Shoofly Pie

Shoofly Pie
from 99¢ a slice

Although it bears a vague family resemblance to both coffee cake and pecan pie, shoofly pie lacks the redeeming qualities of either. The bulk of the pie is made up of a mealy layer of damp, gummy flour (like streusel with most of the key ingredients missing). This topping rests heavily on a layer of molasses jelly, which in turn coats a thin, soggy, shortening crust.

A famous product of the Pennsylvania Dutch, shoofly pie gets its name from the fact that flies find it irresistible--flies, of course, not being known for their discriminating little palates. As far as I'm concerned it should be "welcomefly pie"; I'm more than happy to let them to have at it.

But since I realize that tastes are subjective, here's a recipe.