Shoofly Pie

It has been said that the name for this old-time pie came about because the pie is so sugary-sweet it attracts flies—thus the name 'shoofly'. Or, another take on the story is that it was intentionally made for the sole purpose of attracting flies away from the main dining table. Whether or not either version is true, this old fashioned dessert is a treat straight from times past..

Recipe Ingredients:

1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust*
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 cup water
1/2 teaspoon baking powder

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F (230°C).
2. Cover the pie crust with aluminum foil and bake for 8 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.
3. In a bowl, combine the flour with the sugar and cut in the butter until the mixture becomes crumbly.
4. In another bowl, mix together the molasses, water and baking soda.
5. In the bottom of the baked pie crust, ladle 1/4 cup of the molasses mixture. Carefully top this with 1/4 of the dry mixture. Repeat these steps 3 more times with the remaining ingredients.
6. Cover the edges of the pie crust with foil and place the pie in the oven. Bake for 20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into the center of the pie comes out clean. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.

Makes 8 servings.

*Use store bought, ready-to-use pie pastry, or your favorite recipe for homemade pie pastry.