Holiday Cooking Guide - Pies

The holidays just wouldn't be the holidays without pie. Pie can be traced back as early as the ancient Egyptians. And while in American, the pilgrims probably didn't have pie, pie has long been a true holiday tradition. Here are a few of my favorite holiday pies and instruction on preparing.

A Few Tips to Start
The first rule of pie making is that there is just no need to make your own pie crust. Stores offer multiple pre-made pie crust options that are fantastic. I recommend using the rolled up pre-made pie crust when doing your holiday cooking. The rolled up version gives a more homemade pie crust appeal. My second rule for pie making and really all baking is to pre-heat the oven. It seems simple but it really is imperative for even cooking. Finally to ensure your pie crust edges don't get over cooked put a rim around the pie crust with aluminum foil. Remove about 15 minutes before the pie is done.

Chocolate Pecan Pie
There are many recipes for Chocolate Pecan Pie but this by far exceeds them all in overall quality and taste. This pie actually melts the chocolate rather than just has chocolate chips inside a traditional pecan pie.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup semi-sweet choc chips
3 tbsp butter
2/3 cup sugar
1 cup corn syrup
3 eggs
1 tsp salt
1 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 unbaked pie crust rolled into a pie pan

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Melt chocolate & butter in a double broiler - remove from heat. At the same time, combine sugar & syrup in a separate pan and bring to boil - remove from heat. Mix eggs and whisk into the chocolate mix very quickly. Then pour the chocolate mix into the syrup blend - again do this quickly to keep from getting scrambled eggs. Stir in vanilla and pecans. Cook at 400 degrees for 20 minutes then reduce to 350 degrees and cook for another 25-30 minutes. You can serve warm or room temperature.

Traditional Pumpkin Pie
Most pumpkin pie recipes call for evaporated milk which can sometimes create issues when the pie is setting up. This holiday pie uses sweetened condensed milk which gives a perfect consistency every time! Also, don't forget the whipped cream on top!

Ingredients:
1 -15 oz. can pumpkin
1 -14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
2 eggs
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ tsp. nutmeg
½ tsp. salt
1 unbaked pie crust rolled into a pie pan

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Pour into prepared pie crust. Bake 15 minutes then reduce heat to 350 degrees. Bake an additional 35 minutes. Let cool to serve. Store in refrigerator.

Chocolate Brownie Pie
This holiday pie is great served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients:
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
¼ cup butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk
½ cup Bisquick
2 eggs
1 cup chopped pecans
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 unbaked pie crust rolled into pie pan

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake pie crust 10 minutes and remove from oven. Reduce heat to 325 degrees. Melt chocolate chips and butter in a saucepan over slow heat. In a bowl, combine chocolate mix with remaining ingredients. Pour into pie crust. Bake 40 minutes or until set.

I hope you will enjoy making these pies and that your holidays will be filled with lots of warm memories of delicious pies!!