Sour Cream Raisin Pie

I love to eat just about any kind of pie, but I don't often make them, mostly because I hate making pie crust. I can do it, but it's not my speciality. Ask me to make a pie filling (or cake or cheesecake), and I can do that no problem. My husband and our oldest son are whizzes at making pie crusts, so when I can sweet talk them into making the crust, I'll do the filling.

Today we wanted pie, and I cheated and used store-bought crust. It's okay - really. It just won't have the nice flaky outcome like Grandma makes. I won't even say crust like my mom makes, because she has the same pie crust problem I have (sorry Mom!). She's a great cook and baker, but pie crust just isn't her thing either.

One of our favorites is sour cream raisin pie, so I thought I'd share our recipe with you. You can top the pie with meringue if you wish, but I like this raisin pie with fresh whipped cream on top. This makes a 10-inch pie. I have large glass pie pans, and this may be too much filling for a normal-sized 9-inch pan.

If you promise not to laugh too hard at this picture, which shows the obvious store-bought pie crust, here's what it looks like just out of the oven. It's not the prettiest pie, but boy does it taste good :)

Sour Cream Raisin Pie

Pastry for 1 pie crust, chilled
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon good vanilla extract
2 cups sour cream
1 1/2 cups raisins

Place chilled pastry in a 10-inch pie pan. Beat eggs lightly, then stir in sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. Stir in vanilla, sour cream and raisins, and mix until well combined.

Pour mixture into the chilled pastry shell. Bake in a 450 degrees Fahrenheit oven for 10 minutes, then reduce the heat to 350 degrees Fahrenheit, and bake for an additional 30 minutes, or until the pie tests clean in the center.

Let cool to room temperature, or chill for a few hours. Serve with whipped cream.