The Milk Bar Pie—originally known as Crack Pie—is a famous dessert created by Christina Tosi at Milk Bar. It’s a buttery, gooey, and sweet treat that has become iconic due to its rich filling and unique oat cookie crust. This dessert is beloved for its sweet and salty balance, making it highly addictive. But what exactly goes into making this pie? In this article, we’ll break down the ingredients and share the process of creating this cult-favorite dessert.
The History and Evolution of the Milk Bar Pie
The Milk Bar Pie became famous for its intensely sweet and buttery flavor, which gave it its original controversial name, Crack Pie. However, as concerns grew over the name, it was changed to Milk Bar Pie. This change didn’t affect the ingredients or the gooey texture that fans love.
A key feature of this pie is its oat cookie crust, which sets it apart from traditional pies. The crust is made from a baked oat cookie that is crumbled and pressed into a pie tin, offering a delightful crunch. For those interested in perfecting their crusts, take a look at this guide to making pie crusts, which provides tips for creating the ideal base for any pie.
Another crucial component of the pie is corn powder, a unique thickener that helps create the pie’s signature gooey texture. You can explore more about how to use corn powder and other thickening agents in pies in this guide on how to thicken pie fillings.
Ingredients Breakdown
Here are the key ingredients that make up the Milk Bar Pie:
Oat Cookie Crust
- Oats: The foundation of the crust, baked into an oat cookie that’s later crumbled to form the pie’s base.
- Butter: Melted butter is used to bind the oat cookie crumbs together.
- Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and depth to the crust, enhancing the overall flavor.
Filling
- Butter: A critical component of the filling, contributing to its rich, gooey texture.
- Brown Sugar and White Sugar: These sugars create a caramel-like flavor in the filling.
- Heavy Cream: Balances the sweetness and adds a creamy texture.
- Egg Yolks: Help the filling set while keeping it soft and gooey.
- Corn Powder: A unique thickener that enhances the pie’s overall richness and texture.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and rounds out the buttery, sweet filling.
For more insights into how various ingredients affect pie textures, check out this guide on the science behind pie fillings.
The Process of Making Milk Bar Pie
Step 1: Making the Oat Cookie Crust
Start by baking an oat cookie from scratch. Once baked, crumble the cookie and mix it with melted butter and brown sugar. Press this mixture into a pie tin to form the crust. If you’re interested in other pie crust variations, consider reading more about creating a flaky pie dough.
Step 2: Preparing the Filling
The filling is made by blending melted butter, brown sugar, white sugar, heavy cream, and egg yolks. Adding corn powder thickens the filling while keeping it gooey. Be sure to temper the egg yolks to prevent curdling by adding a small amount of the hot mixture before fully combining.
Step 3: Baking the Pie
Once the filling is prepared and poured into the crust, bake the pie at a low temperature. The edges should be set, but the center should still jiggle slightly for that perfect gooey texture.
Step 4: Cooling and Serving
Let the pie cool completely before serving to allow the filling to firm up. Serve the pie at room temperature or chilled, depending on your preference.
Tips for Perfecting the Milk Bar Pie
Here are a few tips to help you create the perfect Milk Bar Pie:
- Avoid Overbaking: Watch for the edges to set while the center remains slightly soft. Overbaking will result in a firmer, less gooey filling.
- Press the Crust Firmly: When pressing the oat cookie mixture into the pie tin, make sure it’s packed firmly enough to hold the filling but not so dense that it becomes too hard.
- Achieving the Gooey Center: The pie should jiggle slightly when it’s removed from the oven. This ensures that the center remains gooey as it cools.
For more tips on creating gooey pie fillings, check out this helpful article on pie filling consistency.
FAQs: Common Questions About Milk Bar Pie
What is the Milk Bar Pie made of?
The Milk Bar Pie is made from an oat cookie crust and a rich, gooey filling that includes butter, sugar, heavy cream, egg yolks, and corn powder.
Why was it previously called Crack Pie?
The pie was originally named Crack Pie due to its addictive flavor, but it was later renamed to avoid controversy.
Can I make a gluten-free version of the Milk Bar Pie?
Yes, you can substitute the oat cookie crust with a gluten-free version. For more information on gluten-free baking, check out this gluten-free pie crust guide.
Conclusion
The Milk Bar Pie combines a buttery, rich filling with a chewy oat cookie crust, creating a unique dessert that’s beloved by many. Its simple ingredients come together in an unexpected way, resulting in a gooey, sweet pie that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re trying the original recipe or making your own variation, this pie is sure to impress. For more inspiration, check out this chocolate pie recipe for another delicious dessert option.