Category Archives: Pies

Creamy Chocolate Pie

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Ruthanne

This is a new take on a chocolate pudding pie. So incredibly rich in chocolate flavor that you will never go back to just plain pudding!

This week’s family recipe comes to us from Florida…or Yellowstone…or Peru….or wherever my wonderful adventurous Aunt Paula might be. She and my Uncle Jim have literally travelled the world and done the most interesting things. They are great story tellers and a family meal with them is a treasure.

I had never tried this recipe before, but Paula and Jim submitted it to our family cookbook and titled it “The Best Chocolate Pie in the World”. How can you resist trying a pie with a name like that?!??

The chocolate flavor in this pie filling is extraordinarily good. Very rich and dark. I’m really not a pie person (check the rest of this blog….not too many pies…) but this one is worth trying, it’s very yummy!

Here’s is the recipe: (printable version)

INGREDIENTS:

1 1/2 cups sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
5 tablespoons of cocoa
3 egg yolks, beaten
2 cups hot milk
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter. melted
1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla

DIRECTIONS:

Prepare a graham cracker or a plain baked pie crust. Since I rarely make pie, I just used a refrigerated pie crust and baked it according to the package. If you have a favorite crust recipe, now’s the time.
In a large, heavy saucepan, combine dry ingredients together.
Heat milk over stove or in the microwave and add it gradually to the dry ingredients, stirring as you add.

Add butter and egg yolks and mix well.
Cook on stove over low heat until thickened, stirring constantly. (I did not allow mine to cook long enough the first time I made this and it didn’t firm up very well. Cook it until it is a very thick custard like consistency. Mine actually boiled before it thickened enough.)
Remove from heat
Mix in vanilla.
Pour into prepared pie crust and chill several hours or overnight.
Enjoy!

My thoughts: Such an easy way to get your chocolate fix! This pie is soooo good with a cup of coffee and a little whipped cream on top…YUM! Thank you for sharing your wonderful dessert with us Aunt Paula! Enjoy your latest Caribbean adventure!! ~r

The other lonely (yet yummy!) pie recipes of Easybaked:

14 Comments

Posted in Pies and tagged baked pie crust, baking, chocolate, chocolate flavor, chocolate pudding pie, christmas, cocoa, creamy, custard, dessert, family recipe, holiday, pie, pie crust, pudding, recipe, thanksgiving, whipped cream. Bookmark the permalink.

German Chocolate Pie

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Ruthanne

This rich chocolate pie is filled with creamy chocolate and coconut, and it is SO easy to make!

My apologies to those of you who have commented or asked questions here in the past few weeks~ the holidays got the better of me this year. I got terribly sick on Christmas day and my sweet little Casper got sick a week later. We are both still recovering, but SO much better! As one of my friends said, “You can tell she’s really sick when she doesn’t even want to bake!”

Poor Casper in his cone of shame!

This recipe just couldn’t be easier, and easy is what I needed this week! Our family likes to eat at a wonderful Amish restaurant called Das Dutchmen Essenhaus and they have a german chocolate pie there that is AMAZING. It is by far my favorite pie. I’ve been looking for recipes that come close to recreating this pie and so far I’ve had no luck duplicating it. This recipe is worth noting though, as it is easy and really yummy. It is sooooo rich- serve it with ice cream or whipped topping, and in small slices.

(this slice is too big!!!)

INGREDIENTS: (recipe taken from here)

1 8-ounce package Baker’s semi-sweet chocolate
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 13-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1-1/3 cups shredded coconut
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1/2 cup sugar
1 9-inch unbaked pie shell (you’ll need a deep-dish)
whipped cream or ice cream (optional, but this is so rich, you’ll need it)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400F degrees.
In a saucepan, melt chocolate and butter over medium heat.
Add sweetened condensed milk, coconut, eggs and sugar. Stir until blended.
Pour into unbaked pie shell (I used a frozen one, and the filling came all the way up to the top!)
Set pie on a cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 400 deg oven for 30 -40min.
Cool or serve warm with a dollop of whipped cream or ice-cream.
Store in refrigerator.

German Chocolate Pie!

My thoughts: A simple and delicious dessert, this is a great “need something at the last minute” recipe to have on hand. Enjoy!!!! ~r

Other pie recipes you might enjoy from Easybaked: (click on the image to be taken to the recipe)

33 Comments

Posted in Pies and tagged baking, chocolate, coconut, Das Dutchman Essenhaus, das dutchmen essenhaus, dessert, food, german chocolate, german chocolate pie, ice cream, pie, pie crust, rich chocolate pie, semi-sweet chocolate, unbaked pie shell, whipped topping. Bookmark the permalink.

Peppermint Ice Cream Pie

Posted on July 27, 2012 by Ruthanne

Creamy ice cream in a rich chocolate crust- a cold, refreshing and easy summer treat!

I love ice cream pie. My mom has been making these since I was little. It is less of a recipe and more of an idea because there is absolutely no baking involved. By far, this is the easiest dessert ever posted on this blog. Are you ready?

INGREDIENTS:

One half gallon of ice cream (any flavor- I used peppermint stick)
2 pre-made chocolate graham cracker crusts.
One jar of hot fudge sauce
Cool Whip topping (if desired)

DIRECTIONS:

Spoon all of ice cream into a large bowl and mix until softened.
Divide the ice cream evenly between the 2 pie crusts, spreading it in evenly to fill each crust.

Cover and freeze overnight.
Top with drizzles of Hot fudge and some Cool Whip topping when you serve it!

My thoughts: This is such an easy recipe to make ahead and keep in the freezer for a time when you need a dessert but don’t have time to make one. Quick and easy and so refreshing and yummy! Enjoy!!!!! -r

NOTE: This recipe will be automatically posted for me as I will be out of the country for a few weeks. I will be unable to answer your questions or respond to your comments during this time– my apologies ahead of time! I will catch up with all of you when I return! -r

5 Comments

Posted in Frozen desserts, Pies and tagged chocolate, chocolate graham cracker crust, dessert, hot fudge, ice cream, ice cream pie, party dessert, peppermint, peppermint ice cream, pie, summer dessert. Bookmark the permalink.

Chocolate Pecan Tart

Posted on June 2, 2012 by Ruthanne

This pecan tart with a hint of cocoa was inspired by my recent vacation to South Carolina.

I just got back from a trip to my cousin’s wedding in Raleigh and a family vacation in Myrtle Beach. Besides the pralines (MUST learn to make these), I was tempted by all the varieties of pecan pies in each restaurant we visited (bourbon, chocolate chip, caramel, cheesecake….)

I’m visiting dear friends tomorrow afternoon and since I’ve been obsessing over pecan pies I thought I’d better give in and make one tonight to share with them. I really think you’ll love this recipe. The tart pan makes it beautiful and the cocoa makes it so rich and flavorful. Plus it is really easy. Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

Refrigerated pie crust (or your own favorite recipe!)
4 T. butter
2 T. cocoa powder
1 c. corn syrup
3 eggs
1/2 c. dark brown sugar
2 T. vanilla
2 c. pecans (one cup chopped, one cup halves)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Lightly grease a 9 inch tart pan with removable bottom. Line the pan with your crust, pressing it into the bottom and sides of pan and pricking the bottom a few times with a fork.
Melt butter on the stove in a saucepan.
Turn heat off and add the cocoa and corn syrup.
Lightly beat the eggs with the sugar and vanilla.
Stir egg mixture and one cup of chopped nuts into syrup.
Pour into crust and arrange the remaining pecans over the top.
Bake on a cookie sheet for 35-40 minutes (until the filling is just set).
Serve warm (with ice cream, I think!) or at room temperature.

My thoughts: This is a quick dessert and it is SO yummy! I’m laughing a little about how I have to cut a piece out of everything I make (for photography purposes, of course…) and how nothing I bring to share at a dinner ever looks pretty anymore. My friends look at my chopped up dessert, roll their eyes and say– oh yeah….BLOG photos… I hope you enjoy making this recipe. I’ll leave you tonight with a couple of beach photos. Enjoy!

My favorite pier at sunset….happy moment….

Appreciating the beach. Enjoy your week, friends!

14 Comments

Posted in Pies, Tarts and tagged chocolate, creative pecan pie, dessert, pecan and chocolate tart, pecan pie, pecan tart, pecans, pie, pie crust, recipe, sweets, tart. Bookmark the permalink.

Sweet Lime Tartlets

Posted on April 21, 2012 by Ruthanne

These tiny squares of graham crust filled with tart lime pie and whipped cream are a refreshing and fun party treat!

Yes, I finally got the Chicago Metallic Lift & Serve Squares Pan and I love it! This recipe can be made as a plain lime pie in a pre-made graham crust (and it is really, really good)- but its just so CUTE made in these little squares– again, kudos to the creator of this pan- I love how the bottoms pop out and I’ve got so many fun ideas for this pan!

**Note: this recipe makes 24 squares. Since the pan only makes 12 at a time you will need to use it twice. I wanted to halve the recipe for you, but 1/2 a can of condensed milk AND 1/2 an egg??? Just easier to use the pan twice and have 24 pieces of yumminess!

INGREDIENTS: (double for a pie in a pre-made graham crust and eliminate crust ingredients)

1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1/2 c. lime juice
1 egg
9 full sheets of graham crackers (one sleeve or about 1 and 1/2 cups)
1/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. melted butter

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs and mix well with sugar and melted butter.
Place metal bottoms into each square opening in the pan and lightly spray with non-stick spray.
Scoop about 1 to 2 T of crumbs in each square well of the pan. (You will have half left for your next batch). Press into bottom and sides of each square using your fingers or a Mini tart shaper.
Mix together condensed milk, egg and lime juice. Spoon about 1 T of mixture into each crust (you should have half left).

Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes.
Remove from oven, allow to cool, carefully press up on bottom- popping square dessert out of pan. Remove metal bottom from crust.
Repeat to make 24 total squares.
Chill several hours. Top with whipped cream, graham crumbs, raspberries or other fruit— be creative!
Enjoy!!!

My thoughts: This lime filling is simply delicious- the perfect blend of tart and sweet. If you don’t mind the time involved, these squares are really cute– but if you just want a quick and easy dessert, buy a graham crust, double the filling recipe (2 cans of condensed milk, 2 eggs and 1 cup of lime juice). Bake for 20 minutes instead of 15 and there you have it- yummy lime pie. However you choose to make it, Enjoy!

20 Comments

Posted in Pies, Tarts and tagged baking, chicago metallic pans, graham cracker crust, key lime, lime, mini dessert, party dessert, pies, sweets, tarts. Bookmark the permalink.

Pumpkin Pie Dip

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Ruthanne

Try a new twist on the pumpkin pie this Thanksgiving: crisp squares of pie crust ready to dunk in a creamy pumpkin pie dip! This is the perfect Thanksgiving party dessert recipe!!!

INGREDIENTS:

2 refrigerated pie crusts
1 box (8oz.) Philadelphia Cream Cheese (softened)
1/3 cup of brown sugar
1 cup of canned pumpkin
1/2 t. pumpkin pie spice
1 tub of Cool Whip
Cinnamon and granulated sugar – enough to dust crust squares.

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Unroll pie crusts on a cutting board and using a knife or pizza cutter slice into squares.

Place pieces of crust on a cookie sheet, spray with cooking spray and dust with sugar and cinnamon.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-22 minutes- until light brown and toasted.
Remove from oven and cool.
Place softened cream cheese in a bowl and cream it with the brown sugar until smooth.
Add pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice and mix with a mixer on medium until smooth and creamy.
Fold in 1/2 tub of Cool Whip.
Place in a serving dish and top with remaining Cool- Whip. Dust with cinnamon.
Serve dip with crispy cinnamon crust squares– YUM!

My thoughts: Again, pumpkin is not a flavor I enjoy– I did taste test this though, and went back for seconds! This was a HUGE hit both times I served it and I had so many people ask for the recipe I decided to post this earlier than intended so I don’t get mobbed. If you want to try a unique twist on the traditional pumpkin pie, this is it! Make a practice round before Thanksgiving and try it out on your friends– they will love you! ENJOY!!! r-

12 Comments

Posted in Easy recipes, Miscellaneous, Pastry, Pies and tagged pie crust chips, pumpkin dip, pumpkin pie, pumpkin pie dip, thanksgiving, thanksgiving dessert, unique dessert. Bookmark the permalink.

Blackberry Tart

Posted on August 26, 2011 by Ruthanne

There’s nothing like fresh blackberries in August! I grew up picking berries in the woods behind our house- 4 cups made a pie. I loved berry picking and HATED the pie (I can’t stand my fruit cooked!) When I was home visiting family a week ago my mom and I went picking and I came home with a big bowl of fresh blackberries. I wanted to see if I could make a fresh (UNCOOKED!) berry pie with them and it turned out wonderfully! YUM!!!! I used a tart pan and had LOTS of filling left over since it was so shallow- I recommend making 2 tarts or a pie with this recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

Blackberries! (aren’t they beautiful?)- about 4 cups.
One refrigerated pie crust (for pie). (Two pie crusts for tarts.)
One small box (3oz.) of Jello- I used Blackberry Fusion- it was amazing- I’m sure Raspberry would work just fine if you can’t find the Blackberry.
One small box (3.4oz.) of Jello instant vanilla pudding
2 1/4 c. cold water
Cool Whip

DIRECTIONS:

Spread pie crust into the bottom of a pie plate or tart pan and cook as directed on package. Cool completely. (I really think this pie would taste great in a pre-made graham cracker crust if you want to make this recipe REALLY easy!)
In a medium saucepan mix together the jello, pudding and water. Cook over medium heat.
Bring mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
Cool in refrigerator until slightly set.
Add berries and mix until all berries are incorporated (save a few out to decorate the top!!)
Spoon pie filling into crust(s) and chill overnight.
Before serving, spoon cool whip on top and decorate with fresh berries. YUM!!

My thoughts: You are going to LOVE this pie 🙂 Our berries were fairly tart and this pie was so sweet and tangy it was perfect! Since I had only prepared one tart crust I had left over filling that I spooned into cups. Just added Cool Whip and granola for a yummy breakfast treat. I love how firm the pie got– no runny cooked fruit here!

On a side note: My new obsession with food photography makes me laugh sometimes. I was trying to catch some natural light staying INSIDE (since it was hot enough to actually cook my fruit pie outside). I cleaned my kitchen floor, found a pretty placemat and a patch of good light and started taking pictures. When I finally looked up I had to laugh –and take a picture of my VERY obedient puppy:

Have a great weekend everyone!!!!! -r

9 Comments

Posted in Pies and tagged black berry, blackberry pie, blackberry tart, dessert, fresh berry pie, fresh blackberries, fruit pie, pie, sweet, tart. Bookmark the permalink.

Fruit Loop Pie!!!

Posted on May 22, 2011 by Ruthanne

Don’t wrinkle your nose at the name- this tart cream filling is perfectly balanced by a sweet fruity crust. Let your inner child rejoice– its FRUIT LOOPS in a PIE!!!!

INGREDIENTS:

Crust:

3c. of crushed Fruit Loops (crush before you measure)
1/2c. butter (melted)
1/2c. sugar

Pie:

8oz. Philadelphia Cream Cheese
1 (0.22 oz.) packet Kool Aid- Ice Blue Raspberry Lemonade flavor
2c. marshmallow fluff
8 oz. Cool Whip (refrigerator temp).

DIRECTIONS:

Mix together Fruit Loops, butter and sugar.
Press mixture into an ungreased 9 inch pie plate.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.
Cool completely.
Cream together Kool Aid and Philadelphia Cream Cheese
Add Marshmallow fluff and blend well.
Fold in 1c. of Cool Whip.
Spoon into cooled crust
Top with remaining Cool Whip
Sprinkle Fruit Loops over the top
Freeze for at least 2 hours.
Serve chilled.

My thoughts: This recipe has been simmering in the back of my mind ever since I made my raspberry lemonade truffles for RWOP a few weeks ago. Adding Kool Aid to Cream Cheese…using fun cereal as a crust…finally I just did it. It won’t qualify for the contest as it really needs some time in the freezer to set properly– NOT within the one hour time limit! What a fun and refreshing dessert this turned out to be– I hope you try it and love it!! -r

This recipe was shared on these wonderful blogs:

37 Comments

Posted in Easy recipes, Pies and tagged cool whip, Cream Cheese, creamy, desserts, Fruit Loops, fruity, fun, kids dessert, pie, sweet, tart. Bookmark the permalink.

Not Just ANY Old Peanut Butter Pie!

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Ruthanne

Craving peanut butter pie? This one has a surprise- a layer of rich, smooth chocolate inside! Quick and easy to make– its sure to become a family favorite!

INGREDIENTS:

2c. of Nilla Wafers (crushed)
1/4c. brown sugar (firmly packed)
1/3 c. butter (melted)
1/4c. heavy whipping cream
1/2c. semi-sweet chocolate chips
1c. creamy peanut butter
8oz. Philadelphia cream cheese
1/2c. sugar
3c. Cool Whip topping

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine Nilla Wafers, brown sugar and butter to make crust. Press mixture into the bottom and up sides of a 9 inch pie plate. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes.

In a small saucepan, heat whipping cream until it starts to bubble at edges (20-30 seconds). Turn off heat, but leave pan on burner. Add chocolate chips to cream, cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes. Stir until well blended and pour into bottom of crust. Place crust in refrigerator until chocolate is completely cool.

Beat together peanut butter, cream cheese and sugar. Gently fold in Cool Whip and spoon mixture into crust and spread evenly over chocolate layer. Garnish as desired. (I drizzled melted chocolate onto parchment paper that was wrapped around a rolling pin to get these fun decorations)

Keep chilled until served.

My thoughts: This is such a wonderful combination of ingredients! The crust was an inspiration from an ice cream pie I made once. Nilla Wafers have such a great flavor and hold together so well for this. The chocolate layer was in a Paula Deen cookbook- but she just put chocolate chips in- which hardened into an un-cuttable layer. Adding the whipping cream makes this layer more like fudge (a ganache, in fact). The peanut butter filling is 100% Judy Schneider- I can’t improve on it, its such a yummy peanut putter filling! In this case, it does indeed take a village of amazing cooks to make a pie! Hope you love it!