Vanilla Crumb Pie, one of my favorite Amish pies!
Another look at this beautiful pie (photos submitted by Dee Carter)
By Kevin Williams
Reader Dee C. in Wooster, Ohio was kind enough to share a scene from her Thanksgiving table. But, first, I'd be remiss without a word about Wooster.
Wooster is a unique place, the county seat of Wayne County, Ohio, on the edge of Amish Country. I was a featured author at the Buckeye Book Fair held every November on the campus of Wooster College. That was six years ago this month and the evening before the book fair brought a heavy band of lake effect snow, so that was kind of neat. But not long before that a tornado had hit the Wooster campus, and you could see mangled structures from that. So it was a surreal scene walking into the event on a snowy morning with very summery tornado damage as a backdrop.
The population of Wooster is about 25,000 and it, in my mind, is a "gateway town." Because once you are to Wooster you feel like you've arrived in the more urban, industrial areas of NE Ohio. Go south of Wooster and you head deep into Ohio's rural Amish country. Wooster (pronounced Wuhster) is a neat little town if you ever have a chance to go.
Okay, from neat little towns to neat little pies.....Dee (man, my family's Thanksgiving spread was awesome, but it didn't include this pie, if Wooster were closer to me, Dee would have had an unexpected supper guest!) made Vanilla Crumb Pie part of her menu on Thanksgiving Day. This pie is one of my absolute favorites and Dee's version of it turned out gorgeous. So I know you're all stuffed still and so am I, but you might want to consider this pie as part of your Christmas gathering menu. Thank you Dee for sharing these beautiful photos!
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon flour
- ¼ corn syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- CRUMB TOPPING:
- 1 cup flour
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ cup butter
- In a saucepan, bring filling ingredients to a boil. let cool slightly
- Combine crumb ingredients
- Pour cooled sauce in an unbaked pie crust.Add crumbs on top
- Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until golden brown
Carol
It's kind of interesting that you would post this today. When we made pies for our Thanksgiving dinner, we had an extra crust. My girls decided on vanilla crumb for our fourth one. Since it was their first attempt at making it, the pie was not photo worthy but everyone loved it. It may become a holiday staple here.
Kevin
Glad you liked it, Carol, it is a winner!
Dee Carter
Thanks Kevin for your kind comments. We love it here in Wooster. My hubby Louie was born here and has been a resident all of his life. (With the exception of 3 years in the Army.) We went to the Book Fair this past year and of course I had to buy a few books. The tornado damage is growing back to almost normal. Of course the trees are not as large as before.
The pie was yummy. Actually I think I'll have a piece when I'm finished here. Everyone ask me what it was!! I told them they had to try a small piece. They liked it but the apple and pumpkin was their favorites. I would share a piece if you are in Woo this weekend. Thanks, Dee
Kevin
Ah, I wish I was going to be in Wooster, Dee, or I'd take you up on that. Glad you enjoyed the pie and thank you for sharing it with all of us!