OLD FASHIONED WATER PIE
Don’t judge a recipe by its name! One may think a water pie, or as it’s sometimes called, “depression pie,” would lack flavor, but you’d be wrong. This old-fashioned pie was made popular during the Great Depression, and it’s all the things a pie should be…rich, sweet, decadent, and you got it, easy!
If you like old-fashioned desserts, you might want to make our Do Nothing Cake, Buttermilk Pie, or Blackberries and Dumplings.
❤️WHY WE LOVE WATER PIE
We love old-fashioned recipes, and this pie is definitely that. It came out of the Great Depression when home cooks had to make do with what they had. It’s been my experience that simple is almost always better, and this dessert qualifies. Flour, butter, vanilla, and of course, water are what makes this homemade pie fabulous. As you can see it has NO eggs! You won’t believe how easy it is and it’s the perfect dessert to serve for any gathering or holiday because it needs to be made in advance.
🍴KEY INGREDIENTS
Deep Dish Pie Crust-we like to make our own using THIS recipe, but you can easily use a store-bought premade crust. Be sure that it is a deep dish pie crust.
Water-this is a must. The water makes this a water pie.
All-Purpose Flour-this is a thickening agent.
White Granulated Sugar-this brings the sweetness!
Salt-you will definitely want to add this because it helps bring out the sweet flavors of this dessert.
Vanilla Extract-adds so much flavor for this dessert. You may use vanilla flavoring.
Butter-it can’t be buttery if we don’t add the butter. We use unsalted butter.
⭐PRO TIP
🔺You can cover the sides of the pie crust if your crust is becoming too dark. I haven’t had that issue with this pie, but all oven temperatures vary and can bake differently.
🔺Resist the urge to serve this pie warm. It is to be served cold, and warming it up will cause it to become runny and loose again.
IF YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE
If you love this pie, you’ll want to try our Old-Fashioned Impossible Pie. It’s been around for years and years and has terrific reviews. It’s so easy; it doesn’t even require a crust. You can also try our classic Chess Pie. It’s absolutely delicious!
STORING AND REHEATING
Cover the pie and store it in the refrigerator. It will keep for at least five days. Do not reheat this pie. This pie is to be served chilled or at room temperature.
Old Fashioned Water Pie
Ingredients
- 1 deep dish 9 inch pie crust uncooked
- 1 1/2 cups tap water
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup white granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 tablespoons butter sliced
Instructions
- Pour water into uncooked pie shell.
- Whisk together flour, sugar and salt. Sprinkle over water in pie crust. DO NOT STIR.
- Drizzle on vanilla extract and add butter pats on top of pie. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 30 minutes.
- Reduce heat to 375 degrees and continue baking for 30 more minutes.
- Pie will set up as it cools and is refrigerated.
- It will look like it is not cooked when removed from oven but will set up once it is cold.
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ive tried making this water pie 3 times and it never stays up. after 3 hours its still too runny to cook
I don’t know what you mean “it’s still to runny to cook?” You have to cook the pie. Per the instructions, the pie sets up in the fridge. It doesn’t cook through in the oven, it only hardens when it’s cold. Are you putting it in the refridgerator?
i have tried making this pie twice and i cant get it to set properly. it turns out still runny especially in the middle. im doing the recipe as stated. the taste is so very good. what am i doing wrong? i really want to make another one
Are you letting it set or serving it right out of the oven. Like it says “Resist the urge to serve this pie warm. It is to be served cold, and warming it up will cause it to become runny and loose again.”
This pie will be runny if you serve it warm. We like to put it in the refrigerator and let is set up? Are you saying it is runny after you let is set?
Is this also called “chess pie” or “just pie”?
No, a chess pie is not that same as a water pie. Here is our chess pie recipe.
This was delicious but my bottom crust stuck to my pie plate. Any idea why this happened? I used a Pillsbury crust and a ceramic pie dish and have never had this happen before.
I have no idea, did you spray the pan?
I have made this a number of times but always added a dash of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice. I believe apple pie spice would also work but have yet to try that version.
Another 5 star recipe!!
I stumbled upon this recipe on a dreary Sunday as I was trying to choose something for dessert.. I was dubious but willing to try it out…my husband took one bite and declared it absolutely delicious I couldn’t stop smiling the rest of the evening over how awesome it turned out even though the directions seem crazy!
Definitely going down in my recipe book! I think a touch of Cinnamon would be a nice addition!
So glad to hear it was a such a hit! This one shocked us too!
I was skeptical but you were right..this pie is amazing! We all loved it! I just love your recipes.
I was wondering…
Could the pie be made with a nut crust or graham cracker crust?
Can filtered water be used instead of tap water?
Thank you!
I am not sure about the crust, since you pour the water directly into the crust. It may become soggy. I think you can use any water you like.