Best 4 Black Bottom Pie Southern Living Recipes

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**Black Bottom Pie: A Southern Delight**

Indulge in the delectable Southern classic, Black Bottom Pie, a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. This iconic pie features a velvety chocolate filling nestled atop a rich, buttery crust, all crowned with a fluffy whipped cream topping. The contrasting layers create a harmonious balance of sweet and creamy, with a hint of cocoa bitterness that lingers on the palate. Our curated collection of recipes offers variations on this timeless favorite, ensuring there's a perfect Black Bottom Pie for every occasion. Embark on a culinary journey and discover the secrets behind this Southern gem, from the ideal crust-to-filling ratio to the art of achieving the perfect whipped cream topping.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

BLACK-BOTTOM PIE



Black-Bottom Pie image

The creamy, bittersweet-chocolate "bottom" of this early-twentieth-century icebox pie rests on a graham cracker crust. The pile of ethereal meringue on top includes a hint of rum.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Pie & Tarts Recipes

Yield Makes one 9-inch pie

Number Of Ingredients 20

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons sugar
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups whole milk
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons unflavored gelatin
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 tablespoons light rum
4 large egg whites, room temperature

Steps:

  • Make the crust: Stir together graham cracker crumbs, butter, sugar, and salt in a bowl. Press into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Refrigerate until firm, about 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake until crust is set and begins to turn golden brown, about 12 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
  • Make the filling: Sift together sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt into a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until almost boiling. Reduce heat to medium; add chocolate. Cook, stirring constantly, until chocolate has melted and mixture is thick, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; whisk in butter and vanilla until smooth. Spread chocolate mixture over crust. Refrigerate until cold and firm, about 1 hour.
  • Make the topping: Prepare an ice-water bath; set aside. Sprinkle gelatin over 2 tablespoons cold water in a small bowl. Let stand until soft, about 3 minutes. Whisk 1/4 cup sugar, the cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in the milk. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick and boiling, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in gelatin mixture, and let cool completely. Stir in vanilla and rum. Briefly place pan in an ice-water bath to thicken slightly, if needed. Do not let it set completely. Set aside.
  • Put egg whites in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium-low speed until soft peaks form. Reduce speed to low; continue beating while you make syrup.
  • Bring remaining 1/2 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons water to a boil in a saucepan, stirring to dissolve sugar. Brush down sides of pan with a wet pastry brush to prevent crystals from forming. Cook, without stirring, until syrup registers 240 degrees on a candy thermometer.
  • Raise mixer speed to high, and beat egg whites just until stiff peaks begin to form. Immediately pour syrup into egg whites in a slow, steady stream near side of bowl, avoiding whisk. Beat until glossy and cooled, about 7 minutes.
  • Fold meringue mixture into reserved gelatin mixture in 3 batches until just combined. Mound the mixture into the chocolate-filled crust. Refrigerate pie for 2 1/2 hours or overnight before serving.

BLACK BOTTOM PIE



Black Bottom Pie image

This classic meringue-and-custard dessert originated in the American South around the turn of the twentieth century. The bottom layer of chocolate pastry cream was thought to signify the dark, swampy lowlands lying along the Mississippi River.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Dessert & Treats Recipes     Pie & Tarts Recipes

Yield Makes 10-inch pie

Number Of Ingredients 16

Unsalted butter, for pie plate
All-purpose flour, for dusting
Pate Brisee for Plum Crumb Pie
1 1/2 ounces semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup cold water
1 envelope gelatin
4 large eggs, separated
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 cups milk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 tablespoon dark rum
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup chocolate shavings, for decorating

Steps:

  • To make the crust: Lightly butter a 10-inch pie plate. On a lightly floured board, roll out the half of the pate brisee to a 1/8-inch thickness (unused dough can be wrapped and plastic and stored in the refrigerator or freezer). Place the dough in the pie plate, and press it into the bottom edges and along the sides. Trim the dough using scissors or a sharp paring knife. Crimp or decorate the edges of the crust if desired. Chill crust for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Carefully line the pie plate with parchment paper, gently pressing the parchment into the edges of the crust; weigh down parchment with dried beans or pie weights. Bake until edges of pastry begin to turn golden, about 15 minutes. Carefully remove pie weights and parchment paper. Continue to bake until crust is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes more. Transfer the crust to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • To make the filling: Prepare an ice-water bath. In the top of a double boiler or in a heat-proof bowl set over simmering water, melt chocolate; set aside. Place 1/4 cup cold water in a small bowl, and sprinkle gelatin over it; set aside to soften.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together 4 egg yolks, 1/4 cup sugar, and the cornstarch; set aside. In a medium saucepan, combine milk and 1/4 cup sugar. Bring just to a boil. Add about one-quarter of the hot-milk mixture to the egg mixture, whisking constantly, until combined. Return egg-milk mixture to saucepan, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat when mixture has boiled and thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Measure out 1 cup of custard, and transfer to a medium bowl. Add the melted chocolate and vanilla to it, stirring until the chocolate is melted. Transfer the bowl to the ice-water bath to cool completely. When cool, spread evenly in the bottom of the pie crust. Transfer pie crust to refrigerator until set, about 5 minutes. Add softened gelatin to remaining custard. Transfer pan to the ice-water bath to cool until just beginning to set.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, beat egg whites with salt and cream of tartar until soft peaks form. With machine running, gradually add remaining 1/2 cup sugar, and beat until stiff glossy peaks form. Stir 1/3 of whipped egg whites into custard to lighten. Gently but thoroughly fold in remaining whites and rum. Spread over chocolate layer. Refrigerate pie for at least 3 hours and up to overnight.
  • Whip cream until stiff peaks form. Spread over custard or pipe on top with a pastry bag fitted with a star tip. Sprinkle chocolate shavings on top. Chill until ready to serve.

BLACK-BOTTOM PECAN CHEESECAKE PIE



Black-Bottom Pecan Cheesecake Pie image

Make and share this Black-Bottom Pecan Cheesecake Pie recipe from Food.com.

Provided by Little Suzy Homemak

Categories     Cheesecake

Time 1h20m

Yield 1 pie, 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

0.5 (15 ounce) package refrigerated pie crusts
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons whipping cream
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 large eggs
3/4 cup sugar, divided
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup light corn syrup
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 1/2 cups pecan halves
chocolate syrup (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Unrool piecrust; fit into a 9-inch pie plate according to package directions. Fold edges under and crimp.
  • Microwave chocolate chip and whipping cream in a small glass bowl at Medium power 1 to 1 1/2 minutes or until chips begin to melt. Whisk until smooth; set aside.
  • Beat cream cheese, 1 egg, 1/2 cup sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla and salt at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour chocolate mixture into piecrust, spreading evenly. Pour cream cheese mixture over the chocolate layer.
  • Whisk together corn syrup, melted butter, remaining 3 eggs, remaining 1/4 cup sugar and remaining 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Stir in pecans and pour over cream cheese layer.
  • Bake at 350 degrees for 55 minutes or until set, shielding pie after about 45 minutes to prevent excessive browning. Cool completely on a wire rack. Drizzle each slice with chocolate syrup if desired.

BLACK BOTTOM PIE



Black Bottom Pie image

My grandmother made the best black-bottom pie but she never wrote down her recipe. This recipe very closely resembles the taste and look of it. Adapted from Southern Living. 2 hour, 30 minute chill time.

Provided by ratherbeswimmin

Categories     Dessert

Time 2h15m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons rum
1 (1/4 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
2/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 cups milk
4 egg yolks
1 cup semisweet chocolate morsel
2 cups whipping cream
3 tablespoons powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups gingersnap crumbs (about 26 cookies)
2 tablespoons sugar
1/3 cup melted butter or 1/3 cup margarine, melted

Steps:

  • To make the gingersnap crust: In a bowl, add all the crust ingredients; stir to mix.
  • Press mixture into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch deep dish pie plate.
  • Bake at 350°F for 8-10 minutes; cool on a wire rack.
  • To make the filling: In a small bowl, add the water and rum; stir to combine.
  • Sprinkle the gelatin over the rum mixture; stir to combine and set aside.
  • In a saucepan, add the sugar and cornstarch; stir to combine.
  • Gradually whisk in the milk and egg yolks.
  • Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat, whisk constantly.
  • Boil for 1 minute.
  • Add in gelatin mixture; stir until mixture is dissolved.
  • Mix together 1 cup of custard mixture and chocolate morsels; stir until smooth; pour into gingersnap crust; spread evenly.
  • Chill 30 minutes or until set; set aside remaining custard.
  • In a mixing bowl, beat whipping cream until foamy, using an electric mixer on high speed.
  • Gradually add powdered sugar; beat until soft peaks form.
  • Fold 1 cup whipping cream mixture into custard mixture; spoon over chocolate mixture.
  • Chill pie and remaining whipped cream for 2 hours or until pie is set.
  • Spread remaining whipped cream over the top.

Tips:

  • Prepare the Crust in Advance: For a flaky and flavorful crust, make it ahead of time and chill it before baking. This allows the gluten to relax, resulting in a tender and crispy crust.
  • Use Room-Temperature Ingredients: Bringing your butter, eggs, and milk to room temperature ensures they blend smoothly and evenly into the batter. This helps create a creamy and cohesive filling.
  • Don't Overmix the Batter: Overmixing can result in a tough and dense crust. Mix the ingredients just until they are combined, being careful not to overwork the dough.
  • Bake the Pie in a Hot Oven: Preheat your oven to the highest temperature specified in the recipe. This helps create a crispy crust and prevents the filling from becoming too runny.
  • Cool the Pie Completely Before Serving: Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing and serving. This helps the filling set and prevents it from becoming runny.

Conclusion:

The Southern Living Black Bottom Pie is a classic dessert that combines the richness of chocolate with the sweet tanginess of lemon. With its flaky crust, creamy chocolate filling, and tangy lemon layer, this pie is sure to impress your family and friends. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, this recipe provides detailed instructions and helpful tips to guide you through the process. Follow these tips and you'll be able to create a delicious and visually stunning Black Bottom Pie that will be the star of any gathering.

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