Blackberry Peach Fruit Pie

I grew up on the film adaptation of The Princess Bride, to this day it’s probably my favorite movie of all time. Like the kids of Florin and Guilder, I spent my childhood terrified of the Fire Swamp and the ROUSs, but the humor, adventure, and romance of the movie woke something story-hungry in me at an impressionable age.

However, even though I knew every line from the movie by heart (my family and friends refuse to watch it with me anymore), I had never read the book! Inconceivable! I figured if I was going to call myself a true fan, I had to go back to the beginning.

William Goldman not only wrote the original novel, but he also adapted his work for the screen. In certain scenes, it’s evident that Goldman streamlined and refined the original text, so the movie features only the funniest, wittiest, most moving lines from the book.

The book itself is supposedly cobbled together from the “best bits” of a historical piece from the fictional country of Florin. As a result, Goldman has written extensive introductions wherein he weaves pseudo-fictions about the original text by S. Morgenstern, his Florinese parents, and his relationship with his obese son (Goldman has two daughters). Even the cast and crew of the film become characters.

The fictional meta-text is interesting, but the same young romantic in me who loved the movie from an early age was dying to get to the swashbuckling. In addition to all the parts fans of the movie know and love, there are differences in the book that make it fresh and interesting. For example, Goldman provides extensive background on the secondary characters, and instead of the cinematic “Pit of Despair,” Prince Humperdinck keeps a “Zoo of Death,” which Inigo and Fezzik must conquer.

Even Buttercup, who is sometimes a bit of a helpless damsel (night swim in the Florin Channel aside) is much more interesting in the book; the way she and Westley banter and bicker gives her some dimension. Westley is probably even dreamier in the book. You know, just in case you were wondering.

Parsing this Pie:

If I had to choose just one pie to make and eat for the rest of my life, this would be this blackberry peach fruit pie. Luckily I don’t have to make that decision, but blackberry-peach is still my true love. It just smells so good, even before you bake it.

Blackberries seemed like the obvious choice to represent Westley, the Man in Black, mostly because I’m a sucker for cheesy wordplay. Although the color of Buttercup’s dress upon the lovers’ reunion is never explicitly stated in the book, I also wanted to pay homage to that iconic image from the movie of Westley in black and Buttercup in her orange-pink dress as they run into the Fire Swamp. I gave it less weight, using fewer peaches than blackberries, but still, the color and flavor combination was too good to pass up.

There’s something rustic about a classic, lattice-covered fruit pie and something elegant and regal about the rich, deep purple of blackberries in a filling. Just as a person can be a farm boy and a pirate, a small-town girl, and a princess, so too can a pie contain dualities.

The recipe ingredient

Crust

• 2 cups flour
• 2/3 cup butter, cubed
• 4 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp cider vinegar
• 1 egg
• handful of sugar

Filling

• 4 peaches, sliced, skin on
• 2 pints blackberries, washed
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 cup cornstarch (I usually add a couple more tablespoons just to be sure the filling sets)

How to make blackberry peach fruit pie

1. Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Prepare the crust: Combine the flour, cubed butter, water, and cider vinegar in a large mixing bowl. Mix until the dough comes together, ensuring there are visible veins and chunks of butter. Avoid overworking the dough. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill it in the fridge.
3. Prepare the filling: Wash the fruits and slice the peaches about a fourth to half an inch thick. In a large bowl, combine the berries and peach slices. Add sugar, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix well to coat the filling evenly. Add cornstarch and mix until the liquid coating the fruit has a uniform color and texture.
4. Assemble the pie: Roll out half of the chilled dough and line the pie plate with it, leaving about an inch overhang. Pour the prepared filling into the bottom crust, trying to keep as much excess liquid in the bowl as possible.
5. Weave the lattice crust: Create parallel strips of crust and weave them in an alternating pattern over the filling, similar to weaving a basket. Fold over and pinch the excess inch of dough left hanging over the edge.
6. Add glaze: Beat the egg with a fork and use a pastry brush to lightly coat the top crust. Sprinkle a handful of sugar onto the still-wet egg to create a crispy, sweet glaze.
7. Bake: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake until the edges of the crust are golden brown and the fruit filling is bubbling thick and slowly, approximately 45 minutes.

Tips

• Keep the dough cold for a flakier crust.
• Use clean hands to coat the filling evenly.
• Remove excess liquid from the filling to prevent a soggy crust.

How to serve this blackberry peach fruit pie

Serve slices of this delectable Blackberry Peach Fruit Pie on dessert plates, accompanied by a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Sometimes I enjoy this pie with just a simple cup of coffee.

Faq

Can I use frozen fruit instead of fresh?

Yes, frozen fruit can be used as a substitute for fresh. Ensure to thaw and drain excess liquid before using it in the filling.

Can I make the pie crust ahead of time?

Absolutely! Prepare the pie crust in advance and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days or freeze it for longer storage.

Can I use a store-bought pie crust?

While homemade crust is recommended for the best results, a store-bought crust can be used as a convenient alternative.

More Pie Recipes: HARBINGER AMBROSIA PIE

Conclusion

Enjoy this pie with someone very near and dear to you. After a long day in the Fire Swamp (of life) it helps to come home to pie and a loved one. And if he or she happens to ask you to cut them a second slice, respond, “As you wish.”