Best Blackbottom Pie Recipes

Steps:

• To make the crust: Lightly butter a 10-inch pie plate. On a lightly floured board, roll out the half of the pate brisee to a 1/8-inch thickness (unused dough can be wrapped and plastic and stored in the refrigerator or freezer). Place the dough in the pie plate, and press it into the bottom edges and along the sides. Trim the dough using scissors or a sharp paring knife. Crimp or decorate the edges of the crust if desired. Chill crust for 30 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Carefully line the pie plate with parchment paper, gently pressing the parchment into the edges of the crust; weigh down parchment with dried beans or pie weights. Bake until edges of pastry begin to turn golden, about 15 minutes. Carefully remove pie weights and parchment paper. Continue to bake until crust is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes more. Transfer the crust to a wire rack to cool completely.
• To make the filling: Prepare an ice-water bath. In the top of a double boiler or in a heat-proof bowl set over simmering water, melt chocolate; set aside. Place 1/4 cup cold water in a small bowl, and sprinkle gelatin over it; set aside to soften.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together 4 egg yolks, 1/4 cup sugar, and the cornstarch; set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine milk and 1/4 cup sugar. Bring just to a boil. Add about one-quarter of the hot-milk mixture to the egg mixture, whisking constantly, until combined. Return egg-milk mixture to saucepan, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat when mixture has boiled and thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Measure out 1 cup of custard, and transfer to a medium bowl. Add the melted chocolate and vanilla to it, stirring until the chocolate is melted. Transfer the bowl to the ice-water bath to cool completely. When cool, spread evenly in the bottom of the pie crust. Transfer pie crust to refrigerator until set, about 5 minutes. Add softened gelatin to remaining custard. Transfer pan to the ice-water bath to cool until just beginning to set.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites with salt and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. With machine running, gradually add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, and beat until stiff glossy peaks form. Stir 1/3 of whipped egg whites into custard to lighten. Gently but thoroughly fold in remaining whites and rum. Spread over chocolate layer. Refrigerate pie for at least 3 hours and up to overnight.
• Whip cream until stiff peaks form. Spread over custard or pipe on top with a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Sprinkle chocolate shavings on top. Chill until ready to serve.

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together 1/2 cup sugar and cornstarch. Place egg yolks in a separate bowl and slowly whisk in scalded milk. Whisk in sugar mixture, then pour this mixture into top of a double boiler. Cook, stirring constantly, until mixture coats the back of a spoon. Remove from heat.
• Place 1 cup of hot custard mixture in a small bowl and stir in chocolate chips until mixture is smooth and chocolate is melted. Pour into bottom of baked pastry shell and chill in refrigerator.
• Soften gelatin in cold water for 5 minutes, then stir into remaining custard mixture. Chill until mixture is slightly thickened. In a medium glass or metal bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Continue to beat while slowly adding 1/2 cup sugar, until whites form stiff peaks. Fold whites into custard mixture. Gently pour this mixture over chocolate layer in pastry shell. Chill until completely set, at least 4 hours.
• Just prior to serving, whip 1 cup cream until stiff. Garnish pie with whipped cream and chocolate curls if desired.

Steps:

• Combine 1/2 cup sugar, and cornstarch.
• Slowly add milk to egg yolks, start with just 1 tbsp at a time till you have added about 1/3 cup. This tempers the eggs and prevents them from scrambling. Now add in all the milk.
• Stir in sugar mixture, cook and stir over medium heat until mixture thickens enough to coat a spoon.
• Add vanilla.
• Remove 1 cup of custard and stir into it the chocolate chips until they are melted.
• Pour into crust and chill.
• Meanwhile soften gelatin in 1/4 cup cold water.
• Add to remaining hot custard, and stir until completely dissolved.
• Add rum.
• Chill until slightly thickened.
• Beat egg whites until soft peaks form.
• Fold into gelatin custard mixture.
• Chill if necessary until mixture mounds.
• Pile over chocolate layer.
• Chill till set (about 4 hours).
• Topping:.
• Beat 2 cups of whipping cream till soft peaks form.
• Add sugar and vanilla.
• Continue beating until mixed well.
• Pile on chilled pie.
• Garnish with freshly grated nutmeg over the whipped cream.

Steps:

• Graham Cracker Crust: In small bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter. Press evenly on bottom and sides of 9-inch pie plate. Chill until firm (about 1 hour).
• Chocolate Layer: In medium saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and salt. Gradually stir in milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils. Remove from heat. In small bowl, beat egg yolks. Gradually stir in small amount of hot mixture; return to saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Remove 1-1/2 cups custard to medium bowl; add semi-sweet chocolate morsels and vanilla extract. Stir until morsels are melted and mixture is smooth.
• Pour into prepared Graham Cracker Crust; chill until set (about 30 minutes).
• While Chocolate Layer is chilling, prepare Vanilla Layer.
• Vanilla Layer: In large bowl, combine cold water and gelatin; let stand 5 minutes. Add remaining warm custard; stir until gelatin dissolves. Cool 15 minutes. Stir in rum; beat with wire whisk until smooth. Set aside.
• In 1-1/2 quart bowl, combine egg whites and cream of tartar; beat until foamy. Gradually add sugar; beat until stiff peaks form. Fold egg whites into custard; pour over chocolate layer.
• Chill until set (about 2 hours).
• Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings, if desired.
• Makes one 9-inch pie.

Steps:

• In a medium microwave-safe bowl, microwave 1 1/4 cups cream until hot, about 3 minutes. Add chocolate and let stand until melted, 5 to 10 minutes. Whisk to combine, then whisk in rum. Pour 1 1/2 cups chocolate mixture into crust (reserve remaining chocolate mixture). Sprinkle nuts over top. Refrigerate pie 3 hours (or up to 2 days).
• In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat 2 cups cream with sugar on high until stiff peaks form, 2 minutes. Top pie with whipped cream, then dot with reserved chocolate mixture. With a skewer, gently swirl chocolate through whipped cream.

Steps:

• Make the crust: Stir together graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Press into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake until crust is set and begins to turn golden brown, about 12 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
• Make the filling: Sift together sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt into a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until almost boiling. Reduce heat to medium; add chocolate. Cook, stirring constantly, until chocolate has melted and mixture is thick, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in butter and vanilla until smooth. Spread chocolate mixture over crust. Refrigerate until cold and firm, about 1 hour.
• Make the topping: Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Sprinkle gelatin over 2 tablespoons cold water in a small bowl. Let stand until soft, about 3 minutes. Whisk 1/4 cup sugar, the cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in the milk. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick and boiling, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in gelatin mixture, and let cool completely. Stir in vanilla and rum. Briefly place pan in an ice-water bath to thicken slightly, if needed. Do not let it set completely. Set aside.
• Put egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-low speed until soft peaks form. Reduce speed to low; continue beating while you make syrup.
• Bring remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons water to a boil in a saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Brush down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystals from forming. Cook, without stirring, until syrup registers 240 degrees on a candy thermometer.
• Raise mixer speed to high, and beat egg whites just until stiff peaks begin to form. Immediately pour syrup into egg whites in a slow, steady stream near side of bowl, avoiding whisk. Beat until glossy and cooled, about 7 minutes.
• Fold meringue mixture into reserved gelatin mixture in 3 batches until just combined. Mound the mixture into the chocolate-filled crust. Refrigerate pie for 2 1/2 hours or overnight before serving.

Steps:

• For the crust:
• 1. Stir the flour, salt, and sugar together in a large bowl. Add the butter pieces and coat with the flour mixture using a bench scraper or spatula. With a pastry blender, cut the butter into the flour mixture, working quickly until mostly pea-size pieces of butter remain (a few larger pieces are okay; be careful not to overblend).
• 2. Combine the water, cider vinegar, and ice in a large measuring cup or small bowl. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of the ice water mixture over the flour mixture, and mix and cut it in with a bench scraper or spatula until it is fully incorporated. Add more of the ice water mixture, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time, using the bench scraper or your hands (or both) to mix until the dough comes together in a ball, with some dry bits remaining. Squeeze and pinch with your fingertips to bring all of the dough together, sprinkling dry bits with more small drops of the ice water mixture, if necessary, to combine. Shape the dough into a flat disc, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight, to give the crust time to mellow.
• 3. On a lightly floured work surface, roll out dough to form a round that is 2 to 3 inches larger than your pan, and about 1/8 inch in thickness. Transfer dough to pie pan and trim overhang to 1 to 1 1/2 inches. Transfer to freezer for 20 minutes. Position racks in bottom and middle racks and preheat over to 425°F. When crust has been in freezer for 10 minutes, remove and line it tightly with aluminum foil.
• 4. Pour the pie weights or beans into the pan and spread them so they are concentrated more around the edge of the shell than in the center. Place the pan on the preheated baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes, until the crimped edges are set but not browned. Remove the pan and the baking sheet from the oven, lift out the foil and pie weights, and let the crust cool for a minute. Use a pastry brush to coat the bottom and sides with a thin layer of egg white glaze to moistureproof the crust. Return the pan, on the baking sheet, to the oven's middle rack and continue baking for 3 more minutes. Remove and cool completely before filling.
• For the filling:
• 5. Reduce the oven to 350°F. Spread the oats on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in the oven for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside to cool. Reduce the oven temperature to 325°F.
• 6. To make the ganache layer, bring the heavy cream just to a boil over medium heat in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Remove from the heat and pour in the chocolate pieces. Swirl the cream around to distribute and cover the chocolate; let sit for 5 minutes. Whisk gently until smooth. Scrape the ganache into the cooled pie shell and spread evenly over the bottom. Place the shell in the freezer to set the ganache while making the filling.
• 7. In a large bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, ginger, salt, and melted butter. Add the corn syrup, vanilla, and cider vinegar and whisk to combine. Add the eggs one at a time, blending well after each addition. Stir in the cooled oats.
• 8. Place the ganache-coated pie shell on a rimmed baking sheet and pour in the filling. Bake on the middle rack of the oven for about 55 minutes, rotating 180 degrees when the edges start to set, 30 to 35 minutes through baking. The pie is finished when the edges are set and puffed slightly and the center is slightly firm to the touch but still has some give (like gelatin). Allow to cool completely on a wire rack, 2 to 3 hours. Serve slightly warm or at room temperature.

Steps:

• For gingersnap crust:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Pulse cookies in a food processor until finely ground. Drizzle in butter and cream; pulse until well blended. Pour into prepared dish. Use the bottom and sides of a measuring cup to pack crumbs onto bottom and up sides of dish. Bake until crust is set, 12-15 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack; set aside.
• For custard:
• Pour 2 tablespoons water into a small bowl; sprinkle gelatin over. Let stand until gelatin softens, about 10 minutes. Heat milk and cream in a large saucepan over medium heat until mixture just comes to a simmer.
• Whisk egg yolks and next 5 ingredients in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk egg mixture into milk mixture; whisk in gelatin. Whisk constantly over medium-low heat until thick, about 5 minutes.
• Remove vanilla custard from heat and stir in mascarpone. Place 1 cup custard in a medium bowl; add chocolate and stir until melted and smooth. Stir in espresso. Pour chocolate custard into crust; smooth top. Chill pie until set, about 30 minutes. Let vanilla custard stand at room temperature.
• Gently pour remaining vanilla custard over chilled chocolate layer (pour slowly so as not to disturb chocolate layer). Smooth top; chill until set, about 1 hour, or keep covered up to 1 day.
• For assembly:
• Using an electric mixer at medium-low speed, beat cream and sugar in a medium bowl until cream begins to thicken. Add rum and vanilla; increase speed to high and beat until stiff peaks form. Spread whipped cream over custard. Dust with cocoa powder and garnish with grated chocolate and almonds. DO AHEAD: Can be made 4 hours ahead. Chill uncovered.

Steps:

• For crust:
• Combine flour, butter, vegetable shortening, sugar and salt in processor. Using on/off turns, blend until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add 3 tablespoons ice water and blend until moist clumps form, adding more water by teaspoonfuls if dough is dry. Gather dough into ball. Flatten into disk. Wrap dough disk in plastic and refrigerate at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Roll out dough on lightly floured surface to 13- to 14-inch round. Transfer dough to 9-inch-diameter deep-dish glass pie dish. Fold dough edge over and crimp decoratively, securing dough edge to rim of dish. Pierce crust all over with fork. Freeze crust 15 minutes. Bake until golden brown, pressing with back of fork if crust bubbles or slips, about 30 minutes. Transfer crust to rack and cool.
• For filling:
• Whisk sugar, cornstarch, cocoa and salt in heavy medium saucepan to blend. Add egg yolks, milk and cream; whisk until smooth. Whisk over medium heat until mixture thickens and boils, about 6 minutes. Remove from heat. Add chocolate, butter and vanilla and whisk until melted and smooth. Pour filling into crust. Cool on rack.
• For marshmallow topping:
• Place 1 tablespoon water in small cup; sprinkle unflavored gelatin over. Place cup in small skillet; add enough water to skillet to reach depth of 1/2 inch.
• Whisk sugar, corn syrup and 1/3 cup water in heavy medium saucepan to blend. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Attach candy thermometer to side of pan. Boil without stirring until candy thermometer registers 240°F. While continuing to boil syrup, beat egg whites in large bowl with mixer until stiff peaks form. When thermometer in syrup registers 248°F, slowly beat hot syrup into egg whites. Continue to beat until whites are stiff and glossy, about 4 minutes. Beat in vanilla. Bring water in skillet to simmer. Stir gelatin mixture in cup until gelatin dissolves. Gradually pour gelatin over egg whites and beat until topping is cool, about 8 minutes. Using rubber spatula, gently spread topping over filling, making decorative peaks. Preheat broiler. Broil pie just until topping is light brown, about 1 minute. Chill pie 1 hour. Garnish with chocolate shavings, if desired. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated. Let stand 1 hour at room temperature before serving.)

Steps:

• Make a high-fluted edge on pie shell when preparing shell to hold the filling.
• Melt butter in a large double boiler over high heat.
• Add red food color, vanilla and butter extract.
• Add three-quarters of the milk and heat through.
• Reserve a quarter of the milk.
• Mix all dry ingredients in a large bowl; add the remaining milk, blending until smooth.
• Separate eggs, storing whites in a metal bowl in the refrigerator; add yolks to mixture, whisking until smooth and well blended.
• When the mixture in the double boiler reaches 180 degrees, add cornstarch mixture, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens.
• Turn heat to low and cook for 1 hour.
• Whip the egg whites until stiff peaks form.
• Fold the chocolate mixture into the egg white very gently, just until no white streaks appear.
• Pour into pie shell.
• Refrigerate until pie is completely cooled.
• Top with whipped topping just before serving.
• To make whipped topping:.
• Pour whipping cream into chilled mixing bowl.
• Add sugar and mix with chilled beaters.
• Mix on medium until peaks begin to form.
• Spread onto pie with a spatula.
• It should have peaks and waves on the surface.
• To make the pie crust:.
• Mix flour and salt in bowl.
• Lightly cut in shortening with a pastry blender until mixture resembles a coarse meal.
• Sprinkle in water a small amount at a time, until all particles are moistened and cling together when pressed into a ball.
• Cover with a damp cloth and let rest for a few minutes.
• Roll out thin (less than an 1/8 inch) on lightly floured board.
• Fold and place in pie pan.
• Prick bottom and sides of baking shell first.
• Bake at 425° for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Cool.

Steps:

• Soften gelatin in cold water. Melt chocolate chips in the top of a double boiler or in a bowl in the microwave. Stir until smooth. Set aside to cool.
• Combine 1/2 cup sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan. Blend together milk and egg yolks, stir into sugar mix. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, just until mixture boils. Remove 1 cup of custard, and combine with chocolate: spread into baked pie shell. Stir softened gelatin into remaining hot custard mix. Stir in rum. Place pan in a bowl of ice water, or refrigerate. Stir occasionally, until mixture mounds slightly when dropped from spoon. Combine chocolate & the reserved custard mix. Pour into baked pie shell.
• Stir softened gelatin into remaining hot custard mix. Stir in rum. Place pan in a bowl of ice water, or refrigerate. Stir occasionally, until mixture mounds slightly when dropped from spoon.
• Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until foamy. Beat in 1/3 cup sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and continue beating until stiff and glossy. Do not underbeat. Fold in chilled custard. Spread over chocolate mixture. Chill at least 3 hours or until set.

Steps:

• For crust:
• Combine flour, sugar and salt in processor. Add butter and blend using on/off turns until mixture resembles coarse meal. Beat water, egg yolk and vanilla together in small bowl. Add egg mixture to processor and process until large moist clumps form. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate 30 minutes. (Dough can be prepared up to 2 days ahead. Let dough stand at room temperature to soften slightly before continuing.)
• Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350°F. Lightly butter 9-inch-diameter pie pan. Roll dough out on floured surface to 13-inch round. Transfer to prepared pan. Fold edges under and crimp to form high fluted edge. Freeze until firm, about 15 minutes. Line crust with foil and fill with dried beans or pie weights. Bake until sides are set, about 20 minutes. Remove foil and beans. Pierce bottom of crust until golden brown, about 20 minutes. Cool on rack.
• For filling:
• Combine brandy and vanilla in small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over and let stand 10 minutes. Place chocolate in medium bowl. Mix sugar, cornstarch and salt in heavy medium saucepan. Gradually whisk half and half and egg yolks into sugar mixture. Cook over medium-high heat until custard is thick and smooth and begins to boil, whisking constantly, about 3 minutes. Quickly add 1 1/4 cups custard to chocolate. Stir until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Add brandy and gelatin mixture to remaining hot custard. Stir until gelatin dissolves. Spread chocolate filling in crust. Spread brandy filling over. Refrigerate uncovered until pie is completely cool.
• For topping:
• Heat sugar and water in heavy small saucepan over low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Increase heat and boil, without stirring, until mixture is deep amber, brushing down sugar crystals from sides of pan with wet pastry brush, about 11 minutes. Remove from heat and add cream (mixture will bubble up). Add butter and stir until smooth. Stir over low heat until color deepens and caramel thickens slightly, about 3 minutes. Mix in pecans. Transfer to small bowl. Refrigerate until cool but not set, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Spoon topping over brandy layer. Chill pie until topping is set, about 2 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Steps:

• Make the crust: Stir together the graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake until the crust is set and begins to turn golden brown, about 12 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
• Make the filling: Sift together the sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt into a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in the milk. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until almost boiling. Reduce heat to medium; add the chocolate. Cook, stirring constantly, until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is thick, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in the butter and vanilla until smooth. Spread the chocolate mixture over the crust. Refrigerate until cold and firm, about 1 hour.
• Make the topping: Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Sprinkle the gelatin over 2 tablespoons cold water in a small bowl. Let stand until soft, about 3 minutes. Whisk 1/4 cup sugar, the cornstarch, and the salt in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in the milk. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thick and boiling, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in the gelatin mixture, and let cool completely. Stir in the vanilla and rum. Briefly place the pan in the ice-water bath to thicken slightly, if needed. Do not let it set completely. Set aside.
• In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites on medium-low speed until soft peaks form. Reduce speed to low; continue beating while you make the syrup.
• Bring the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons water to a boil in a saucepan, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Brush down the sides of the pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystals from forming. Cook, without stirring, until the syrup registers 240°F on a candy thermometer.
• Raise the mixer speed to high, and beat the egg whites just until stiff peaks begin to form. Immediately pour the syrup into the egg whites in a slow, steady stream near the side of the bowl, avoiding the whisk (it might splatter). Beat until glossy and cooled, about 7 minutes.
• Fold the meringue mixture into the reserved gelatin mixture in 3 batches until just combined. Mound the mixture into the chocolate-filled crust. Refrigerate the pie for 2 1/2 hours or overnight before serving.

Steps:

• To make the gingersnap crust: In a bowl, add all the crust ingredients; stir to mix.
• Press mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch deep dish pie plate.
• Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes; cool on a wire rack.
• To make the filling: In a small bowl, add the water and rum; stir to combine.
• Sprinkle the gelatin over the rum mixture; stir to combine and set aside.
• In a saucepan, add the sugar and cornstarch; stir to combine.
• Gradually whisk in the milk and egg yolks.
• Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, whisk constantly.
• Boil for 1 minute.
• Add in gelatin mixture; stir until mixture is dissolved.
• Mix together 1 cup of custard mixture and chocolate morsels; stir until smooth; pour into gingersnap crust; spread evenly.
• Chill 30 minutes or until set; set aside remaining custard.
• In a mixing bowl, beat whipping cream until foamy, using an electric mixer on high speed.
• Gradually add powdered sugar; beat until soft peaks form.
• Fold 1 cup whipping cream mixture into custard mixture; spoon over chocolate mixture.
• Chill pie and remaining whipped cream for 2 hours or until pie is set.
• Spread remaining whipped cream over the top.

Steps:

• Mix graham crumbs, sugar and 1/3 cup of the margarine. Press firmly onto bottom and up side of 9-inch pie plate; set aside. Place remaining 1/3 cup margarine and 4 oz. chocolate in small saucepan; cook on medium heat until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is well blended, stirring frequently. Spread onto bottom of crust; set aside.
• Pour milk into medium bowl. Add dry pudding mix. Beat with wire whisk 2 min. or until well blended. Pour into crust. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until ready to serve. Meanwhile, use remaining 2 oz. chocolate to make chocolate curls (see Tip). Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Top pie with whipped topping and chocolate curls just before serving. Store leftover pie in refrigerator.