Friday is PIE DAY!

Today I am taking a departure from my usual pie repertoire in order to bring you a pie that is theme appropriate for Halloween.  I generally stick to classic pies with pastry crusts, and tend to think that fluffy concoctions and cookie crusts can't really be called pie at all.  This is strictly my preference, and I won't hold it against you if you will only eat frothy pastel pies, but they really should be called desserts.

Alright, enough of that, and on to the pie of the day.  This is a happy mixture of classic pumpkin pie flavor and chiffon texture all wrapped up in a bourbon laced chocolate cookie crumb crust (say that 5 times fast!). 

Halloween Chocolate Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Chocolate Cookie Crust
24 chocolate wafer cookies, crushed
4 T butter, melted
2 T bourbon

*note-I used Famous Chocolate Wafers for their yummy taste and dark color
-crush chocolate wafers with a rolling pin, or in food processor for finer blend
-add melted butter and bourbon
-press into 9" pie plate
-bake at 350 for 8 minutes

Pumpkin Chiffon Filling

1 env. unflavored gelatin

1/2 c cold water

2 egg yolks

1 c evaporated milk

1 can pumpkin filling

3/4 c brown sugar

1/2 t salt

1/2 t nutmeg

1/2 t cinnamon

1/4 t ginger

2 egg whites

-soften gelatin in cold water

-in top of double boiler, mix egg yolks, milk, pumpkin, 1/2 c brown sugar, salt and spices

-cook over boiling water for 10 minutes, stirring constantly

-remove from heat and stir in gelatin

-refrigerate, stirring occasionally, until thickened

-beat egg whites, gradually adding 1/4 c of brown sugar

-beat until very stiff

-fold into pumpkin mixture

-spoon into shell and refrigerate until firm

The dark chocolate crust and pale orange filling create a festive color combination.  To add more crunch and a little visual interest, I added a few cookie sprinkles on top of each piece.  You could also top it with candy corn, maple candy or any other Halloween tidbits you have around.

You may eliminate the bourbon in the crust if you would like it to be kid-friendly, or you can leave the pie to the adults, and make some chiffon cups for the kiddies.  I simply spooned some of the pumpkin chiffon filling into custard cups, then topped them with plain cookie crumbles to form a bed of "dirt" for gummi worms.

Happy Halloween!  Please share your own Halloween plans and costumes!