Water Pie - Depression Era

Water pie is a dessert recipe that has an interesting history; it dates back to the Great Depression, a time when many ingredients were scarce and expensive. However, this recipe proves that with a little creativity, humble ingredients can still make a delicious, family-friendly dessert. The main ingredients in water pie are water, flour, sugar, vanilla extract, salt, butter, and a splash of vinegar, all of which come together to create a unique and delightful treat.

To make water pie, you first need to preheat your oven to 400°F. Once the oven is ready, pour water into an unbaked pie crust and add vanilla and vinegar. Then sprinkle a sugar, flour, and salt mixture on top of the liquid without stirring. Add thin slices of butter on top of the mixture and bake the pie for half of the time at 400°F. After that, reduce the temperature to 375°F to finish baking. Once the pie is done, you need to refrigerate it for several hours before slicing.

Water pie has a texture that is similar to the gooey bottom of a pecan pie but with a less caramel-like flavor. This is because Water Pie uses white sugar and light corn syrup in its recipe. The butter on top of the filling does not mix in thoroughly, so it congeals on top when the pie chills, creating a buttery richness in every bite. Additionally, the small amount of cider vinegar used in this recipe adds complexity to the flavor, making it more than just one-note sweet.

So, the next time you're craving a scrumptious sweet, or you need to make a dessert you hadn't planned for, just look to your pantry. You likely have all the ingredients you need to make one of these famously delicious desperation pies without making a trip to the store. Give water pie a try and experience the unique and delightful flavors it offers.

Water Pie

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups water
1 unbaked pie crust
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp. cider vinegar
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
6 tbsp cold butter, cut into thin slices
Directions
Preheat oven to 400°F.
Pour water into Perfect Pie Crust. Drizzle vanilla and vinegar over the water.
Stir together sugar, flour, and salt in a medium bowl.
Sprinkle the sugar mixture over the water mixture in the crust.
Float butter slices on top.

Bake at 400°F for 30 minutes. Shield the pie crust and reduce the oven temperature to 375°F. Bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Remove the pie from the oven (the filling will be very loose and watery). Cool the pie to room temperature for about 1 hour. Loosely cover the pie and refrigerate until fully set, about 8 hours.

[kyikyi_]

shame not many people see this! so cool and interesting to learn about these kinds of dishes!

[terribakesacademy]

It’s depression era- it’s what they had.

[diannematthews]

We rich and comfortable Americans live as if we are always going to have money and food. Both may be in short supply some day. It might behoove us to save these recipes!

[AvonetteJackson]

That's disgusting...may as well just drink a glass of sugar water! Such a waste of useful ingredients.