Rum Cream Pie - Week 24

Rich slices of Rum Cream Pie would be perfect for a tea party or any special occasion.

Innes Department Co. in the 30s.

I found this recipe alongside pictures of the Wichita, Kansas Innes Tea Room. This was one of their pies that they served in their top-floor establishment. Apparently this restaurant opened up in the 1920's on the 6th floor of the Innes department store in Wichita. It sounds like it was the perfect place to go with the ladies and be served during a busy day of shopping. It even had the luxury of air conditioning added in 1936. Unfortunately, the Tea Room closed sometime in the 70s and the department store closed in the 80s after it had operated as Macy's and Dillard's for years. Currently, the building is used for state offices.

I never had the opportunity to shop in the massive department store, but I'm guessing at one time it was quite the experience for Kansans. There are no department stores located in the Wichita downtown area now (other than Gander Mountain), but there remains entertainment, boutique shops, business offices, and dining establishments.

I had a few questions about the recipe. Like, what are toffee candies, and are they different than caramels or the hard candies? Or, do you really need all of that cream? I found this recipe here, and I've provided it pretty much as I found it. The next time, I will use caramels instead of the hard candies. And, there will be a next time because this was my favorite cream pie so far even though the rest of the family didn't like it as well.

Ingredients:

9" baked pastry shell

8-12 toffee candies

2 T. cream

1/2 t. rum flavoring

1-1/2 cups milk

1/2 cup cream

1/2 cup sugar

5 T. sifted flour

1/4 t. salt

2 eggs, well beaten

1 t. rum flavoring

1/2 cup whipping cream, whipped

Whipped cream and shaved chocolate for garnish (optional)

Directions:

In double boiler over hot water, melt toffee candies and 2 T. cream to thin to spreading consistency. Add rum flavoring. 

Spread candy mixture over bottom of baked pastry shell. 

In double boiler over hot water, heat milk and ½ c. cream. Mix together sugar, flour and salt and add to hot milk mixture in double boiler. Cook and stir until thickened, about 15 minutes. Add a little of the hot mixture to the beaten eggs, then stir egg mixture into double boiler mixture and cook 2 or 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Cool. Add rum flavoring and fold in whipped cream. Turn into pie shell. Garnish with whipped cream and shaved chocolate, covering entire surface if desired.

Tea parties are such a delight. Most young girls play tea party, and imagine themselves dressed up in hats and gloves with fancy teacups and tasty treats to eat. 

I attended a Garden Party this past spring, and my friends did a fabulous job...they served mini cucumber sandwiches, cupcakes, fruit salad, and lemon bars. 

The tasty refreshments at our Ladies Garden Party at church.

What are some of the refreshments you would serve at your tea party?