Welcome to Pieathalon 5! Yep, it has been five years since I began participating in this worldwide challenge – missing last year for the heart issues. But I am back and accepting the challenge from our great leader, Emily of Dinner is Served 1972. When I chose my pie recipe to contribute, I chuckled to myself because I remember that pie recipe from the back of a box of crackers my mom used to pick up at the grocery each week. I cannot wait to see who got that one and what they thought. **** I now know — Dr. Bobb made it and here’s a link of the video he did. It’s hilarious! Ritz Cracker Mock Apple Pie Check it out — you will love it!!
I was randomly given a pie recipe submitted by Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Camilla blog. The recipe itself is handwritten from a cookbook called Heart of the Home by Susan Branch. It is called a Chocolate Dream in a Chocolate Crust. It IS the best tasting chocolate mousse I have ever tasted and my grandson could NOT get enough. I am definitely making this mousse again just to put in dessert cups or even with lady fingers because it is reminiscent of tiramisu. It is a bit labor intensive but oh-so-worth-it! Also, some of the ingredients are dated – it’s from the 80’s – but I was able to make it work. For instance, chocolate wafer cookies are not to be found in Oklahoma during the summer but you can use chocolate graham crackers!
After you have read this recipe, please check out all the other pieathalon-ers and their creations at the bottom of the page.
Chocolate Mocha Dream Pie Crust
Pie Crust Ingredients:
1 ½ packages of chocolate wafer cookies (I used 1 ½ packages of chocolate graham crackers within the box I purchased)
1 Tablespoon instant coffee granules (I put in the Ninja and made it into a fine powder.)
6 Tablespoons Butter, Melted or more if needed to make crust stick together. (I used 8 TBSP and it still didn’t stick together well).
Directions for Pie Crust:
Combine all ingredients then reserve 2 TBSP for garnish and press the rest into a 9-inch pie plate. Use extra butter if you need to.
Chocolate Mocha Dream Pie
Mousse Ingredients:
1 Tablespoon of unflavored gelatin
1/3 Cup Rum (can use water if you do not want to use alcohol)
½ Cup Sugar
5 eggs, separated – yolks from whites with the whites waiting in fridge until whipped to stiff.
¾ Cup Crème de Cacao (you can use Bailey’s Cream or just plain whipping cream if not using alcohol)
8 oz. Semi-Sweet Chocolate
1 Tablespoon Instant Coffee (I pulverized in the Ninja for a smoother texture)
¼ Cup butter, cut into pats
2 Cups heavy cream, whipped
1 Cup heavy Cream, Whipped – in addition to the cream above. This is for garnish.
Directions:
Combine gelatin and rum together whisking well and set aside.
Combine sugar and egg yolks in top of a double boiler and beat until light and frothy – about 5 minutes.
Stir in Crème’ de Cacao or substitute and place on top of bottom boiler of simmering water.
Beat constantly until mixture is hot and frothy.
Remove from heat, add gelatin mixture and beat for 5-6 minutes until mixture is cool.
Melt chocolate very slowly in heavy saucepan over low heat.
Take off burner and beat in butter one pat at a time.
Very slowly mix chocolate mixture into the egg mixture and then beat mixture until room temperature.
Beat reserved egg whites until stiff.
Whip the 2 cups of cream until stiff peaks form.
Gently fold egg whites into whipped cream.
Fold into the chocolate mixture.
Pour into pie crust (it will pile very high) and set in fridge for at least 2 hours – I recommend 4 hours.
When ready to serve, whip final cup of cream to top a slice with and then sprinkle crust mixture on top.
It’s not an easy cut and as you can see if it a bit messy but tastes outstanding.
The pie I made without any alcohol in it came out just as perfect and was delicious – my grandson licked the beaters, bowl, pot and the dish I served his in.
A great pie to serve over Labor Day weekend or anytime during the summer.
Now check out everyone else’s pies!
- Aloha Meringue Pie by Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook
- Apricot Meringue Pie by Eliot’s Eats
- Chocolate Mousse Pie by Kelli’s Kitchen
- Cool Mint Cookie Pie by The Book of Cookrye
- Dutch Peaches and Cream Pie by Vintage Recipe Cards
- French Raspberry Pie by Tortillas and Honey
- Frosty Vanilla Pie by Battenberg Belle
- Kate’s Pie by Dinner is Served 1972
- Lemon Beer Sponge Pie by Homicidal Homemaker
- Marguerite Patten’s Cheese Pie by Velveteen Lounge Kitsch-en
- Mock Pecan Pie by MyCustardPie.com
- Olde English Eggnog Pie by HeritageRecipeBox.com
- Peaches and Cream Tart by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Puddin n’ Pie by The Sound of Vincent Price & Vincent Price Legacy UK
- Ritz Cracker Mock Apple Pie by Dr. Bobb’s Kitschen
- Seafoam Cantaloupe Pie by Recipes4Rebels
- Strawberry Ginger Pie by Granny Pantries
- Sweet Onion Pie by Silver Screen Suppers – The Wonderful World of Film Star Eating and Drinking
- Tansey by The Nostalgic Cook
- The Millionaire by Once Upon a Salad
- Tyler Pie by A Day in the Life on the Farm
- Vincent Price Pineapple Meringue by Retro Food for Modern Times
- Weight Watchers “Almost a Pie” by BookClub CookBook
- Yul Brenner’s Walnut Pie by Vintage Cookbookery
Greg
The most beautiful and delicious looking pie I’ve come across so far in the Pieathalon! Picture perfect! I’m psyched to try it WITH the rum and crème de cacao! I enjoyed your posting!
Kelli
It was delicious both ways but the adults obviously loved it with all the liquor in it! Thanks for dropping by!
mae
Finally! A successful pie recipe. Congratulations!
I think I’ve read 5 pie flops this morning on the list of the Pieathelon. Also some of the links failed. And now — TAH DAH — YOUR best chocolate mousse. I think I’ll stop reading through the pie reports, though. I’m nevertheless left with the following question if the ratio of bad to good is something like 5:1 — I wonder if it would be better to choose more mainstream cookbook recipes that are certain to have been tested in a real test kitchen, and leave the nostalgia cookbooks to just satisfy our curiosity.
best… mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Kelli
Gosh — I’ve been participating for 4 of the 5 years and I’ve never had a failure before. I wonder what the problem was? Timing?
Wendy Klik
How lucky that you got assigned Cam’s recipe. It looks amazing.
Kelli
Thank you and it was delicious!!
Poppy
That does look pretty great! You must have been lucky to get recipes from people who submitted something that sounded like it would be good (unlike me).
Glad you were able to rejoin us!
Kari
Oh my! That looks absolutely sinfully delicious and I want it Right. Now. I like your idea of just serving it in dessert cups and maybe sprinkling a little of the cookie crumbs on top. Or just enjoying the silky texture all by itself.
Camilla Mann
Kelli! I’m SO glad it was a hit. I was fretting about stressing you out with my complicated recipe. And I’m happy to have found this event this year. Can’t wait to join in again next year. Now I want Chocolate Mousse Pie. Can you send some over?! LOL.
Kelli
My grandson would NEVER let me send any to you — he loves it too much! I think it’s the coffee.
Taryn
Your pie looks divine! I can’t wait to try it myself! xx
Debra Eliotseats
This does sound delicious! Isn’t it funny how certain ingredients that might have been prevalent back in the day are note to be found? I so remember my grandmother (on a lark) making that ritz cracker concoction. Going to check it out next! (Thanks for the links, too!)
Renee (Tortillas and Honey)
Oh, this recipe is right up my alley! I can totally see why you think this is the best recipe; it sounds so rich and divine. I need to make this soon!
S S
As soon as I saw the picture I was like “Oooooo, she got a good one!” I’m so going to make this! Though just watch, like the butterscotch pie I will keep meaning to get around to it for multiple years before it actually happens. XD
See you next year!
Clara
Yum! Sounds over-the-top rich and perfect to share with an appreciative grandson. Good idea to substitute the chocolate Graham crackers for wafers. I might have to make this one for a dinner party.
Sheryl
mmm. . . the pie looks delightful. You definitely got a good recipe.
Karen (Back Road Journal)
This sounds like a great pie to serve friends…I’ve pinned the recipe.