Brown Bottom Butterscotch Pie Food

BROWNED BUTTER BUTTERSCOTCH MERINGUE PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Make crust: Combine cracker crumbs, 2 tbsp granulated sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt. Add the melted butter and mix to moisten dry ingredients. Press onto bottom and up sides of a 9" pie pan Bake until the edges of the crust are beginning to brown, 8-10 minute.
• Make filling: Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, swirl the pan until the butter begins to brown, 2-3 minutes more. Remove from heat.
• In the top half of a double boiler, combine the brown sugar, flour, cornstarch, and 1/2 tsp salt. Stir in the browned butter, milk, and egg yolks until fully incorporated. Cook mixture over simmering water, whisking until the mixture thickens and coats the back of a sppon, about 8 minutes. Pour the pudding mixture into the prepared crust. Lay a piece of plastic wrap over the top of the pie to prevent a skin from forming. Refrigerate while you make the meringue.
• Make the meringue: With an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and cream of tartar until frothy. Add the salt and beat until soft peaks form. Add the sugar, 1 tbsp at a time, beating until incorporated. Continue to beat until glossy peaks form, about 4 minutes. Beat in the vanilla.
• Remove the plastic from the pudding. Spoon some of the meringue onto the edge of the pudding, spreading it right up to and touching the crust to create a seal. Spoon the rest of the meringue into the center, and using the back of a spoon, spread to cover the entire top.
• Bake until the meringue is golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Let stand for at least 1 hour before serving.

BUTTERSCOTCH PIE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, combine the milk and cream, and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Immediately turn off the heat and set aside.
• In a large, heavy skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Stir in the brown sugar, raise the heat to medium-high, and cook 5 to 7 minutes, stirring constantly, to caramelize the mixture. (You will smell a characteristic nutty-caramel odor when the butter browns, signaling that the mixture is ready.)
• Whisking constantly, gradually add the butter/brown sugar mixture to the hot milk/cream mixture. If the mixture is not smooth, blend for 20 seconds with a hand blender or pour through a fine sieve.
• Put the egg yolks in a medium bowl. Whisk in about 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture. Whisk in the cornstarch and salt until dissolved. Whisk the cornstarch mixture back into the hot milk mixture in the saucepan. Add the scotch and whisk in.
• Whisking constantly, cook over medium-high heat until thick and just boiling. When the mixture thickens, the whisk will leave trail marks on the bottom of the pot and the mixture will have a few large bubbles boiling up to the top.
• Turn off the heat and whisk in the vanilla extract. Pour into the pre-baked pie shell and chill, uncovered, at least 2 hours, or overnight.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• For the meringue top: Whip whites with the salt to soft peaks, then add sugar and whip until sugar is dissolved and whites are glossy. Spread meringue on top of the slightly cooled pie and bake for 5 minutes until lightly browned (cappuccino colored). Chill until ready to serve.
• In a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), mix the flour, salt, and sugar for 1 minute. Add the butter and mix just until you have a crumbly, sandy mixture. You should still be able to see the pieces of butter.
• In a small bowl, stir the water and vinegar together. With the mixer running at medium speed, drizzle in the water-vinegar mixture and mix just until a dough forms. You should still see small bits of butter.
• Turn out onto a work surface, divide the dough in half, and shape into round, flat disks. Wrap separately in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes before using. (Or, refrigerate up to 48 hours or freeze up to 1 month before using. If frozen, let thaw in the refrigerator overnight before rolling out.)
• When the time comes to roll out the dough, let the dough warm up for a few minutes at room temperature. Dust a work surface with just a few tablespoons of flour and keep some extra flour at hand. If you like, you can roll out the dough between two sheets of waxed paper (flouring the bottom sheet and the top of the dough before rolling), which makes it much easier to transfer to the pan later on. However, you won't be able to check the progress of the dough as easily. It's entirely up to you.
• Sprinkle a little flour on top of the dough and start rolling outward from the center with quick, light strokes. Don't worry if the edges split a bit; concentrate on getting a good circle going from the center. Lift up and rotate the dough 1/4 turn every minute or so to help ensure even rolling. The dough should feel smooth and soft; some say it should feel like the inside of your forearm. If it gets sticky, sprinkle on a bit more flour, but don't do this more than two or three times; the dough will absorb too much flour. Instead, put it back in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm the butter up. Keep rolling until the circle is at least 2 inches larger than your pan (for example, 11-inches wide for a 9-inch pie pan), or 3 inches larger for deep-dish pies.
• Set your pie or tart pan nearby. We always use heavy aluminum pans, because glass pans seem to bake the crust too fast. However, we know that the advantage of glass is that you can easily check the color of the crust. Again, it's up to you. Either choice will work.
• To transfer the crust to the pan, we find it easiest to roll a finished crust up onto the rolling pin, then gently unroll it in the pan. Or, you can fold it gently in quarters, lift it up, position the center point on the center of the pan, and unfold it into the pan. If using waxed paper, peel off the top layer, turn the crust gently into the pan, and peel off the remaining paper. Make sure that the dough is allowed to settle completely into the pan.
• Don't stretch and press the dough into the corners; stretched dough will likely shrink back when you bake it. Instead, lift the edges of the crust to let it settle down into the corners. If the dough tears a bit, don't be concerned; it will patch easily. Using scissors or a sharp knife, trim the dough to within 3/4-inch of the rim. Use any extra scraps to patch the crust, pressing with your fingers (wet them if necessary) or set aside.
• For a single-crust pie: Working around the rim, turn the crust under itself (not under the rim of the pan) to make a thick edge, pressing it firmly against the pan to reduce shrinkage. To decorate the rim, just press it all around with the back of a fork. For a slightly more advanced look, press the thumb and forefinger of one hand together. Use them to gently push the thick dough rim outward, while pushing inward with the forefinger of the other hand, so that they intersect in a "V" with the dough in between. Repeat all around the rim to make a wavy edge.
• Chill the finished crust or crusts for 20 to 30 minutes before filling the pie. When the bottom crust is filled, rest the top crust on top and pinch the edges together, turning them under all the way around. To decorate the rim, just press it all around with the back of a fork. For a slightly more advanced look, press the thumb and forefinger of one hand together. Use them to gently push the thick dough rim outward, while pushing inward with the forefinger of the other hand, so that they intersect in a "V" with the dough in between. Repeat all around the rim to make a wavy edge.
• For a prebaked pie or tart crust (blind baking): Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line the inside of the chilled crust with aluminum foil (don't turn it down over the rim, but leave the extra sticking up so that you have something to hold on to). Fill the foil all the way up to the top of the shell with pie weights or dried beans. Bake 25 to 30 minutes, until dry and beginning to turn "blond". Lift the foil and weights out of the shell and bake another 10 to 15 minutes, checking frequently to prevent overbaking, until medium brown.
• Yield: 2 crusts
• Preparation time: 15 minutes plus rolling and shaping
• Cooking time: 30 minutes
• Ease of preparation: moderate
• Recipe courtesy Gale Gand, "Butter Sugar Flour Eggs" by Gale Gand, Rick Tramonto, Julia Moskin: Clarkson N. Potter Publishers, 1999

BUTTERSCOTCH DELUXE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Heat oats on a baking sheet in preheated oven for 12 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• To Make Crust: In a medium bowl combine oats and 1/4 cup brown sugar together; mix in 1/3 cup butter. Press firmly onto bottom and sides of a 8 inch pie pan. Chill for 1 hour.
• To Make Filling: Combine 3/4 cup brown sugar, flour, salt and milk in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in 3 tablespoons butter and vanilla. Transfer mixture to a medium bowl; cover with foil and refrigerate for 1 hour or until cold.
• Once cold, fold in 1/2 cup of the whipped cream. Pour mixture into pie shell; chill until set. When ready to serve, top with dollops of 1/4 cup of whipped cream and arrange 6 pecan halves decoratively on top of pie.

BUTTERSCOTCH PIE WITH WALNUT-BACON TOFFEE

Steps:

• For crust, in a large bowl, mix flour, sugar and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Gradually add ice water, tossing with a fork until dough holds together when pressed. Shape into a disk; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 1 hour or overnight., For toffee, grease a 15x10x1-in. pan with 1/2 teaspoon butter. In a large heavy saucepan, combine sugar, salt and remaining butter. Cook over medium heat until a candy thermometer reads 300° (hard-crack stage), stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir in walnuts, cooked bacon and vanilla. Immediately pour into prepared pan. Let stand until set, about 45 minutes. Coarsely chop enough toffee to measure 4 cups; set aside. Break the remaining toffee into pieces; refrigerate to serve with pie or save for another use., On a lightly floured surface, roll pastry dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. deep-dish pie plate. Trim pastry to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 425°., Line pastry with a double thickness of foil. Fill with pie weights, dried beans or uncooked rice. Bake on a lower oven rack 20-25 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove foil and weights; bake 3-6 minutes longer or until bottom is golden brown. Cool on a wire rack., For filling, place egg yolks in a small bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. In a large heavy saucepan, mix brown sugar, flour and salt. Whisk in milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat to low; cook and stir 4 minutes longer. Remove from heat., Gradually whisk a small amount of hot mixture into egg yolks; return all to pan, whisking constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes. Immediately transfer to a clean bowl; stir in butter and vanilla until smooth., Place 3 cups of the chopped toffee into crust; pour filling over toffee. Top with remaining 1 cup chopped toffee. Refrigerate, covered, at least 2 hours before serving. Serve with whipped cream and remaining toffee pieces.

BLACK BOTTOM BUTTERSCOTCH CREAM PIE

Steps:

• Make the shell:
• In a food processor grind coarse the pecans with the sugar and transfer the mixture to a bowl. In the food processor blend together the flour, the butter, and the salt until the mixture resembles meal and add the flour mixture to the pecan mixture. Add the ice water, toss the mixture until the water is incorporated, and press it onto the bottom and up the side of a 9-inch (1-quart) pie plate, crimping the edge decoratively. Chill the shell for 1 hour, prick it all over with a fork, and line it with foil. Fill the foil with the rice, bake the shell in the lower third of a preheated 425°F. oven for 10 minutes, and remove the foil and rice carefully. Reduce the heat to 375°F., bake the shell for 12 to 15 minutes more, or until it is golden brown, and let it cool on a rack.
• In a small metal bowl set over a pan of barely simmering water melt the chocolate with the cream, stirring until the mixture is smooth, spread the mixture in the bottom and halfway up the side of the shell, and let it cool. Chill the shell.
• Make the filling while the shell is chilling:
• In a large metal bowl combine the bourbon and the water, sprinkle the gelatin over the liquid, and let it soften. In a saucepan heat the brown sugar, the milk, and the salt over moderate heat, stirring, until the mixture is hot and the sugar is dissolved and whisk in the butter. (The mixture will appear slightly curdled.) In a bowl whisk together the egg yolks, add the hot milk mixture in a stream, whisking, and pour the mixture into the pan. Cook the custard over moderately low heat, whisking constantly, until it is thickened and registers 160°F. on a candy thermometer and add it to the gelatin mixture. Stir in the vanilla and the nutmeg and stir the mixture until it is cold and the consistency of raw egg whites, and remove the bowl from the ice water. In another bowl with an electric mixer beat the cream until it holds stiff peaks, fold it into the custard mixture gently but thoroughly, and pour the filling into the chilled shell. Chill the pie for 6 hours or overnight.
• Decorate the pie:
• In a very small skillet or saucepan cook the sugar over moderate heat, undisturbed, until it begins to melt, cook, stirring with a fork, until it is melted completely and turns a golden caramel, and reduce the heat to low. Working quickly, add the pecans, turning them to coat them thoroughly with the caramel, and with the fork transfer them, 1 at a time, to a piece of foil to cool. In a chilled bowl with chilled beaters beat the cream until it holds stiff peaks, drop it by heaping tablespoons around the edge of the pie, and arrange a caramelized pecan in the center of each dollop.

BUTTERSCOTCH PIE

Steps:

• On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 425°., Line unpricked crust with a double thickness of foil. Fill with pie weights, dried beans or uncooked rice. Bake on a lower oven rack until edge is light golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Remove foil and weights; bake until bottom is golden brown, 3-6 minutes longer. Cool on a wire rack. Reduce oven setting to 350°., In a saucepan, melt butter. Remove from the heat; add flour and stir until smooth. Stir in brown sugar. Return to heat; stir in milk and salt until blended. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Stir about 1 cup hot filling into egg yolks; return all to pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in vanilla. Pour into crust., For meringue, beat egg whites and cream of tartar in a small bowl on medium speed until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in sugar, about 1 tablespoon at a time, on high until stiff glossy peaks form and sugar is dissolved. Spread evenly over hot filling, sealing edge to crust., Bake until meringue is golden brown, 12-15 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour. Refrigerate at least 3 hours before serving. Refrigerate leftovers.

BLACK BOTTOM BUTTERSCOTCH PIE

Steps:

• Make the chocolate pudding: in a medium saucepan, combine the cornstarch and sugar; whisk in ½ cup half-and-half until the mixture is smooth.
• Add in the remaining ¾ cup and bring to a boil, whisking constantly.
• Continue to cook mixture over med-high heat, whisking, until the mixture thickens, about 3-4 minutes.
• Take the pan from the heat and whisk in the chocolate and butter; continue to whisk until all the chocolate and butter have melted and the pudding is very smooth; stir in the vanilla.
• Scrape the pudding into the prepared pie crust and smooth the top with a rubber spatula.
• Make the butterscotch putting: in a medium saucepan, combine the butter, brown sugar, and salt; cook the mixture over low heat, whisking, until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the cornstarch and ½ cup of half-and-half; whisk to dissolve; set this mixture aside.
• Add the remaining 1 ½ cups half-and-half to the saucepan; whisk until it is combined with the brown sugar mixture.
• Add in half-and-half/cornstarch mixture to the pan; stir to combine, and turn the heat to med-high; cook, whisking, until the mixture thickened, about 3-4 minutes.
• Scrape the butterscotch mixture into the pie shell and smooth the top layer of the pudding with a rubber spatula so that it evenly covers the chocolate pudding.
• Place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the filling and refrigerate the pie until the filling is completely set, about 6 hours and up to 1 day.

BUTTERSCOTCH PIE WITH CURRY CRUST

Steps:

• For curry crumb crust:
• Place a rack in middle of oven and preheat to 325°F. Toast fennel seeds in a small dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small plate; let cool, then finely chop.
• Pulse cookies in a food processor until very fine crumbs form (you should have about 2 cups). Add fennel seeds, flour, raw sugar, curry powder, and salt and pulse to combine. Add butter and pulse until mixture is the consistency of wet sand.
• Transfer mixture to a 9" pie dish. Using a measuring cup, press firmly onto bottom and up sides of pie dish. Place pie dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake crust, rotating halfway through, until dry and set, 20-25 minutes. Transfer pie dish to a wire rack and let crust cool.
• DO AHEAD: Crust can be baked 1 day ahead. Store wrapped tightly at room temperature.
• For filling and assembly:
• Place gelatin and 2 tablespoons milk in a small bowl; let stand until gelatin is softened, 5-10 minutes.
• Place granulated sugar in a medium saucepan; scrape in seeds from vanilla bean and add pod. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until sugar is melted, then cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture turns amber in color, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and slowly add cream (mixture will bubble vigorously), stirring until smooth. Return to heat and add 1/2 cup brown sugar and remaining milk. Cook, stirring, until sugar is dissolved and caramel mixture begins to steam, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, add baking soda, and whisk until bubbles subside; remove pod and discard.
• Whisk egg yolks, cornstarch, and remaining 1/4 cup brown sugar in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in half of warm caramel mixture. Pour egg-yolk mixture into caramel mixture in saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly; reduce heat to low and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, 2 minutes. Remove from heat and add gelatin mixture, butter, molasses, and salt, whisking until butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Transfer filling to a large bowl and chill, stirring occasionally, until slightly cooled and thickened, about 1 hour. (Stirring and cooling pudding before chilling in crust will give it a luscious, creamy texture.)
• Pour butterscotch filling into crust, smoothing top if needed. Chill until set, at least 2 hours.
• Just before serving, spoon whipped cream over pie and top with cashews.
• DO AHEAD: Pie can be made (without whipped cream) 2 days ahead. Cover and keep chilled.