Water pie

A homemade water pie

Water pie is a type of pie with a translucent custard 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]

History

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

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]

References

  1. ^ a b Hubbell, Diana (April 8, 2022). "This Depression-Era Science Trick Transforms Water Into Pie". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  2. ^ a b Van Lanen, Amanda (January 7, 2025). "Debunking Viral Recipes: Water Pie". History Reheated. Retrieved January 7, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ a b Farris, Valerio (August 20, 2021). "Water Pie Was a Depression-Era Treat—Why Are People Into It Now?". Food52. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  4. ^ Peach, Katherine (September 29, 2020). "Depression-Era Foods That Are Weirdly Making A Comeback". Mashed.com. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  5. ^ Renee, Alex (February 1, 2022). "There Is A Fascinating History Behind The Great Depression's Water Pie". TheRecipe. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  6. ^ Chifalu, Nikki Overfelt (April 28, 2022). "The Intriguing History Of Water Pie". Tasting Table. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  7. ^ Thompson, Dillon (February 10, 2022). "TikTokers are resurfacing a Great Depression-era recipe for 'water pie'". Yahoo! News. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
  8. ^ van Niekerk, Sacha (December 9, 2020). "WATCH: People are amazed and confused by TikTok's Sprite pie". IOL. Retrieved May 28, 2022.