National Pie Day 2014! // Ideas & Recipes

National Pie Day is a big deal for us.... yet it ALWAYS sneaks up on me... : / but... tomorrow January 23rd is the day! 

In honor of the day, and really in honor of pie, I make a pie on the 23rd every year. This will be my 4th year!

So far, since I am still a fairly new cook.. I have been trying to test out new recipes every year. This year is no different, but I won't be giving away my recipe just yet! :)

Instead, I thought I would leave you a mouth-watering pie post, with links to recipes that I have tried in the past! I hope that you will feel inspired to make your own pie tomorrow, or really anytime this week, because pie makes people happy. Make a pie and share it with those you love!

Mini Chocolate Meringue Pies (2013)

Individual sized chocolate pies with meringues. The meringues turned out perfectly, and win/lose we weren't stuck with 3/4 a pie to eat all by ourselves... :) 

Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie {2012}

 This recipe also made my top 12 of 2012 recipes! So it is very good in my opinion! :) Kyle had never had a cream pie before, but he loved it! This recipe really wasn't too hard but was definitely worth any and all effort put into it! Crust recipe and directions also included in the post!

Heart's Desire Cherry Pie {2011}

A nice cherry pie. It uses both frozen and dried cherries so it has a mix of sweet and tart, which is nice for those of us who aren't always the biggest fan of tartness. This is Kyle's favorite. Crust recipe and directions also included in the post!

Apple Cranberry Pie

This pie is so delicious. I always make it for either Thanksgiving or Christmas, but it doesn't have to be seasonal. It uses dried cranberries so it can really be made whenever you want it! Because the cranberries are dried they are much sweeter than fresh ones. So if made with mild or sweet apples it is actually quite sweet! If you like tart go for a green apple, like Granny Smith and you will have a sweet/tart combo! It is also great with a crumble crust, recipe also at the above link. Crust recipe and directions also included in the post!

Blueberry Peach Pie

This pie was not my favorite, but Kyle and his parents loved it! If you like blueberry pie, you will probably like this pie. It was very easy! What I love most about it are the colors! :)

Pumpkin Pie

While for some this pie is seasonal, there really isn't any reason it needs to be. It is yummy all year round. I just used the recipe on the can of pumpkin. 

Need a basic crust recipe? This one never fails me and can be cut in half for single-crust pies! :) Double Crust Pie Pastry

Whatever your plans for the 23rd, the rest of the week or the weekend; i hope you are able to fit in a nice homemade pie and time with your loved ones! :) 

What are you planning to bake?

What is your favorite type of pie?

Thank You for Reading!

Alexandra 

National Pie Day 2012 Pie/Recipe #8

January 23rd was National Pie Day.

This year I wanted to try something brand new. {I love my Heart's Desire Cherry Pie and Cranberry Apple Pies but I wanted to add another favorite to our recipe box!}

I was having trouble deciding what kind of pie to make though. I finally asked Kyle "Do you like banana cream pie?" He said "I've never had it." To which I exclaimed, "Really?!? I have to make it then!" 

I am SO glad I did. 

For one, it was my first cream pie. 

and two, Kyle LOVED it. :) We had a piece each and then split one the first night. Then every night after that we each had one until there was only one left and Kyle finished it for breakfast the next morning! :)

So, here is the recipe!

Old Fashioned Banana Cream Pie

{Borrowed and Enjoyed from: Easy as Pie by: Benjamin Darling, A really cute book!!}

Ingredients:

1/2 recipe pie crust {baked blind, I will explain!}

OR

1 crumb crust

1/2 cup sugar

5 T flour

1/4 tsp. salt

2 cups milk

2 egg yolks {slightly beaten}

1 T butter 

3 ripe bananas

Blind Baking:

1) Make 1/2 my double crust pastry or all and freeze half for another pie later!

2)Roll out dough and press into 9-inch pie pan.

3) Dock {prick a few holes} in the crust. OR fill with pie weights {but who really has pie weights?}

4) Bake at 425 F for 15-18 minutes.

Filling:

1) Combine dry ingredients in a double boiler. {or if you don't have one, like us... put a glass/ceramic mixing bowl on top of a boiling pot of water}. Add milk slowly, mixing well. 

2) Cook over rapidly boiling water until well thickened {a while, be patient} stirring constantly.

3) Cook 10 minutes longer after thickening, occasionally stirring.

4) Stir a little bit of the mixture in the double boiler into the lightly beaten eggs. Then put egg mixture into double boiler mixture. BEAT VIGOROUSLY! :) 

5) Cook for 1 more minute.

6) Remove from heat and mix in butter and vanilla.

7) Let cool! {on the counter, then once the bowl is less hot put it in the fridge to chill}

8) Peel and slice the bananas into the bottom of the pie shell {or 1/2 in the bottom and layer with filling}. Cover immediately with cooled filling. Layer {if you chose to} and/or top with whipped cream/coolwhip. 

Enjoy! :)

Note: I would let it all chill in the fridge again for a little while to let it become a little more cohesive. You can also top with fruit or banana slices, which I tried to do... haha but ran out of banana :) :)

What is your favorite pie recipe?

All for now,

Alexandra