Shoofly Pie, a Mennonite Comfort Food

Last Updated on June 20, 2024 by Michelle

I have wonderful memories, as a teen, driving through Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and strolling the markets for amazing Mennonite baked goods.

Shoofly pie was one of the most infamous. And I’ve never made one in my life. But my friend, RuthAnn Zimmerman, is a pie expert (seriously) with deep Mennonite roots, so today I am excited to be sharing her family recipe for this coveted Mennonite dessert.

RuthAnn and I sat down this week over tea and microphones and chatted, hundreds of miles apart, about comfort food. She shared great tips and encouraging insights about the challenges of trying to put the best food on the table we can for our families. If you’d like to listen in, or watch on youtube, here are direct links to that episode:

Listen on Apple Podcast: Season 3, Episode 3 Comfort Food

To follow my Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy podcast, just subscribe on your favorite podcast player, or go right here for all the links: The Simple Doesn’t Mean Easy Podcast

Shoofly Pie Recipe

This recipe makes three 8-inch pies (because no Mennonite woman ever makes only one pie).

Mix together until crumbly:

2 cups flour

1.5 cups brown sugar

4 TBS butter

Set aside one cup of these crumbs.

In a blender mix together:

2 eggs

2 cups molasses,(not blackstrap) also called dark karo or table syrup

2 TBS blackstrap molasses

Pour the blended mixture into your remaining crumbs, and add:

2 tsp. baking soda dissolved in 1/2 cup warm water

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. salt

Pour into pie shells:

Pour this mixture into unbaked pie shells and sprinkle with the crumbs you had set aside.

Bake at 350F for 40-45 minutes until it seems solid and not liquid in the center.

“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared… for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

Other Recipes & Tips You’ll Love:

How to Bake with Maple Syrup (seriously. You need to know this!)

How to Cook Pork Steaks (better than sirloin!)

Make Your Own Taco Seasoning (include a recipe for making it in bulk!)

All my Favorite Tools in my Farmhouse Kitchen (the things I wouldn’t want to live without)

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If you have any questions, leave a comment below. And please tag me on ig to show me your delicious real food @souly.rested.

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Melynda Brown

October 23, 2021 at 1:21 pm

I must try this recipe, I have made Shoofly Pie, but I felt it was too “wet”, your pie seems to be firm. Thank you.

Michelle
October 24, 2021 at 9:08 am

I’ve actually never made shoofly pie (this is RuthAnn’s family recipe she graciously shared with us), but this recipe does seem amazing! Let me know how yours turns out!

1. Connie
  June 13, 2023 at 10:14 pm
  
  I use King syrup instead of molasses, but going to try half king and half maple syrup. We tap about 6 trees and only have enough syrup for the year. Thanks for sharing, always enjoy you!