AI-generated image
Ohio Shaker lemon pie
Whole-lemon double-crust pie from the Shaker communities
AmericanThe Shaker communities of Ohio and Kentucky wasted nothing, so they sliced whole lemons, peel and all, and left them overnight in sugar until the rind turned soft and syrupy. Baked with eggs between two crusts, the filling is like a bright, chunky marmalade custard, sweet, sour and faintly bitter. Shaker villages and Ohio bakeries still make it for spring. Chef's tip: slice the lemons paper-thin, ideally on a mandoline; thick slices stay chewy and bitter.
- Total time
- 75 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
Shop this recipe on Amazon
Fresh ingredients (4)
Links open Amazon in a new tab. As an Amazon Associate, WhatToEat.Today earns from qualifying purchases.
Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Slice the 2 thin-skinned unwaxed lemons as thinly as you can, flick out the pips and mix with the 14 oz sugar and 1 pinch salt. Cover and leave at room temperature overnight, stirring once or twice, until the peel is soft and translucent.
720 minStep 2: Heat the oven to 425°F (400°F fan). Roll half the 1 ⅓ lb shortcrust pastry for a double crust to line a 23 cm pie dish.
8 minStep 3: Beat the 4 eggs with the 2 tbsp plain flour and 1 oz butter and stir into the lemon mixture. Pour into the pastry case and spread the slices evenly.
3 minStep 4: Cover with the rolled second half of pastry, seal and crimp the edges, cut steam vents, brush with 1 tbsp milk and sprinkle with 1 tbsp sugar.
8 minStep 5: Bake for 15 minutes, then turn down to 350°F (325°F fan) and bake 30–35 minutes more, until golden and a knife in a vent comes out clean.
50 minStep 6: A common mistake is skipping the overnight soak, which leaves hard, bitter peel. Cool completely before slicing.
120 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 430 kcal
- Protein
- 6 g
- Carbs
- 62 g
- Fat
- 18 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ohio Shaker lemon pie take?
- About 75 minutes in total: 25 minutes to prepare and 50 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of thin-skinned unwaxed lemons?
- Lime, or 2 tbsp bottled lemon juice per lemon (no zest from bottled juice).
- What can I use instead of sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to cook it.
Rate this recipe
Sign in to rate and review this recipe.
You might also like
Baklava
The famous layered pastry: crisp sheets of buttered fillo sandwich a filling of almonds, pistachios and cashews spiced with cinnamon, cardamom and saffron. After baking, the hot baklava is soaked in a syrup of sugar, honey, lemon, rose and cardamom and decorated with almond and pistachio flakes. Cut into 40 diamonds; serve with fresh cream or ice cream.
Chocolate sauce
A thick, glossy chocolate sauce made from store-cupboard cocoa and milk, ready in under 10 minutes. Pour it hot over vanilla ice cream, or let it cool and spread it on cakes and puddings.
Moist banana bread
The blacker the bananas, the better the loaf. This one is mixed in a single bowl with melted butter and a little brown sugar, so it's soft, deeply banana-y and keeps well for days.