Easter 2k14

I hope everyone's Easter was joyous and delicious! My mother-in-law always prepares a big breakfast, serves hors d'oeuvres and a big dinner. Her table settings always match the holiday and unfortunately I forgot to take a picture, but it's the same almost every year.

Easter 2013 (I think)

I also like holidays because it give me an excuse to bake (without feeling guilty!) This year I decided to make Old Fashioned Butterscotch Pie. The older women at my former job raved about this and I've never had it, so I searched for the recipe on Pinterest and gathered my materials.

Butterscotch Pie

(link here)

Ingredients

Pastry:

• 1 + 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup shortening
• 4 - 5 tablespoons cold water

Filling:

• 1 + 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 2 cups whipping cream
• 3 egg yolks
• 3 tablespoons butter, diced
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Topping:

• 2 cups whipping cream
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Instructions
 
1. Make the crust: Stir together the flour and salt. Cut in the shortening with a pastry blender or 2 knives used scissor fashion until the mixture resembles small pebbles. Add a tablespoon of water at a time tossing with a fork until the dough comes together. Pat into a disk and refrigerate 20 minutes.

2. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Roll the dough out into a 12-inch circle on a lightly floured  surface. Place in a 9-inch pie dish and trim so the pastry hangs 1/2-inch over the edge. Fold the extra pastry under, and crimp. Poke the crust all over with a fork

3. Line the crust with a double thickness of foil and bake 8 minutes. Remove foil and bake 5 - 6 more minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire rack.

4. Make the filling: In a medium saucepan combine 1/2 cup of the brown sugar and 1/4 cup butter set over low heat. Stir until butter melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.

5. In a small bowl stir together the remaining 3/4 cup brown sugar with the flour and cornstarch. Add this mixture to the butter mixture and stir until combined.

6. Stir in the whipping cream a little at a time. Place the pan over medium heat and continue stirring until thick and bubbly then reduce heat to low and continue cooking for 2 more minutes. Remove from heat. Set a wire strainer over a bowl and strain the mixture pushing it through with a wooden spoon. Return the strained mixture to the saucepan

7. In a small bowl lightly beat the egg yolks and gradually whisk in about 1 cup of the hot filling. Whisk the yolk mixture into the saucepan. I forgot to take picture of this step because it was about timing here.

8. Set over medium heat and stir constantly until it starts to boil, reduce heat to low and cook 2 more minutes. Remove from heat.

 Don't be afraid to taste - mmmm butterscotch!

9.   Stir in the 3 tablespoons butter and the vanilla. Pour into the cooled pie shell (if there is any stuck to the bottom of the pan DO NOT scrape it up). Place a piece of saran wrap over the surface and chill at least 2 hours.

10. Make the topping: Beat the whipping cream with an electric mixer on medium until soft peaks form then add the confectioners' and vanilla. Continue to beat the topping mixture until stiff peaks form. Spread over the cooled pie or use a piping bag to decorate. Store in refrigerator up to 3 days.

I let the pie refrigerate overnight until it was ready to be served after dinner. Let me tell you, this pie is full of sugary goodness! The texture was a little grainy, but not sure what to expect, I went with it. Still very good though!

Then Dan surprised me with this...... :)

How was your Easter and what kind of goodies did you receive and eat?