Traditional Amish Raisin Pie

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My first encounter with Amish raisin pie was a celebratory occasion, an Amish wedding in Indiana. But the food, it turns out, has a much more somber tradition: funerals.

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• 🥧 Traditional Raisin Pie Ingredients
• 📋 Instructions
• 🥧 More Amish Pie Recipes

I have seen this Amish Funeral Pie served at many somber occasions. While the pie has a reputation as a funeral dish, I actually have also seen it served at Amish weddings.

Interesting, I'm just not a huge raisin fan so when I first had the opportunity to taste raisin pie I was not overly eager.  But the version that I've had is a custardy, creamy, thick mixture that encases the raisins, so you really don't get overpowered with a bunch of raisins.  In other words, the pie really works. You don't come away with a mouthful of hot raisins, just wonderful goodness.

You can use golden raisins in this recipe and that gives it a bit more of a bold color for this "funeral pie." Other fresh fruits that pair well with raisins include currants, mulberries, blueberries, all of these could be added to the raisin mixture. You want to use nice plump raisins for this old Amish recipe. I like this recipe because there are no egg or egg yolks in it, so no mess to deal with there. I guess if you are feeling adventurous you could try making a meringue version of this. The texture of the pie is creamy and wonderful. I love it cold after it comes out of the fridge.

To make your own raisin pie, perfect in a pinch, try our recipe below! You can add a ½ cup of sour cream for a sour cream raisin pie, that just adds a touch of richness and freshness to the pie. A dash of lemon juice can also add a flavor sparkle, but this recipe also works well just the way it is! Very traditional Amish cuisine! A teaspoon of vanilla extract also gives a nice flavor boost.

Let your raisin pies cool on a wire rack before cutting. Use 9" pie plates or pans for these pies and if you are not using a lattice top crust, make sure you seal edges of top and crust but cut slits in the top of the pie shell crust to let the steam escape. Even if you do not consider yourself a top-not baker, this pie is pretty easy to make.

This is truly an old fashioned raisin pie recipe, but you can add your own touches to it if you like. For instance, a bit of orange zest added around the holidays is not unheard. Others add a splash of orange juice or, ack, walnuts (why ruin a perfectly good pie with nuts?)

🥧 Traditional Raisin Pie Ingredients

• 2 cups raisins
• 2 cups water
• ½ cup packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 3 tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp. ground allspice
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 3 tbsp. butter
• 1 9-inch pie crust or two for a double-crust

📋 Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Put raisins and ⅔ cup of water in a saucepan and heat over medium heat for 5 minutes.
• Combine the sugars, cornstarch, spices and salt in a medium bowl, and stirring constantly, gradually add the remaining 11/3 cups water.
• Add this mixture to the raisins.
• Cook and stir until the mixture starts to bubble.
• Add the vinegar and butter and heat until the butter is melted.
• Remove from the stove and let cool until just warm.
• Roll out dough to a ⅛-inch thickness on a floured surface.
• Line a 9-inch pie pan with the dough.
• Trim to a ½-inch wide overhang.
• Pour the filling into the crust.
• Bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Makes one pie to serve eight.
• OPTIONAL: Roll out the second dough, place on top of the pie, and trim to a 1-inch overhang. Fold the dough under and crimp the edge. Cut decorative slash marks into the top crust. You can also leave the pie uncovered as in the photo. The second crust is optional.

🥧 More Amish Pie Recipes

Amish Sugar Cream Pie

Amish Chocolate Dream Pie

Amish Strawberry Rhubarb Pie

Amish Vanilla Crumb Pie

Traditional Amish Raisin Custard Pie