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Home » Popular » American Recipes » Blueberry Limoncello Pie with Sourdough Crust

Blueberry Limoncello Pie with Sourdough Crust

June 6, 2020 by Savoring Italy

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A simply delightful pie: Blueberry Limoncello Pie with Sourdough Crust will be your favorite summer dessert! A luscious and super easy to make blueberry filling tucked inside a flaky crust made with your sourdough starter discard!

I realized I’d never posted a blueberry pie recipe here for my dear readers. I did share last summer my blueberry crostata recipe. This pie crust is the perfect way to use up your weekly sourdough discard! I used the same filling recipe and adapted a pie crust recipe I usually use with a pie crust recipe recommended from the group.

overhead image of blueberry limoncello pie with sourdough crust

 

 

Originally published on August 20, 2012 and updated on June 6, 2020. Since we are all baking more at home and using sourdough starters, I thought it would be fun to share this Vintage Savoring Recipe. I used the same filling recipe from my blueberry crostata and adapted my pie crust recipe with a pie crust recipe recommended from the group.

I recently came across a lovely baking group that is based on creating recipes made with sourdough starter. Yes, your heard me. Sourdough! The group is called Sourdough Surprises. The August theme is “Pies”; sweet or savory. I decided to go the sweet pie route.

overhead image of a pie on parchment paper sheet

Blueberry Pie happens to also be my neighbor’s favorite pie. As soon as it came out of the oven and a snapped a couple of photos, it was time to hand some slices over the fence to them.

overhead image of blueberry pie sliced open on white dish

As you can see, it practically disappeared in almost 15 minutes. I did get to save a slice for my dad. My mom was here and she said it was one of the best pies I’ve ever made.
overhead image of blueberry pie on white dish and pie server

What to do with sourdough starter discard waste?

This is the perfect pie crust to use up some of that sourdough starter discard that you are left with every week!

I had to adjust the liquid ratio of the sourdough pie crust the group recommends. The recipe called for a 1 cup of sourdough starter. I started with 1/4 cup and then worked in a couple of tablespoons more by hand. One cup would definitely not have worked for me.

Can I make this blueberry pie without sourdough starter discard?

Yes, you can! If you don’t happen to to have any sourdough starter and still want to make this pie, simply substitute the sourdough starter with ice water. 

 

Can I use whole wheat flour in this pie crust?

 
Yes! I find that using half whole wheat pastry flour in the recipe makes the dough much easier to work on these hot summer days.
 
The blueberry filling is just divine. It’s almost impossible to not eat the whole thing and leave any for the pie. I had some limoncello that my mother-in-law made and added some to the berries.  A subtle taste of limoncello goes wonderfully with ripe blueberries. You could use lemon juice instead if you prefer. 
 

How do you make a sourdough starter?

 
If you are interested in making your own sourdough starter, here is my sourdough starter recipe . 

 

What ingredients are needed to make blueberry limoncello pie with sourdough crust?

Here is all you need to make this delicious pie:

For the crust:

  •  all-purpose flour
  • whole wheat pastry flour (or use all all-purpose)
  • salt
  •  sugar
  • unsalted butter
  • margarine or chilled vegetable shortening
  • liquid sourdough starter (or sub with iced water)

 

For the blueberry filling:

  •  blueberries
  • sugar
  • cornstarch
  • Limoncello (or fresh lemon juice)

For the egg wash:

  • egg yolk, beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
  • turbinado or granulated sugar

After you gather all the ingredients, it’s time to make the pie! To save time, you could make the filling and crust even the night before. I do like to make the filling ahead of time so it’s completely chilled for filling in the crust before baking.

For blueberry filling:

In a small bowl, whisk a tablespoon of water with the cornstarch and set it aside. In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 lb. blueberries, sugar and 1 tablespoon water.  Bring to a boil.

When blueberries reach a boil, reduce heat and simmer, stirring, until blueberries pop and mixture begins to thicken – about 3 minutes.

Add cornstarch mixture and Limoncello (I ended up adding about 2 tbsp.) to thickened blueberries, stirring constantly.  Simmer 30 seconds, stirring constantly.  Fold in remaining blueberries.   Let sit at room temperature until set, at least 1 hour.  I refrigerated mine and used them the next day to fill my crostata.

For the sourdough crust:

Food Processor Method: Put flour and salt in bowl of machine. Cut butter and vegetable shortening into flour. Process a few seconds until mixture resembles coarse meal.
Drop by drop add the sourdough starter, processing very briefly.

overhead image of sourdough starter
The whole process would take 20 to 30 seconds. (I had orginally added 1/4 cup sourdough starter. When I put on my counter to pat into discs, I noticed it needed a little more sourdough starter and added about 1 to 2 more tbsp.

overhead image of dough in food processort
Wrap and chill the pastry for at least 1 hour.

overhead image of pie dough wrapped in plastic wrap
Preheat oven to 375°F with a foil-lined large baking sheet on middle rack.

Let’s assemble the pie!
Lightly flour a pastry board, marble counter, or kitchen counter.  Roll first disc between parchment paper or plastic wrap (or 1/2 and 1/2 like I did here). Using pie plate as a guide, measure rolled-out pastry — it should be slightly larger than the pie plate and 1/8-inch thick.  Roll pastry in one direction only, turning pastry continually to prevent it from sticking to the surface.

Fold rolled pastry circle in half so you can lift it more easily. Unfold, gently fitting the pastry into the pie plate, allowing pastry to hang evenly over the edge. Prick the bottom of the pie crust with a fork. Add in your filling.
overhead image of rolling out pie dough

overhead image of making blueberry pie

Roll out 2nd dough disk the same way you rolled out the first disc. Cut out a small vent circle in the middle of the pie and gently cut some ventilation slits (I made 4 with this one). Do you want to know how I got out the tiny ventilation circle?

overhead image of pie ready to bake

I didn’t get it out! It went right into the center of the pie. Brush the crust with an egg wash and sprinkle on some turbinado (or regular)sugar.

overhead image of pie on baking sheet to bake
I bake my fruit pies over a baking tray lined with aluminum foil as the juices sometimes like to escape. Bake at 375 until crust is golden brown and juices bubble, 50 minutes–1 hour. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

Buon appetito! Hope you are having a wonderful beginning to your week.

Pie crust inspired by the Bojon Gourmet

Some more sourdough discard recipes to try:

  • Vegan Strawberry Banana Bread
  • Sourdough Discard Banana Bread (our most popular recipe!)
  • Sourdough Discard Apple Galette
  • Sourdough Discard Pumpkin Bread (very popular even in the summer!)
  • Sourdough Discard Pizza Margherita
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5 from 2 votes

Blueberry Limoncello Pie with Sourdough Crust

A simply delightful pie: Blueberry Pie with Sourdough Crust will be your favorite summer dessert! A luscious and super easy to make blueberry filling tucked inside a flaky crust made with your sourdough starter discard!
Prep Time1 hr 10 mins
Cook Time50 mins
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: blueberries, pie, pie crust, sourdough starter discard
Servings: 1 9-inch pie
Author: Lora

Ingredients

  • SOURDOUGH PIE CRUST
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour or use all all-purpose
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp. sugar
  • 3/4 cup 1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, in 1/2” dice (use margarine if keeping it dairy-free)
  • 3 tbsp. margarine or chilled vegetable shortening
  • 1/4 cup liquid sourdough starter unfed ( I used a little bit over 1/4 cup, depending on the consistency of your sourdough starter. Adjust according to starter's texture.) If you don't have starter, sub with iced water
  • BLUEBERRY FILLING
  • 1 pound blueberries picked over, washed, dried
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon Limoncello or fresh lemon juice
  • EGG WASH
  • 1 large egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water, for egg wash
  • 1 tablespoon turbinado or granulated sugar for sprinkling on top of egg wash

Instructions

  • BLUEBERRY FILLING
  • In a small bowl, whisk a tablespoon of water with the cornstarch and set it aside. In a medium saucepan, combine 1/2 lb. blueberries, sugar and 1 tablespoon water.  Bring to a boil.
  • When blueberries reach a boil, reduce heat and simmer, stirring, until blueberries pop and mixture begins to thicken – about 3 minutes.
  • Add cornstarch mixture and Limoncello. Sub lemon juice if you don't have Limoncello (I ended up adding about 2 tbsp.) to thickened blueberries, stirring constantly.  Simmer 30 seconds, stirring constantly.  Fold in remaining blueberries.   Let sit at room temperature until set, at least 1 hour.  I refrigerated mine and used them the next day to fill my pie.
  • SOURDOUGH CRUST
  • Food Processor Method: Put flour and salt in bowl of machine. Cut butter and vegetable shortening into flour. Process a few seconds until mixture resembles coarse meal.
  • Drop by drop add the sourdough starter, processing very briefly.
  • The whole process would take 20 to 30 seconds. (I had orginally added 1/4 cup sourdough starter. When I put on my counter to pat into discs, I noticed it needed a little more sourdough starter and added about 1 to 2 more tbsp.
  • Wrap and chill the pastry for at least 1 hour.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F with a foil-lined large baking sheet on middle rack.
  • ASSEMBLE PIE
  • Lightly flour a pastry board, marble counter, or kitchen counter.  Roll first disc between parchment paper or plastic wrap (or 1/2 and 1/2 like I did here). Using pie plate as a guide, measure rolled-out pastry -- it should be slightly larger than the pie plate and 1/8-inch thick.  Roll pastry in one direction only, turning pastry continually to prevent it from sticking to the surface.
  • Fold rolled pastry circle in half so you can lift it more easily. Unfold, gently fitting the pastry into the pie plate, allowing pastry to hang evenly over the edge. Prick the bottom of the pie crust with a fork. Add in your filling.
  • Roll out 2nd dough disk the same way you rolled out the first disc. Cut out a small vent circle in the middle of the pie and gently cut some ventilation slits (I made 4 with this one).
  • Brush the crust with an egg wash and sprinkle on some turbinado (or regular)sugar.
  • I bake my fruit pies over a baking tray lined with aluminum foil as the juices sometimes like to escape. Bake at 375 until crust is golden brown and juices bubble, 50 minutes–1 hour. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
Tried this recipe?Mention @savoringitaly or tag #savoringitaly!
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Comments

  1. shelley c. says

    August 20, 2012 at 3:14 pm

    Oh my gosh, I am so glad to see you baking with us!! And what a beautiful pie you made. It sounds wickedly scrumptious and so perfectly fresh. Don't forget to add yourself to the linky (you can even put the code right in your post if you want!) and check back in a few days to see what we'll be making next. I am so excited that you've joined in the fun!!!

    Reply
  2. Barbara | Creative Culinary says

    August 20, 2012 at 3:20 pm

    Something about blueberries and lemon that gets me every time…make it limoncello and you know I'm sold! Sad…no sourdough starter, gotta find me some of that! 🙂

    Reply
  3. Lana @ Never Enough Thyme says

    August 20, 2012 at 3:37 pm

    I've never had a sourdough pie crust. But just imagining it with your luscious blueberry and limoncello filling is making my mouth water. I simply must get my sourdough started going again!

    Reply
  4. Gingered Whisk says

    August 20, 2012 at 3:59 pm

    Wow, what an amazing looking pie!! Blueberries and lemons go so well together, definitely a great choice for pie filling! I am so excited that you made a pie with us! And yes, your starter is a lot more liquid than ours, so I can see how you only used 1/4 cup!

    Reply
  5. Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says

    August 20, 2012 at 4:44 pm

    Lora, this is one of the best ideas for blueberry pie! I´m a bit crazy about liqueurs and limoncello is no exception. Love this. Will start working on my pie this week so I can bake along with the group.

    Reply
  6. decocinasytacones says

    August 20, 2012 at 4:48 pm

    The blueberry pie looks wonderful and the pie plate is BEAUTIFUL!
    Love from Spain
    Marialuisa

    Reply
  7. RavieNomNoms says

    August 20, 2012 at 6:17 pm

    Oh wow, that sounds fantastic!! I mean wow

    Reply
  8. Denise @ Creative Kitchen says

    August 20, 2012 at 7:43 pm

    Your pictures are incredible Lora! I love sourdough, and have never thought to make a pie crust with it. Great idea!

    Reply
  9. Laura (Tutti Dolci) says

    August 20, 2012 at 8:16 pm

    Your sourdough crust looks so deliciously golden and I'm in love with the blueberry filling! 🙂

    Reply
  10. Lisa says

    August 20, 2012 at 10:03 pm

    Lora..your baking talent never ceases to amaze me, and this gorgeous pie is no exception! The photos are pie porn to the highest degree. I wish I could eat it right out of the pan. I guess I'll have to make it to do that ;D xo

    Reply
  11. Jen @ Savory Simple says

    August 20, 2012 at 10:06 pm

    I would never have thought to make a sourdough pie crust. I know what's next on my to-do list! Delicious.

    Reply
  12. Jane says

    August 20, 2012 at 11:05 pm

    Your pie looks so good, and I can imagine how good it tasted. I wish I was your neighbour ;-0

    Reply
  13. Pretend Chef says

    August 21, 2012 at 12:52 am

    Crave worthy! I would love a slice right now. Looks so delicious. Jealous of your neighbor.

    Reply
  14. Renata says

    August 21, 2012 at 1:05 am

    Absolutely divine!

    Reply
  15. Swathi Iyer says

    August 21, 2012 at 1:40 am

    Delicious Pie with sourdough. Love to try some time.

    Reply
  16. Brian @ A Thought For Food says

    August 21, 2012 at 2:40 am

    Look at that crust perfection! And I love how it's just bursting with blueberries! Looks fabulous!

    Reply
  17. Munatycooking says

    August 21, 2012 at 5:21 am

    Yum! Your baking talent is amazing and this pie looks heavenly. Wish I could get a piece 🙂

    Reply
  18. Angie's Recipes says

    August 21, 2012 at 7:36 am

    A gorgeous pie! The blueberry filling is simply irresistible.

    Reply
  19. The KitchenMaid says

    August 21, 2012 at 7:48 am

    I've been thinking about hpgetting another sourdough starter going for ages, this is a good incentive. I used to make pancakes with it before…. Anyway, gorgeous pie. Hope you have a very happy week!

    Reply
  20. Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says

    August 21, 2012 at 8:27 am

    This looks so good! I have never made sourdough crust but I often make pastry with sour cream. Your crust looks amazing.

    I want blueberry pie now so badly I can't stand it. 🙂

    Reply
  21. Baker Street says

    August 21, 2012 at 9:31 am

    this pie looks heavenly, lora! I'm loving the sourdough crust you used and the filling sounds amazing too! 🙂

    Reply
  22. Emily says

    August 21, 2012 at 9:51 am

    oh goodness this pie looks marvelous. blueberry is my favorite. i will need to check out the sourdough crust….so interesting!

    Reply
  23. Anonymous says

    August 21, 2012 at 1:33 pm

    Blueberry pie, happens to be my favouite pie ever! And the addition of the zing of limoncello … that's brilliant. This is a fantasic recipe, one that is calling my name for sure.

    Reply
  24. Lisa says

    August 21, 2012 at 1:45 pm

    This looks wonderful. Luckily I'm going to a cookout next week, looks like the perfect thing to bring! 🙂

    Reply
  25. Monet says

    August 21, 2012 at 2:23 pm

    What a unique and gorgeous crust! And I think blueberries are a must during this last full month of summer. Thank you for sharing..and inspiring me!

    Reply
  26. Suz says

    August 21, 2012 at 4:12 pm

    You had me at limoncello! Your pie looks like everything a summer pie should be. That golden crust is beautiful, and the beautiful jammy filling …. mmmmm. I haven't made blueberry pie yet this summer. I must try yours out. 🙂

    p.s. I love your pie dish!

    Reply
  27. Kathy says

    August 21, 2012 at 11:47 pm

    This pie is gorgeous…and I am so craving a slice! The limoncello had to add so much wonderful flavor…a perfect summer pie!

    Reply
  28. Korena says

    August 22, 2012 at 4:51 pm

    Oh my. Your lucky, lucky neighbours!! This looks SO good, and I love that you used limoncello. Yum!

    Reply
  29. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com says

    August 23, 2012 at 6:25 am

    My neighbors are envious of yours! That pie looks insanely decadent 🙂

    Reply
  30. Paula says

    August 23, 2012 at 12:32 pm

    You are so adventurous to make a sour dough pie crust! I have to tell you that this pie looks beautiful. Not surprising to me that it went so quickly. Even if there was no filling I think I'd gobble up this crust.

    Reply
  31. Kate@Diethood says

    August 23, 2012 at 1:28 pm

    I am imagining myself with a spoon in one hand and the entire pie in the other… HEAVEN!

    Reply
  32. Jamie says

    August 24, 2012 at 4:37 pm

    This is sensational! A sourdough pie crust? Amazing! And the blueberry filling… it's making me crazy I can't get fresh blueberries here but maybe a mixture of frozen blueberries and fresh raspberries? I love this, Lora! And hope your dad is doing okay xoxo

    Reply
  33. EA-The Spicy RD says

    August 28, 2012 at 3:53 pm

    Your pie looks amazing, and I love the addition on limoncello! Wondering how this might adapt to gluten-free…Sure would be fun experimenting 🙂

    Reply
  34. Lorraine Joy Alegria-Vizcarra says

    September 12, 2012 at 2:51 am

    I love the pie recipe. It looks great.

    Reply
  35. Eva @ Cooking Goals says

    June 14, 2020 at 3:38 am

    5 stars
    Delicious!! will have to try it out1

    Reply
    • Lora says

      June 14, 2020 at 6:57 am

      Hi Eva-thank you, I hope you do!!

  36. trisha deguia says

    July 6, 2020 at 12:03 pm

    5 stars
    amazing! looks yummy!

    Reply

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Welcome to our Italian kitchen! We are Lora and Gabriella, the mother-daughter team behind Savoring Italy. We work hard to create recipes that are inclusive of many sorts of diets, but do not follow one diet. Read More

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