It’s a PROMOTION PIE!
Not that I really need an excuse to bake a pie, as it really is one of my favorite things to to in life – it’s my meditation, my luxury, and my will.
But, this cherry pie had a purpose.
My neighbor, just a few doors down the hall, was promoted to Colonel.
Now that’s a feat.
Thus, we celebrated, with PIE!
This isn’t just an ordinary cherry pie, which I know she loves.
I had to overdo it, once again. That’s just how I roll.
The crust is infused with fresh orange juice and orange peel. Then, there is a layer of creamy chocolate ganache, topped with an “intense” fresh cherry filling. Garnished with fresh cherries, orange peel, and raw sugar, this Intense Chocolate Cherry Orange Pie is a masterpiece!
Intense Chocolate Cherry Orange Pie
Crust:
8 Tbs. cold butter, cubed into 1″ pieces
1 large egg
1 Tbs. vinegar
juice and zest of 1 fresh orange
2 cups all purpose flour
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
Combine all the ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until beady and somewhat moist (not too wet).
Transfer to parchment paper.
Form into a large dough mound.
Top with another piece of parchment and roll out into an 11″ pie crust.
Transfer to a 9″ DEEP DISH pie plate and flute the edges
Fill with pie weights and bake for about 20 minutes, until just beginning to brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.
Intense Cherry Chocolate Filling:
1 lb. fresh cherries, pitted or chopped – removing the pits
16 oz. Bonne Maman Intense Cherry Fruit Spread
2 Tbs. sugar
2 Tbs. corn starch
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. sea salt
10 oz. bittersweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy cream
In a medium pot, mix together the cherries and fruit spread, as well as the vanilla and salt. Mix well and continue to cook until the filling becomes liquidy.
Whisk in the corn starch, stirring until fully combined.
Remove from heat and cool for 10-15 minutes.
Meanwhile, over very low heat, warm the chocolate and cream, stirring constantly, until the mixture forms a smooth ganache.
Pour the ganache over the cooled orange zest crust.
Let sit for 20-30 minutes.
Then top with the Intense Cherry filling.
Chill for several hours until set.
Garnish:
fresh cherries and orange peel
raw sugar
Top with fresh cherries, orange peel, and raw sugar before slicing and serving.
