Monday, March 4, 2013

Peer Pressure

Looking for a showstopper? Check out Crack Pie, the cult classic dessert crafted by James Beard-rising star chef David Chang from his famous bakery Momofuku Milk Bar in NYC. (Wow, that was a mouthful).

Now, obviously you should steer clear of anything called crack, but I swear this is actually the good kind. It's the sort of pie that makes you hate yourself for realizing how little self control you have when it comes to something so dangerously addictive.  Try it, everyone's doing it. I mean I have been for the past four nights and I'm fine. (Leftovers are killer).

I think it's my favorite pie of all time. 


Recipe after the Jump
Crack Pie
LA Times Note: Adapted from Momofuku. This pie calls for 2 (10-inch) pie tins. You can substitute 9-inch pie tins, but note that the pies will require additional baking time, about 5 minutes, due to the increased thickness of the filling. Also, for those of you who don't know, 'scant' means a little less than called for.  

Cookie for crust 
2/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon (3 ounces) flour 
Scant 1/8 teaspoon baking powder 
Scant 1/8 teaspoon baking soda 
1/4 teaspoon salt 
1/2 cup (1 stick) softened butter 
1/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces) light brown sugar 
3 tablespoons (1 1/4 ounces) sugar 
1 egg 
Scant 1 cup (3 1/2 ounces) rolled oats

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. 
2. In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. 
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the butter, brown sugar and sugar until light and fluffy. 
4. Whisk the egg into the butter mixture until fully incorporated. 
5. With the mixer running, beat in the flour mixture, a little at a time, until fully combined. Stir in the oats until incorporated. 
6. Spread the mixture onto a 9-inch-by-13-inch baking sheet and bake until golden brown and set, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool to the touch on a rack. Crumble the cooled cookie to use in the crust.

Crust 
Crumbled cookie for crust 
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter 
1 1/2 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) brown sugar 
1/8 teaspoon salt

Combine the crumbled cookie, butter, brown sugar and salt in a food processor and pulse until evenly combined and blended (a little of the mixture clumped between your fingers should hold together). Divide the crust between 2 (10-inch) pie tins. Press the crust into each shell to form a thin, even layer along the bottom and sides of the tins. Set the prepared crusts aside while you prepare the filling.

Filling 
1 1/2 cups (10 1/2 ounces) sugar 
3/4 cup plus a scant 3 tablespoons (7 ounces) light brown sugar 
1/4 teaspoon salt 
1/3 cup plus 1 teaspoon (3/4 ounce) milk powder 
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, melted 
3/4 cup plus a scant 2 tablespoons heavy cream 
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
8 egg yolks (yes, you read that right)
2 prepared crusts 
Powdered sugar, garnish

1. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. 
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar, brown sugar, salt and milk powder. Whisk in the melted butter, then whisk in the heavy cream and vanilla. 
3. Gently whisk in the egg yolks, being careful not to add too much air. 
4. Divide the filling evenly between the 2 prepared pie shells. 5. Bake the pies, one at a time, for 15 minutes, then reduce the heat to 325 degrees and bake until the filling is slightly jiggly and golden brown (similar to a pecan pie), 20-25 minutes. Remove the pies and cool on a rack. 
6. Refrigerate the cooled pies until well chilled. The pies are meant to be served cold, and the filling will be gooey. Dust with powdered sugar before serving.


PC: Bon Appetit, Recipe: LA Times









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