Crazy Crust Cherry Pie - Week 27

 Easy as Pie recipe that everyone will enjoy!

Urban Legend claims that it is illegal to buy cherry pie with ice cream in Kansas on a Sunday. That law has been perpetuated by internet sites, and even the Mattel game "Balderdash". However, Anali gets it straightened out on her blog by doing the research.
Pie a la mode is such a treat; it would be hard to imagine that it could be illegal in Kansas. I am a stickler for not perpetuating false claims that I am always checking out websites such as snopes.com or urbanlegends.com when I see a crazy claim, I try to check it out before I pass on the information. So I'm happy to announce that Kansas can eat cherry pie a la mode on Sundays!

I enjoyed the simplicity of this pie. I think it has several possibilities: Apple, Blueberry, Peach, and more. The a la mode is just the best way to top it off!



Ingredients:
1 c. flour
2 T. sugar
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
3/4 c. water
1/2 c. butter, melted
1 egg
16 oz. pkg frozen cherries
1 c. sugar
2 T. cornstarch

Directions:
In small bowl, combine flour, 2 T. sugar, baking powder, salt, water, butter, and egg. Mix well.
Spread batter into a greased deep dish pie pan.
Mix cherries, sugar, and cornstarch together, and carefully spoon over batter, don't stir.
Bake at 425 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until is golden brown.
(Note: You can use your favorite canned pie filling instead of the frozen cherry mix to make it easier.  I used dark sweet cherries, and I would recommend using a red tart cherry instead.)

I made this pie for my birthday, and birthday gift this year was homemade ice cream from my sweet hubby.

Every birthday I had as a child, my family had the neighbors over for homemade ice cream and cake. There was always two kinds, so it was a treat to indulge!

What is one of your favorite birthday treats?

All-American Pie - Week 25

Celebrating Freedom!

I cannot adequately express how I feel about the privileges that I have received from being an American. Every summer, our country celebrates our independence by setting aside a day during the summer where we gather with friends and family and have some fun. Picnic favorites are generally the menu of choice where we are spending the day outside with plenty of noise from laughter, and the pops & booms of fireworks. 

I took this picture of these girls releasing their toads for the race. I can only imagine these little guys relief when they were finally released from the clutches of the girls gloved hands. Every morning we wake up in America, we experience the same relief of freedom. Yes, we may bear burdens, but we are blessed to have a great nation.

Pinterest Inspiration...not mine.

This pie first called out to me on Pinterest before I had decided to challenge myself by making pie this year. When the time came to find the recipe, I clicked on the pin, and it took me to an old link with no pie. Thankfully, it appears to be simply cherries and blueberries; so I could improvise. And, like many over the top pins, my attempt fell a little short. It could be the fact that my sweet cherries were not bright red like the ones in the picture...or the fact that I had to transform my stars from the "Star of David" Christmas cookie cutter into the 5 point star. It was fun, and I think your attempt may be more successful. I recommend finding tart cherries to make your fresh pie, and possibly keeping the tin foil divider between the blueberries, and strawberries/cherries. 

Also, plan on a few extra minutes if you need to pit your cherries; it can be a little consuming for your patience and timewise.

Ingredients:

1 Double-Crust Pastry

4 cups fresh, rinsed and pitted cherries

3/4 cups sliced fresh strawberries

2 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed

3/4 + 1/2 cups sugar

3 T .+ 2 T. flour

2 T. + 1 T. lemon juice

1/2 t. + 1/2 t. salt

Directions:

In large mixing bowl,mix cherries, strawberries, ¾ cup sugar, 3 T. flour, 2 T. lemon juice, and ½ t. salt.

In medium mixing bowl, mix blueberries, ½ cup sugar, 2 T. flour, 1 T. lemon juice and ½ t. salt.

Spoon cherries in ¾ of the pie leaving one quadrant open, use tin foil barrier as needed. Spoon blueberries in remaining quadrant of the pie.

For top crust, cut small stars and stripes out of crust. Place stars over blueberries and stripes over cherries to resemble the flag of the United States of America.

Place pie shields around crust to prevent burning.

Bake on bottom rack for 10 minutes at 400 degrees.

Reduce heat and move to middle rack and bake for additional 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

I am hoping that next Independence Day,

 I will find that some of my friends try this one out for themselves.

What is your favorite thing to do during Independence festivities? 

Millionaire Pie - Week 13

 This rich, creamy dessert stands up to its name.

I love food names that sensationalizes the food item. Some other things that came to mind: Neiman Marcus Dip, Ultimate Dessert, Best Ever Corn Casserole, or Angel Food Cake.  When I was first married, I tried a "Champion Casserole".  I must have misread something in the directions because there was nothing champion or winning about it. We had a good laugh when we were trying to eat it and I exclaimed that "I figured it had to be good, it is a CHAMPION casserole!"



This is another easy as pie recipe. It will take you minutes to get it in your freezer to have ready for your next meal.  The recipe calls for it to be chilled, but I placed mine in the freezer and then took it out 30 minutes before serving.

One of the treats that I discovered while I was shopping for ingredients is the large jar of maraschino cherries.  I am anxious to find more recipes to use my entire jar, maybe a pineapple upside-down cake.

The coconut is optional, however it adds the perfect texture for this pie; so I highly recommend it. Pecans are optional too; I did not use them, but I know you nut-lovers will want to add them to yours.









Ingredients:

2 graham cracker crusts
1 - 15 oz. can Mandarin Oranges, drained
1 - 20 oz. can Crushed Pineapple, drained
1/2 cup Maraschino Cherries, chopped
1 - 14 oz. can Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 - 8 oz. container whipped topping
1 cup coconut flakes, optional
1 cup chopped pecans, optional








Directions:
Mix all ingredients and pour into pie crusts. Chill for a couple of hours and serve.

This pie would be an enjoyable addition to Easter dinner.

I also think this pie recipe is another great candidate for substitutions. 

I would love to try it with peaches and pineapple. 

What do you think would taste splendid in your Millionaire Pie?