Blueberry Pie

1. Prepare Pie Dough

Start by rolling out one disk of the pie dough on a lightly floured counter. Make sure to roll it evenly until it is about 12 inches in diameter. Carefully transfer the dough to a 9-inch pie plate, allowing it to hang over the edge slightly. Cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate while you prepare the rest of the pie.

2. Prepare Dough Rounds

Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll out the second disk of dough and use a 1.25-inch round cookie cutter to cut out small rounds from the dough. Lay these rounds on the parchment-lined baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes to ensure the dough is firm and easy to work with.

3. Cook Blueberries

In a medium saucepan, combine 3 cups of blueberries and cook over medium heat, mashing the berries occasionally with a potato masher. This process will release the juices and thicken the mixture. Continue cooking until the berries have reduced to about 1.5 cups, which should take roughly 8 minutes.

4. Preheat Oven

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and place an aluminum foil-lined baking sheet inside. This setup will help ensure even baking and catch any drips from the pie.

5. Prepare Filling

In a large bowl, combine the shredded apple, cooked blueberries, the remaining 3 cups of uncooked blueberries, sugar, ground tapioca, lemon zest and juice, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything together thoroughly. The pectin from the apple will help thicken the filling, creating a spreadable mixture. This step is crucial as it ensures the filling sets properly, giving your pie the perfect consistency.

6. Assemble Pie

Retrieve the prepared pie shell from the refrigerator and spread the blueberry filling evenly inside. Dot the filling with the small pieces of unsalted butter. Roll out the remaining dough and use it to cover the pie, or use the small rounds to create a decorative top crust. Brush the top crust with the lightly beaten egg white to give it a beautiful golden finish when baked.

7. Bake Pie

Place the assembled pie on the preheated baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 25 minutes. Then, reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and continue baking for an additional 35 to 50 minutes. The pie is done when the crust is deep golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

8. Cool Pie

Once baked, transfer the pie to a wire rack to cool for at least 4 hours. This cooling time is essential as it allows the filling to set, ensuring clean, well-formed slices when served. Enjoy your Country-Style Blueberry Crumble Pie with friends and family, savoring each delicious bite.