Mustikkapiirakka (Finnish Blueberry Pie) #EattheWorld

Happy summer! Our #EattheWorld project, being spearheaded by Evelyne of CulturEatz, is a lively group of adventurous cooks and eaters. You can read more about the challenge. And this month Evelyne announced: "We are traveling back to Europe this month with Finland!"

Check out all the wonderful Finnish dishes prepared by fellow Eat the World members and share with #eattheworld. Click here to find out how to join and have fun exploring a country a month in the kitchen with us!

• Pandemonium Noshery: Vispipuuro - Whipped Semolina Pudding 
• Sugar Love Spices: Mustikkapiirakka (Finnish Blueberry Pie) 
• Kitchen Frau: Lohikeitto (Creamy Salmon, Potato & Dill Soup) 
• Tara’s Multicultural Table: Makaronilaatikko (Finnish Macaroni Casserole) 
• Culinary Adventures with Camilla: Mustikkapiirakka (Finnish Blueberry Pie) 
• Amy's Cooking Adventures: Sima (Finnish Lemonade) 
• Sara's Tasty Buds: Voisilmapulla (Finnish Butter Eye Buns) 
• CulturEatz: Pannukakku Finnish Pancakes with Blueberries 
• Palatable Pastime: Lattyja Pancakes with Strawberry-Gooseberry Jam
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Lihapullat (Finnish Meatballs)

Mustikkapiirakka 

Finnish Blueberry Pie

Years ago I made Mustikkakeitto, a Finnish blueberry soup. And I have also made Perunagratiini, Finnish scalloped potatoes, and Sinappiohjeita, prepared mustards. But blueberries are in season, so I started looking for other Finnish blueberry traditions. I stumbled across recipes for Mustikkapiirakka,a Finnish blueberry pie. But there doesn't seem to be a definitive recipe. So, I pieced together a creation with the crust that looked the most tasty with a plumper filling. And it was a hit!

Ingredients

Crust

• 12 T European-style cultured butter, softened
• ½ C organic granulated sugar
• 1 large organic egg
• 1 ½ C flour 
• 1 t baking powder
• Also needed: tart pan with removable base

Filling

• 3 C fresh organic blueberries
• 2 C organic whole milk sour cream
• 2 eggs
• 1/4 C organic light brown sugar
• 1 t pure vanilla extract
• 1 t pure lemon extract
• ½ t ground cardamom

Serving

• organic blueberries
• unsweetened whipped cream

Procedure

Crust
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until combined. Turn the dough into a tart pan with a removable base and press to flatten. Parbake the crust for 10 mins. and remove to the counter to cool slightly.

While your crust bakes, whisk together the sour cream, eggs, sugar, vanilla, lemon, and cardamom. Fold in blueberries and pour into the parbaked crust and place on a baking sheet. Carefully return the pie to the oven. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. until the edges are golden brown and the filling is slightly puffed in the center. When you jiggle the pan slightly, you should see only a slight movement of filling in the center. If it's still to liquidy, return it to the oven.

Remove from the oven and let cool at room temperature for at least 45 minutes to an hour.

Serve warm or at room temperature, with ice cream or unsweetened whipped cream if you like with some extra blueberries on top. I will definitely be adding this Finnish dessert to our sweets line-up because it was easy and delicious.