Black Raspberry Cookie Pie

When summer comes, my mom picks so many black raspberries so that she can make one of her favorite desserts. The best part? We have bushes right behind my house, so we don't have to spend an extreme amount of money on them :)

While I was picking, I had a few visitors follow me around! Some even hopped off of the ground and latched onto a berry! Not sure why I found it so cute, but even chickens like their raspberries!

Total Time: 1 hour (plus 30 minutes of inactive time)
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes

Yield: About 20 good-sized pieces

Ingredients: 

• 6 cups black raspberries, washed
• 1/3 cup tapioca
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 4 cups flour
• 1 1/3 cups sugar
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoons baking soda
• Pinch salt
• 1 1/3 cups shortening
• 1 egg
• 6 Tablespoons milk
• 3 teaspoons vanilla

Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the raspberries, tapioca and 1 1/4 cups sugar. Allow to sit for at least a half hour. (This lets the berries macerate - the berries become softer and the sugar allows the berries to get juicy!)
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 11 x 15" cookie sheet. Set aside.
3. Then, in another medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender or two forks. Set aside.
4. In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the egg, milk, and vanilla. Then, add to the shortening mixture to form a smooth dough.
5. Reserve a softball sized ball of dough for the lattice on top of the pie. Pat the rest of the dough onto the prepared baking sheet, making the edges a bit thicker.
6. Spread the fruit and juice evenly over the crust.
7. Roll out the rest of the dough on a lightly floured surface. Using a pizza wheel or sharp knife, cut the dough into 1/2 - 3/4 inch strips. Lay over the fruit in diagonal, overlapping rows.
8. Bake for 40-45 minutes, until the top crust looks golden brown.
9. Allow to cool completely before cutting. Enjoy!!

Let the berries macerate until very juicy!