Shoofly Pie

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Quick Bite

Shoofly pie is a Pennsylvania Dutch molasses pie with a crumb topping and a sweet, gooey bottom. It is sticky, old-fashioned, breakfast-adjacent, and exactly what happens when molasses gets promoted to dessert.

History

Shoofly pie is one of the iconic desserts of Pennsylvania Dutch country. It is made from molasses or syrup, brown sugar, flour, butter, and spices, usually with a crumb topping and either a wet-bottom or dry-bottom texture.

The pie likely developed from Pennsylvania Dutch molasses cakes and crumb cakes, especially in communities where molasses was a common pantry sweetener. It became a pie that could be served with coffee, packed into lunches, or brought to gatherings.

There are two main styles. Wet-bottom shoofly pie has a gooey molasses layer under the crumbs, while dry-bottom versions are more cake-like throughout. Lancaster County bakeries often highlight the gooey, old-fashioned version, and Dutch Haven promotes its shoofly pies as a taste of Pennsylvania Dutch country.

Shoofly pie is humble but memorable. It does not need fruit, cream, or chocolate to make its case. Molasses, crumbs, and a flaky crust do the work.

Fun Facts

• Wet-bottom shoofly pie has a gooey molasses layer.
• It is strongly associated with Pennsylvania Dutch and Amish country.
• The name may come from the idea that the sweet molasses attracted flies that had to be shooed away, though origin stories vary.

Where to Try

Dutch Haven Ronks, Pennsylvania
A Lancaster County landmark known for old-fashioned shoofly pie and Amish country souvenirs.

Bird-in-Hand Bakery & Cafe Bird-in-Hand, Pennsylvania
A Lancaster County bakery selling traditional Amish-style shoofly pies.

Achenbach’s Pastries Leola, Pennsylvania
A longtime Lancaster County bakery known for Pennsylvania Dutch baked goods, including pies and traditional sweets.

About the Game

This recipe is part of Van Life Challenge, a travel-themed board game from Gray Dog Games where players explore the United States, discover regional foods, and collect memorable experiences along the way.

Each featured food celebrates a real place, a local flavor, and the kind of delicious roadside discovery that makes every trip feel like an adventure.

Recipe

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Home-Cook-Friendly Shoofly Pie Makes: 1 9-inch pie Prep: 20 minutes Cook: 35–45 minutes Difficulty: Medium Style: Pennsylvania Dutch / Molasses Pie

Ingredients

• 1 unbaked 9-inch pie crust

For the crumb topping

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup cold butter, cubed
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt

For the molasses filling

• ¾ cup molasses
• ¾ cup hot water
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 egg, beaten

Instructions

1. Heat the oven: Heat the oven to 375°F.
2. Prepare the crust: Place the pie crust in a 9-inch pie plate and crimp the edge.
3. Make the crumbs: Make the crumb topping by mixing flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
4. Cut in butter: Cut in cold butter until crumbly.
5. Mix molasses and water: In another bowl, stir molasses and hot water together.
6. Add baking soda: Add baking soda and stir until foamy.
7. Add egg: Stir in the beaten egg.
8. Fill: Pour the molasses filling into the pie crust.
9. Top: Sprinkle the crumb mixture evenly over the top.
10. Bake: Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the top is set and the filling is bubbly.
11. Cool: Cool before slicing.

Traditional note: To make it more traditional, use molasses, a crumb topping, and a flaky pie crust. For wet-bottom style, do not overbake it; the lower layer should stay gooey.

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