Grape Pie

Prepare the Filling

1. Gather the ingredients.

2. Combine the grapes with the sugar, cornstarch, lemon juice, lemon zest, vanilla, and salt in a saucepan.

3. Cook for 15-20 minutes on medium heat. Use a potato masher to squash some of the grapes as they cook. Stir occasionally as it bubbles to prevent it from burning. Turn down the heat if it begins to scorch. You want to cook off a good part of the moisture from the grapes so the filling will not be runny.

4. Allow the filling to cool to room temperature. While the grapes are cooking and cooling, prepare the crust.

Prepare the Crust and Bake the Pie

1. Gather the ingredients. Preheat the oven to 400 F.

2. Using a pastry blender, combine the flour, shortening, butter, and salt in a large bowl. Work the fat into the flour until you have pea-sized pieces of fat.

3. Add the water a few teaspoons at a time while mixing the dough just until the dough sticks together when pinched.

4. Combine the dough and form into 2 balls. Be careful not to overwork the dough.

5. On a well floured surface, roll one of the balls of dough into a 12-inch circle.

6. Lay the dough into the pie tin.

7. Roll out the other ball of dough into a 12-inch circle. Cut out a design on the top of the dough. You can use a straw to make a grape design, if desired.

8. Pour the cooled filling into the pie crust. Place the second crust on the top. Crimp the edges using a fork or tuck the dough under and crimp with your fingers. Dust the top of the pie with granulated sugar.

9. Place the pie on the lowest baking rack of the preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes. Check the pie after the first 30 minutes. If the crust begins to darken too much, turn the heat down to 350 F.

10. Allow the pie to cool to room temperature before slicing and serving.