We can learn a lot from generations that came before us, including how to cook on tight budgets. Frugality was necessary sometimes, whether it’s because someone lost a job, or some foods were being rationed.
Despite these hardships, many home cooks got creative and still managed to feed their families little luxuries, including pie. When your budget is extra tight but you want a treat, try one of these frugal pie recipes that cooks have been making for generations.
Shoofly Pie
Shoofly pie is a Pennsylvania Dutch recipe that uses molasses as the main sweetener and filling ingredient. That gives the pie a thick, rich flavor and texture. The generous amount of streusel-like crumbs on top soak into the filling and give it structure.
Recipe: Fresh April Flours
Sugar Cream Pie
Also called Hoosier pie because it’s popular in Indiana, sugar cream pie is a simple, pudding-like pie that has no eggs. A little bit of cinnamon and vanilla flavor it, and cornstarch thickens the filling.
Recipe: Taste of Home
Water Pie
No, this isn’t a joke; You can make a pie with a filling of primarily water. You pour the water into the pie shell, and sprinkle it with flour, sugar, vanilla, and butter. You don’t even stir it, you just bake it, and it comes out with a golden brown top and solid filling.
Recipe: Southern Plate
Mock Apple Pie
Mock apple pie has a thick, buttery filling that’s really similar to an apple pie. Instead of apples, this recipe uses crushed Ritz crackers. Cinnamon, a little lemon juice, and brown sugar all really nail the apple pie flavor without the fruit.
Recipe: AllRecipes
Chess Pie
Chess pie is a classic Southern dessert. The filling is a custard flavored with vanilla, plus a dash of vinegar to counter the sweetness. A little bit of cornmeal helps to thicken the filling and ensure it sets completely.
Recipe: Southern Living
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Buttermilk Pie
Back when buttermilk was a byproduct of making butter, this pie was a great way to use it up. The buttermilk makes the filling extra tangy. A little lemon juice helps brighten the flavor, while both eggs and flour thicken it.
Recipe: Lil Luna
Soda Cracker Pie
There’s not many ingredients in this simple pie, but the result is impressive thanks to its meringue-like texture from stiffly beaten egg whites. Crushed crackers and nuts give it structure. And the best part is that you don’t even need a crust.
Recipe: Southern Living
Vinegar Pie
While lemon may have been the preferred method of adding acidity to a simple pie, they were not always available or affordable. That’s where this vinegar pie comes in, which uses apple cider vinegar in the simple custard filling instead.
Recipe: Southern Bite
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No Bake Kool-Aid Pie
This no-bake chilled pie is festively colored and flavored by whatever flavor of Kool-Aid you like. There’s only three ingredients, besides the graham cracker crust, so it’s a great one to make with the kids. And if Kool-Aid isn’t your think, you can use a box of Jell-O instead.
Recipe: Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
Chocolate Chess Pie
You only need three tablespoons of cocoa powder to make this chocolatey pie that tastes more decadent than you think. Evaporated milk, eggs, sugar, and butter are just about the only other things you need to make this pie’s filling.
Recipe: AllRecipes
Sprite Pie
Sprite pie is a variation of water pie. Instead of plain water, you use Sprite as a way to add more sweetness and flavor. Make sure to refrigerate the pie before you cut it to allow it to set up. And yes, you can use any flavor soda you like, but lemon-lime is probably the best bet.
Recipe: Desserts on a Dime
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