The Milk Bar Crack Pie is an iconic dessert known for its sweet, buttery, and gooey filling nestled in a homemade oat cookie crust. With its deep caramel flavor, rich texture, and a dusting of powdered sugar on top, this pie has a reputation for being utterly addictive. Each bite is a delightful combination of creamy, chewy, and crispy, making it a favorite treat for those who love indulgent desserts. Follow this recipe to create a masterpiece that’s sure to impress at any gathering!
Ingredients:
For the Pie:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 recipe Oat Cookie (recipe below)
- 1 tbsp light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ tsp kosher salt
- 1 recipe Crack Pie Filling (recipe below)
- Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
For the Oat Cookie:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 3 tbsp white granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ⅛ tsp baking powder
- Pinch of baking soda
- ½ tsp kosher salt
For the Crack Pie Filling:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1½ cups white granulated sugar
- ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ cup corn powder (freeze-dried corn ground to a fine powder)
- ¼ cup milk powder
- ¾ cup heavy cream
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 8 large egg yolks
Instructions:
For the Oat Cookie Crust:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the Butter and Sugars: In a bowl, beat the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add Egg Yolk: Mix in the egg yolk, beating until the mixture is smooth and well-combined.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to the mixture. Stir until the dough forms.
- Bake the Oat Cookie: Spread the dough evenly on the prepared baking sheet to about ¼-inch thickness. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the oat cookie to cool completely.
- Form the Crust: Once cooled, crumble the oat cookie in a blender or food processor until it forms a fine, sand-like texture. Add the sugar, salt, and melted butter, mixing until it forms a dough. Press this mixture into the base and sides of a pie dish, creating an even crust. Refrigerate until firm.
For the Crack Pie Filling:
- Prepare the Filling: In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter, granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and kosher salt.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Stir in the corn powder and milk powder until fully incorporated.
- Mix in Liquids: Slowly add the heavy cream and vanilla extract. Finally, mix in the egg yolks, one at a time, being careful not to overbeat the mixture.
- Pour into Crust: Once the filling is smooth, pour it into the chilled oat cookie crust.
Baking the Pie:
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Place the pie in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 325°F. Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the filling is golden and slightly jiggly in the center.
- Cool and Set: Remove from the oven and allow the pie to cool on a wire rack. Once it has cooled completely, refrigerate for at least 4 hours to set.
Finishing:
- Dust the top of the pie generously with confectioners’ sugar before serving.
Description and Tips:
This version of Milk Bar Crack Pie is a decadent dessert with a gooey, caramelized filling and an irresistible oat cookie crust. The unique use of corn powder and milk powder in the filling adds a subtle richness and depth to the flavor, while the oat cookie crust provides a wonderful contrast to the creamy filling.
Tips:
- Make-Ahead: This pie is best made ahead of time, as it needs to chill for a few hours to fully set. It’s even better the next day!
- Avoid Overmixing: When adding the egg yolks to the filling, gently mix them in to avoid incorporating too much air, which can cause the pie to crack during baking.
- Freeze-Dried Corn: If you can’t find freeze-dried corn, you can skip this ingredient, but it does add a unique flavor. Alternatively, you can order it online or substitute with a fine cornmeal.
Serve your Milk Bar Crack Pie chilled, with an extra dusting of powdered sugar, and enjoy the sweet, buttery perfection!
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