4th of July is always bittersweet for me.
I've always felt like it is the halfway point to marking summer's end. (You can definitely see I'm the glass half empty kind of person, eh?)
Maybe it is because my kids always started school around the third week of August.
Well, the kids aren't here anymore, my attitude is changing and I still love 4th of July!
Besides all the fireworks, (I am a fireworks kind of girl) 4th of July means food.
It means grill. It means water and cold beer.
And in the past it always meant parades and streamers and bikes and hikes and pie and watermelon. That's a lot to cram in, in one day!
There are an incredible number of great foods to grill.
Most folks think meat, or fish or kebabs or burgers or corn on the cob
. Not many think fruit, but just like I'm changing my attitude, it is high time to change your view on grilling fruit!
I love grilled pineapple and peaches.
And even putting your berries in a basket and grilling them for about two minutes intensifies those berry flavors.
On their own, or with a scoop of ice cream, those would also qualify as awesome summer desserts!
Well, being the nut case that I am, I decided to grill some fruit and make grilled fruit pies.
Cornmeal makes for a rustic crust that totally rocks with grilled fruit.
(It is totally optional to grill the fruit, though it does give a distinctive flavor to your pie, but they are scrumptious either way.)
It bakes up crisp and flaky at the same time.
Before adding the fruit I smeared a couple tablespoons of mascarpone cheese on the crust.
This melts right in and only adds to the richness of the crust. It will not be detected when you are eating.
Add a scoop of ice cream or a pile of whipped cream and you have a way above average summer dessert.
Plus serving everyone their own individual pie is a sure way to keep the crowds smiling.
These individual pies aren't overly sweet, but if you want them sweeter, feel free to shake that sugar.
The choice of fruit is yours, but I liked the combo of apricots and blueberries or raspberries and blueberries.
However if you want to know the truth, I'm really not picky as long as I get to have dessert!
The hardest part about this dessert is making the crust and that's not that hard.
I made these the day before I served them and kept them very lightly covered on the counter.
I did pop them back in the oven to rewarm and they turned out great.
My pies were 8 inchers so one might say they were a bit man sized, but my girlfriend managed to devour hers all on her own.
And that even had a scoop of ice cream on it!
How many you make is up to you.
In fact this whole recipe is up to you. I'm just supplying the basic directions, so keep that in mind.
I promise this may soon become one of your favorite summer desserts.
Not only does the cornmeal crust totally rock, the grilled fruit is amazing!
Other great 4th of July foods:
Buttery Garlic Parmesan Potato Chips
Onion Dip
Red Onion, Blueberry and Pesto Goat Cheese Tart
Pineapple and Chipotle Guacamole
Old Fashioned BBQ Chicken
Elote Corn in a Bowl
My Mom's Secret ColeSlaw
Cream Cheese Poundcake
Chocolate Texas Sheet Cake
Recipe
Grilled Fruit Pies in a Cornmeal Crust
- Prep Time: 45 Minutes
- Cook Time: 30 Minutes*
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 6 - 8 Servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Your choice of fruit-I used 1 ½ apricots per pie and dotted them with about 12 blueberries or use enough blueberries and raspberries to cover about a 6" diameter of pie
2 T melted butter
(Grilling is optional)
2 c flour
1 c yellow cornmeal
6 T sugar plus 1 T per pie for sprinkling
1 t salt
2 sticks chilled butter
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
1 container mascarpone cheese at room temperature
2 T honey
2 T balsamic vinegar
3 pinches ground black pepper
Fresh thyme or rosemary to sprinkle
Instructions
Combine flour, cornmeal,6 T of sugar and salt in a large bowl. Cut in butter until large crumbs form. Stir in eggs and vanilla and mix until you can gather dough into 2 large balls. Chill for a few hours. While dough is chilling grill your fruit.
To grill fruit: Preheat grill to medium. Cut stone fruits in half. Brush each side with a bit of melted butter. Grill for just a few moments until grill marks appear. Cool before slicing. To grill berries, toss with a bit of melted butter.Place on a grill screen and grill for just a few minutes. You are not cooking these, only giving them flavor and this step is totally optional.
Make cheese mixture by combining cheese, honey, vinegar and pepper in a bowl. Whisk until combined. Set aside until ready to use.
To roll dough: I roll the dough between two sheets of parchment paper. Roll about ½" thick. You may slice each ball into 3 or 4 slices depending on how many pies you want. These are free form pies. After pie crust is rolled, remove top piece of parchment and spread a few tablespoons of cheese mixture on center of pie. Top with your choice of fruit and sprinkle with about 1 T of sugar. Now using a sharp paring knife, scrape outer edges of dough towards the middle on to the fruit. Pinch crust together if it comes apart. It is very forgiving.
Now using a large spatula, lift your pies, still on the parchment, on to a rimmed baking sheet. Chill for about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 425. After pies have chilled, bake them for 30 minutes until crust is golden and fruit is bubbly. Sprinkle with fresh rosemary or thyme while warm. It really makes the pie's flavors pop! Serve with whipped cream or ice cream.
Notes
*Does Not Include Chill Time
Sandra K321 says
My favorite is Strawberry shortcake.
Unknown says
I liked on FB (Judith Rontal)
Unknown says
I love to make fruit kabobs (Red white and blue)
- Judith
Katie Heath says
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Katie Fought says
Blackberry Cheesecake for the 4th!
Nicki Joseph says
Apple pie is my favorite
Dee says
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Dee says
Thanks for the chance! My favorite 4th of July dessert is strawberry pie! 🙂
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latanya t says
pinterest follower
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latanya t says
I like fruit tarts
Carol at Wild Goose Mama says
You are such a WONDERFUL cook! Look at these delicious pies with such a fun crust!!!
I can almost taste them. Does that mean I am going to have to cope with almost calories?
a. maren says
grilled fruit pies, wow! these sound incredible! happy late 4th 🙂
Cali Cuisine says
It's amazing how something so rustic turns out so beautiful. Nicely done!
Biz says
I've never thought of a corn meal crust for a fruit pie, but it's genius! Can't wait to try this now that blueberries are only .99 a pint by me now 😀 I already follow you on all of your social media sites 😀
dedy oktavianus says
Never had any cornmeal crust before, this recipe is worth to try!!!
Dedy@Dentist Chef
Joanne says
In NYC, kids don't go back to school until September, so 4th of July still feels like plenty of summer to me! These fruit pies look amazing - so impressed that they were made on the grill!
Amy (Savory Moments) says
A grilled fruit pie! What a great idea and a lovely summer treat.
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♡♥♬ Carolsue ♡♥♬ says
I always make something called a Red White & Blue Brownie Pizza!
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SavoringTime in the Kitchen says
Normally, I feel the same way about the 4th, but this year our June has been quite cool so it really does seem like the start of summer, rather than the middle to me. What a gorgeous fruit pie!
Amy Michaels says
I love ice-cream cake and sugar cookies for 4th of July! I also followed your boards on pinterest - my username is michaelsamy on there!
Anna and Liz Recipes says
We follow you on facebook and twitter!
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we're already subscribed to your blog!
Anna and Liz Recipes says
These looks so delicious! I would love these pies with a scoop of ice cream on top! Favorite 4th of July dessert is homemade banana pudding my friend makes. I have to get the recipe someday. Have a great 4th weekend!
Kristen says
I follow on Twitter
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Kristen says
My favorite is shortcake with strawberries and blueberries.
GiGi Eats Celebrities says
OH SNAP! I am going home this weekend and I know my dad would ADORE THIS!! I am showing him this recipe the second I get there!
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Abbe Odenwalder says
It is working now! Thanks for the heads up!
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HS says
I like Red, White, and Blue Cheesecake Layer Cake .
Sippity Sup says
I though I'd made every crust out there, but not cornmeal crust! I can't wait to try it. Here in LA July 4 marks the beginning of Summer for me. No more June gloom. GREG
La Table De Nana says
Love your clics Abbe..I always know it's you..I mean I would know it was you:)
Holly @ abakershouse.com says
Yes, I would eat the whole pie...and I'd be sure to pick the biggest one! I love all things pie and your idea of grilling the fruit first must makes these extra special.
Missy says
We make sour cherry icecream every year. It is delicious.
Ali says
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Ali says
My favorite 4th of July dessert is homemade ice cream!
Libby Weiner says
Do you have one for me when I come ? They look delicioussssss !
Rose-Marie says
I follow you on Pinterest, Twitter and Facebook!!! Wowie! I make pizza on the grill, I must try these!!
Rose-Marie says
I'm already subscribed to your blog!!!! yummy!!!
Rose-Marie says
These look spectacular!!! I must try these! My favorite dessert for the 4th are homemade ice creams, homemade pops, homemade sorbets!!!
DeniseL says
and I follow you on pinterest! deniseleb
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DeniseL says
While I don't grill the fruit, I do make pies very much like this for the 4th. Last year, everyone chose my pie over the traditional double-crust kind that someone else made 🙂
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
I already subscribe 🙂 Have a fantastic 4th of July! Love these and yes I could eat a whole one myself with ice cream on top. Lovely!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
I follow you on Facebook and Pinterest!
Tricia @ Saving room for dessert says
Favorite 4th of July dessert - my mom's homemade ice cream!
Emanuele @ guyslovecooking says
I love reading food blogs these days, everyone has different recipes for 4th July. I should organize a trip one day, just to be there during this period. If what I get is what I see in your recipe, it will be well worth the visit.
Happy 4th July then 🙂
Karen Harris says
What a great recipe for the 4th! Warm fruit pies with a big scoop of ice cream, I could eat the whole thing too. You have some smart friends that know good food.
Angie Schneider says
Beautiful! I love these rustic tarts and the combo of flavour is just unbeatable, Abbe.
traveler says
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traveler says
Delectable and ideal for summer.What lovely pies. Lemon squares are light and my 4th treat. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
Kitchen Riffs says
I've roasted blueberries, but haven't tried grilling them. Need to do that! Love the looks of these. Really perfect idea for the 4th -- thanks!
Elena says
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Elena says
My favorite 4th of July dessert is cupcakes with red, white and blue frosting
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Pam says
These fruit pies are great! Fruit pies for the 4th work here! I make apple slices.