I am not a big pie person -- it has to be pretty perfect for me to like it, and frankly I just really prefer cake -- but I love the idea of it and I do love to make it, especially with my fail-safe oil crust (butter is lovely too, but sometimes you just want things to be a bit lighter). And blackberry pie is just special. Also try swapping out half the berries for apples for a classic pairing.
⅓cupolive oil,vegetable oil, or a margarine such as Earth Balance (or use butter!!)
5-7tablespoonsice water
For the filling
6cupsblackberries,about 1½ pounds
¾cupgranulated sugar
⅓cupcornstarch
2teaspoonsfresh lemon juice
½teaspoonlemon zest
½teaspooncinnamon
Instructions
Make crust:
In a large bowl, whisk together the pastry flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Drizzle in the oil — or cut in the margarine — and, using a fork, whisk and press together until the mixture resembles a coarse meal. Add the water 1 tablespoon at a time, continuing to lightly stir with the fork, until the dough just comes together. Press into a ball, wrap in plastic wrap, and let rest in the fridge at least 20 minutes.
Make the filling:
Heat oven to 425°F. Put berries, sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, zest, and cinnamon into a large bowl. Using a wooden spoon, mash gently. Let sit about 10 minutes.
Remove the crust from the fridge and divide it into two pieces. On a well-floured board, using a well-floured rolling pin, roll out one-half of the crust in a circle and fit it into a 9″ pie pan (leave a bit of crust to hang over the edges — but just a little bit). Pour in the filling. Roll out the remaining dough into a large rectangle, and, using a serrated knife, gently cut equally thick strips of dough. Weave the strips across the top of the pie to make a lattice crust. (Alternatively, roll another circle of pie crust into a circle and fit atop the filling. If doing this, cut several air vents in the top of the pie.)
Place the pie on a rimmed baking sheet (important! pie may leak) and place on the middle rack of the oven. Bake until crust is just golden, about 15 minutes. Reduce heat to 350°F and bake until golden brown and bubbling, about 30-40 minutes more. Remove from oven and cool pie thoroughly on a rack before serving.