I have a few Thanksgivingish posts up my sleeve. I hope you don’t mind. It’s just that this past week I’ve been a Thanksgiving making fool and it’s all I’ll be able to do in a few days to strap myself into a crowded airplane seat and travel home to eat some more.
My mom just announced she is making cornish hens with cherry sauce for Thanksgiving dinner! She’s a rebel. I can’t wait to pad around my parent’s house in my pajamas all day and lick cherry sauce off the spoon.
This pie is another one of Great Grandma’s recipes. I truly hope you guys are enjoying reading about these amazingly retro recipes as I am making them!
When I had originally decided to take on this project about a month ago, I sat down in a patch of sunlight on my bedroom floor with a cup of tea in my hand and dumped the entire box of cards out in front of me. I immediately stashed some cards to the side in a pile marked “MAKE ASAP” and this pie, my friends, was one of those recipes.
With a crisp pecan meringue shell covered with a rich blanket of chocolate creme, this pie is one of a kind. Let’s just say if making pie dough ain’t your thang, this is the pie for you. But professional pie dough makers, take heart! I’m serving up another more “traditional” pie next week and you can mix all the pie dough you can handle then.
But this pie….I just love it. And so did all of my friends. After a bite or two, a few of them looked up at me with question in their eyes and asked, “what IS that? it’s amazing!”. They couldn’t believe it when I told them there were only six ingredients involved and how easy it was to prepare.
Egg whites, sugar, chocolate…cream. Lots of cream. And because I’m a girlie girl and like to look at pretty things, I drizzled more chocolate all over the pie prior to serving. That was my idea, not great grandma’s. Although, from what I know so far, I think she’d be down with it.
Chocolate Nut Angel Pie
makes one 9 inch pie
Ingredients:
2 egg whites
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 tsp cream of tartar (just a pinch!)
1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
1 pint cream
3/4 cup semisweet chocolate chips
Directions:
Preheat oven to 275. Whisk together the sugar and the cream of tartar in a small bowl.
Whip the egg whites until just frothy then gradually add the sugar while the mixer is going. Continue to beat the egg whites until they hold stiff, glossy peaks. Fold in chopped toasted pecans into meringue.
Smooth meringue into a greased nine inch pie dish and bake for one hour, until golden. Remove and let cool completely before filling.
To make the filling, melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler or microwave (stirring every 30 seconds until melted). Heat one tablespoon of the cream and stir it into the melted chocolate. Then, whip the remaining cream on high until soft peaks form and fold the chocolate into the whipped cream, reserving about a tablespoon of the melted chocolate in the bowl.
Smooth filling into pie shell and drizzle remaining chocolate on top. Refrigerate for two hours before serving.
Time:
3.5 hours
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga
November 18, 2011 at 3:31 amThis looks perfect! And only 6 ingredients….that seems too good to be true!
And yes, this would have been on my Make Asap pile too, big time.
The meringue texture with the texture of the dense chocolate, I bet the contrast in texture and flavors…is just crazy good!
Sally
November 18, 2011 at 4:28 amThe filling looks great and super easy but pairing it with the meringue crust? I think THAT is where it is at. It looks so crispy sweet and gooey!
Heather Michelle @ A Sweet Simple Life
November 18, 2011 at 4:47 amThis looks incredible… Can’t wait to try it. Your grandma was really something. Please tell me that your next book is about this project, because it would be brilliant.
Becky
November 18, 2011 at 4:48 amHoly cow I am in chocoate heaven just looking at this pie! I am in love with this GG recipe project!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat
November 18, 2011 at 4:54 amAs someone who usually only eats the meringue in a lemon meringue pie, this crust sounds perfect!!! Your great grandmother was a genius!
Debbi
November 18, 2011 at 4:55 amI am loving reading your grandma’s recipes and even trying a couple (so far). Don’t stop … it’s quite a legacy, and something to be treasured and shared.
Molly @ RDexposed
November 18, 2011 at 4:59 amI love simple crusts!
Khushboo
November 18, 2011 at 5:19 amThis is squashed all the times I associated pie with fruit- this must be what heaven tastes like!
Melomeals: Vegan for $3.33 a Day
November 18, 2011 at 5:20 amThat must be so rich…. my MIL has a recipe that is really similar and when I ate eggs, I had a piece .. it was insanely good.
Jennifer
November 18, 2011 at 5:25 amSuch a unique recipe ! I’ve been on the hunt for some new and original Thanksgiving recipes – this might just be it 🙂
Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy
November 18, 2011 at 5:28 amThis looks delicious, and so pretty! I am loving all these recipes!
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday
November 18, 2011 at 5:31 amInteresting. I’ve never seen meringue used as pie crust before.
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes
November 18, 2011 at 5:36 amI am in love! This looks fantastic! 😀
Heather (Heather's Dish)
November 18, 2011 at 5:37 amthis looks heavenly, and the meringue crust honestly is genius. I love making meringue…why not fill it with something like a delicious pie?
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat
November 18, 2011 at 5:38 amI LOVE these old fashioned recipes. Remind me of my grandmothers’ cooking!
kathleen @ the daily crumb
November 18, 2011 at 5:40 ami have been looking for this post ever since i saw the sneak peek on twitter yesterday… and it looks just as amazing as i had imagined!
Amanda
November 18, 2011 at 5:43 amWow, that pie looks good. I typically eat a vegan diet, but this would be hard to turn down. I love meringue and the texture looks amazing!
Really enjoying reading about your great grandmother’s recipes. I think it’s such an awesome way to honor her. 🙂
Katrina
November 18, 2011 at 5:56 amAngel pie is right! This sounds awesome.
Kristen @ Popcorn on the Stove
November 18, 2011 at 5:56 amThis looks awesome! Thanks so much for sharing your grandmother’s recipes… it’s been so fun seeing how different baking/cooking was back then.
Jessica @ the Learning Curve
November 18, 2011 at 5:58 amHow wonderfully simple, and amazingly delicious sounding! I am a sucker for chocolate of any kind… but light, airy chocolate, with nuts and more chocolate? I am SO there. 🙂
nelly
November 18, 2011 at 6:06 amoh. my. goodness. this is the perfect dessert, and i am going to make it for a family dinner sunday!!!
thank you great grandma and jenna!!!
Jen
November 18, 2011 at 6:24 amI think that with so many people hungry and homeless – particularly pronounced at this time of year – that being able to pad around in pyjamas is a blessed thing that should not be taken for granted.
Jen
November 18, 2011 at 11:08 amOh and on a brighter note, I too love this project – it gives more interest into your blog and why you choose certain recipes to feature.
I think you should re-name it the Grandma Project 🙂 GP for the win!
amy walters, aDESIGNdock
November 18, 2011 at 6:35 amOh my! I’ve been dreaming of this pie ever since yesterday’s Twitter sneak peak. This is pretty spectaculer…in fact, I could go for a slice for breakfast. ASAP. Please don’t judge 😉
Ariffa
November 18, 2011 at 6:56 amI want to eat that.
Thanks for sharing all these recipes, so much fun!
Katie
November 18, 2011 at 7:03 amMmm, creamy deliciousness. I’m loving this little project of yours!
Cait's Plate
November 18, 2011 at 7:04 amChocolates and nuts just go perfectly together. Combine those ingredients in pie form and you’ve got something pretty dang delicious. I’ve said it once, but I’ll happily say it again, Great Grandma knew her stuff 😉
Robyn {Planet Byn}
November 18, 2011 at 7:07 amperfect! and gluten-free! i’m adding this to my dessert line-up for thanksgiving!
Sarah @ See Sarah Eat
November 18, 2011 at 7:08 amThis looks amazing! And I love that you are making your great grandma’s recipes, I love recreating my great grandma’s cookies at Christmastime 🙂
Jessica @ Jess Go Bananas
November 18, 2011 at 7:13 amI love all of these retro recipes-especially this one!! You had me at 6 ingredients! 🙂
Laurie {Simply Scratch}
November 18, 2011 at 7:15 amThis recipe is why I love pie! <3
Casey @ Pocket Full of Sunshine
November 18, 2011 at 7:15 amLove the name of this. 🙂 What a perfect Thanksgiving dessert!
Erica @ In and Around Town
November 18, 2011 at 7:24 amI love all of these recipes! Having the cards written out by family is so amazing to me a true family heirloom 🙂
Tara @ Chip Chip Hooray
November 18, 2011 at 7:26 amThis is such a unique recipe! I love that you include the picture’s of your great-grandma’s handwritten recipe cards…they really make this whole project resonate so much!
Tammy @ Palm Trees and Manatees
November 18, 2011 at 7:26 amThis looks great, Jenna! Thanks for sharing your great grandma’s recipes with us. My mother- and father-in-law are visiting for Thanksgiving — my first time hosting! I’ve been trying to decide what kind of pie to make, and this sounds like a good one. I’m eager to read about the other pie, too. I’ve never made pie crust before, and I really want to, but I’m a little intimidated. 🙂
Juliann
November 18, 2011 at 7:35 amThis is looks fantastic! And since I can’t eat flour, I love the idea of a meringue pie crust.
Ellen
November 18, 2011 at 7:42 amI’m really enjoying seeing all your grandmother’s recipes! I think your idea is really neat! And that pie looks richly delicious! Happy early Thanksgiving! 🙂
Mary Beth
November 18, 2011 at 7:48 amSix ingredients? I’m sold! There is a good chance this will end up being the dessert I bring for Thanksgiving.
carly {carlyklock}
November 18, 2011 at 7:49 amAnything that’s made from instructions on an aged index card with Grandma’s cursive writing is bound to be amazing!
Sonia (the Mexigarian)
November 18, 2011 at 8:29 amMaking meringue kind of intimidates mes. I don’t know why. Maybe because it sounds so fancy and I have trouble spelling it. 😀 But. . . . this sounds like a pie that my grandmother in law would love. I will be making this for either T-Day or Christmas.
And I am loving the adventure into your abuelita’s recipes. I say, keep them coming! It’s a great way to keep her memory alive through your exploration of her cooking, discovering more of who she was and allowing us to see snippets of what your discover. Thank you for allowing us on this journey.
Liz @ Southern Charm
November 18, 2011 at 8:29 amI love your Great Grandmother’s recipes!! This is so fun!
This one looks SO GOOD too. I don’t know if one can ever go wrong with chocolate and nuts and pie!
Emmy (Wine and Butter)
November 18, 2011 at 8:34 amI just made some Pumpkin Creme Pots and have like a million eggs whites left over and looking for a home – this would be so perfect, especially as I love pecans AND chocolate (im so individual I know) AND im cr*p at making pie crust.
Your friends are so lucky! I like to think mine are too, but then I am serving them a vegetables infused dessert tonight (which is really good though I swear! ), so yours are probably luckIER. Have a great Thanksgiving!! xox ps – definitely loving great grandmas recipes. I love combining history and food, which is one of the least cool things I have ever said!
Caitlin @ Cake with Love
November 18, 2011 at 8:41 amWow this looks divine!!! 🙂 I am glad you a doing this retro project, since I also love my grandmothers recipes!
Deva @ Deva by Definition
November 18, 2011 at 8:50 amthis looks so decadent and delicious – and easy!
Andrea @ The Skinny Chronicles
November 18, 2011 at 9:11 amAny pie with six ingredients IN and the result in your photo OUT has to be a winner. Way to rock the retro recipe. And Happy Thanksgiving travels. Cornish hens and cherry sauce sounds way better than a turkey to me!
Lauren (LaurenLeatherman.com)
November 18, 2011 at 9:31 amThat looks amazing! I think I just found my Thanksgiving dessert recipe. 🙂 Thanks, Jenna! It’s been so interesting to follow the evolution of this project.
Liz
November 18, 2011 at 9:55 amI love that you’re doing this recipe challenge. How fun to make these great recipes. Your pie looks delicious!
Rachael @ FreshlyMinted
November 18, 2011 at 11:07 amMy word, this looks heavenly!
I am totally, totally loving your retro posts. The quirky ones are great, and this gem might be the best yet.
So glad you get to enjoy your family this year!
Moni'sMeals
November 18, 2011 at 11:28 amthis knocks out so many other pies! looks easy and devine. win-win. Your grandma is so special, clearly!
Julia @ La Petite Maison Verte
November 18, 2011 at 12:00 pmThis is too good to be true! Meringue, chocolate, CREAM!! And the fact that it has only 6 ingredients means I’m much more likely to make this for absolutely no reason whatsoever 🙂
Bev Weidner
November 18, 2011 at 12:07 pmhehhehe, you just said, “angel nut.” 😉
Laurel
November 18, 2011 at 12:34 pmThis just might make it to the Thanksgiving dessert table….
I’m lovin’ the unusual pie crust! Angelic.
erin @WELL in L.A.
November 18, 2011 at 2:06 pmThere is NOTHING that replaces the hand-written recipe cards from Grandmothers. Both of mine have passed. When we pull the cards out, we share memories and remember her love each time we make a recipe. Thanks for sharing your Grandma’s recipe!
Tessa
November 18, 2011 at 3:25 pmHow I wish I had hand-written recipes from Grandma!! My mom’s mom passed and my dad’s mom isn’t into cooking. Although she does make one of my dad’s favorite dishes – Arroz con Pollo – I should ask her for that recipe (though it will be written in Spanish). This pie sounds intriguing!
Kristen @ notsodomesticated
November 18, 2011 at 4:42 pmI love the fact that you are going through all of your grandma’s recipes. What a special project. Thanks for sharing another delicious-looking recipe!
DessertForTwo
November 18, 2011 at 6:54 pmI’m in love with all of your grandma’s recipes! My grandma has the same ones 🙂 Depression-era Southern desserts for life!! xo
Gabs
November 18, 2011 at 7:58 pmI made this today and served it to my parents’ friends at a party tonight- they all went bonkers. It tastes like a lighter version of chocolate mousse pie. Thanks, Jenna!
Jess
November 19, 2011 at 8:19 pmI get fat just reading your blog. Seriously. Want that pie in my belly.
Maria @ Beautiful Busy Bee
November 20, 2011 at 11:56 amOh my gosh that looks so good!!! There are these AMAZING cookies from Central Market (a Texas/Mexico fancy foods chain) that are kind of like crinkly chocolate meringues with pecans that I love and I bet this pie would be just like that but better cause the crust. 🙂 I just found your blog and I love it! I really want to try the oh baby bars because that kind of thing, chocolate with peanut butter, is the best!
Sonia (the Mexigarian)
November 22, 2011 at 10:31 amQuick question, can this be made the night before serving?
jenna
November 22, 2011 at 10:48 amYes it can! Just cover it loosely with plastic wrap in the fridge and you’re set 🙂
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Laurel
November 28, 2011 at 3:31 pmMade this for Thanksgiving dinner….amazing!! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
http://chewymorsels.blogspot.com/2011/11/turkey-day-feast.html
Jenn
December 3, 2011 at 8:51 pmSo, I made this and its delicious, but I can’t seem to get it out of the pie plate with out it looking like a disaster. Any hints for making the egg whites not stick?
john dooley
December 12, 2011 at 9:40 amFixed the pie this weekend. It was great, but didn’t look like your pic. I think I goofed up something with the chocolate and it did not mix well with the whipped cream. Any advice?
Georgia A
December 14, 2011 at 3:03 pmI also have a question, as I have made this pie three times, and while it is soo delicious, the crust comes out soggy after putting it in the fridge. The first time I made it, I thought it was because I didn’t let the crust cool off completely. But the second and third time I made sure it was absolutely cool, and the crust was still soggy.
Any tips?
jenna
December 14, 2011 at 3:05 pmHmmm…While the meringue will definitely soften a little with the filling in, it shouldn’t really be “soggy”. I think that might just be the way pie is, unfortunately! It should really be eaten the same day it’s prepared.
ps—georgia/old roommate is that you?!??! I thought this was your email address…hope all is well!
Georgia
December 16, 2011 at 5:52 amyes it is! i love your blog! keep up the good work