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    Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies

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    Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies take the classic Little Debbie snack cake to a whole new level! Two chewy, brown sugar-oat cookies surround a cream filling that’s sweet and irresistibly fluffy.

    Who doesn’t love an oatmeal cream pie? My dad sure does. It’s his absolute favorite snack cake. For his 80th birthday last year, we gave out little boxes of his favorite treats as party favors: popcorn, candy bars, and of course, Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies.
    I’ve been meaning to try a scratch made version for ages. And let me tell you, I’ve been missing out! This homemade version is irresistibly chewy and soft, with a fluffy cream filling that’s just the right amount of sweet. Better late than never, right? I can’t wait to surprise my dad with these.

    Did you know that Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies were the very first snack cake sold under the Little Debbie brand? The recipe was created in 1960, and with its soft, chewy oatmeal cookies and sweet, creamy filling, it quickly became a nationwide favorite.
    My version is much like the original, but with a little more oat texture and a touch of cinnamon flavor. These are so perfect for fall – and they’re lunchbox friendly! Or, save them for an after-school snack. You can’t beat a chewy oatmeal cream pie with a glass of cold milk.

    Make the Oat Cookies
    First, get those dry ingredients together. You’ll need all-purpose flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and – get this – cocoa powder (really!). Whisk together well.
    When I researched and tested recipes to make my own version, the cookies made with cocoa powder had no detectable chocolate flavor. But rather, an earthier deep flavor and golden caramel color. The cookies without cocoa powder were not as flavorful and the color was too pale. Trust me – that little touch of cocoa makes a big difference!

    Wet Ingredients
    Start with melted butter, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, 1 large egg and 1 egg white; combine them with an electric hand mixer in a big mixing bowl.

    Mix the Batter
    Once the mixture is smooth, add in the dry ingredients all at once.

    Mix until a consistently smooth batter forms.

    Stir in the Oats
    Add in the oats and stir in by hand. You can use quick cooking oats or rolled oats. Regular rolled oats will have more texture, which I like best. But you can use whatever you have on hand.
    At this stage, let the batter rest for 5-7 minutes. You’ll notice that it will thicken quite a bit. This makes the batter more scoop-able.

    Scoop the Dough
    I recommend using a cookie scoop for this. Or, portion the dough by the 2.5 tablespoons (approx.). Place the dough balls – well spaced (this is important) – onto large parchment-lined cookie sheet. The cookies will spread quite a bit so give ’em room to grow.

    Bake for 9-11 minutes. Mine were done at 10 minutes, but the best way to gauge doneness is to keep a sharp eye on them. The cookies should look golden at the edges, craggy on top, and just slightly under baked in their centers. They’ll be super soft just out of the oven, so let them firm up on the baking sheet as they cool, about 5-7 minutes.

    Make the Cream Filling
    It seems to be the overall consensus that, when attempting a duplicate Little Debbie cream pie filling, that vegetable shortening provides the most accurate end result. But I didn’t do that. Yes, shortening is more shelf-stable. But these homemade pies are not making long treks on delivery trucks. So you’ll be safe to use real butter. And it just tastes better!
    In the bowl of an electric mixer, place softened butter and confectioners’ sugar. Beat until lightened in color and fluffy. Then, add in 2-3 tablespoons of heavy cream. This lightens the filling even further.

    Spread or pipe the filling onto the flat size of one cookie at top with another. This is where the virtues of the cookie scoop come into play – it’s easy to find matching tops and bottoms because they are all pretty much the same size.

    You can adjust the filling to your taste – spread on a little or a lot. I prefer a modest serving, just like the filling-to-cookie ratio in classic Little Debbie pies.
    I really just want to take a stack of these with a thermos of coffee on a fall picnic. Seems the best activity to do while watching leaves sail on the wind. Enjoy!

    Related recipe: Pumpkin Oatmeal Creme Pie Trifle

    Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies

    Heather Baird

    For anyone who grew up with a love for Little Debbie’s Oatmeal Creme Pies, you’re sure to love this homemade version. Inspired by the classic snack cake, these soft sandwiches are made with two chewy, brown sugar and oat-filled cookies that sandwich fluffy homemade cream filling. You can use both rolled oats or quick cooking oats in this recipe. I prefer rolled oats, which give the cookies a little more texture.

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    Prep Time 25 minutes minsCook Time 12 minutes mins20 minutes resting/cooling 20 minutes minsTotal Time 57 minutes mins

    Course DessertCuisine American

    Servings 14 snack cakes

    Equipmentlarge cookie sheetsparchment paperElectric mixer
    Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Oatmeal cookies1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour3/4 teaspoon baking soda3/4 teaspoon baking powder1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon2 teaspoons unsweet cocoa powder10 tablespoons unsalted butter melted1 1/4 cups light brown sugar1 large egg1 egg white1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 1/4 cup rolled oats or quick cooking oatsCream filling1 cup unsalted butter at room temperature2 cups confectioners’ sugar2-3 tablespoons heavy cream1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    Instructions Oatmeal cookiesPreheat the oven to 350°F. Line one or more large cookie sheets with parchment paper.In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and cocoa powder. Whisk well to combine.In the bowl of an electric mixer, add the butter, brown sugar, egg, egg white, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and consistently caramel colored throughout. Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture. Beat until well combined.Add the oats to the bowl; fold in by hand with a rubber spatula. When the oats are well dispersed throughout the batter, let it rest for 5-7 minutes at room temperature. As the batter rests it will firm enough to scoop into balls.Use a cookie scoop to portion out the batter, or use a tablespoon to scoop about 2.5 tablespoons of batter into mounds, widely spaced, onto the prepared cookie sheets. Be sure to give these cookies plenty of room, because they will spread.Bake for 9-11 minutes or until golden around the edges and just slightly underdone in their centers. Cookies will be very soft when first taken out of the oven. Cool on the pan(s) for 5-7 minutes, or until the cookies are firm enough to move. You can also let the cool on the pans completely, or cool on wire racks.Cream fillingIn the bowl of an electric mixer, place the butter and confectioners’ sugar. Beat until lightened in color and well combined. Add heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time; beat until light fluffy. Mix in the vanilla extract.Transfer the cream filling to a piping bag, and pipe onto half of the cookies. Or, spoon and spread cream filling onto half the cookies. Top each filled cookie with another cookie.Store assembled snack cakes between waxed paper in airtight containers, or package individually in small zip-top bags for lunchbox or after school snacks.
    NotesWhat to expect: These homemade oatmeal cream pies are made with two chewy brown sugar and oat cookies with craggy tops, golden edges, and a soft, tender center. Each bite offers a balance of texture. Sandwiched between them is a vanilla cream filling, made even lighter and fluffier by whipping in tablespoons of heavy cream. The filling is rich and sweet, so you can adjust how much you add based on your taste—spread just a thin layer for a more balanced sweetness, or pile it on thick for an extra indulgent treat.
    Keep an eye out during baking: The best way to gauge doneness is to keep a sharp eye on them. The cookies should look golden at the edges, craggy on top, and just slightly under baked in their centers. Since portioning dough and baking temps can vary from baker to baker – keep under close watch. 

    Keyword brown sugar, buttercream filling, homemade oatmeal cream pies, little debbie oatmeal cream pies, lunchbox snacks, nostalgic dessert recipes, oatmeal cookies, oatmeal cream pie copycat recipe, oats, soft oatmeal cookie recipe, vanilla buttercream filling

    You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

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      Frozen Caramel Macchiato Pie

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      Caffeinate your summer in the sweetest way possible with this Frozen Caramel Macchiato Pie. Espresso-infused ice cream is layered in a chocolate cookie crust and topped with loads of salted caramel and whipped cream.

      Happy July! Predictably, it’s hotter than blazes outside. When I take my four little dogs outside at 5:30 a.m. each morning, it’s already warm and muggy. If there’s a breeze, it’s neither cool nor fresh. It feels like a hairdryer blowing right in my face. Perhaps I shouldn’t complain when there’s so many sweet antidotes to this weather (plus air conditioning). And really, it’s given me a new playground to explore with ice box cakes, frozen custards, and other chilled desserts. Like this coffee house-inspired Frozen Caramel Macchiato Pie.
      This pie is made with a homemade chocolate cookie crust that holds espresso-infused ice cream. It’s layered with the most delicious homemade salted caramel. Then, it’s topped with a big mound of whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Even though this pie is pretty easy to make as written, there are a few additional shortcuts you can take. Which I’ll be sure to mention and include in the recipe notes.

      Sweet Inspiration: Caramel Macchiato
      I am a true coffee enthusiast so I love making desserts with a caffeinated kick. Caramel Macchiatos are so delicious, made with espresso, vanilla syrup, milk, and caramel sauce. This coffee drink is practically dessert you can sip! Served both hot and cold, I just knew it would translate well in a chilly ice cream pie.

      Chocolate Cookie Crust
      Start this recipe by mixing up some chocolate cookie crumbs and butter. Then bake it for just a few minutes to set it. If you’re not into firing up your oven on a hot day, the no-bake option is to refrigerate it for 15 minutes to stiffen the butter in the crust.
      Or, you can simply pick up a ready-made deep dish pie crust at the grocery store. If you can’t find a deep dish pie crust, then pick up two regular 9″ chocolate cookie crusts. The caramel macchiato ice cream mixture will fill two standard pie crusts. Which means you’ll have one pie to give and one to keep!

      Homemade Salted Caramel
      Nothing compares to homemade salted caramel, if you ask me. It’s not hard to make, but it does require your full attention. Here’s the gist of caramel-making.
      Pour granulated sugar in a saucepan and cook it until a deep amber color forms. Then add a stick of butter into the mixture all at once. The caramel will boil and sputter with this addition, so be very careful! Turn the heat off, then whisk in heavy cream (which will boil and sputter also). Followed by vanilla extract (again, boil sputter). Add in fine grain sea salt and stir well. Transfer it to a bowl to cool before using in this recipe.
      If you’ve never made homemade caramel before, then watch the video just before the recipe card in this blog post. It gives important visual cues to look for as the sugar melts and the amber color forms.

      Speed the cooling process by transferring the caramel to the refrigerator. Stir intermittently as it cools. The caramel should still be just warm enough to drizzle, but not hot enough to melt the ice cream.
      Alternatively, you could purchase a jar of ready-made salted caramel. I personally think it’s the homemade caramel that makes this recipe extra-special. But I’m not a snob when it comes to shortcuts. Do what fits into your skill set and time frame.

      Make the Coffee Ice Cream
      For the ice cream, pour 1/4 cup of espresso powder into a small bowl. Add 2 tablespoons hot water and stir well. It will be a little pasty and first – just keep stirring until dissolved. Set aside to cool down.

      Purchase two pints of your favorite vanilla ice cream and place it in a big bowl. Stir well to soften it.

      Add the cooled espresso mixture and stir well until incorporated, and the ice cream is lightly coffee hued.
      You could also use two pints of your favorite coffee ice cream here, but I really like the flavor the concentrated espresso powder gives the pie. If you do opt for coffee ice cream, stir in a little vanilla extract. Because it’s an important element of the Caramel Macchiato flavor.

      Layer into the Pie Crust
      Pour half of the espresso ice cream mixture into the prepared pie crust. Drizzle over a generous 1/4 cup of the salted caramel. Then, pour the remaining espresso ice cream on top, smooth evenly into the crust.

      Whipped Cream and more Caramel
      Drizzle more salted caramel on top of the pie, then top with unsweetened whipped cream. Drizzle caramel over the cream. You don’t need to sweeten the whipped cream because the caramel will add the sweetness. Swirl the caramel into the whipped cream with a spoon (see video for action).

      Finish with chocolate shavings, which can be made using a bar of chocolate and a vegetable peeler. I added a few roasted coffee beans to the top of the pie for food styling purposes, but this is completely optional.

      Frozen Caramel Macchiato Pie is made for sharing! Serve it any time you need a cold, refreshing sweet. I particularly love this as an ending to a rich Italian dinner.
      You will have a little leftover salted caramel. So transfer it to a small pitcher and serve it alongside the pie. This pie is definitely indulgent, but also refreshing. Happy Summer!

      Related recipe: Tiramisu Semifreddo

      Frozen Caramel Macchiato Pie

      Heather Baird

      Enjoy a chilly caffeinated summer treat with this Frozen Caramel Macchiato Pie. It’s made with a homemade chocolate cookie crust, luscious espresso-infused ice cream, and generous layers of homemade salted caramel. Topped with fluffy whipped cream and delicate chocolate shavings, this pie captures all the flavors of your favorite coffeehouse drink in a cool, refreshing slice.Use 2 pints of your favorite vanilla ice cream in this recipe. See recipe notes for shortcuts and substitutions.

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      Prep Time 5 minutes minsCook Time 17 minutes mins4 hours freeze time 4 hours hrsTotal Time 4 hours hrs 22 minutes mins

      Course DessertCuisine American, Italian-inspired

      Servings 10

      Equipment9 inch deep dish pie dish
      Ingredients  Chocolate cookie crust2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs such as pulverized Oreo cookies or packaged chocolate cookie crumbs8 tablespoons unsalted butter meltedCaramel sauce1 cup granulated sugar8 tablespoons unsalted butter cubed1/2 cup heavy cream1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract1/4 teaspoon fine grain saltCoffee ice cream filling and toppings2 tablespoons hot water4 tablespoons instant espresso powder32 oz. vanilla ice cream 2 pints or about 5 2/3 cups1 cup heavy cream whipped to stiff peaksChocolate shavings
      Instructions Chocolate cookie crustPreheat the oven to 375°F.In a large bowl, stir together the cookie crumbs and melted butter. Mix well until all of the crumbs are coated with the butter.Pour the crumbs into an ungreased 9’inch deep dish pie plate and pack them evenly into the bottom of the pan and up the sides.Bake for 7 minutes to set. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.Caramel sauceMelt the sugar over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan. Gently prod the sugar as it melts to promote even cooking. Once the sugar is melted with just a few lumps of sugar remaining, whisk briefly to disperse the lumps.Cook until the sugar turns deep amber and add the butter all at once, using a whisk to combine. Be very careful with this addition because the butter will cause the caramelized sugar to bubble and sputter.Keep whisking until the butter incorporates (this make take a minute or two). Turn the heat off and remove the pan from stove eye. Pour in the heavy cream, whisking constantly. When the mixture is smooth, stir in the vanilla extract and the salt.Transfer the mixture to a bowl and let thicken slightly in the refrigerator, about 30-40 minutes. Stir intermittently to speed cooling.Espresso ice cream filling and toppingsIn a small bowl, combine the hot water and instant espresso powder, mix until dissolved. Set aside to cool 5 minutes.Pour the ice cream into a large bowl and stir until softened but still very thick. Add the espresso mixture and stir well.Transfer half of the ice cream mixture into the bottom of the cooled chocolate crust. Drizzle with about 1/4 cup of the salted caramel.Top with the remaining ice cream mixture. Spread evenly to the edges of the crust. Drizzle with more salted caramel.Place the whipped cream in the center of the pie and drizzle on salted caramel. Swirl the caramel into the cream using a spoon.Add one last drizzle of caramel to the top of the pie, then sprinkle on chocolate shavings.Transfer to the freezer to chill until firm. Freeze the pie uncovered, until firm, 4 to 6 hours.
      NotesWhat to expect: This pie has zippy espresso flavor with layers of salted caramel and whipped cream. The filling is reminiscent of a chilled caramel macchiato coffee drink. The chocolate crust adds richness and a study base for the pie. You may have salted caramel sauce leftover; serve it alongside the pie in a small pitcher.
      Make chocolate shavings by running a vegetable peeler down the side edge of a bar of chocolate. If your kitchen is particularly warm, freeze the chocolate bar first before shaving it.
       
      Shortcut This Recipe:

      Purchase a ready-made deep dish chocolate cookie pie crust at the grocery store, or if you can’t find deep dish, you can purchase two standard 9-inch pie crusts. The espresso ice cream mixture will fill two pie crusts.
      Coffee ice cream may be substituted for the vanilla ice cream. Just omit the espresso and water concentrate. While softening the coffee ice cream in a mixing bowl, add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to give the mixture the vanilla note in the café macchiato drink.
      Use a jar of your favorite ready-made salted caramel in place of homemade. However, I must urge you to try to the homemade caramel when you have to time to make it.

       
      This recipe is original to sprinklebakes.com.

      Keyword caramel macchiato, chocolate cookie crust, homemade salted caramel, ice cream pie, summer dessert, vanilla ice cream

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

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      Fireworks & Frosting: 14 Treats for Your Fourth of July Gathering

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      Fireworks, laughter, good company—and of course, delicious desserts! What better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than with a spread of scrumptious treats? This year, ditch the store-bought cakes and impress your guests with homemade delights bursting with flavor and festivity.
      From light and refreshing berry bars to decadent chocolate ice cream, and even a surprising savory option, this list has 14 amazing recipes to make your Fourth of July unforgettable. Whether you’re planning a backyard barbecue or an elegant gathering, you’ll find the perfect dessert to end the day on a sweet note.

      , we paired a slightly salty pretzel cake base with a cream filling and topped it off with a scattering of fresh berries. 

      What better way to celebrate tomato season than a savory cornbread bursting with summer flavor. Featuring a caramelized tomato top, our crisp Upside-Down Heirloom Tomato Cornbread from our May/June 2020 issue is made all the more delicious with smoked white Cheddar cheese and fresh corn in the batter. Buttermilk keeps this quick bread moist, and minced jalapeño adds just a pinch of heat. Whether serving as an impressive appetizer or stunning side dish, you can’t go wrong with this impressive dish at your table.

      Fresh, juicy peach halves give this vanilla and buttermilk Peach Almond Cake bursts of color and concentrated sweet-tart flavor, while the addition of brandy to the homemade marzipan lends just the right amount of kick. 

      Almond flour is finer than standard all-purpose. It absorbs more moisture from the dough, giving the buttermilk crusts of these Blueberry-Almond Galettes added crispness. A hint of tart lemon zest balances out the sweetness of the blueberries.

      Traditional only in method, this Strawberry Raspberry Cobbler has a Middle Eastern flare with cardamom and rosewater. This cobbler made with cake batter soaks up the fruit’s flavorful juices as it bakes and develops a light, spongy crumb. Pistachios create a slightly crunchy texture that pairs well with the tender baked fruit. 

      Traditional apple pie gets an updo with a creamy crème fraîche custard filling in this Apple Crumb Pie. Layers upon layers of crisp sweet apples are topped with a creamy base and baked until soft. With a splash of spiced rum and a crunchy Almond Streusel topping, this recipe begs for ice cream.

      In this sweet summer remake, red velvet cake gets a healthy helping of fresh strawberries added into the buttercream to create a Strawberry Red Velvet Cake that rivals the classic.

      Classic Key lime pie gets a spicy upgrade with our Gingersnap Crust flecked with crystallized ginger. The filling gets extra volume and its whipped consistency from a trio of  creamy ingredients: coconut cream, crème fraîche, and whipped cream. True to the original, this icebox pie is bursting with tangy, sweet-tart Key lime flavor.

      Ditch the extravagant garnishes and towering layers for this simple and sophisticated one-layer cake that is guaranteed to impress. With a layer of cherries baked beneath the Ginger-Lime Crumb Topping, our elevated take on the cherry-limeade cake (a summertime classic) is even more beautiful after you cut into it. You’ll get a juicy burst of cherry in every bite.

      By swapping the traditional cream cheese filling with vanilla bean-scented Mascarpone Cream and replacing the congealed topping with fresh strawberries, we’ve given this classic pastry a modern salty-sweet makeover.

      This cake may be based on the classic 1-2-3-4 cake, but it’s anything but basic! Much like pound cake, the 1-2-3-4 cake gets its name from the proportions of its base ingredients: 1 cup butter, 2 cups sugar, 3 cups flour, 4 eggs. LEGGI TUTTO

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      Strawberry Cream Pie with Chocolate Crust

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      Strawberry Cream Pie is a classic dessert that never goes out of style! It’s made with delicious French pastry cream and the season’s best fresh strawberries.

      There are many ways to celebrate the season’s bounty of fresh strawberries, and this pie is one of the best! The silky French pastry cream filling strikes a perfect balance with the tart berry topping. The usual crust is a simple press-in-the-pan graham cracker crumb mixture. But this time I’ve opted for a chocolate cookie crust. Which gives the pie richness and makes it even more special, if you ask me.

      Strawberries
      Thankfully, warm weather is here to stay for a while! So it’s so easy to find really great tasting strawberries right now. Farmer’s markets and berry farms are a good place to start shopping. But even grocery store berries will taste noticeably better. If you find yourself with a bumper crop, and want to preserve the in-season strawberries, then check out my article on how to freeze strawberries right here, on Food.com.

      Make the Chocolate Cookie Crust
      Start with 1 1/2 cups of chocolate cookie crumbs. Since Nabisco’s Famous Chocolate Wafers are no longer in production, use Oreo sandwich cookies with the filling scraped out. That’s approximately 22-25 of the unfilled sandwich cookies pulverized in a food processor. (Dewey’s Bakery Brownie Crisp Cookie Thins are also a fine choice.) Or, if you’d rather opt for the classic graham cracker crust, then you can find the instructions for that in the recipe notes.
      Combine the crumbs with melted butter in a medium mixing bowl and stir to coat the crumbs. Press the crumbs into an ungreased pie plate and bake in a preheated 375°F oven for 7 minutes to set it. Let the crust cool on a wire rack while you prep the filling.

      Make the Vanilla Cream Filling
      Begin by whisking together a few dry ingredients in a large pot: sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt. Next, whisk together 3 cups of half-and-half (or whole milk), 6 egg yolks, and a little vanilla. Pour the mixture into the dry ingredients and whisk to combine. Then, place over medium heat and bring to a boil while whisking constantly. Cook until smooth and thickened. When it has the consistency of soft pudding, add 2 tablespoons of butter and whisk until melted and combined. Let it cool 5 minutes before pouring it into the pie crust.
      Tip: Whisking constantly should help prevent lumps. However, if your pastry cream has lumps at the end of cooking, pass it through a sieve before filling the pie crust.

      Fill and Chill
      Pour the warm cream filling into the cooled pie crust. Smooth the top and then refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

      Top with Strawberries
      There’s more than one way to top this pie! You can slice the strawberries as I have, and arrange them on top in a starburst design (see the video to help you along.) Or, you can simply dice the strawberries fine and pile them on top (see this recipe for example). I’ll admit, the latter is slightly easier to slice, but I am partial to a fancy arrangement.

      Glaze the Strawberries
      Like the classic French fruit tart (tarte aux fruits) make the strawberries shine with a simple jam glaze. Use a red fruit jam, such as raspberry or strawberry, and heat it in a small microwave-safe cup. Cook until liquid and glossy, about 30 seconds. Then, using a pastry brush, coat all of the berries with the jam. Apricot jam will also work well, but it will be almost clear and won’t add any color like the red jam will.

      Refrigerate another 10-ish minutes before serving to set the glaze.

      This Strawberry Cream Pie is such a lovely chilled treat to serve during warm weather. It seems just the thing to serve at a cookout or summer barbecue. The combination of chocolate crust, creamy custard filling, and tart strawberries – what’s not to love?
      Related recipe: Strawberry Icebox Cheesecake Dessert

      Strawberry Cream Pie with Chocolate Cookie Crust

      Heather Baird

      Strawberry Cream Pie is an old-fashioned dessert staple that never goes out of style! The chocolate cookie crust is filled with vanilla custard and then topped with freshly sliced strawberries. A fine glaze of melted red jam makes the berries sparkle and gives them a little extra color.If you’re partial to a graham cracker crust with your strawberry cream pie, see the recipe notes for instructions for an easy (and tasty!) graham cracker crust.

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      Prep Time 30 minutes minsCook Time 15 minutes mins4 hours chill time 4 hours hrsTotal Time 4 hours hrs 45 minutes mins

      Course DessertCuisine American, French

      Equipment9″ pie plate
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Crust1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs such as pulverized Oreo cookies with filling removed7 tablespoons unsalted butter meltedPastry cream filling2/3 cup granulated sugar2 tablespoons all-purpose flour3 tablespoons cornstarch1/4 teaspoon fine grain salt3 cups half-and-half or whole milk6 large egg yolks1 teaspoon vanilla extract2 tablespoons unsalted butterStrawberry topping1 quart fresh strawberries washed and dried1/4 cup strawberry or raspberry jam or jelly
      Instructions CrustPreheat the oven to 375°F.In a large bowl, stir together the cookie crumbs and melted butter. Mix well until all of the crumbs are coated with the butter.Pour the crumbs into an ungreased pie plate and pack them evenly into the bottom of the pan and up the sides.Bake for 7 minutes to set. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.Pastry cream fillingIn a large saucepan, whisk together the sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt. In a large measuring pitcher or another mixing bowl, combine the half-and-half, egg yolks, and vanilla. Whisk to combine.Pour the liquid mixture into the dry mixture while whisking constantly. Place the pan over medium heat and bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Cook until smooth and thickened, to the consistency of pudding, about 5 minutes.Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter. When the butter is melted, let the mixture stand for 5 minutes to cool slightly.Pour the cream into the prepared pie crust. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.Strawberry toppingCut 4 whole strawberries in half with the tops intact; set aside. Hull and slice the remaining strawberries. Pat them dry with paper towels. Arrange in the center of the pie in a starburst pattern (see video for visuals). Arrange halved strawberries with the green tops around the sliced berries.Heat the jam or jelly in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until liquid. Let cool slightly. Use a pastry brush to coat all of the berries with a fine layer of the jam.Refrigerate the pie for at least 10 minutes before serving to set the jam. Store covered in the refrigerator.
      NotesWhat to Expect: This pie is creamy-dreamy with French pastry cream filling that sits atop a chocolate cookie crust. The acidity of the strawberries perfectly contrasts the filling. The glaze adds a little sweetness and makes the berries shine.
      Lumpy Pastry Cream? No Problem! Make sure you’re whisking constantly as you cook the pastry cream. All that whisking should help prevent lumps. However, if your pastry cream has lumps at the end of cooking, pass it through a sieve before filling the pie crust.
      A Speedier Topping: If you’re not into arranging all those berries, you can simply dice them all fine and toss them in the melted jam, then pile them on top of the pie and refrigerate as directed.
      Weepy Berries: Arrange the berries on top of the pie within a couple of hours before serving for the freshest appearance. If leftovers remain more than a day or two, the berries will begin to weep and give off their juices. The green tops on the halved berries will also wilt. This doesn’t look pretty, but it will not affect the taste.
      For a Graham Cracker Crust: Combine 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk to combine. Add 7 tablespoons melted butter and mix to coat the crumbs. Pour into a pie plate and press in the bottom and up the sides; bake and cool as directed in the recipe.
       

      Keyword chocolate cookie crust, French pastry cream, fresh strawberries, glazed strawberries, nostalgic dessert, old fashioned pie, spring dessert, strawberry cream pie, summer dessert

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Caramel Apple Hand Pies

      ha scritto per te

      Embrace the cozy flavors of fall with these irresistible Caramel Apple Hand Pies. They’re the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth while savoring the season’s finest apples.

      Ah, September – the time of year when the air gets crisper, the leaves start turning, and apple season is in full swing. I always look forward to this time of year because it marks the beginning of baking season. Homemade apple pie is first on my baking list, but this year I’m taking the apple love to the next level with a sweet hand-held treat: Caramel Apple Hand Pies. They’re like tiny packages of fall goodness, perfectly portioned for a snack or dessert on the go.

      Choosing the right apples.
      Let’s talk apples. For most apple pie recipes, and certainly apple hand pie recipes, I prefer Granny Smith apples. Why, you ask? Well, Granny Smith apples are known for their tartness and firm, dry texture, which makes them ideal for baking. They don’t give off much juice, so that means no soggy pie bottoms. They hold their shape beautifully even after spending some time in the oven. Plus, they add a nice contrast to the sweetness of the caramel.

      Making the apple pie filling.
      The apple pie filling is surprisingly simple to make, but you will do some work breaking down the apples. Start by peeling, coring, and dicing 3 lbs. Granny Smith apples into small even pieces (slightly larger than 1/4 inch pieces). This step is crucial because a uniform dice ensures that your pies cook evenly.
      Once you’ve got your apples ready, toss them in a big saucepan with some lemon juice, butter, sugar, and apple pie spice. This mixture strikes a lovely balance between sweet and tangy. Cook on the stovetop until the apples soften slightly, and most of the juices cook off. It should be a fairly dry mixture.

      Let the apple filling cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for about an hour or overnight. Chilling it helps keep the hand pie crusts cold, so they keep their shape while you’re filling them.

      A new gadget – mini lattice pie molds!
      The lattice pie mold is what sets these hand pies apart and gives them that bakery-made look. They are from Williams Sonoma and there are three styles in the box. However, I just used the circle lattice cutter for these pies.
      Now. You could totally forgo the mold and opt for the folded circle & fork crimp method, but if you’re interested in these lattice-style cutie pies – read on. As with any new gadget, there was a learning curve. So, I’m reporting my tips here so you’ll have an edge before you begin!

      A few tips for success.
      Roll out your pie dough (store-bought or homemade – your choice) slightly thicker than the standard 1/8″ thickness, and cut it into circles. The lattice crust needs a little extra heft to hold together during baking. The outside of the mold actually works like a cookie cutter and cuts the bottom plain round crust, and the top round lattice crust.
      Cut the pie dough while it is cold. You may want to roll it out between parchment, refrigerate, and then cut. Cold dough will remove easier from the lattice cutter, which you will have to gently coax out using a toothpick to one side of the edge.
      Use a toothpick to quickly remove the little diamond pieces of lattice dough from the mold. As I picked them all out they threaded on the tooth pick, and I added them back to the re-roll scraps of pie dough.

      Assemble the pies.
      First, add a little prepared caramel to the bottom pie crust. Spread it around on the crust using a spoon within 1/2 inch of the edge of the pie. Use your favorite store-bought brand of caramel, or if you have homemade ready to hand – all the better!

      Fill – but don’t overfill!
      Add 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons of the apple filing on top of the caramel. It’s important to not overfill the crust, because the lattice top will burst with the bubbling filling. Brush some egg wash around the edge of the crust before you add the top crust.

      No doubt about it – the mold makes a gorgeous little pie! After your hand pies are prepped and looking absolutely adorable, transfer them to the refrigerator to chill for about 30 minutes. This will help the lattice keep its shape during baking.
      Transfer the chilled pies to baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Brush the tops with an egg wash for a beautiful golden finish. Then, pop them into a preheated oven at 350°F and bake for about 25-27 minutes, or until they’re well browned.

      These little pies are lovely on their own, and believe it or not – they are not overly sweet! That’s due to the tart Granny Smith apple filling. They taste just fine on their own, but I think they are best served with an accompaniment. We love them served warm with a scoop of ice cream.

      And! Even though these pies already have caramel inside, a little pot of caramel dipping sauce on the side is totally appropriate. Sprinkle with a little flake sea salt – it’s too good!
      So, the next time you find yourself with a bunch of Granny Smith apples and a craving for something sweet, give these Caramel Apple Hand Pies a try. They’re the perfect embodiment of fall in every bite – a little tart, a little sweet, and a whole lot of deliciousness. Happy baking, and happy apple season!
      Related recipe: Peanut Butter and Jelly Hand Pies

      Caramel Apple Hand Pies

      Heather Baird

      These Caramel Apple Hand Pies are the perfect way to celebrate apple season. Whether you’re enjoying them at home with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or packing them for a picnic in the park, they’re sure to be a hit.These pies are made using a special lattice pie mold, which you can find for purchase at Williams-Sonoma (linked in recipe). If you use ready-made pie crusts from the grocery store, you’ll need 4 crusts total (two 14.1 oz. packages). Or, you’ll need two recipes of a homemade double crust. See the recipe notes for my all-butter double crust recipe.This recipe calls for 3 pounds of Granny Smith apples, which is about 8 medium apples.

      #wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #5A822B; }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-33 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-50 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-66 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66); }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33 stop { stop-color: #5A822B; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50 stop { stop-color: #5A822B; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66 stop { stop-color: #5A822B; }No ratings yet

      Prep Time 30 minutes minsCook Time 25 minutes mins2 hours chill time 2 hours hrsTotal Time 2 hours hrs 55 minutes mins

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 12

      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric 3 pounds Granny Smith Apples cored, peeled, and diced to 1/4″2 tablespoons lemon juice1/4 cup unsalted butter1 cup granulated sugar2 tablespoons apple pie spicePinch of salt4 pie crusts store-bought or homemade1/2 cup prepared caramel sauce such as Torani caramel sauce plus more for serving1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water
      Instructions Toss the apples with the lemon juice in a large bowl. Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the apples, sugar, apple pie spice, and salt. Stir together and cook until the sugar is melted and the apples have softened slightly, about 7 minutes. The mixture should be fairly dry and any liquid should be syrupy and clinging to the apples. If mixture seems wet, cook another 2 minutes until dry.Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and cool, uncovered, to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight.Roll out cold pie dough on a lightly floured surface to slightly greater than 1/8-inch thickness. Using back of the pie mold, cut lattice top rounds; as you cut, pick out the diamond shapes from the mold using a toothpick. Gently coax the lattice tops out of the mold using a toothpick and your fingers to remove it. Reroll dough scraps and cut bottom crusts. Refrigerate if dough begins to get warm and floppy (dough will cut easier if it’s cold).Preheat the oven to 350F.Place a bottom crust into the pie mold. Add about 2 teaspoons caramel and spread over the bottom of the crust using a spoon within 1/2 inch of the pie crust edge. Fill the pie with about 2 tablespoons of the chilled apple filling.Brush the edges with some of the beaten egg and water mixture. Lay a lattice top over the filled crust and hinge the mold closed and press lightly to seal.Remove pie to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining caramel, pie crusts, and egg wash. Refrigerate pies for 30 minutes. Using a pastry brush, coat the tops of the pies with the egg wash.Bake the pies for 25 to 27 minutes, or until they are golden brown and fragrant. Remove pies to a wire rack to cool slightly.Serve pies warm. They are lovely as-is, but our favorite way to eat them is with a scoop of ice cream. They are also wonderful with a side of caramel dipping sauce sprinkled with flake sea salt.
      NotesCan I use other apples? Honeycrisp and Golden Delicious apples can also be used in this recipe.  They may not require as much time in the saucepan, so take care not to overcook them.
      I don’t have/want to use a pie mold. If you don’t have the drawer space for another gadget, you can use a 4 1/2 inch round cookie cutter to make these pies. Cut dough rounds and fill with 1 teaspoon of caramel and 1 tablespoon of filling to one side of the round. Brush the edges with egg wash and fold over to a half mood shape. Crimp the edges with a fork. Coat with egg wash then cut 2 slits in the top of the pie. Bake as directed. Yield will almost double with this method (24 pies).
       
      All-Butter Pie Crust (yields 2 crusts)
      2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
      1 teaspoon salt
      1 teaspoon sugar
      16 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cubed
      4 tablespoons ice water, additional as needed
      In a food processor combine the flour, salt, and sugar; pulse several times to combine. Add butter and pulse until mixture resembles coarse meal, with just a few pea-size pieces remaining. Remove the lid and sprinkle 2 tablespoons ice water over the mixture. Re-attach lid and pulse until the dough is crumbly but holds together when squeezed with fingers (if needed, add up to 2 tablespoons more ice water, a little at a time, through the feeding tube). Turn dough out onto a work surface and divide in two equal pieces. Form each piece of dough into a 3/4-inch-thick disk. Wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.

      Keyword apple hand pies, apple pie spice, caramel apple hand pies, caramel sauce, egg wash, fall pie recipe, granny smith apples

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Easy Candy Bar Pie (3 Ingredient Filling!)

      ha scritto per te

      This Easy Candy Bar Pie is a simple fix when you need dessert in a hurry. The rich, chocolaty filling requires just three ingredients!

      This recipe is some of the easiest pie making you’ll ever do. Especially if you opt for a ready-made graham cracker crust. I happened upon it while browsing through my very first cookbook. It was a community cookbook called Butter ‘n Love that my Aunt Dolly gifted me in 1984, when I was just a little kid. At that time, the only baking I’d ever done was in my Easy Bake Oven. Nobody had ever given me a cookbook before! It instantly made me feel a little more grown up.

      My first cookbook.
      I’ve kept the cookbook all these years, and just recently decided to thumb through it again. There under ‘Breads, Rolls, Pies & Pastry’ was a pie recipe that surprised me with 3 ingredients. How good could a pie with so few ingredients be? According to its author, Linda Underwood: “Very good.”
      She was right! However, I swapped the Cool Whip for real whipped cream beaten with a touch of sugar. It is my preference.

      The crust.
      There’s absolutely no shame in buying a ready-made crust, and it makes this recipe come together in no time flat. But I don’t keep ready-made graham crusts on hand. What I do keep on hand is a massive jar of graham cracker crumbs. I made my own crust but you don’t have to. You can find my scratch crust recipe in the notes of the recipe card. Like the filling, it’s also just 3 ingredients.

      The filling.
      Crumble and melt 6 Hershey’s Mr. Goodbars in a bowl, and heat in the microwave (or over a double boiler) until the chocolate is smooth. Let it cool until barely warm, then fold it into some sweetened whipped cream.
      That’s all folks! That’s it for the filling. With just three ingredients I didn’t expect it to be so rich, but it is. If you’re not into peanuts, you could use your favorite plain chocolate bar in place of the Mr. Goodbars.

      I purchased 3 Mr. Goodbar XLs (4.4 oz. each) instead of 6 regular bars (1.75 oz. each). So I had about 1/2 a bar leftover. I chopped it up an put it on top of the pie. I also tossed on a few candied peanuts that were hiding in my pantry. You could do the same, but this pie is plenty rich enough without additional toppings.

      This chilly Easy Candy Bar Pie recipe will definitely see a lot of action this summer. I plan to get myself some ready-made pie crusts to make the entire effort a no-bake affair. Father’s Day is coming up, and my dad loves my Classic Peanut Butter Pie recipe, but this one may have to make an appearance, too!

      Easy Candy Bar Pie (Mr. Goodbar Pie)

      Heather Baird

      It doesn’t get easier than this! Easy Candy Bar Pie uses just three ingredients for the filling. If you use a ready-made pie crust, you’ll need just 4 ingredients total for the entire pie. It’s smooth, rich, and kept chilled so it’s great for a cool treat on a hot day.Hershey’s Mr. Goodbar candy can be found at most US grocery stores in the candy aisle. You may also substitute your favorite chocolate bar. Use chocolate that has cocoa butter listed as an ingredient. This ensures the chocolate will incorporate well with the whipped cream.The recipe calls for a ready-made graham cracker crust, but if you’d rather make it from scratch, see the notes below for my recipe. It’s also just three ingredients, but does require 10 minutes of baking to set the crust. Also see notes for garnishing ideas.

      #wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #5A822B; }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-33 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-50 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-66 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66); }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33 stop { stop-color: #5A822B; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50 stop { stop-color: #5A822B; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66 stop { stop-color: #5A822B; }No ratings yet

      Prep Time 15 mins2 hours chill time 2 hrsTotal Time 2 hrs 15 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 10

      Equipment9 inch pie plateHand mixer
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric 6 Mr. Goodbars 1.75 oz. each1 cup heavy whipping cream chilled1 tablespoon granulated sugar1 Ready-made graham cracker pie crust or see notes for homemade recipe
      Instructions Crumble the chocolate bars in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Heat at 30 second intervals at 100% power until the chocolate can be stirred smooth, about 1 minute 30 seconds. Alternatively, you can do this over a double boiler. Set aside and let cool until barely warm to the touch, about 10 minutes.Meanwhile, in the large bowl of an electric mixer, whip the heavy cream to while gradually sprinkling in the sugar. Beat to stiff peaks.Pour the cooled melted candy bar mixture over the whipped cream and fold together using a large rubber spatula. The mixture is properly folded when there are no streaks of white remaining, and the peanuts are well dispersed throughout the pie filling.Pour the filling into the graham crust. Spread evenly and chill until firm, about 2 hours. Serve slices chilled. Refrigerate leftovers.
      NotesFor a scratch-made graham cracker crust, use the following recipe.
      1 cup graham cracker crumbs
      1 tablespoon granulated sugar
      4 tablespoons butter, melted
      Preheat the oven to 350F. Combine the crumbs and sugar in a bowl; whisk. Pour in melted butter and stir until the crumbs are coated with the butter and has the appearance of wet sand. Press the mixture into a standard 9 inch pie plate (not deep dish). Bake for 10 minutes. Cool completely before adding pie filling.
       
      Garnishes: Buy an extra candy bar and chop half of it into pieces for pie topping. Toss on a handful of plain or candied peanuts. Make some chocolate shavings by running a vegetable peeler down the side of a frozen chocolate bar. Do this on a cutting board or plate, and transfer the shavings using a spoon. The heat from your hands will melt the chocolate.
      An even quicker version! If you’re super pressed for time, make the pie exactly as it was originally written. One standard-size tub of frozen Cool Whip or other nondairy topping (thawed) can be used in place of the heavy cream and sugar. Fold together with the melted chocolate bars and proceed as directed. 
      This recipe was adapted from a small town community cookbook called Butter ‘n Love published in 1984.

      Keyword 3 ingredient pie recipe, candy bar pie, easy pie recipe, graham cracker crust, heavy cream, Mr. Goodbar, summer pie

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Giant Strawberry Pop Tart

      ha scritto per te

      What’s better than a Pop Tart? A Giant Strawberry Pop Tart made completely from scratch! Two all-butter crusts hold homemade strawberry jam inside.

      As a Pop Tart eater and enthusiast, I have to say this was a fun little baking project. I think most people are familiar with Pop Tarts, but for the uninitiated, here’s the gist. Pop Tarts are rectangular pastries with biscuit-like crust, sweet filling, and a thin coat of icing on top. Kellogg’s released them all the way back in 1963 and changed the pace of breakfast from leisurely, to grab-and-go.
      This scratch-made version is super-sized! It’s made of an all-butter pie crust, homemade strawberry jam, and sweet confectioners’ glaze. Add some sprinkles and you’ve got a homemade version of an American classic!

      First, make the all-butter pie crusts. I usually make my pie crusts in a food processor because it’s super quick and easy. All of the ingredients for a double crust will easily fit in a medium-sized food processor bowl.
      Roll out each crust with a rolling pin and trim to 13×9 inches. If you have a 13×9-inch sheet pan you can lay it on top of a crust and use it as a cutting guide. I used a 13×9 inch pre-cut parchment sheet. I keep these on hand because I use this size sheet pan constantly. And having those parchment sheets ready to hand is a real time-saver. Layer the crusts between parchment and place on a baking sheet. Transfer them to the refrigerator to chill while you work on the homemade strawberry jam.

      Simple is best.
      This strawberry jam recipe is little more than quartered strawberries, sugar, a touch of corn starch to thicken, and a squeeze of lemon. Cook all this down to a jam-like consistency, which may take up to 10-15 minutes, depending on how juicy your berries are.

      Look for a thickened, syrupy consistency with some larger pieces of berries that have cooked down and lost their shape. When you see this, you’ll know the jam is properly cooked.

      Transfer the jam to a shallow dish to speed cooling. The jam will be screaming hot just off the stove top, so let it cool about 10 minutes in the saucepan. Then transfer it to the dish, spread evenly and refrigerate until completely cooled. When the jam is cooled, you should be thick enough to hold in a spoon.

      Spread the jam all over one of the chilled pie crusts to about 1.5″ inches from the crust’s edge.

      Seal it up!
      Apply egg wash to the 1.5 inch border and top with a second crust. This is like adhesive to keep your Pop Tart together as it bakes. Now, you can crimp the edges with a fork to seal in all that lovely jammy goodness.

      Here is another important step. Dock the top crust with a fork, all over. This helps steam escape during baking. The tart will puff up in the center while baking, and if there’s no outlet for the steam to escape, then it will burst open.

      Finishing touches.
      The crust will form little fault lines during baking – this is normal. The pop tart puffs up like a pillow, and naturally stretches a little. When you take it out of the oven, it will deflate to a more flattened, pop tart shape.
      A simple confectioners’ glaze adds that extra bit of sweetness, and the finishing touch – the most important garnish of all…

      Sprinkles! This Giant Strawberry Pop Tart definitely puts child-like happiness in my heart and a big smile on my face. And boy, is it ever tasty! It didn’t even last a day. The slices are like hand pies. Because they are easy to pick up, you can easily snag a slice on a paper towel and eat it on the go.

      Even though I will always hold a deep love for store-bought, ready-made Pop Tarts, I must say this is an improvement. I would describe the original Pop Tart crust as – a little tough. (But of course it is! It has to hold up to worldwide shipping and handling!)
      This homemade is sturdy enough to hold in your hand, yet tender and so buttery. The homemade strawberry jam tastes of summer to me. The glaze is creamy and soft, not at all like the original’s hard royal icing coating. One Giant Strawberry Pop Tart will feed a crowd, or you can simply have breakfast made ahead for the week.

      Giant Strawberry Pop Tart

      Heather Baird

      What’s better than a Pop Tart? A Giant Strawberry Pop Tart made completely from scratch! Two all-butter crusts hold homemade strawberry jam inside. It’s a slab pie that you can share with a crowd!The pie crusts are rolled out and trimmed to 13×9 inches. If you have a 13×9 baking pan, you can use it as a template. Lay it on top of the pie crusts and trim around it.

      #wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-full svg * { fill: #5A822B; }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-33 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-50 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50); }#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0 .wprm-rating-star.wprm-rating-star-66 svg * { fill: url(#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66); }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-33 stop { stop-color: #5A822B; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-50 stop { stop-color: #5A822B; }linearGradient#wprm-recipe-user-rating-0-66 stop { stop-color: #5A822B; }No ratings yet

      Prep Time 25 minsCook Time 40 mins1 hour cooling time 1 hrTotal Time 2 hrs 5 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 12

      EquipmentPastry brushparchment paper
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Pie crusts2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt1 cup unsalted butter cold6-8 tablespoons ice cold waterStrawberry filling2 cups quartered fresh strawberries or frozen berries, thawed1/2 cup granulated sugar1 teaspoon lemon juice squeezed from fresh lemon quarter2 teaspoons cornstarch1 tablespoon cold water1/2 teaspoon vanilla extractPinch of fine grain sea saltEgg wash1 large egg1 tablespoon waterGlaze and garnish1 cup confectioners’ sugar1 tablespoon milk plus more to thin if needed1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract3 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles
      Instructions Pie crustsIn the bowl of a food processor, pulse together the flour and salt. Cut the butter into tablespoon pieces and add half on top of the flour mixture. Pulse 5-6 times and add the remaining butter. Pulse in short bursts until pea-sized pieces are scattered throughout the flour. Add ice cold water 1 tablespoon at a time through the feed tube while processing in short bursts. Keep pulsing until a shaggy ball is formed to one side of the bowl.Turn out the dough and shape into a ball. Cut in half. Roll each piece of dough on a piece of floured parchment paper to about 14×10 inches. Trim each piece to 13×9 inches using a large chef’s knife. Stack the dough between parchment paper and transfer on a baking sheet to the refrigerator. Chill while you make the strawberry filling.Strawberry fillingPlace the strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium high heat until the berries give off their juices and start to lose their shape. Keep stirring until some of the liquid is cooked off and the mixture is slightly syrupy, about 10 minutes (the time depends on how juicy your berries are). The berries should be almost translucent.In a small cup, stir the cornstarch into the water. Immediately add the mixture to the berries while whisking constantly. Cook an addition 1-2 minutes, or until mixture further thickness. Stir in the salt. Remove from the stove top and let cool 10 minutes. Pour into a shallow dish and transfer to the refrigerator to cool completely, about 30 minutes.Egg washBeat the egg and the water together in a small bowl.AssemblyPreheat the oven to 375F.Remove the pie crusts from the refrigerator. Place one on a large parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover the crust with the cooled strawberry jam within 1 1/2 inches of the edge. Brush the edge of the pastry with the egg wash. Top with the second pie crust, lining up the edges evenly.Use a fork to crimp the edges of the pastry. Use the fork tines to poke holes all over the top crust. Lightly brush the entire surface of the pastry with the egg wash.Bake the pastry for 20 minutes. The pop tart will puff up like a pillow as it bakes. Remove the pastry from the oven and allow it to deflate. Preheat the broiler. Place the pop tart under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the surface is golden brown. The pastry may puff up a little while under the broiler.Allow the pastry to cool on the pan 5 minutes, then slide it onto a wire rack to cool completely. If you’re serving the pop tart on the pan you can let it cool completely on the pan.Glaze and garnishWhisk together the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla. Add additional milk, if needed thin the mixture. It should be thick and opaque yet still pourable. Pour the mixture on top of the cooled pop tart. Top with rainbow sprinkles. Allow the glaze to crust, about 5 minutes.To serve, cut into 12 squares (more or less to suit your appetite!).
      NotesIf you’re short on time you can substitute your favorite ready-made strawberry jam. I like Bonne Maman strawberry preserves.

      Keyword all butter pie crust, confectioners’ glaze, rainbow sprinkles, strawberry filling

      You may also enjoy: LEGGI TUTTO

    • in Recipes

      Deep Dish Sausage and Cheese Quiche

      ha scritto per te

      Brunch is served! Deep Dish Sausage and Cheese Quiche is filled with sausage crumbles and sharp cheddar, which makes a hearty bite for breakfast and beyond.

      I made this quiche last week for the first time and really enjoyed it. My work days are getting busier the closer we inch towards fall (online publishing always starts the season early!). So I’ve been looking for a make-ahead dish that is easy to grab for lunch. Quiche might just be the perfect workshop lunch. There’s plenty of things from the garden right now to add on top, such as cherry tomatoes and fresh basil. Eat a slice cold or re-heated- either way it’s a hearty and quick bite!

      Slice up some melon and berries (which are at summer peak) and you’ve got a beautiful brunch. I served this with what I call ‘Strawberry Salad’. Which is not really salad at all, but sliced fresh strawberries brushed with melted strawberry jam and sprinkled with poppyseed. It’s a great side to this quiche and really, there’s no recipe needed! I make a bunch ahead and it keeps well refrigerated.

      Start this recipe with my easy all-butter crust. However, you can absolutely start this recipe with a ready-made deep dish frozen pie crust. No judgement. My recipe is easy to make in a food processor and comes together quickly.

      To reduce mess, roll the crust between two sheets of parchment to 12-inches. Peel off the top sheet and flip the crust on the second sheet of paper onto the deep dish pan. Peel the paper away and fit it into the deep dish pan. Then, turn the excess crust under at the edges and crimp or pinch the edges. At this point, stick it in the freezer to chill while you prepare the rest of the recipe.

      Fill it up!
      Next, brown some sausage. I recommend regular breakfast sausage – not sage, not hot, not maple-flavored – just the good ol’ standard. Then, in a little of the sausage drippings, sauté onion and bell pepper. When all of this cools down a little, mix it together with shredded sharp cheddar.
      In another little bowl, you’ll combine the wet ingredients. Now. This recipe only uses three eggs which won’t seem like enough. When you pour the mixture over the sausage in the pie shell, it will disappear to the bottom. This is right. This is normal. This quiche will not have a custard-y finish. Instead, it’s a stick-to-your-ribs kind of dish that focuses more on the filling.

      This provided several lunches daily for me and the two other people who dine with me. It was nice being able to breeze in and out of the refrigerator with slices of quiche, melon wedges, and sweet strawberries on the side.

      Deep Dish Sausage and Cheese Quiche is great for summer, especially topped with sun-ripened cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs (or greens like arugula!). But I’m also eyeing it for an easy Christmas Eve breakfast. I’m always looking for a good time-saver for the holidays (here’s another good one!).
      This recipe was adapted from Carolina Cooking.

      Deep Dish Sausage & Cheese Quiche

      Heather Baird

      Brunch is served! Deep Dish Sausage and Cheese Quiche is filled with sausage crumbles and sharp cheddar, which makes a hearty bite for breakfast and beyond.A frozen, unbaked deep dish pie shell can replace the scratch-made crust. This recipe can also be varied with whatever shredded cheese you have on hand.

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      Prep Time 15 minsCook Time 30 minsTotal Time 45 mins

      Course BreakfastCuisine American, French

      Servings 9

      Equipment9 inch deep dish pie pan
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric All-butter quiche crust1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour1/2 teaspoon fine grain salt1/2 cup unsalted butter cold5 tablespoons ice waterQuiche filling1 lb. ground pork breakfast sausage1/2 cup finely chopped onion1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper1 1/2 cups shredded extra-sharp cheddar1 tablespoon all-purpose flour3 eggs1 cup evaporated milk1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley1/8 teaspoon fine grain salt 2 pinches1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
      Instructions CrustIn the bowl of a food processor, add the flour and fine grain salt. Pulse to combine. Cube the butter and add it on top of the flour. Pulse 2-3 times until roughly incorporated and large chunks of butter remain. Continue to pulse as you add the tablespoons of water. Pulse until the mixture forms a rough dough to one side of the bowl.Turn the dough out onto a piece of parchment paper and top with a second piece. Roll to a rough 12-inch circle. Remove the top piece of parchment paper and pick up the crust by the paper and invert onto a 9- inch deep dish pie pan. Remove the paper and press the crust into the pan. Fold under the excess dough at the edges and crimp. Transfer to the freezer while you prep the filling.QuichePreheat the oven to 350F.Brown the sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Stir constantly while cooking until well done, about 8 minutes. Remove sausage to a paper towel-lined plate reserving 1 tablespoon of the drippings in the pan.Sauté the onion and bell pepper over medium-high heat until the onions are translucent and the pepper is tender. Let cool slightly. Remove the pie crust from the freezer and place on a baking sheet.In a large bowl, combine the sausage, onion and pepper, sharp cheddar, and all-purpose flour. Toss to combine. Spoon this mixture into the pie crust.In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, parsley, salt, and pepper. Pour over the sausage mixture. The egg mixture will disappear to the bottom of the pan – this is normal.Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and set. Cool slightly.Slices can be served warm or chilled, but I prefer this hearty sausage quiche warmed.
      NotesThe homemade crust can be replaced with a 9-inch frozen unbaked deep dish pie crust shell.
      Reheat slices in the microwave for 1:30 seconds at 100% power, or at 350 for 10 minutes in the oven.
      Top with whatever fresh thing you have on hand – cherry tomatoes, basil, arugula, watercress -anything goes!

      Keyword all butter pie crust, breakfast sausage, extra-sharp cheddar

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    • in Recipes

      Pink Pineapple Pie

      ha scritto per te

      Pink Pineapple Pie has a hint of berry flavor thanks to a little strawberry puree mixed into the batter. Colorful sprinkles baked right into the graham cracker crust add an extra ounce of fun!

      It’s been a while since I’ve made a pie, and this one has all the summer vibes. Pink Pineapple Pie – it’s fun to say, isn’t it? I recently learned that pink pineapples are totally a thing, but I didn’t use them for this recipe. Instead I decided to add a little strawberry goodness to my favorite no-cook pineapple pie filling.

      I really wanted this pie to look happy and fun. So first thing I did was whip up a graham cracker crust and add some pink and yellow sprinkles. (I’m a crust sprinkle-er from way back, see here and here). It’s too easy, with just graham crumbs, butter, and sprinkles. It bakes for 10 minutes to set the crumb, and the rest is a no-bake affair.

      The pie filling is so creamy with a no-nonsense list of ingredients: sweetened condensed milk, lemon juice, crushed pineapple, and strawberry puree. I had hoped the puree would give the filling a more pink color, but in the end it needed a little help with drops of pink food color. Whisk this up until well combined.

      Next add in some whipped cream -ah! This makes the pie so light. Fold it all together until no obvious white streaks remain.

      Pour the filling into the cooled crust and chill. It takes about 3 hours to firm in the refrigerator. The spring form collar will slide right off easily because of the butter in the crust. If you don’t have a 9-inch spring form pan, you can make this in a 9 inch deep dish pie pan.

      I had so much fun with the garnishes. I used more whipped cream, more sprinkles, some pineapple leaves, a strawberry half, and a little pineapple cube. It kind of looks like an umbrella drink you’d get at Benihana!

      I’d almost re-name this ‘Happy Pie’ if Pink Pineapple Pie wasn’t so darn catchy and a much better description. It’s cheerful-looking for sure, and so tasty! It’s a cold, creamy treat that’s easy to make when you crave something tropical on a hot day.

      Pink Pineapple Pie

      Heather Baird

      This creamy, tropical-tasting pie is a refreshing dessert that’s easy to make. Serve slices chilled on a hot day.

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      Prep Time 20 minsCook Time 10 minsTotal Time 30 mins

      Course DessertCuisine American

      Servings 8

      Equipment9-inch spring form pan
      Ingredients US CustomaryMetric Crust1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs1/2 cup unsalted butter melted1/3 cup pink and yellow jimmies ice cream sprinklesPie filling14 oz. sweetened condensed milk 1 can8 oz. crushed pineapple undrained 1 small can1/4 cup lemon juice1/4 cup strawberry puree sieved to remove seeds2-3 drops liquid pink food color1 cup heavy cream3 tablespoons granulated sugarGarnishes1/2 cup heavy cream whipped to stiff peaks1 tablespoon granulated sugar1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract3 tablespoons pink and yellow sprinklesPineapple leaves1/2 strawberry1 cube pineapples or wedge
      Instructions CrustPreheat the oven to 350F.Combine the graham cracker crumbs and unsalted butter in a bowl. Mix with a rubber spatula until all the crumbs are coated with butter and the texture resembles wet sand. Add the sprinkles and fold them in until well dispersed. Pour the crumbs into a 9-inch spring form pan and press in the bottom and 2 inches up the sides. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool crust completely.Pie fillingCombine sweetened condensed milk, undrained pineapple, lemon juice, and strawberry puree in a large bowl. Whisk together until well combined. Add drops of pink food color. Whisk again to disperse color.In a separate medium bowl, whip the heavy cream until slightly thickened. Slowly add in the granulated sugar 1 tablespoon at a time. Beat to stiff peaks. Add the whipped cream to the pineapple mixture and fold together until well incorporated. Pour the filling into the crust. Refrigerate until set, 3-4 hours.GarnishesBeat the heavy cream in a medium while gradually adding the granulated sugar. Add the vanilla extract and beat to stiff peaks. Transfer the whipped cream to a piping bag fitted with a large closed start tip. Pipe stars of whipped cream around the top edge of the pie. Pipe stars in the center of the pie also. Immediately add sprinkles. Place three or more pineapple leaves standing upright in the center of the pie. Add the strawberry half and pineapple to finish. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
      NotesIf you don’t have a spring form pan, this pie can be made in a 9-inch-deep dish pie pan.
      If you don’t have pink food color on hand, try using a few drops of red.
      You’ll need about 5 oz. of fresh or frozen strawberries (thawed) to yield the 1/4 cup of puree for this recipe.

      Keyword crused pineapple, heavy cream, strawberry puree

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