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This is certainly an unusual recipe and it’s been around for a long time. Perhaps your grandparents or even great-grandparents have made this or at least tasted it. You will need a pie crust and you could either make your own or, easier still, use a readymade one from the grocery store. You will also need flour, salt, sugar, and butter, along with water, and a pinch of salt. A touch of vanilla adds more flavor to the pie.

If you’re curious about the name, it comes from the fact water is a major ingredient in the pie filling. You might be thinking won’t that make it soggy? But it doesn’t! In fact, the filling sets beautifully in the oven and becomes soft and flavorful. You aren’t going to regret making an authentic water pie recipe. Water might not have any flavor drunk by itself but if added to a pie with these other ingredients you can expect an impressive result.

Depression water pie might not be the most appetizing-sounding recipe but this pie is so easy and it comes out beautifully. It’s a simple vanilla pie that makes a great late-morning snack with a cup of coffee. It’s also nice as an afternoon pick-me-up or even as dessert after your evening meal.

Why You’ll Love the Recipe:

This is an unusual recipe and it’s almost a century old. Sometimes old-fashioned recipes are the nicest, and this one is so good. You might wonder how a pie crust full of water could possibly come out well, but believe it – this is an incredibly good pie!

How to Serve It:

Enjoy a slice of this pie chilled.

Ingredients:

  • Pie crust
  • Butter
  • Sugar
  • All-purpose flour
  • Vanilla extract
  • Salt
  • Water

How to make Depression Era Water Pie:

Preheat the oven to 400°F.

Put the pie crust on a baking tray and pour the water into it.

Whisk the flour and salt with the sugar.

Sprinkle this over the water but don’t stir it.

Now drizzle the vanilla on top and then add the pieces of butter.

Bake for half an hour.

Reduce the heat to 375°F and bake for another half an hour.

If the crust is turning brown too quickly, you can cover it with foil.

The pie will be a little watery when it’s done but it will firm up while it cools.

Can You Make It Ahead?

Yes, you can. It firms up more in the fridge so feel free to make it ahead.

Storage Instructions:

Leftovers will keep for a few days in the fridge. Cover the pie for the best results.

Variations and Substitutions:

Swap the vanilla extract for another flavor if you wish. Orange would be good here.

Depression Era Water Pie

This is an unusual recipe and it’s almost a century old. Sometimes old-fashioned recipes are the nicest, and this one is so good. You might wonder how a pie crust full of water could possible come out well, but believe it - this is an incredibly good pie!
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Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 1 unbaked deep-dish 9-inch pie crust
  • 5 tablespoons sliced cold butter
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1½ cups water

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Put the pie crust on a baking tray and pour the water into it.
  • Whisk the flour and salt with the sugar.
  • Sprinkle this over the water but don’t stir it.
  • Now drizzle the vanilla on top and then add the pieces of butter.
  • Bake for half an hour.
  • Reduce the heat to 375°F and bake for another half an hour.
  • If the crust is turning brown too quickly, you can cover it with foil.
  • The pie will be a little watery when it’s done but it will firm up while it cools.
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