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weekend that was

December 29 2009 by Kristin at The Kitchen Sink in Uncategorized » 18 comments

I’m still too full from the delicious Christmas weekend to talk about this pie. So let’s set it aside for the moment, shall we? I’ll come back to it. Honest. But only after I’ve worked up an appetite by regaling (lofty aspirations, no?) you with photos and stories from said delicious weekend.

It started and ended with a long drive. Unexpected long drives. Our flights were canceled, so we hopped in the car and cruised along the interstate that snakes its way from Chicago to Minneapolis. The change in scenery between Wednesday, when we drove to Minnesota through a landscape that was only lightly dusted with snow, and Sunday, when we rode home, was remarkable. During the days between our drives, a big storm left Sunday’s countryside looking sugar-dusted and still, as if someone had snapped open a thick white blanket and let it float silently to the ground, draping everything in sight with its sparkling whiteness. This all made for a beautiful drive home in the early morning hours:

About the snow. It was, in a word, persistent. The snow stopped only for brief pockets here and there; otherwise, it came down steadily the whole time we were in Minnesota. This meant knee-high snow boots; a close, personal relationship with a shovel; snow angels; an aborted snowman mission; a few snowball-induced welts; snowflakes caught upon the tongue; and all-around glee. In other words, we spent a good chunk of the weekend outside:

After each stint outdoors, we were thrilled to return to the cozy glow of my parents’ house. Following a quick thaw by the fire, we all snapped into action, whether it meant wrapping gifts, playing games or, of course, cooking.

Following a few nights of hunkering down at home, we even made it out for a night on the town, book-ending our dinner with a cocktail at the Nicollet Island Inn and brandy alexander’s from Jax:

My time in the kitchen during the weekend turned, unintentionally, into a Best of 2009 of sorts. I trotted out recipes for cinnamon rolls, a bolognese ragu, escarole salad threaded with pickled red onions, French onion soup topped with cheese toasts, a mustard-y and wine-y beef tenderloin with shallots, and this peanut butter pudding pie:

Yes, that’s right. I said: Peanut Butter. Pudding. Pie. Topped with shavings from a bar of dark chocolate. All packed into a graham cracker crust that’s been lined with a thick layer of melted bittersweet chocolate, if you must know. It’s every bit as good as it sounds and despite a weekend full of total gluttony, I could still go for a slice right about now. You know, because this show-and-tell of the Christmas weekend-that-was has gone and made me hungry.

You can see more photos from the weekend here. Hope you all had a lovely holiday!

Peanut Butter Pudding Pie

Recipes adapted from Bon Appetit and Gourmet

Ingredients for the Pudding:

1/2 cup sugar
5 teaspoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups whole milk
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 cup creamy (smooth) natural peanut butter (made with only peanuts and salt)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Ingredients for the Crust:
.
1 1/3 cups graham cracker crumbs
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Ingredients for the Chocolate Layer:

6 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), plus more for shaving
1/4 cup heavy cream

Make the Pudding: Whisk first 3 ingredients in large saucepan to blend. Gradually whisk in milk, then cream. Whisk over medium heat until mixture comes to boil. Then boil until thick, whisking constantly, about 30 seconds. Whisk in peanut butter; boil until thick again, whisking often, about 1 minute longer. Remove from heat; whisk in vanilla. Transfer to bowl; chill uncovered until cold, about two hours.

Make the Crust: Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.Stir together crumbs, butter, sugar and cinnamon and press on bottom and up side of a 9-inch pie plate (1-quart capacity). Bake until crisp, about 15 minutes, and cool on a rack.

Make the Chocolate Layer: In a small metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water melt the chocolate with the cream, stirring until the mixture is smooth.

Assemble: Spread the hot chocolate mixture in the bottom and up the sides of the crust. Let it cool. Chill the crust until the chocolate is set. Once the chocolate is set, pour the chilled pudding into the crust. Top with shaved bittersweet chocolate. Serve immediately or, if you have the time and prefer a pie filling that is more firm, chill the assembled pie for several hours before serving.

18 comments so far. »
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Whitney says on December 29 2009 at 6:12 am:

What a Merry Christmas! Sorry your flights got cancelled but playing in all the snow sounds like so much fun. Such a cute doggie too
Half Assed Kitchen says on December 29 2009 at 8:25 am:

How? How do you manage to make a photo of a half eaten pie look so delish?
Shana says on December 29 2009 at 8:45 am:

Hell, yum! That pie looks amazing. Your blog has been one of my go-to blogs for months when I am looking for new, fun recipes and I am definitely going to give this one a try.

Merry (belated) Christmas!
Megan Gordon says on December 29 2009 at 9:03 am:

Mmmm, the pie looks delightful! And your photos of the scenery make me long for a bit of snow here in CA. While I know it’s a hassle and inconvenience, looks beautiful! Happy Holidays.
Kelly says on December 29 2009 at 9:09 am:

We drove from Minneapolis to Chicago (Wednesday to Saturday), and things were equally beautiful. Thankfully, my FIL shoveled our driveway so we didn’t have to dig ourselves out upon returning to Minnesota.

Thanks for the pie recipe! Sounds delish!
Sara says on December 29 2009 at 10:51 am:

wow, the snow pictures look gorgeous! glad you had a great time!
Amanda says on December 29 2009 at 11:22 am:

Right after I’d resolve to eating nothing but vegetables and fruit, you bring me this glorious Peanut Butter Pie. I think you are my baking soulmate
Emily says on December 29 2009 at 11:55 am:

LOVE the pictures – looks like such a great time at home. Have a great upcoming trip!
tracieMoo says on December 30 2009 at 6:37 am:

Best shots of the year, so you’ve got a great end to 2009 and hopefully a better 2010
The pudding pie looks absolutely amazing. I have never had anything like that but I love every single angle of it, makes me drool..

Have a Happy New Year!
Megan says on December 30 2009 at 10:40 am:

Well, we left snowy Minneapolis for rainy Chicago. I think you got the better deal! I’ve never had the Brandy Alexander from Jax, in the winter I always go for the Tom & Jerry. Everything looks amazing!
zoe says on December 30 2009 at 12:25 pm:

I LOVE pies with pudding! Your photos look fabulous!
DishinAndDishes says on December 30 2009 at 4:45 pm:

I make something so similar, except I just use jarred hot fudge instead of making it myself. Kudos to you for that. This looks wonderful!
ingrid says on January 02 2010 at 7:42 pm:

That pie has my Dad’s name written ALL over it!

Merry belated Christmas!
~ingrid
Molly Schmidt says on January 03 2010 at 1:07 pm:

LOVE the pictures! Exactly what I needed after a Phoenix Christmas… even tho it made me miss you all more Thanks.
Paula says on January 04 2010 at 12:06 am:

in a weird way, this reminds me of my peanut butter pie (which you should try if you like these types of things – http://www.dishingthedivine.com/2009/08/12/peanut-butter-pie/). Your pie looks amazing. I’ll give it a try as soon as I eat through some of the MOUNDS of junk food in my house.
lucy says on January 04 2010 at 9:11 am:

Love the photos and the recipe! Also, what kind of dog does your family have? So cute! My family has an English Springer spaniel with similar spots, so I’m wondering if it is in the spaniel family!
Janae says on January 04 2010 at 6:49 pm:

I am not a huge peanut butter fan, but saw this & had to make it–delicious!!! So glad I did. It was a little time and labor intensive, but my whole family enjoyed it, and now I have a pudding recipe I can tinker with (I’m thinking Bailey’s?). Thanks for the recipe!
diane says on January 05 2010 at 6:45 pm:

The pictures are fabulous and so was every moment we all got to spend together.The pie was great as were all the other treasures…thanks for sharing the holiday! MOM