Blueberries can be canned or frozen during summer, and used in the fall as a reminder of summer time. Its traditional appeal makes it a hit at every table it appears on.
What is the History of the Blueberry Pie in America?
Blueberry pie holds a cherished place in American culinary history, rooted in both Indigenous food traditions and early colonial cooking. Long before settlers arrived, Native peoples of North America gathered wild blueberries, using them fresh or dried in dishes like pemmican. These berries, prized for their deep flavor and nutrition, later found their way into European-style baking when colonists adapted familiar pie-making techniques to local ingredients.
By the 18th and 19th centuries, blueberry pie became a regional favorite in New England, where wild blueberries thrived in rocky, acidic soils. Recipes began appearing in cookbooks, often alongside other berry pies like raspberry and currant. The development of commercial canning and the rise of cultivated blueberries in the early 20th century helped the dessert spread nationally. Blueberry pie’s convenience, color, and tangy-sweet balance made it a summertime staple.
Today, blueberry pie is more than a dessert—it’s a symbol of seasonal abundance and American identity. In fact, it is the official state dessert of Maine, where wild blueberries still flourish. With its buttery crust and jewel-toned filling, blueberry pie connects the country’s agricultural heritage with timeless comfort food traditions, remaining as beloved on modern tables as it was centuries ago.
Chef Selina Progar shows us how to make her own Blueberry Pie recipe. Her addition of maple syrup to the filling recalls the berry’s New England roots while also adding the perfect dose of sweetness. Be sure to grab her homemade pie crust recipe to complete your masterpiece.
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Blueberry Maple Pie
Description
A sweeter blueberry pie.
Ingredients
- Homemade Pie Crust
- ¼ cup of flour
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- ½ pure maple syrup
- ½ tbsp maple extract
- Pinch of salt
- 5 cups blueberries, fresh, frozen, or preserved
Instructions
- Mix together flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, maple syrup, maple extract, and salt in a large bowl.
- Fold in blueberries. Set aside until pie dough is ready.
- Bake at 375 degrees until the crust is golden and the blueberries are bubbling.
Story by Selina Progar
Photography and Styling by BurkleHagen
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