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The American Pie Council is a professional organization dedicated solely to “preserving America’s Pie heritage and promoting America’s love affair with pies.” Anyone who loves pie can be a member. As a lifetime member you gain access to recipes, marketing and research. The APC also hosts the national pie championship in which amateur, professional and commercial bakers compete for the best pies in the country. While I have never entered their annual championship, I am a member of the organization. I once won a Blue Ribbon for an apple pie in a local county fair so I often dream about competing again.
A few weeks ago I received an email from The American Pie Council reminding me that National Pie Day is coming up on January 23, 2014. They “encouraged members and pie lovers everywhere to teach someone to make a pie in honor of this special day. Passing on the tradition of pie making in an important part of our culture and a mission of The American Pie Council.”
Inspired by the American Pie Council’s great suggestion, I talked my daughter Allie into letting me teach her to make a pie. To be honest she is not a big pie lover but will eat chocolate pecan once a year. I’ve always loved to bake pies, as I guess you know, so it meant a lot to me that she said yes!
Have you ever read the book, or seen the movie, The Help? Allie and I loved the movie and I devoured the book too. The ending hinges on a secret involving a maid named Minny and her famous chocolate pie. I won’t ruin the plot so if you haven’t seen it or read the book, you really should! It’s a lovely story. During the filming in Greenwood, Mississippi a local newspaper columnist, Lee Ann Flemming, baked 53 chocolate pies that were used in the movie. This is Ms. Flemming’s recipe as published in Food & Wine.
Allie made her first pie crust! Getting used to a rolling pin does take a little practice – but she nailed it!
Once rolled and trimmed, you can fold the dough in half and then in half again. This is an easy way to get the dough into the pie plate without tearing or stretching the dough.
Once in the pie plate, unfold the dough …
… and unfold again until it is hanging over on all sides. Ease the dough into the bottom and sides of the pie plate taking care not to pull and stretch the dough.
Next trim the excess dough using kitchen shears.
Fold the dough under around the rim of the pie plate. Press gently.
Create a decorative edge by pinching the dough between your fingers or use fork tines to create a flat edge.
This is a pre-baked pie crust or blind baked (baked before filling) so Allie used a fork to prick the crust. Making small holes in the crust keeps it from bubbling up.
Perfect!
Line the pastry with foil or parchment paper and fill with pie weights or dried beans. Bake for 15 minutes or until set. Remove the beans or weights and bake another 5 minutes or until the crust is dry but not brown.
While the crust is baking Allie mixed up the filling. This is a great first pie using normal pantry ingredients all in one bowl. (Did I also mention it’s delicious?)
Whisk together the sugar, cocoa, butter, eggs, evaporated milk, vanilla and salt.
Look at that whisk action!
Pour the filling into the pre-baked crust and bake 45 minutes. Cover the edges of the crust with foil to prevent over-browning.
With my daughter over for a nice long visit (pie extravaganza) that also means I get to spend a few wonderful hours with my grandson Isaac. He kept reaching for the fruit bowl so I put it on the floor for him.
Isaac’s just starting to talk and learned to say “apple.” He is so proud to be holding an apple and telling us what it is. It sounds more like APP-PA instead of apple but he’ll get it. And he loves to eat apples – that’s the best part!
App-pa, app-pa, app-pa. I almost forgot what a miracle it is to watch them learn and grow right before your eyes. So special!
Congratulations Allie on your first pie! It’s lovely and you did it all by yourself 🙂
This fudgy pie was a big hit, just like in the movie. Everybody loved the flaky crust and creamy sweet middle. I can tell this will be a family favorite for years to come.
Served with a little sweetened cream and chocolate curls, this classic chocolate pie won’t last long in her house. I know her husband won’t mind if she makes it again.
And I feel pretty happy that I was able to share my pie-ability with my favorite daughter. Thanks for baking with me Allie – I love you lots!
Thanks for PINNING!
Minny's Chocolate Pie
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
Yield: 8 slices
Course: Dessert, Pie
"That" famous chocolate pie from the movie "The Help"
Ingredients
- 1 recipe for Perfect Pie Crust (see notes for link)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 3/4 cup evaporated milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Whipped cream for serving
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the prepared pie dough on a lightly floured work surface. Roll out to fit your pie pan. Crimp the edges and prick the dough with a fork. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Line the pie crust with foil or parchment paper. Add dried beans or pie weights to the pie and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and beans and bake for 5 minutes longer, until the crust is dry but not browned.
- While the crust is baking, prepare the filling. In a large mixing bowl whisk together the sugar, cocoa powder, butter, eggs, evaporated milk, vanilla and salt until smooth.
- Pour the filling into the pre-baked pie shell and bake for 45 minutes, or until the filling is set around the edges but a little jiggly in the center. Cover the crust with strips of foil halfway through baking to prevent over-browning. Cool the pie on a rack before cutting. Serve with whipped cream.
- Refrigerate leftovers.
Recipe Notes
Click HERE to get the recipe for our Perfect Pie Crust in 3 easy steps (with VIDEO)
(Recipe adapted from Food & Wine by Lee Ann Flemming)
What’s your favorite pie? Sweet or savory? I don’t know if I could pick one favorite but anything with fruit would have to be at the top of my list. Chocolate pies in any form are wonderful too and Lemon pies are pretty phenomenal. So many pies, so many recipes! Have a wonderful week and thanks so much for stopping by!
Tricia
Ugo Colombo CMC Group says
Nice post. It's easy, simple and most importantly it is chocolate. Thanks for the post.
michaelswoodcraft says
I am drooling over here, your pie looks so delicious! You pie crust looks perfect! :-)<br /><br />check out my recent post, Cheesecake with strawberry topping. I am not the best at making pie crust but I am going to have to try your recipe<br /><br />Michael :-)<br />http://michaelswoodcraft.wordpress.com/2014/02/09/strawberry-topped-cheesecake/
Tricia Buice says
You will need some kind of sweetener. You may try honey but I'm not sure the filling will be firm. Are you trying to avoid sugar all together?
KgReciPes says
Hello, Can I use any other ingredients without sugar.
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
How nice to spend the time teaching your daughter how to bake a pie…it looks delicious.
SavoringTime in the Kitchen says
If I weren't trying to watch calories, I'd whip one of this up this afternoon! It looks delicious and just the kind of dessert I love – chocolate 🙂
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I did see the help and I hope this isn't Minny's pie! 🙂 I LOVE pie. I would have pie every single day if it wouldn't make me the size of a barn and kill me. LOL <br /><br />Allie and Isaac are very cute!
Tanna at The Brick Street Bungalow says
Sending you a big hug and a wish for a wonderful weekend after a hard work week!! xoxo ~ t.
scrambledhenfruit says
Beautiful pie! My middle son is my pie maker- he's better at making them than I am- I have crust issues. 🙂 I'm wishing for a slice of that chocolate right now!
Sue/the view from great island says
I love this post, Tricia! It's so nice that you passed on your pie-making knowledge to your daughter, even though she (thinks!) she doesn't love pie, she will be thankful for the skills you've taught her. The pie looks amazing.
Monica says
Your daughter did an awesome job!! I think I will always think of you when I think pie…and given my love of chocolate, I'm thinking I need a chocolate pie in my life really soon. I did read the book so the title had me very curious. When I make this, I'll actually have to try not to think of Minny too much. ; )
Daniela Grimburg says
A countries kitchen is definitely part of the cultural heritage and identity , so it's a great idea that you teach your daughter to preserve tipical American desserts like pie.<br />And boy, does this chocolate pie look tempting!<br />Your grandson is so cute, love his happy smile.<br />
KgReciPes says
what is the meaning of evaporated milk. I know what is milk but evaporated milk means? and here is cow milk can I use it?
Tricia Buice says
Hope this helps!<br /><br />"Not to be confused with condensed milk or powdered milk.<br /><br />Evaporated milk, also known as dehydrated milk, is a shelf-stable canned milk product with about 60% of the water removed from fresh milk. It differs from sweetened condensed milk, which contains added sugar. Sweetened condensed milk requires less processing since the added sugar inhibits[1]
KgReciPes says
Thanks for your kind information Tricia Buice. 🙂
Kitchen Belleicious says
my mom makes something similar and it is a family favorite.Your pie looks divine! So rich and creamy with chocolate
Joyti says
It sounds delicious. And thank you for the crust tips – I struggle to get the crust thin and flaky – and yours looks just about perfect. Yum!
Tanna at The Brick Street Bungalow says
Oh, my goodness! I know Isaac is the APP-PA of your eye, Tricia! Wow! is he ever growing! So precious. Allie's pie looks delicious (thankfully missing one of the ingredients of Minnie's last pie!). hee hee. I prefer pies over any other dessert, though truthfully, I love them all. blessings ~ tanna
Angie Schneider says
The first pie? Really? I meant this looks PERFECT!
Wendy says
Like Allie, I have never been much of a pie fan. I love the fillings but don't like crust.So I haven't tackled pie making. Crust, of course is the tricky part of baking a pie. The desired flaky texture can be elusive. Allie is lucky to have you, Tricia, to guide her in the art! I learned a bunch just looking at the photos. 🙂 Thanks!<br /> (Please tell Allie I am quite awed at her fluted
Mel says
I just had to comment about this pie. The Help is an awesome book and the movie is almost just as good. I cannot wait to make this pie! And every time I make it, I know I will think of Minny and her secret.
Anonymous says
Oh I can not wait to make you chocolate pie. I made you apple pie this last weekend and it was out of this world. Thanks for delicious recipes and a beautiful blog.
Chris Scheuer says
A lovely post Tricia, you not only taught Allie to make pie you've now taught beaucoup people via this post! You are definitely be a National Pie Day STAR! Allie's pie looks like it came from a fine little pastry shop and that baby, well let's just say he steals the show. What a darling little face, I know you have so much fun with that little guy!
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
I wish you could teach me, at least the crust part. I posted a fudge pie as one of my very first blog posts. My MIL used to make it all the time for my husband. There are a zillion recipes out there for it, but there is one word to describe them all. Good! Love fudge pie! and Isaac is getting so big!
Anna and Liz Recipes says
What a great post Tricia! Love the pie recipe, and the short tutorial about the APC. But best of all, I love seeing Isaac's photos, grandchildren are so much joy! I am going up to NY in two weeks again for my grandson's 3rd Birthday, and can't wait!! <br />xxoo Anna