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Desperation pie

🇺🇸 A dish from United States

Desperation pie, a dish from United States
Ralph Daily · CC BY 2.0

Desperation pies are pies in American cuisine made using staple ingredients like butter, sugar, eggs and flour, and making use of other ingredients that cooks had on hand to substitute for ingredients that were out of season or too expensive. These pies were more common before refrigeration and canned pie fillings, and during times of hardship like the Great Depression and rationing of World War II.

What gives it away

🥘Main ingredientsbutter, sugar, eggs, flour, vinegar or buttermilk
🔥Cooking methodbaked in a pastry crust
👅Flavour & stylesweet, rich, custardy, thrifty home baking
🕒When it’s eatendessert

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Frequently asked questions

Where does Desperation pie come from?
Desperation pie is a dish that originated in United States.
What is Desperation pie?
Desperation pies are pies in American cuisine made using staple ingredients like butter, sugar, eggs and flour, and making use of other ingredients that cooks had on hand to substitute for ingredients that were out of season or too expensive. These pies were more common before refrigeration and canned pie fillings, and during times of hardship like the Great Depression and rationing of World War II.