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A bean pie is a sweet custard pie whose filling consists of mashed beans, usually navy bean, sugar, eggs, milk, butter and spices.[1] Common spices and flavorings include vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Variations can include cloves, ginger, pumpkin pie spice and lemon extract.
 A selection of bean pies | |
| Type | Pie |
|---|---|
| Place of origin | United States |
| Main ingredients |
|
In 1884, a recipe for bean pie was published in the New Kentucky Home Cook Book, contributed by Lucy Keith and compiled by the ladies of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Maysville, Kentucky.[2] According to her obituary, "she was a typical daughter of the old South, noted for her kindness and charity and was a life long member of the M.E. Church, South."[3]
Bean pies are now commonly associated with African American Muslims' cuisine as an alternative to soul foods, except those containing vanilla extract or imitation vanilla extract as they contain alcohol.[4] The pies are also specifically associated with the Nation of Islam movement and Elijah Muhammad, who encouraged their consumption instead of certain ingredients associated with soul food.[1][5][6]
Members of the community commonly sell bean pies as part of their fundraising efforts. The bean pie was allegedly introduced by Elijah Muhammad, who was a restaurateur in the 1910s and 1920s prior to founding the Nation of Islam in 1930.[1][5]
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