Delaware State Dessert

Peach Pie

Adopted on July 30, 2009.

On July 30, 2009, peach pie was designated as Delaware's official State dessert. Peach farming is an important part of Delaware's agricultural heritage, as the peach was introduced to Delaware in Colonial times and expanded as an industry in the nineteenth century. Delaware was the country's leading producer of peaches for part of the nineteenth century, at its peak, shipping 6 million baskets to market in 1875. The fifth and sixth grade students of St. John's Lutheran School in Dover, with the support of the entire student body, suggested that peach pie be adopted as this State's official dessert because of the historical and agricultural significance of Delaware's peach farming industry.

Delaware State Dessert: Peach Pie

Peach pie declared official Delaware dessert

DOVER - To some, Delaware is just peachy. And it may be getting even peachier.

Thanks to House Bill 99, which received approval in the House on May 14 and the Senate on Tuesday, peach pie has been designated the official dessert of Delaware.

The campaign to make peach pie the state dessert was started by fifth- and sixth-grade students at St. John's Lutheran School in Dover, who said the peach holds historical and agricultural significance due to Delaware's peach farming industry, which was prominent through the 1950s.

"This particular bill gave me the opportunity to work with students in my district," said Rep. Darryl Scott, D-Dover, who co-sponsored the bill.

"Although it was a fun bill, it recognizes both the historical and current contribution peach farmers have on our state's economy."

Carrie Bennett operates Bennett Orchards in Frankford, where since 1983 the family has grown peaches and nectarines. It is the only pick-your-own orchard in Delaware, and Bennett said the state and the peach have a strong history together.

Peach Pie Recipe

Pie Crust:

3 cups sifted All Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon Salt
1 cup Cricso
1 beaten Egg, plus enough cold water to make 1/2 cup

Mix flour and salt together, and cut in Crisco with a fork until it is the consistency of coarse corn meal.

Add the egg and water mixture, and mix well with a fork. Form into a ball. Divide the dough in half, wrap in plastic wrap and let rest for 10-20 minutes. Roll out to form pie crust. Will make 2 crusts, or enough for 1 double crust or 1 lattice top pie.

Peach Pie Filling:

6 cups peeled, pitted and thinly sliced Peaches
3/4 cup Sugar
3 Tablespoons All Purpose Flour

Mix peaches, sugar, and flour together and pour into a pastry-lined 9 inch pie plate.

Cut out strips of pie crust, weave the strips over and under to form the lattice top of the pie. Seal and flute the edge with your fingers. Brush the top crust with an egg wash, if desired.

Place the pie plate on a foil lined cookie sheet, and cover edges with foil.
Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes, then remove foil from edges and bake an additional 20 minutes.

Delaware House Bill No. 99

CHAPTER 190

FORMERLY

HOUSE BILL NO. 99

AN ACT TO AMEND CHAPTER 3, TITLE 29 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO THE DESIGNATION OF A STATE DESSERT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

WHEREAS, many states have designated an official state dessert to accompany their state flag, state tree, state flower and state bug; and

WHEREAS, peach farming is an important part of Delaware's agricultural heritage, as the peach was introduced to Delaware in Colonial times and expanded as an industry in the nineteenth century with the completion of Delaware Railroad; and

WHEREAS, Delaware was the country's leading producer of peaches for part of the nineteenth century, at its peak shipping 6 million baskets to market in 1875; and

WHEREAS, more than 2 million peach trees were planted in Kent County in 1890, and the county continued to be a major producer of peaches through the 1950s; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of Delaware's reputation as the "Peach State", the General Assembly formally adopted the peach blossom as the State's official state flower on May 9, 1895; and

WHEREAS, the fifth and sixth grade students of St. John's Lutheran School in Dover, with the support of the entire student body, have suggested that peach pie be adopted as this State's official dessert because of the historical and agricultural significance of Delaware's peach farming industry; and

WHEREAS, in the words of St. John's fifth and sixth grade students, peach pie is "delicious", "gooey", "good anytime of the day" and "easy to make fresh", simply requiring "fresh peaches and sugar between two layers of crunchy, flaky crust"; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly believes designating peach pie as the State's official dessert to be appropriate and that such designation will enhance economic development and tourism initiatives by creating new opportunities for festivals, fairs, recipe contests and other cultural activities.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 3, Title 29 of the Delaware Code by adding a new "§321" thereto as follows:

"§ 321. State Dessert.

Peach Pie shall be the official dessert of the State.".

Approved July 30, 2009

Delaware Law

The law designating peach pie  as the official Delaware state dessert is found in the Delaware Code Title 29, General Provisions, Chapter 3, Section 321

TITLE 29
State Government
General Provisions
CHAPTER 3. STATE SEAL, SONG AND SYMBOLS

§ 321 State dessert.

Peach pie shall be the official dessert of the State.