Tuesday, November 22, 2011

A THANKSGIVING CLASSIC-CRACK PIE?


Back by popular demand--the sinfully delicious Momofuku Crack pie recipe. I shared the recipe with reader's last year and it's been added to our Thanksgiving dessert table after last years rave reviews. I first tried the pie at Momofuku's Milk Bar, famous for its decadent soft serve custard and amazing pork buns. It seemed that nearly everyone had ordered the same pie for dessert-it looked homey, certainly not one of the pretty creations usually served for dessert, but looks aren't everything. The waitress told me it was Crack pie-it's totally legal of course, but so addictive and delicious it should be outlawed! The pie was sublime-a brilliant update of the classic American Chess pie, it incorporates pantry staples like butter, eggs, sugar and vanilla with the spectacular addition of an oatmeal crust. The crunchy, rustic crust melds beautifully with the gooey buttery filling, so rich, a small slice is all you really need. Hungry yet? 



Momofuku's Crack Pie
adapted by the LA Times
There are several steps to this pie, but it's so worth the trouble. This recipe makes two pies-one for you and one to share! 

Cookie for crust
2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon (3 ounces) flour
Scant 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
Scant 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter
1/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces) light brown sugar
3 tablespoons (1 1/4 ounces) sugar
1 egg
Scant 1 cup (3 1/2 ounces) rolled oats
1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Whisk the egg into the butter mixture until fully incorporated.
5. With the mixer running, beat in the flour mixture, a little at a time, until fully combined. Stir in the oats until incorporated.
6. Spread the mixture onto a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking sheet and bake until golden brown and set, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to the touch on a rack. Crumble the cooled cookie to use in the crust.
Crust
Crumbled cookie for crust
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter
1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
Combine the crumbled cookie, butter, brown sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse until evenly combined and blended (a little of the mixture clumped between your fingers should hold together). Divide the crust between 2 (10-inch) pie tins. Press the crust into each shell to form a thin, even layer along the bottom and sides of the tins. Set the prepared crusts aside while you prepare the filling.
Filling
1 1/2 cups (10 1/2 ounces) sugar
3/4 cup plus a scant 3 tablespoons (7 ounces) light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon (3/4 ounce) milk powder
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted
3/4 cup plus a scant 2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 egg yolks
2 prepared crusts
Powdered sugar, garnish

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, brown sugar, salt and milk powder. Whisk in the melted butter, then whisk in the heavy cream and vanilla.
3. Gently whisk in the egg yolks, being careful not to add too much air.
4. Divide the filling evenly between the 2 prepared pie shells.
5. Bake the pies, one at a time, for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 325 degrees and bake until the filling is slightly jiggly and golden brown (similar to a pecan pie), about 10 minutes. Remove the pies and cool on a rack.
6. Refrigerate the cooled pies until well chilled. The pies are meant to be served cold, and the filling will be gooey. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

14 comments:

Belle on Heels said...

looooove this stuff, it is SO good!

I Dream Of said...

My mouth is watering! No harm in just a little Crack Pie, right?

JMW said...

Oooo, that's looks delicious! Can't "just say no" to that!

Janette - The2Seasons said...

This is definitely going on my to-do list. I'm a first-time visitor.

Acquired Objects said...

I've never heard of "crack pie" and it sounds so delicious!

CDS said...

Oh that just sounds amazing!

The enchanted home said...

This looks and sounds soo good! Yum, haven't heard of it, but will have to give this a whirl~

Anonymous said...

To me it sounds as though it would make your teeth hurt. I'll pass.

Gwen Driscoll said...

Thank you, thank you! Think I'll have to try it. Will report back.

Taylor Greenwalt said...

Oh, it sounds so good.I am going to try this one.

debra @ 5th and state said...

now that look good!
wishing you a wonderful thanksgiving
debra

designchic said...

This sounds amazing...may have to give this a try for Christmas!! Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving ~

Mona Thompson Providence Ltd. said...

Yum! Happy Thanksgiving!

quintessence said...

Oh dear - another potential addiction!! Looks scrumptious - will have to put it on the holiday sweets list!