Mustikkapiirakka, or Finnish Blueberry Pie, is a delightful and iconic Finnish dessert that is enjoyed in almost every café and home in Finland. This dessert is a perfect blend of a pie, tart, and cheesecake, featuring a crumbly base made from a mix of rye and all-purpose flour, and a luscious sour cream and blueberry filling. Here’s how you can make this classic Finnish treat at home.
Ingredients:
- For the Crust:
- 100 g (¼ cup + 3 tbsp) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 100 g (⅓ cup + 1 Tbsp) cane or granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 100 g (⅔ cup) rye flour
- 100 g (⅔ cup) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Pinch of cardamom
- For the Filling:
- 250 g (1 heaping cup) fresh blueberries
- 250 g (1 cup) sour cream
- 1 egg
- ¼ tsp cardamom
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 Tbsp cane sugar
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter a 28 cm (10-inch) tart pan with a removable bottom.
- Prepare the Crust:
- Cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy and light.
- Add in the egg and mix until well combined.
- Stir in the rye flour, all-purpose flour, cardamom, and baking powder until the mixture forms a pliable dough.
- Press the dough evenly into the bottom and up the sides of the prepared tart pan. Poke the bottom with a fork to prevent bubbling.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and let it cool slightly.
- Prepare the Filling:
- In a bowl, whisk together the sour cream, egg, sugar, vanilla, and cardamom until smooth and pourable.
- Spread the blueberries evenly over the pre-baked crust.
- Carefully pour the sour cream mixture over the blueberries, spreading it gently to cover the berries.
- Bake the Pie:
- Return the tart to the oven and bake for 20-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the filling is set but still slightly jiggly in the center.
- Remove from the oven and allow to cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Serve:
- Serve the blueberry pie warm or at room temperature, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
This Finnish Blueberry Pie is a wonderful summer dessert that showcases the fresh and vibrant flavors of blueberries, complemented by the creamy filling and slightly spiced crust.