Birthday Pie

We had dear friends in town this weekend, one of whom was celebrating a birthday (happy thirty something, Timmy!). In honor of the happy event, I concocted a little somethin' something', also called a bittersweet chocolate pudding pie with a sweet and tangy creme fraiche topping. The pie (from Bon Appetit) is well worth the short 40 minutes--I have been going back to the refrigerator for a spoonful here and there all day.

Ingredients

Crust:

• 1 cup chocolate wafer cookie crumbs (about half of one 9-ounce package; about 23 cookies, finely ground in processor)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60% cacao), finely chopped

Filling:

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups whole milk, divided
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60% cacao), finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon dark rum
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:

• 1 cup chilled crème fraîche*
• 1 cup chilled heavy whipping cream
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Bittersweet chocolate shavings or curls (optional)

Preparation

Crust:
Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350°F. Blend cookie crumbs and sugar in processor. Add melted butter; process until crumbs are evenly moistened. Press crumb mixture onto bottom and up sides (not rim) of 9-inch-diameter glass pie dish. Bake until crust begins to set and no longer looks moist, pressing gently with back of fork if crust puffs, about 12 minutes. Remove crust from oven, then sprinkle chopped chocolate over bottom of crust. Let stand until chocolate softens, 1 to 2 minutes. Using offset spatula or small rubber spatula, spread chocolate over bottom and up sides of crust to cover. Chill crust until chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.

Filling:
Whisk sugar, cocoa, cornstarch, and salt to blend in heavy medium saucepan. Gradually add 1/3 cup milk, whisking until smooth paste forms. Whisk in remaining milk, then 1/4 cup cream. Using flat-bottom wooden spoon or heatproof spatula, stir mixture constantly over medium heat, scraping bottom and sides of pan until pudding thickens and begins to bubble at edges, about 5 minutes. Add chocolate; stir until mixture is smooth. Remove from heat; stir in rum and vanilla. Pour hot pudding into crust and spread evenly. Cool 1 hour at room temperature. Cover with plastic wrap; chill overnight. DO AHEAD: Can be made 2 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.

Topping:
Using electric mixer, beat crème fraîche, whipping cream, sugar, and vanilla in medium bowl just until stiff peaks form and mixture is thick enough to spread (do not overbeat or mixture may curdle). Spread topping decoratively over top of pie, swirling to create peaks, if desired. DO AHEAD: Pie can be made 6 hours ahead. Cover with cake dome and refrigerate.

Sprinkle chocolate shavings decoratively atop pie, if desired. Cut pie into wedges and serve.

Summer Treat

One of my favorite gifts from our wedding was an ice cream maker attachment for our stand mixer. I have used it a couple of times now and found that it's a fun way to make summer treats. (Aside: fun, yes, but cheap, no. It is definitely more cost effective to buy your ice cream.) The first time around I made a very smooth vanilla bean ice cream, featuring a lot of cream, half and half, 8 egg yolks, and sugar. Feeling obese just writing that, I opted the second time for some frozen yogurt to share with friends who visited this week. This recipe was super easy, low cost (raspberries were on sale!), and happily does not add an extra cellulite groove on your thigh (provided, that is, that you walked to the grocery store and did some jumping jacks while the ice cream maker was churning). For a fizzy bonus, consider pouring some prosecco on top.

Raspberry Chocolate Chip Frozen Yogurt

• 3 cups fresh or frozen (not thawed) raspberries
• 2 cups low-fat plain yogurt
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips, preferably mini

Place raspberries, yogurt, sugar and vanilla in a food processor and process until smooth.

Transfer the mixture to an ice cream maker (or see "No Ice Cream Maker?" below). Freeze according to manufacturer’s directions, or until desired consistency. Add chocolate chips during the last 5 minutes of freezing. Transfer to an airtight container and freeze or serve immediately for soft serve.

No ice cream maker? Pour the mixture into a 9-by-13-inch pan and place in the freezer. Stir every few hours, until the mixture is firm along the edges and semi-firm in the center, 2 to 6 hours (using frozen berries will shorten the freezing time). Transfer to a food processor and process until smooth. Transfer to an airtight container, stir in chocolate chips, cover and freeze until ready to serve.