Water pie
Water pie is a type of pie with a translucent custard-like filling made primarily from water, along with sugar, flour, butter and sometimes vanilla extract.[1] The recipe originated in the late 1800s and was also made during the Great Depression.[2] It experienced a revival during the 2020s amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact.[3][4][better source needed]
History
[edit]Simplified recipes with alternative ingredients, including desserts such as depression cake, were popular throughout history in times when ingredients were scarce or unaffordable.[5][6] Water pie in particular dates back to the late nineteenth century.[2] Through versions of the recipe in cookbooks from the Great Depression in the United States, it resurfaced thanks to TikTok users and food blogs in the 2020s, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of which highlighted its low cost and simplicity.[3][7]
Ingredients
[edit]The pie is made by adding water mixed with sugar, flour and butter, and sometimes some spice such as vanilla or cinnamon, to a pie crust. The starch in the flour makes the mixture set and thicken, thus acquiring a custard-like consistency.[1] Soft drinks such as Sprite may be used in place of water.[8]
See also
[edit]- Depression cake – Type of cake commonly made during the Great Depression
- Toast sandwich – Sandwich with toast filling
- Chipped beef – Sliced dried beef product
- Spam – Canned pork product
- Betty Crocker – Brand and fictional character
- Chwee kueh – Chinese steamed rice cake
References
[edit]- 1 2 Hubbell, Diana (8 April 2022). "This Depression-Era Science Trick Transforms Water Into Pie". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
- 1 2 Van Lanen, Amanda (7 January 2025). "Debunking Viral Recipes: Water Pie". History Reheated. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
- 1 2 Farris, Valerio (20 August 2021). "Water Pie Was a Depression-Era Treat—Why Are People Into It Now?". Food52. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
- ↑ Peach, Katherine (29 September 2020). "Depression-Era Foods That Are Weirdly Making A Comeback". Mashed.com. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
- ↑ Renee, Alex (1 February 2022). "There Is A Fascinating History Behind The Great Depression's Water Pie". TheRecipe. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
- ↑ Chifalu, Nikki Overfelt (28 April 2022). "The Intriguing History Of Water Pie". Tasting Table. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
- ↑ Thompson, Dillon (10 February 2022). "TikTokers are resurfacing a Great Depression-era recipe for 'water pie'". Yahoo! News. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
- ↑ van Niekerk, Sacha (9 December 2020). "WATCH: People are amazed and confused by TikTok's Sprite pie". IOL. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
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