{ABC's of Pie}

Today (January 23rd) is National Pie Day!

(Mmm!...Pie)

What's a girl to do.  How do I choose?
There's so many to select, so here's what I'll do...

A is for Apple
B is for Banana
and C is for Chocolate!

(Mmm!...Chocolate!)

♥  ♥  ♥

Apple Crumble Pie

* 1 Basic 9" Pie Crust (unbaked)
* 5 cups apples (peeled, cored, and thinly sliced)
* 1/2 cup white sugar

For the topping:

* 3/4 tsp cinnamon
* 1/3 cup white sugar
* 3/4 cup flour
* 1/4 cup + 2 tbsp butter

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Arrange apples in unbaked crust
3. Mix 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle over apples.
4. Mix 1/3 cup sugar with flour and cut in butter until crumbly. Spoon mixture over apples.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until apples are soft and top is lightly browned.

♥  ♥  ♥



Banana Cream Pie

* 1 graham cracker crust
* large box instant banana pudding (for a fuller pie, use 2)
* 2 1/2 cups milk
* whipped cream
* 1 or 2 ripe bananas

1. Mix pudding and milk. Slice banana(s) into 1/4" slices.
2. Line bottom of pie crust with banana slices.
3. Pour pudding into pie crust.
4. Top with whipped cream.
5. Gently lay banana slices on top in an appetizing pattern.

♥  ♥  ♥



Chocolate Cream Pie

* 1 large box instant chocolate pudding
* 2 1/2 cups milk
* 1 chocolate or graham cracker crust
* whipped cream
* chocolate chips or shavings (optional, but suggested)

1. Mix pudding and milk. Stir in chocolate chips.
2. Pour into pie crust.
3. Top with whipped cream.
4. Sprinkle with chocolate chips/shavings, or any other garnish you prefer.

(source: http://www.piemaven.com/)

{On The 8th Day Of Christmas...}

Milk Tart

Prep Time: 30 Minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes

(Servings: 16)

The sugary crust dough is pressed into the pie tin and baked. The sweet, milky thick custard filling is then poured into the baked shell, sprinkled with cinnamon and chilled. Makes two lovely pies.

Ingredients:

* 1/2 cup butter, softened
* 1 cup white sugar
* 1 egg
* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 2 teaspoons baking powder
* 1 pinch salt
* 4 cups milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 tablespoon butter
* 2 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
* 1/2 cup white sugar
* 2 eggs, beaten
* 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

2. In a medium mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter or margarine and 1 cup sugar. Add 1 egg and beat until mixture is smooth. In a separate bowl, mix together 2 cups flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir flour mixture into sugar mixture just until ingredients are thoroughly combined. Press mixture into bottom and sides of two 9-inch pie pans.

3. Bake in preheated oven for 10 to 15 minutes, until golden brown.

4. In a large saucepan, combine milk, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon butter or margarine. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then remove from burner.

5. In a separate bowl, mix together 2 1/2 tablespoons flour, cornstarch, and 1/2 cup sugar. Add beaten eggs to sugar mixture and whisk until smooth. Slowly whisk mixture into milk. Return pan to heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 5 minutes. Pour half of mixture into each pastry shell. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Chill before serving

(Source: allrecipes.com)

{On The 1st Day Of Christmas...}

Partridge in a Pear Tree Pie

Delight guests and have a partridge in a pear tree make an appearance on your holiday table! The crimson cranberry filling makes this a fitting Christmas pie.

6-8 Servings

Prep: 30 min. + cooling
Bake: 40 min.

Ingredients

* 1 can (15 ounces) pear halves, drained
* 1 package (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries
* 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple
* 1-1/2 cups sugar
* 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
* 1/4 teaspoon salt
* 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* Pastry of double-crust pie (9 inches)
* Additional sugar, optional

Directions

•Set aside five pear halves; chop any remaining pears. In a large saucepan, combine the chopped pears, cranberries, pineapple and sugar. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 4-5 minutes or until some cranberries have popped. Cool for 30 minutes, stirring several times. In a bowl, combine the flour, salt and cinnamon. Stir in
cooled cranberry mixture.

•Line a 9-in. pie plate with bottom pastry; trim and flute edges. Spoon cranberry mixture into pastry shell; arrange pear halves on top. Bake at 400° for 35-40 minutes or until bubbly and crust is golden brown (cover edges with foil for last 15 minutes of baking if necessary). Cool on wire rack.

•Roll remaining pastry. Using cookie cutters, cut out small leaves, small pears and a partridge. Place on an ungreased baking sheet; sprinkle with sugar if desired. Bake at 400° for 6-8 minutes or
until golden brown. Place partridge in center of pie with leaves and pears around it.

Yield: 6-8 servings.

(Source: Taste Of Home)