Hillbilly Pie (Poor Man’s Pie): The 5-Ingredient Dessert That Practically Bakes Itself
By Jason Griffith
Introduction
There are desserts, and then there are comfort food desserts—the kind that feel like a warm hug and take you right back to your grandma’s kitchen. Hillbilly Pie, often called Poor Man’s Pie, is exactly that. It’s a marvel of simplicity and a brilliant piece of kitchen chemistry.
This recipe uses just five simple ingredients and requires almost no prep work. You pour the batter over melted butter, spoon the fruit filling on top, and the oven does the rest, creating a perfectly layered, moist, and tender cake-meets-cobbler crust as it bakes. It’s the ultimate “dump-and-bake” dessert that never, ever fails to impress. If you’re looking for a fuss-free dessert that tastes like you spent hours on it, look no further.
Why I Love This Recipe
I’m a professional food writer, so I love complex, challenging recipes, but my heart will always belong to the genius of a simple hack. The magic of Hillbilly Pie is in its no-stir method. The hot, melted butter and the simple batter of self-rising flour, sugar, and milk separate in the heat of the oven. The fruit filling sinks slightly, creating a gooey, fruity bottom layer, and the batter rises around it, forming a rich, golden, cake-like crust.
It’s completely adaptable—you can use any canned pie filling—and it’s a brilliant way to satisfy a serious sweet tooth with minimal effort and cost. It’s the kind of dish I make when I’m too tired for anything complicated but still want that cozy, homemade dessert feeling. Plus, it pairs perfectly with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a glass of my favorite refreshing summer drink, like this Blueberry Lemonade.
Ingredients
This recipe is built around five pantry staples.
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
| Unsalted Butter | 1 stick (21 cup) | Needs to be melted in the dish. |
| Self-Rising Flour | 1 cup | The leavening is already built in—do not substitute with all-purpose flour. |
| Granulated Sugar | 1 cup | Provides structure and sweetness. |
| Milk | 1 cup | Whole milk is preferred for richness, but any kind works. |
| Fruit Pie Filling | 1 (12 oz) can | Cherry, apple, peach, or blueberry are all fantastic choices. |
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Swaps and Notes
- Self-Rising Flour Substitute: If you only have all-purpose flour, you can make your own self-rising flour by whisking together 1 cup all-purpose flour with 1 21 teaspoons baking powder and 21 teaspoon salt.
- Pie Filling Flavor: You can try less traditional flavors like pineapple, strawberry, or even a savory filling for a truly unique twist (though I’ve never personally done it!).
- Spices: Add 21 teaspoon of cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg to the flour-sugar mixture if using apple or peach filling.
- Topping: A sprinkle of coarse sugar over the top before baking adds a nice crunchy texture to the crust.
Steps for the Hillbilly Pie Recipe
Follow these simple steps for a perfect, layered dessert every time.
Step 1: Prep and Melt the Butter
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the entire stick of unsalted butter directly into your 8×8-inch casserole dish. Set the dish into the preheating oven and let the butter melt completely while the oven comes up to temperature.
Step 2: Whisk the Batter
While the butter is melting, grab a mixing bowl. Whisk together the self-rising flour, granulated sugar, and milk until the mixture is smooth and there are no large lumps of flour. Don’t overmix it—just enough to combine everything.
Step 3: Combine Ingredients (No Stirring!)
Carefully pull the hot dish with the melted butter out of the oven. This is the key step: Pour the prepared flour and milk batter directly over the melted butter. Do not stir!
Step 4: Add the Fruit Filling
Gently spoon your fruit pie filling evenly across the top of the batter. Again, do not mix it into the batter. The fruit will appear to float on top, and that’s exactly what you want for the layering to work.
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Slide the dish back into the oven and bake for about 30–35 minutes, or until the crust is a beautiful golden brown color and a toothpick inserted into the cake part (avoiding the fruit layer) comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool and Serve
Let the pie cool for about 10–15 minutes before serving. This allows the layers to set slightly. Serve it warm for the ultimate comfort experience.
Tips for Success
- Use Self-Rising Flour: This is non-negotiable. It contains the correct ratio of leavening agents that react with the hot butter to create the unique layered structure.
- Do NOT Stir the Layers: I can’t stress this enough. Pouring the batter over the hot butter and placing the fruit on top without stirring is what causes the butter to rise up, the cake to bake, and the fruit to settle into a gooey bottom layer.
- Check for Doneness: If the top is getting too brown but the center still seems a little soft, you can loosely tent the dish with foil for the remaining bake time.
Serving Suggestions and Pairings
This pie is best served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a dollop of fresh whipped cream, or a drizzle of caramel sauce.
For a full comfort-food meal, pair this dessert with a hearty, savory dinner. I often make a big batch of Cajun Chicken Sausage Gumbo or my simple Easy Cheesy Chicken Sliders with Marinara Garlic Butter before finishing with this sweet treat. For a drink pairing, nothing beats a classic Hot Coffee or a glass of cold Milk.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
Disclaimer: This is an estimated calculation based on a cherry filling and standard ingredients. Actual nutritional content will vary based on specific brands and serving sizes.
| Nutrient | Amount (Estimated) |
| Servings | 8 |
| Calories | 305 kcal |
| Total Fat | 12g |
| Saturated Fat | 7g |
| Cholesterol | 30mg |
| Sodium | 150mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 46g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1g |
| Total Sugars | 30g |
| Protein | 4g |
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Storage and Leftover Tips
- To Store: Allow the Hillbilly Pie to cool completely, then cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. It can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- To Reheat: The pie is delicious cold, but it’s best when slightly warm. You can reheat individual slices in the microwave for 30–60 seconds, or put the entire dish back into a 300°F oven for about 10–15 minutes until warmed through.
- Freezing: I don’t recommend freezing this pie. The cake-like crust can become mushy once thawed.
More Recipes You Will Love
If you loved the simple, comforting nature of this Poor Man’s Pie, you’ll want to try some of these other favorites:
- For another easy dessert bar, give these holiday-favorite Pecan Pie Bars a try.
- If you’re craving more sweets, my recipe for The Best Peanut Butter Brownies I’ve Ever Made is a must-bake.
Final Thoughts
The Hillbilly Pie is a testament to the fact that the best food is often the simplest. It’s a nostalgic, foolproof, and completely delicious dessert that you can pull together with ingredients you probably already have on hand. It’s my go-to when I need a quick fix of comfort.
Give this recipe a try, and let me know in the comments what fruit filling you used! Did you stick to classic cherry or go wild with something unexpected?
Happy baking! And be sure to follow Chef Maniac for more easy, delicious recipes.
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