Got Apples? Make Apple Pie Filling in a Jar

A couple weeks back I had mentioned that I found a steal of a deal on apples at my local Kroger. Anytime I am in Kroger I always make a point to stop by the reduced produce bins just to see what they have. Some days there isn't anything and some days you hit the jackpot. Most folks don't like the reduced section, but I love it!! You can stumble upon some awesome unexpected bargains.

I think most people just don't know what to do with all those ripe fruits and veggies. A few may have some bumps and bruises on them but they are still fine to use. Folks don't realize just how much of it you can freeze or transform into something new. I always keep a eye out for oranges, cuties, zucchini, yellow squash, green peppers, bananas and apples.

With bananas you can chunk them up and freeze them for smoothies or banana bread. Squash and zucchini can be shredded and frozen for zucchini bread or muffins. Green bell peppers are always so pricey that when I see them in the clearance bin I jump on it so I can make Stuffed Peppers. And apples well the possibilities are endless you can freeze them or you can take them home and transform them into homemade applesauce, apple butter, apple pie jam or apple pie Filling. Well that particular day I found 2 sacks of apples for $1.59 each. I was so excited that the wheels in my head were just spinning on what I could make.

I was going back in forth from applesauce, apple pie to apple butter. It was just so hard to decide. Then it hit me apple pie!!!! I have been wanting to try my hand at canning some Homemade Apple Pie Filling. I had asked some of my face book fans what I should make and apple butter seemed to be the the favorite, but I just couldn't get that apple pie filling out of my head. So that was the recipe I decided on. I got stared on the preparing and canning the filling the next day. Whew you wouldn't believe how many recipes there are for apple pie filling in a jar it was crazy. I did notice one thing they all kind of sounded the same and were similar in ingredients so I just picked one.

I have to say the whole process went a lot smoother than I thought and the hardest part was peeling all those apples. I have come to realize that I am investing in one of those nifty apple peelers. Especially since we want to go apple picking this fall. If any of you have apple peelers please let me know which you prefer a suction cup base or the ones that clamp onto the counter. Because I am not sure which one to purchase so any help would be appreciated.

OK back to the Apple Pie Filling it is was a cinch to make and not very time consuming at all. And just imagine being able to bake apple pies in a snap all year long. You can also use this apple pie filling to make apple cobbler, apple crisp, apple flautas, or use it as a side dish for breakfast. I have so much fun canning to me its actually relaxing. Do you like home canning? If you do what is your favorite thing to can?

Here are the apples. I did not have the full 6lbs of apples so I cut the recipe in half and it turned out perfectly.

In a large pot, blend together sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Stir in the water and lemon juice with a wire whisk.


Cook and stir until bubbly and thick; remove from heat

While the filling was cooking I sliced the apples and added them into a solution of 3 tablespoons of lemon juice to 1 quart of water to avoid discoloration. Drain the fruit well before packing in jars. Pack apples into clean, hot canning jars leaving an inch from the top of the jar. Fill with the hot syrup, leaving 1/2 inch space from the top of the jar.

Remove air bubbles by running a knife around the insides of each jar. Close the jars with sterile lids and rims. Process quart size jars in a boiling water bath for 30 minutes. Place the jars on a dish towel to dry and allow the jars to cool for several hours or overnight. Check the seals to make certain the lids are sealed properly. The pie filling will be dark in color until it has cooled down.

When completely cooled the color of the filling will lighten up. Enjoy!!!

Apple Pie Filling in a Jar

4 1/2 - cups sugar
1 - cup cornstarch
2 - teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 - teaspoon nutmeg
1 - teaspoon salt
3 - tablespoons lemon juice
10 - cups of water
6 pounds of tart apples, washed, peeled and thinly sliced
(I used golden delicious and a few granny smith apples)

Note: Slice apples into a solution of 3 tablespoons of lemon juice to 1 quart of water to avoid discoloration. Drain the fruit well before packing in jars.

In a large pot, blend together sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Stir in the water and lemon juice with a wire whisk. Cook and stir until bubbly and thick; remove from heat. While the filling was cooking I sliced the apples and added them into a solution of 3 tablespoons of lemon juice to 1 quart of water to avoid discoloration. Drain the fruit well before packing in jars. Pack apples into clean, hot canning jars leaving an inch from the top of the jar. Fill with the hot syrup, leaving 1/2 inch space from the top of the jar. Remove air bubbles by running a knife around the insides of each jar. Close the jars with sterile lids and rims. Process in a boiling water bath for 20 -30 minutes Use a jar tongs to remove the jars from water Place the jars on a dish towel to dry and allow the jars to cool for several hours Check the seals to make certain the lids are sealed properly (the lids should be lowered in the middle and not move up or down)

To Make Apple Pie:
Pour 1 quart jar of home canned apple pie filling into an unbaked 8-9 inch pastry shell and dot with butter. Place top crust, trim and crimp the crust around the edges and then cut slits to vent the steam. Sprinkle with sugar and bake at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes or until the filling is bubbling

Recipe Yields: 3 quart size jars and one pint size.

Printer Friendly Recipe

Recipe courtesy of: real restaurant recipes.com
.

Don't miss a single recipe from Mommy's Kitchen. Click here to become a Email Subscriber.



Tina, The Mom in Mommy's Kitchen

Click here to continue reading and get recipe.

Crafty Kitchen ~ Flower Pot Pens for Mother's Day & Teacher Appreciation

Today I am doing a Crafty Kitchen Post. Mothers Day is just right around the corner so today I am posting the cutest little gift idea for mom, Flower Pot Pens!!! I know I would love it if my kiddos brought one of these cute little flower pots home for a Mothers Days Gift. Not only is this the a great mothers day gift but it also makes the perfect teacher gift. What better way to show your child's teacher how much your appreciate them, then with a homemade gift.

I think my favorite gifts I recieve from my children are the homemade ones they make in school I love those!!! Plus Teacher Appreciation Day is May 3rd and that is just right around the corner. I know this idea isn't anything new and you have probably seen them around for awhile now, but I think this is project that needs to be revisited. What a fun activity to do together with your children.

I am all about low cost gift items so this was the perfect project for me. All together the supplies were next to nothing to buy. To make four little pots with 8-10 flower pens ran about $13-$14. That is enough for 4 teacher gifts or a special gift for mom or grandma. It doesn't get any better that that.

I already had a hot glue gun, glue sticks, scissors, tacky glue and goodie bags. I always keep those on hand for things such as this. If you are looking for a low cost but very nice gift for mothers day or teacher appreciation this is it. I hope you will give them a try because they were so easy to make. I cant wait to pass out these cute little gifts.

These are the supplies you will need:
Artificial flowers, glue gun, glue sticks, beans, coffee beans or brown stones, Bic pens (do not use the push pens), floral tape, mini clay pots (I used 3 inch tall clay pots), ribbon, tacky glue and wooden shape decorations. (not pictured)

If you do not want to paint the pots you can just tie a pretty ribbon around the rim and tie in a bow with a pretty coordinating color and add a wooden decoration like we did. (see end of post). I used a tiny bit of tacky glue to hold the ribbon on the pot. I added a drop under the bow part and a drop under the back part under the ribbon.

To assemble the flower pen. Remove the little plug or cap at the end of the pen. This is the part were you will be placing the end of the flower in. Cut the stem of the flower to about half the size of the pen. (I cut ours about 2 - 3 inches) If it is a really thick stem, you can take the outside coating off, and only use the interior wire for support. Add some hot glue around the end of the flower base and place the wire into the pen chamber. Push down to make sure it attaches. It will dry rather quickly. Now assemble and glue the rest of the flowers and pens.

Now it is time to make the flower stems. My little helper Mackenzie wrapped half of the flowers and I did the rest. Begin wrapping the pen with the floral tape start at the end where you glued the flower into the pen. I really don't think it matter which end you start one. Continue wrapping up the pen until you are almost at the end. I stopped at the end of the pen you will see a line where the pen starts to change shape. Do not go all the way to the very end. If you do the cap will not go on and off easily.

You can do a second layer if you want, but we only did one. Clip the floral tape and tack the end down. It should pretty much stick without using any glue. Using the tacky glue, glue on the little wooden decorations to the front of the clay pot. Hot glue doesn't seem to stick on the pots so make sure to use tacky glue. Let dry then fill each of the pots with beans or decorative stones.

We used pinto beans to keep this craft as low cost as possible. My other handsome helper Carson is adding all the beans to each of the clay pots.


Add your pens and Viola!!!! Flower Pot Pens. To cute...

Here is a cute way to package up your flower pot pens. I buy clear goodie sacks at Walmart in the party favor isle. You get a 20 count bag of clear goodie sacks for $1.50. I use them for just about everything goodie and baking wise. If I added the whole flower pot to the sack the flowers got mushed. So what I did was cut off about 2 inches from the top of the bag and then placed the flower pot inside the sack. Now the flowers stick out of the top and the bottom of the flower pot is in the sack. Tie a ribbon around, curl and your done.

Pretty Flower Pot Pens

small clay flower pots (I used 3 inch pots) (.69 each)
artificial flowers ($4)
Bic Pens ($1)
green floral tape ($1.97)
scissors (free)
tacky glue (free)
Pinto beans, coffee beans or decorative stones (beans $1.18 a bag)
ribbon or craft paint ($1.97)
small wooded decorations (.25 each)

Paint the clay pots with your desired color and pattern and let dry completely. While the pots are drying assemble your flower pens. If you do not want to paint the pots you can just tie a pretty ribbon around the rim and tie in a bow with a pretty coordinating color and add a wooden decoration like we did. If adding the wooden decoration you can glue it on at this point. Cut the stem of the flower to about half the size of the pen. We cut them to about 2-3 inches. If it is a really thick stem, you can take the outside coating off, and only use the interior wire for support.

Remove the little plug/cap at the end of the pen. discard the plug cap. This is where you are going to place the end of the flower into. Add some hot glue around the end of the flower base and place the wire into the pen chamber. Push down to make sure it attaches. It will dry rather quickly. Now assemble and glue the rest of the flowers. We are doing two for each small pot I think you can do up to three with no problem. Larger pots can hold more pens.

When the pens are dry begin wrapping the pen with the floral tape near the writing tip. Continue wrapping up the pen until you are almost at the end. I don't think it really matters which end you start one. I stopped at the end of the pen you will see a line. where the pen starts to change shape. Do not go all the way to the very end. If you do the cap will not go on and off easily. You can do a second layer if you want, but we only did one. Clip the floral tape and tack the end down with a clear glue if needed. It should pretty much stick without using the glue.

Fill the flower pot with a type of dried beans (I use pinto beans because they are brown like soil), but you could use coffee beans or small dark stones. Stick the floral pens into the beans and arrange them into a bouquet. Attach a wooden decoration to the front of the clay pot using tacky glue. The hot glue doesn't really want to stick. If you are sending this gift with your child to school, you may want to put the beans in a plastic bag and put them in the pot with instructions. The teacher can assemble it when she receives it, and it won't dump all over your child's backpack. I placed each of the flower pots into gift bags and tied a pretty curly ribbon around them. (see photo above)

Printable Version

Flower Pot idea adapted from: Do it yourself Gifts

Don't miss a single recipe from Mommy's Kitchen.Click here to become a Email Subscriber.


Tina, The Mom in Mommy's Kitchen

Click here to continue reading and get recipe.

Potluck Sunday ~ Southern Banana Pudding

A family gathering just wouldn't be complete without a big dish of Homemade Banana Pudding gracing the table. Now I'm talking about the real deal here with homemade pudding, layering the cookies and making a homemade meringue for the top. Now, that's that's how mom and grandma used to make it. You can always do the quick stand by using boxed vanilla pudding and whipped topping, but to me that's not banana pudding. Plus making the homemade version really doesn't take any longer to make than the instant pudding one. So why not make the real thing!!!

Actually the only instant banana pudding recipe that I will eat is Paula Deen's recipe for Not Yo Mama's Banana Pudding. It definitely isn't my mamas recipe, but it is sinfully decadent with the addition of cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk and something I think everyone should experience. In fact I have made it for get together's and parties and everyone raves about it. But that's it, that is as far as I will go with banana pudding and the instant stuff.

Just about any holiday that comes around my mother in law always makes a big dish of banana pudding. It's the perfect standby and everyone loves it. So really you cant go wrong with an old standby. If you were raised in the south then you pretty much had the meringue version of banana pudding. This recipe is also no secret and you will find it on every box of Nilla Wafers so it's been around for quite some time.

I also have to say that using the Nilla Wafer Brand is the way to go and generic just wont do it. I don't know there is just something about good old Nilla Wafers. If the meringue topping scares you because of the raw egg whites then you can solve that problem by using meringue powder in place of the egg white version. To me banana pudding just isn't banana pudding without the fluffy marshmallow like meringue topping.

So today I am bringing homemade banana pudding to the potluck. Do you have a dish you would like to bring to the potluck? If so then please link directly to your post, not your homepage, and please included a link back to Mommy's Kitchen. I have included MckLinky at the end of this post so you can link up. I would like to say thank you to everyone who participates in Potluck Sunday. I love reading all your posts and I get so many new ideas. I hope you enjoy the recipe and Happy Sunday!!!

Mix 1/2 cup sugar, flour and salt in top of double boiler or if you are pretty good at making homemade pudding you can use a med. sized pot. If you are new to the homemade pudding world then i recommend using a double boiler. (you can use a make shift double boiler by using a medium sized pot and placing a glass bowl on top) Blend in 3 egg yolks, set the egg whites aside to use for the meringue topping. Then add the milk. Cook, uncovered, over boiling water, stirring constantly for 10 to 12 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla.

Cut up your bananas. My little helper is helping mommy out today. I am so proud of Mackenzie she has learned to do so many things in the kitchen and is quite the little helper. I let her assemble all of the banana pudding except the meringue. She gets so excited when she can prepare almost all of the recipe by herself.


Spread small amount of pudding/custard on bottom of 1 1/2-quart casserole (I used a 8x8 inch baking dish) cover with a layer of wafers and a layer of sliced bananas. Pour about 1/3 of custard over bananas.


Continue to layer wafers, bananas and custard to make a total of 3 layers of each, ending with custard. I only had two layers. Mackenzie thought it would be pretty to arrange all the wafers around the sides of the dish and some in the middle. It is so funny she told me its all about what do you call it mommy? Presentation!!!! Good memory Kenzie your are learning well.


Beat egg whites until soft peaks form; gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat until stiff but not dry. Spoon on top of pudding, spreading evenly to cover entire surface and sealing well to edges. Bake at 350°F in top half of oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until browned. Watch it closely it might not take the full time to brown. It really depends on your oven.


Cool slightly or refrigerate until ready to serve. Garnish with additional wafers and banana slices just before serving.

Southern Banana Pudding

3/4 - cup sugar, divided
1/3 - cup all-purpose flour
Dash salt
3 - eggs, separated
2 - cups milk
1/2 - teaspoon vanilla extract
1 - box vanilla wafers, divided
(preferably Nilla Wafer Brand)
5 - ripe bananas, sliced, divided
Additional Vanilla Wafers and banana slices, for garnish

Mix 1/2 cup sugar, flour and salt in top of double boiler. Blend in 3 egg yolks, set the egg whites aside to use in the meringue topping. Add the milk. Cook, uncovered, over boiling water, stirring constantly for 10 to 12 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Reserve 10 wafers for garnish. Spread small amount of custard on bottom of 1 1/2-quart casserole; cover with a layer of wafers and a layer of sliced bananas. Pour about 1/3 of custard over bananas. Continue to layer wafers, bananas and custard to make a total of 3 layers of each, ending with custard. Beat egg whites until soft peaks form; gradually add remaining 1/4 cup sugar and beat until stiff but not dry. Spoon on top of pudding, spreading evenly to cover entire surface and sealing well to edges. Bake at 350°F in top half of oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until browned. Cool slightly or refrigerate. Garnish with additional wafers and banana slices just before serving.

Note: if you have a problem with the raw eggs in the meringue topping, you can always use meringue powder in place of the egg whites.



Printer Friendly Recipe

Don't miss a single recipe from Mommy's Kitchen. Click here to become a Email Subscriber.


Tina, The Mom in Mommy's Kitchen

Click here to continue reading and get recipe.

A New Smoothie ~ Green Monsters

Look at that pretty green color in this smoothie. No it's not lime and it's not food coloring........ It's Spinach!!!! I know what your thinking gross but hear me out on this one. I too was a bit skeptical the first time I made this smoothie. When I was in Napa I was talking to Aggie from Aggie's Kitchen and she told me all about these green smoothies also know as Green Monsters or Green Dogs.

Aggie said that these smoothies taste just like a banana smoothie just green, and her kids love them. Well my kids love bananas too so I couldn't wait to get back home and try out this recipe. I knew the exact day that I wanted to make these. Saint Patricks Day!!! The perfect disguise. I told my kids that the green was food coloring to celebrate St Patty's Days!!! They fell for it hook, line and sinker.

My daughter Mackenzie said Mom this looks like the green slime like on Nickelodeon. I told her your right. So Mackenzie renamed them Nickelodeon's Green Slime Smoothies. If Mackenzie wants to call them Green Slime Smoothies then Green Slime it is. You see I was so floored when Mackenzie was willing to give the smoothie a try and then she actually drank it. Mr. Picky Pants Carson said no way and wouldn't even touch it. I think Mackenzie freaked him out with the whole green slime thing LOL.

They do taste just like a banana smoothie but just green. The only thing I did differently was add a bit of honey because I could only find original almond milk. But I have still been adding the honey even with the vanilla almond milk. That is the only change I made. I hope you give this recipe a try even if it is just out of curiosity. We love them and I have been making them a lot!!!!

I am including a photo of my Mackenzie giving the Green Monsters aka Green Slime Smoothies a try. She said it tasted really good just like bananas. I still haven't told her the green is from Spinach, that will be our little secret.


This is Gracie the little girl I babysit, also known as my smoothie buddy. And yes Gracie loves the Green Monsters, but then there hasn't been a smoothie that Gracie has turned down.


These are the ingredients you will need:
Vanilla Almond Milk, 1 - 2 bananas, Spinach Fresh or Frozen (Fresh is best), ice and a bit of honey (optional). If you use frozen spinach and frozen bananas you can omit the ice because it will thicken up nicely with the frozen fruit and frozen spinach.

Add everything into the blender and mix until smooth.

Green Monster Smoothie

1 - cup vanilla almond milk
(I prefer Silk Vanilla Pure Almond Milk)
1 - 2 ripe bananas
1 - cup fresh baby spinach or frozen spinach
1 - tablespoons honey
1 - cup of ice
(less if using frozen bananas)

Add everything to a blender and blener until smooth. I usually only use the honey if I only have original almond milk* If you use the vanilla almond milk and the smoothie isn't quite sweet enough for your taste. Just add the tablespoon of honey.

Printer Friendly Recipe

Don't miss a single recipe from Mommy's Kitchen. Click here to become Email Subscriber.

Tina, The Mom in Mommy's Kitchen

Click here to continue reading and get recipe.

Kid Friendly Taco Burritos & A Winner!!!

Hi everyone today I am going to be announcing the winner of the Bush's Beans Gift Basket. I will post the winning comment at the end of this post. First I wanted to share with you a pretty quick and easy recipe for Kid Friendly Taco Burritos. I call them kid friendly because they have everything you find in a taco but in burrito form. And who doesn't like taco's. I have to admit they can get kind of boring and a little messy at times. Well at least that's how it is in our house. So every once in a while we change things up and have taco burritos. Everyone can add what ever topping that they want and customize their very own taco burrito.

This is what's so great about this recipe. Me, my husband and oldest son love all the fix ens. But my daughter on the other hand just likes beans and cheese. So you see everyone can assemble their own burrito just how they want it. For the kiddos the burritos can be easily cut in half for little hands. No more messy taco's cracking and falling apart. This is the perfect weeknight easy meal. I hope you will give these burritos a try because they are big hit in our house. I have also included a recipe for Semi Homemade Refried Beans. Homemade is best but these are so quick and easy, plus they are so much better than the canned re fried beans.

Kid Friendly Taco Burritos

1 - package burrito-size flour tortillas
1 lb - ground beef or turkey
1 - packet taco seasoning mix, prepared
1 - recipe semi - homemade re fried beans (recipe below)
1 - (16 ounce) package shredded Cheddar cheese
1 - small can sliced black olives, drained (optional)

Toppings of your choice:
onions, diced tomato, lettuce , sliced avocado, guacamole
taco sauce, picante sauce and sour cream

In a large skillet brown ground beef. Drain off any grease and place the meat back into the skillet. Add the taco seasoning and the amount of water stated on the packet. Let the meat mixture simmer until it starts to thicken up. While your meat is cooking you can prepare your toppings for your burritos. Tear or shred the lettuce, chop the tomatoes, slice the onions, slice the avocado or prepare guacamole. Drain the liquid from the black Olivie's. Turn off the meat mixture when it is completely cooked. Prepare the re fried beans (recipe below). When the meat and the beans are done you can assemble your burritos. Take a tortilla and spread a thin layer of beans on half of it. Add the taco meat and sprinkle on the cheese. Then add whatever taco fix ens that you like. Top with sour cream, salsa and and what every else you would like. Roll up burrito and serve.

Bush's Semi Homemade Re fried Beans:

2 - 16 oz cans Bush's pinto beans
(reserve liquid from one can)
3 tablespoons bacon drippings (or vegetable oil)
1- clove of garlic, minced

In a large skillet, heat bacon drippings over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for a minute or two. Add both cans of beans but only one of the cans of liquid. Drain and discard the liquid in the second can. Start smashing the beans with a potato masher. I used my Cuisinart Blending Blade attachment. Keep stirring and mashing until you get the texture that you want. Continue to cook stirring frequently, until the beans are the consistency of soft mashed potatoes. Taste and season with salt if needed. When heated through serve.

OK Now for The Winner of the Bush's Beans Gift Basket!!!!

Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:

Comment # 89 is the winner!!!
Susan Smith

Timestamp: 2010-04-21 16:25:33 UTC

Susan I will be in contact with you so I can get your mailing address. Thank you to everyone who participated in this giveaway.

Printer Friendly Recipe



Don't miss a single recipe from Mommy's Kitchen. Become a Email Subscriber. Click here to sign up.



Tina, The Mom in Mommy's Kitchen

Click here to continue reading and get recipe.

Chocolate Chess Pie ~ Potluck Sunday

Good Morning and welcome to Potluck Sunday. Chess pies have long been associated with the South. And you know how I love a good old southern dessert. Really any excuse for chocolate is perfectly fine with me. My all time favorite pie is my Old Fashioned Chocolate Pie, but Chocolate Chess Pie is another great pie recipe. The custard-style filling has the consistency of soft, rich, velvety fudge that's not too sweet and not to heavy. And who doesn't like chocolate fudge. But I understand if chocolate ain't your thing then you can just make another variety. There is lemon, vanilla and brown sugar.

Everyone always wonders where chess pies received their name? Well the old saying is the word “chess” evolved over years, possibly from the word “jess’, as in “just pie.” The old wives tale is " A husband asked his wife what she was baking that smelled so good, and the southern cook replied, “Oh it's Jess’ pie.” Who knows really where the name chess pie came from all I know is chess pie is a wonderful treat.

Since chess pie is best served when it has completely cooled down. This pie can be prepared early in the day which gives it plenty time to cool. Chess Pie makes for the perfect pie to take to dinner at a friends house, a church potluck or a family get together. My favorite part is the crispy wrinkly topping. It reminds me of the top of a good ole brownie. This is the perfect dessert when you want just a little something sweet after dinner.

So today I am contributing a dessert to the potluck. Do you have a dish you would like to bring to the potluck? If so then please link directly to your recipe post, not your homepage, and provide a link back to this potluck post at Mommy's Kitchen. I have included MckLinky at the end of this post so you can link up. I would like to say thank you to everyone who participates in Potluck Sunday. I love reading all your posts and I get so many new ideas. I hope you enjoy the recipe.

These are the ingredients you will need:
one pie crust, 2 eggs, vanilla extract, sugar, evaporated milk, unsweetened cocoa and butter (softened).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix sugar and cocoa together.

Using a electric mixer beat the eggs then add the cocoa mixture. Beat in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla.

Make sure it is mixed together really good. I stared off using a hand mixer then finished it off using a wire whisk.

The mixture will be rich and shiny. Pour into a 9-inch unbaked pie shell. I read somewhere that is best to use a metal pie plate instead of a glass plate. Metal cooks the crust more evenly. I just purchase the frozen pie shells in the metal pans.


and bake for 45 minutes or until set. (I recommend covering the pie's edges with foil or a pie guard after the first 20 minutes, or when edges attain a good brown color... so they don't burn.) The center will still be a bit shaky when the pie is taken from the oven. Do Not Over bake.


Let cool completely before serving. ( a must here)



Chocolate Chess Pie

1 - 1 1/4 - cups sugar (your preference)
3 - tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
2 - eggs
1 - (5 oz.) can evaporated milk (2/3 cup)
1/4 - cup melted butter, softened (1/2 stick)
1 - teaspoon vanilla extract
1 - refrigerated pie crust

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix sugar and cocoa together. If you dont want it real sweet us one cup sugar. Using a electric mixer beat the eggs then add the cocoa mixture. Beat in the milk, melted butter, and vanilla. Pour mixture into a 9-inch unbaked pie shell and bake for 45 minutes or until set. (I recommend covering the pie's edges with foil or a pie guard after the first 20 minutes, or when edges attain a good brown color... so they don't burn.) The center will still be a bit shaky when the pie is taken from the oven. Do Not Over bake and let cool completely before serving. Top with whipped cream if desired.

Note: This pie is best if you let it sit and cool... I know that can be sometimes hard, but it will be runny if you don't. The final consistency should be like a pecan pie after you let cool completely. The pie filling will also puff up in the oven and settles back down upon cooling. I was reading original chess pie recipes have the addition of one tablespoon of cornmeal. I might add that next time to compare and see what version I like best.

recipe adapted from all recipes.com


Printer Friendly Recipe






Don't miss a single recipe from Mommy's Kitchen. Click here to become a Email Subscriber.



Tina, The Mom in Mommy's Kitchen

Click here to continue reading and get recipe.