I am a Honey Bee

All about my adventures with cooking, crafts, and travel

King Arthur Flour

Chocolate Icebox Pie

Chocolate Icebox Pie

When I was trying to think of the pie to make for this week I remembered how my best friend made this Chocolate Icebox Pie for their first Thanksgiving in Seattle this year. They enjoyed it so I wanted to give it a try myself.

I’m so glad I did since it was so good!!

I love pies with graham cracker crusts. And obviously a filling made of rich chocolate is gonna find a place into my heart. And stomach.

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The pie doesn’t take much time or effort to make so it’s something that you can whip up quickly when you are craving some chocolate. The homemade graham cracker crust is so good but if you’re in a real rush then I’m sure that store-bought one would work as well.

There are not that many ingredients so be sure to use good quality ones, especially the chocolate. As well, if you are melting the chocolate in the microwave, be sure to do it slowly so that you don’t burn it. Burned chocolate makes me sad.

As well, for the crust I strongly suggest putting the cinnamon in as it add a really nice flavor that kicks up the chocolate. And to have a cleanly cut pie, I suggest you cut the pie when it is really cold. This helps get a nice smooth slice and helps the crust stay intact.

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This is the kind of pie that is perfect to enjoy after dinner (or maybe before!) or to take to a dinner party. It is simple to make and would be a crowd-pleaser. It makes 8 generous slices but it is so so rich that I could easily see it being cut into 16 thin slices.

This was the first time I made an icebox pie and it won’t be my last. There are so many different varieties that I have plenty to pick from as well. 🙂

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Chocolate Icebox Pie

Makes a 9″ pie

Ingredients

Crust

  • 1 1/4 cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, optional
  • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Filling

  • 1/3 cup hot water
  • 2 tablespoons Double-Dutch Dark Cocoa
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/3 cups bittersweet chocolate chips, chunks, or disks
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt

Garnish, optional

  • Whipped cream
  • Chocolate shavings

Process

To make the crust:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Combine the ingredients, and press the mixture into the bottom and up the sides a lightly greased 9″ pie pan.
  3. Freeze the crust for 15 minutes (which will prevent over-browning).
  4. Bake for 8-10 minutes, until it’s lightly browned around the edges. Remove from the oven and cool completely.

To make the filling:

  1. In a small bowl, combine the hot water, cocoa, and vanilla extract and set aside. 
  2. Melt the bittersweet chocolate in a microwave or in a double-boiler. Stir the cocoa mixture into the melted chocolate, it will resemble a pudding when completely incorporated.
  3. Whip the cream, sugar, and salt with a hand or stand mixer until soft peaks form.
  4. Gently fold the chocolate mixture into the whipped cream with a whisk or rubber spatula until no white streaks remain. 
  5. Spread the pie filling evenly into the cooled graham cracker crust.
  6. Refrigerate the pie for at least 1 hour before serving, or until the filling is set and firm.
  7. Garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings prior to serving.

Sourced from King Arthur Flour

Maple Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

I recently went to a new farmer’s market, Somerville Winter Market, and I picked up a bottle of pure maple syrup from Vermont. I just needed something to do with it, besides pancakes and waffles. Luck would have it that I came across a contest that required maple syrup to be incorporated into the recipe.

I bugged Price endlessly about what I should make… something sweet? something savory? make a bread? cake? dinner entree? sandwich? what????? I feel I went a little safe with the oatmeal cookie but it just works so well. A little drizzle of maple syrup works perfectly over a bowl of steaming hot oatmeal. So I went with the “keep-it-simple-stupid” approach when I decided to make a cookie.

These cookies are soft, chewy and studded with crunchy walnuts. The maple flavor is pronounced without being ‘Hey I’m a Maple Cookie!’. The taste reminds me of fall days. It is the perfect kind of cookie to enjoy with a glass of milk or cup of tea.

Maple Walnut Oatmeal Cookies

yields 3 dozen cookies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 teapoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 sticks of unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup pure maple syrup
  • 4 cups quick cooking coats
  • 1 3/4 cup chopped walnuts

Process

  1. Preheat over to 350 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. Sift together the flour, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.
  3. Cream together butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at at time, until combined. Add vanilla extract and maple syrup to butter mixture.
  4. Mix the flour mixture into the wet ingredients. Once the flour is incorporated, add the walnuts and oats and gently mix until combined.
  5. Spoon 1 1/2 inch rounds on to baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, until golden brown. Let cookies cool for 2 minutes prior to removing from sheet (otherwise they will crumble), let cool on a rack.

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Baker’s Dream: King Arthur’s Store And Cafe

I knew we had to make a stop at the King Arthur Baker’s Store and Cafe once I realized that we were going to pass it on our way to Montreal. This is a baker’s dream. I had been hoping to take a class there this year but I didn’t get my act together, but this has gotten me even more committed at this point. I talked Price into making a stop here be telling him we would get breakfast there.

 

The store itself is gorgeous with intricate wood structure that comes together at a spiral stair in the center. But the best part is that it is packed full fantastic flours, measuring cups, aprons, bowls, mixes, and much, much more. King Arthur Flour has a variety of flours and mixes, including Gluten Free mixes, that make great savory and sweet products.

I really could have spent so much time and money here. I ended up getting a package of Raspberry Jammy Bits, English Muffin Mix, English Muffin Rings, and Eggnog Cookie Mix. I’m really looking forward to making english muffins soon.

The other part of the place is a cafe that has breakfast and lunch items. There were a lot of options for turnovers, cinnamon buns, croissants, and muffins for breakfast. Some of the lunch items included sandwiches on their freshly made bread. You can even finish off your lunch with a cupcake.

Price and I had breakfast there that did not disappoint. The pastries were a sweet start to our vacation.

Oh yeah, the king and I are best buds. *fist bump!!!*