Description
Experience the charm of the holiday season with the White Christmas Pie, a tantalizing dessert that seizes the spirit of winter wonder in every morsel. Picture a buttery flaky crust enveloping a filling, where the richness of velvety cream meets the lightness of whipped egg whites all intertwined with the tropical flair of shredded coconut. Each mouthwatering morsel offers a harmony of textures and flavors topped off with whipped cream and adorned with fresh strawberries dusted in powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness. It’s more, than your pie; it’s a true celebration of holiday cheer—a symphony of tastes that dances, on your taste buds evoking warm memories and the enchantment of a snowy Christmas, no matter what nature has in store outside.
Ingredients
For the 10-inch Pie Crust:
6 tbsp unsalted butter
1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 1/2 tsp granulated sugar
2 1/2 tbsp cold vegetable shortening
1/4 c ice cold water, plus more as needed
For the Filling:
1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/4 c water
2/3 c granulated sugar, divided
1/4 c all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 c whole milk
1/4 tsp almond extract
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 c heavy cream
3 egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
3/4 c shredded coconut plus more for sprinkling over top
2 c heavy cream (as topping)
2 c fresh diced strawberries (for topping)
1/2 c confectioners’ sugar (to mix with strawberries)
Instructions
To make the crust:
Cut the butter into pieces and briefly freeze them.
In a food processor combine the flour, salt and sugar.
Incorporate shortening and frozen butter, into the mixture by pulsing until it becomes crumbly.
Gradually mix in ice water until a dough forms. If necessary add water.
Form the dough into a disc shape wrap it up and refrigerate it for 30 minutes.
Roll out the dough. Place it in a pie plate. Shape the edges as desired. Freeze for 30 minutes.
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Use pie weights, on parchment paper to bake the crust for 20 minutes then remove the weights and continue baking for another 15 minutes until brown. Let it cool.
For the filling:
Dissolve gelatin in water as instructed on its packaging.
In a saucepan combine sugar, flour, salt and milk over heat until it comes to a boil. Then add gelatin along with any desired extracts/flavors to enhance taste. Allow it to cool over ice or refrigerate until set.
Whip half a cup of cream until soft peaks form.
Using a mixer or whisk beat egg whites with cream of tartar and remaining sugar until stiff peaks form.
Combine the whipped cream beaten egg whites and coconut, with the filling by gently folding them together.
Spread the filling evenly into the crust to fill it completely.
For the toppings:
To make whipped cream beat 2 cups of cream until it forms peaks. Use this whipped cream to decorate the top of the pie and sprinkle some coconut on it for added flavor.
To create a strawberry sauce dice fresh. Mix them with confectioner’s sugar. Allow this mixture to sit for a while until it forms a sauce.
When serving:
Cut slices of pie. Drizzle each slice with the delicious strawberry sauce. Enjoy this dessert!
Notes
To transform this White Christmas Pie into a gluten-free version it’s not just, about swapping ingredients. It’s about reimagining the recipe and embracing a kind of magic. Here’s how you can do it:
The Crust Makeover: Instead of using all-purpose flour opt for a high-quality gluten-free flour blend that is specifically designed for baking. Look for blends that contain a combination of rice flour, potato starch and tapioca flour. These blends will mimic the texture and density of wheat flour giving your crust that desired flakiness and tenderness.
Thickening the Filling: Replace all-purpose flour in the filling with your chosen gluten-free flour blend. Gluten-free flours work wonderfully as thickeners. Will help achieve the right consistency without compromising on flavor.
Remember Cross Contamination: If you’re cooking for someone with disease or severe gluten intolerance it’s important to be cautious about cross contamination. Use utensils, bowls and surfaces, during preparation. Ensure that all ingredients used including baking powder and extracts. Are certified gluten-free.
By following these steps you’ll be able to create a gluten-free version of this White Christmas Pie while keeping its magical essence intact.
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 35 minutes