What's Cooking: Rhubarb, Blueberry and Spiced Rum Pies

Sweet blueberries, tangy rhubarb and a splash of dark spiced rum make these homemade pies a proper treat. Wrapped in golden, buttery shortcrust pastry, they're packed with a rich, fruity filling that's delicious served warm with a generous spoonful of crème fraîche. Made best in a Cooks Professional Pie Makers, baking professional, uniform pies with deep fill moulds and plenty of room for your fillings. These pies are surprisingly simple to prepare and perfect for making the most of seasonal rhubarb.

Ingredients
For the pies:
- 4 sticks of rhubarb, chopped
- 300g blueberries
- A knob of salted butter
- A splash of dark spiced rum
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 roll of ready-made shortcrust pastry

To serve:
- Crème fraîche
- A handful of fresh blueberries

Method
Step 1: Melt the salted butter in a saucepan over a medium heat, then add the chopped rhubarb.
Step 2: Bring to a gentle simmer, cover with a lid and allow the rhubarb to soften, stirring occasionally.
Step 3: Add the blueberries, dark spiced rum and brown sugar. Stir everything together and simmer gently until the fruit breaks down and the filling thickens. Remove from the heat and allow to cool slightly.
Step 4: Unroll the shortcrust pastry and use the cutters supplied with your Cooks Professional Pie Maker to cut out the pie bases and lids.
Step 5: Carefully fit the pastry bases into the pie moulds, spoon in the rhubarb and blueberry filling, then place the pastry lids on top.
Step 6: Close the pie maker and cook according to the appliance instructions until the pastry is golden, crisp and cooked through.
Step 7: Carefully remove the pies and allow them to cool slightly before serving with a spoonful of crème fraîche and a scattering of fresh blueberries.

Tips for the Perfect Rhubarb & Blueberry Pies

The trick to these little pies is getting the filling just right. Rhubarb releases plenty of moisture as it cooks, so allow the fruit mixture to simmer until it's thick enough to spoon into the pastry without making it soggy. If your rhubarb is particularly tart, you can add a little extra brown sugar to taste. The dark spiced rum brings a lovely warmth to the filling, but it can be left out if you'd prefer an alcohol-free version. These pies are especially delicious served warm, when the pastry is crisp and the fruit filling is still soft and juicy.

Make More with Your Cooks Professional Pie Maker

Our Cooks Professional Pie Maker makes homemade pies easy, with individual moulds designed to create perfectly portioned sweet and savoury treats. It's ideal for using up seasonal fruit, experimenting with different fillings and making delicious homemade desserts without the fuss of baking a full-sized pie.

Enjoy these rhubarb and blueberry pies with crème fraîche, a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a little cream for a comforting, seasonal dessert.