Delicious Chocolate Peppermint Cream Pie: A Holiday Tradition Reimagined

The holiday season, with its twinkling lights, festive carols, and the comforting scent of baked goods wafting through the air, has always been my absolute favorite time of year. It’s a period steeped in tradition, connection, and the sheer joy of coming together. More than anything, the holidays represent precious moments spent with loved ones, a value deeply ingrained in me from a young age. I was incredibly fortunate to grow up surrounded by both sets of my grandparents, their homes becoming the epicenters of our family celebrations.

The Heart of Holiday Traditions: Family, Food, and Cherished Memories

Christmas and Thanksgiving, in particular, were grand affairs at my mother’s parents’ house. My aunt and her family would journey down from New York, transforming our quiet home into a bustling hub of laughter, stories, and the irresistible aromas of a holiday feast in the making. These gatherings weren’t just meals; they were rich tapestries woven with love, tradition, and countless indelible memories that I hold dear to this day. The sounds of clattering pots, animated conversations, and the warmth of a full house are etched into my mind, forming the very foundation of my understanding of family.

Now, as the “matriarch” of that side of the family, I carry those memories not just fondly, but as a guiding light. I often find myself missing those remarkable women – my mother, grandmother, and aunt – who profoundly shaped the person I am today. I wish they could see the path my life has taken, especially how their legacy of love for baking and family endures through me. Their influence was immeasurable, and it’s a privilege to continue their traditions in my own home.

A Childhood Steeped in Flavor and Fragrance

While I always enjoyed spending time in the kitchen during my childhood, it was never something I envisioned pursuing professionally. It was my grandmother, with her patient hands and unwavering passion for cooking, who truly ignited that spark within me. The hours we spent together, preparing elaborate holiday meals, were priceless lessons in life and love, disguised as baking sessions. We would churn out dozens of cookies, flaky pies, homemade bread, and an array of other delectable treats. To this day, one of my most vivid memories is the way the exquisite aroma of all those baked goods completely enveloped the house, creating an atmosphere of unparalleled warmth and anticipation.

Even now, when I bake in my own kitchen, I am frequently transported back to those cherished days with her. I can almost smell the yeast bread rising, the comforting cinnamon in her famous cinnamon rolls, and the distinct scent of vanilla extract as she carefully added it to her cookie dough – a particular favorite of mine. These aren’t just smells; they are sensory gateways to a past filled with love and happy moments. It is these very experiences, these deep-rooted feelings of joy and connection through food, that I aspire to create for my own children and, someday, their children. Passing on this culinary heritage is not just about recipes; it’s about perpetuating a legacy of love, comfort, and togetherness.

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Recreating a Cherished Legacy: The Chocolate Peppermint Cream Pie

As I began planning our holiday menus for this year, I immersed myself in a delightful exploration of old family recipes. Among them, I desperately searched for one particular treasure: my grandmother’s chocolate cream pie. It was an absolute staple of my childhood, a dessert I adored, yet one I had never quite managed to make for my own family. Its absence among my collection felt like a missing piece of our culinary history.

Determined to revive this “lost” recipe, I decided to give it a modern, festive twist, perfectly suited for the holiday season. I vividly remembered Grandma’s kitchen always being stocked with McCormick spices and extracts, a tradition I’ve proudly continued in my own baking for years. Their quality and authentic flavors have always been a cornerstone of our family’s best dishes.

It was clear to me that a touch of McCormick Pure Peppermint Extract would elevate her classic chocolate cream pie into an extra-special holiday treat. The combination of rich chocolate and cool, invigorating peppermint is, after all, an iconic pairing, especially with the abundance of candy canes and chocolate during this magical time of year. This small but significant addition promised to transform a beloved memory into a new holiday sensation.

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Crafting the Perfect Holiday Pie: From Scratch, with Love

As I embarked on this culinary endeavor, the thought of taking shortcuts briefly crossed my mind. But then, a clear image of my grandmother’s unwavering dedication to baking from scratch brought me back to reality. She never compromised on quality or tradition. Every dish she made was a testament to patience and love, crafted meticulously from its most basic ingredients. Inspired by her example, I was determined to prepare this pie with the same genuine care and attention to detail that she would have bestowed upon it.

And the effort truly paid off. The pie couldn’t have turned out more perfectly. The homemade crust, a golden masterpiece, remained delightfully firm, thanks to the egg wash, avoiding the common pitfall of a soggy bottom that can plague many filled pies. The filling itself was a symphony of flavors – intensely chocolaty, wonderfully rich, and infused with just the right subtle whisper of peppermint. It was a balance of indulgence and refreshing zest. Topped with a cloud of light, stabilized whipped cream, the entire dessert achieved a harmonious perfection. I truly believe Grandma would have tasted it and smiled, perhaps even declared it her new favorite.

Every step of the baking process was a powerful journey back in time, rekindling cherished memories of those countless hours spent alongside Grandma in her kitchen. I could almost visualize her skilled hands rolling out the pie crust, a task she made look so effortless. I remembered standing on a stool next to the stovetop, my eager eyes watching her stir the rich chocolate pudding, the aroma filling the air around us. Whipping the cream with her old manual egg beater was always my special job, one I approached with immense pride and a sense of great responsibility.

But what truly transported me back, what made her presence feel almost palpable, was the distinctive and wonderful aroma of the McCormick Pure Peppermint Extract as I carefully folded it into the chocolate filling. And again, a wave of nostalgia washed over me when I added the McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract to the billowy whipped cream. It was as if I were standing in her kitchen once more, the familiar scents evoking a bittersweet longing for her presence. These moments were not just about baking; they were about honoring a legacy and feeling connected to the woman who taught me so much.

Then, in a moment of delightful and entirely predictable kitchen chaos, it happened. That perfectly smooth, golden-brown pie crust, which had held its form so beautifully, proved to be a bit too cooperative. As I attempted to lift the first glorious slice from the pie plate, it slid right off the pie server! The delicious piece of pie took an ungraceful nosedive directly back into its creamy companions. I couldn’t react fast enough to save it. WHOOPS!

In that instant, I truly believe I could hear the echoing laughter of my mother, grandmother, and aunt, all witnessing my little baking debacle from wherever they are. It was a moment that underscored the joy and occasional imperfections that are so often part of the homemade baking experience. So, learn from my humorous mishap: when you serve each magnificent slice, be sure to gently support the edge of the crust as you lift it from the plate. But most importantly, savor every single, glorious bite!

Created by: Lynne Feifer

Chocolate Peppermint Cream Pie

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This Chocolate Peppermint Cream Pie is sure to be a big crowd pleaser during the holidays with its smooth creamy chocolate filling and McCormick Pure Peppermint Extract. Santa might even choose this over cookies!

Ingredients

Pie Crust

• 1 ¼ cups sifted all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ⅓ cup vegetable shortening well chilled
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• ¼ cup ice water
• 1 egg lightly beaten with 1 tablespoon water

Chocolate Cream Filling

• ¼ cup cornstarch
• 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 ½ cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 large egg yolks
• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon McCormick Pure Peppermint Extract
• 2 tablespoons salted butter

Stabilized Whipped Cream

• 2 ounces cream cheese softened to room temperature for at least an hour
• 2 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons confectioners’ sugar
• ¾ teaspoon McCormick Pure Vanilla Extract
• ¼ teaspoon McCormick Pure Peppermint Extract
• 1 cup heavy cream
• crushed candy canes for garnish

Instructions

Pie Crust

1. Place a piece of parchment onto your work surface and flour it very sparsely.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and the salt.
3. Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender until the mixture looks like coarse meal.
4. Sprinkle the teaspoon of vinegar and two tablespoons of water over the mixture.
5. Mix lightly and quickly with a wooden spoon, adding the remaining tablespoons of water as needed until dough just holds together.
6. Place the dough onto the prepared piece of parchment. Cover with an additional piece of parchment and with a rolling pin starting at the center of the dough, roll to the edge, but not over it.
7. Continue to roll out from the center, but never back to it every 45 degrees.
8. Throughout the process it will be necessary to flour the dough at various times. Gently pull back the top layer of parchment, and very lightly flour the dough. Replace the parchment and carefully turn the dough over, doing the same to the other side.
9. Continue rolling and flouring lightly until the dough is an even round circle about 3 inches larger than the rim of the 9-inch pie plate.
10. To transfer the dough to the pie plate, gently remove the top layer of parchment. Lightly flour the rolling pin and place it at one edge of the circle. Using the bottom layer of parchment, bring the edge of the dough up over the rolling pin and very lightly roll the pin to the other side of the dough. Move the pie plate under the rolling pin and gently roll the dough out over it. Carefully, fit the dough into the plate and trim any excess, leaving one inch over the rim. Fold the dough under so that it is even with the rim and crimp.
11. Line the inside with a circle of parchment, add uncooked beans or rice to about 2/3 full and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
12. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
13. Bake for 20 minutes. Gently lift the parchment and beans out of the plate and prick the entire crust with a fork. Brush the crust with the egg wash and return to the oven to bake for an additional 15 – 20 minutes until completely golden.

Filling

1. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the cornstarch, sugar, cocoa powder and salt.
2. Combine the heavy cream and milk in a large measuring cup. Slowly pour into the saucepan while whisking so that no lumps are formed.
3. Whisk in the egg yolks.
4. Heat over medium until just boiling and mixture thickens.
5. Remove from heat and whisk in the chocolate, McCormick Pure Peppermint Extract, and butter until everything is melted and well combined.
6. Pour into the baked pie crust. Cover the filling with a piece of plastic wrap and chill for 4 hours.

Stabilized Whipped Cream

1. In a mixing bowl, beat the confectioners’ sugar, cream cheese, McCormick Pure Vanilla and McCormick Pure Peppermint Extracts.
2. Gradually add the heavy cream and beat until stiff peaks are formed, scraping down the sides and bottom of bowl as needed.
3. Pipe onto the pie or spread on the top to garnish.
4. Add the crushed candy canes as a final touch.

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Passing Down the Joy of Baking: A Culinary Legacy for Generations

For many years, I hesitated to recreate my grandmother’s treasured recipes. A part of me feared that my renditions wouldn’t quite capture the magic, wouldn’t taste as good as hers. Yet, every time I’ve overcome that apprehension and dared to try, I’ve been instantly transported back to her bustling kitchen. With each stir, each sift, each aroma, I can feel the immense love she poured into every dish. It’s a powerful connection, a tangible link to a woman whose spirit lives on through the culinary traditions she instilled.

I am eternally grateful to my mother, grandmother, and aunt for passing down their profound love of baking to me. These aren’t just recipes; they are stories, traditions, and memories forged in Grandma’s kitchen, warmed by the oven’s glow. My deepest desire is to recreate these very same joyful experiences with my own children and grandchildren. I want them to feel the warmth, smell the intoxicating aromas, and understand the deep connection that food brings to family. It’s about more than just a meal; it’s about nurturing a legacy that will be cherished and passed down for many generations to come.

I encourage you to consider what recipes hold a special place in your heart this holiday season. Dig out those old cookbooks, dust off those handwritten cards, and revisit the flavors that transport you back to your own childhood. Recreate them with your children, your grandchildren, your family, and your dearest friends. There’s a unique joy in sharing these culinary journeys, a special kind of magic in creating new memories while honoring old ones. I am so excited for you to experience the warmth and happiness that comes from making these dishes in your own kitchen, creating bonds and memories that you’ll be able to savor and enjoy for years to come!

Disclosure ~ I have partnered with McCormick to bring you this post. I grew up watching my grandmother, mother and aunt use McCormick in their baking and cooking, and consequently, I have come to love them myself. I appreciate your support of 365 Days of Baking and More and your support of the brands that help to make it possible.

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