as much pie as you wanted! Because now that you mention s’mores I’m thinking they need to make an appearance at my 4th of July celebration. Hope you’re having a great day, my friend!