Iowa’s ‘Best’ Bakery Treat is an Unusual Type of Pie [PHOTOS]

Since moving to Iowa in 2014, I've tried a lot of foods that I had never heard of before. Taco pizza, giant pork tenderloins, kolaches, and loose meat sandwiches are just a few dishes that I've become familiar with over the past (almost) 10 years. One thing I haven't experienced is something called sour cream raisin pie.

I grew up in the Midwest, but never in my life have I ever heard of sour cream raisin pie. I didn't even know that sour cream and raisins could go together! That's the item that the Food Network named as the top bakery treat for the state of Iowa. The article reads:

"If you didn't grow up in the Midwest, chances are you've never heard of the sour cream raisin pie. But if you have a friend from Iowa (or any neighboring state), he or she will know what we're talking about. This is one of those nostalgic dishes, best enjoyed in a grandma's kitchen."

An article from Epicurious says that sour cream raisin pie was most likely brought over from Germany by Mennonites, and it evolved from there. It reads:

"The pie begins with a buttery, flaky blind-baked crust that’s filled with boiled raisins which are folded into a custard made with milk and sour cream, all warmly spiced with cloves and cinnamon. A billowy meringue seals the top, making a dramatic crown for an otherwise humble filling."

If you're interested in giving sour cream raisin pie a try, it appears that there aren't many places in Iowa that serve them. One place we did find them at is at Ox Yoke Inn in the Amana Colonies! They seem to be a favorite over there. Whole sour cream raisin pies can be ordered on the Ox Yoke Inn website HERE. You can also check out a recipe for the pie HERE.

Have you ever tried a sour cream raisin pie? Let us know your thoughts by sending us a message on our station app!