Orange Chocolate Silk Pie Recipes

CHOCOLATE SILK PIE

Steps:

• Fill a medium pot with 1 inch water over medium heat. Whisk the eggs with 1/2 cup of the sugar and the water or coffee in a large heatproof bowl that will fit over the pot without touching the water. Place the bowl over the simmering water and continue whisking constantly until the eggs become thick and fluffy, and a drizzle of the mixture will hold its shape and sit on top of the custard, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool, whisking occasionally so the eggs do not scramble.
• Combine the butter, salt and remaining 1/4 cup sugar in a large bowl and beat in a stand mixer or with hand beaters on medium-high speed until fluffy. Pour in the chocolate and 1 1/4 teaspoons of the vanilla and continue to beat, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until combined. Add the custard and continue to beat until the filling is thick, fluffy and smooth, about 5 minutes.
• Spread into the pie crust and cover with plastic wrap. Chill until cold and set, 2 to 3 hours. Before serving, whip the cream with the confectioners' sugar and remaining 1/4 teaspoon vanilla until it forms soft peaks. Spread over the pie filling and garnish with chocolate shavings.

ORANGE-CHOCOLATE SILK PIE

Steps:

• For chocolate cookie crust: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and position an oven rack in the center. Put the cookie crumbs and the sugar in a medium bowl and stir well with a spatula to blend. Add the melted butter and stir until crumbs are evenly moistened. Transfer the buttered crumbs to a 9-inch pie dish or pan. Use the heel of your hand or the bottom of a drinking glass to press teh crumbs from the center outward into an even layer across the bottom of the pan. Use your thumbs to press the crumbs up the side of the pan and level them at the rim. 2. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly colored and fragrant. Transfer to a rack to cool completely. For filling: 1. Bring 2 inches of water to a low boil over medium-low heat in a medium saucepan. Place the eggs and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer and whisk by hand to blend. Place the bowl over simmering water (the bottom of the bowl must not touch the water) and whisk constantly to prevent the eggs from scrambling. Heat mixture until mixture reaches 160 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer and the eggs look light in color and texture. (*To check the temperature, remove the bowl from the heat so the mixture doesn't overcook while you are waiting for the temperature to register. If the mixture has not yet reached 160 degrees F, wash the thermometer so any possible bacteria will not contaminate the eggs during your next check - dry it, and put the bowl back over the water and continue to whisk. This step can take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes. The more often you check the temperature, the longer it takes, so be patient.) When the eggs reach 160 degrees F, remove the bowl from the saucepan and beat on high for 3 minutes. Keep the burner on. 2. While the eggs are beating, place the butter, cream, and chocolate in a medium bowl and set the bowl in a saucepan over the simmering water. Let sit for 1 minute, then gently stir with a silicone or rubber spatula until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and wipe the bottom of the bowl dry. Add the chocolate mixture to the eggs, lower the speed to medium, and beat until there are no streaks of egg visible. Scrape down the bowl and beat in the vanilla extract (or liqueur). Remove the bowl from the mixer and scrape down the side and bottom of the bowl., making sure that any streaks of egg and blended into the chocolate. Scrape the filling into the prepared pie crust and smooth the top. Refrigerate until cold, about 30 minutes. For topping: 1. In a clean mixer bowl, whip the cream and sugar into firm peaks. You may also use a hand mixer in a medium bowl. Use a silicone or rubber spatula to scrape the cream into the center of the pie, then use an offset spatula or back of a spoon to spread it all the way to the edge, making swirls as you go. For a more elegant version, pipe the cream over the filling, using a 1/2 inch star tip fitted into a pastry bag (but increase the cream to 1 3/4 cups and sugar to 2 tablespoons, as piping requires more cream). Sprinkle the top with chocolate curls or a dusting of extra cookie crumbs. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving. To serve, cut slices with a thin, sharp knife, wiping with a moist hot towel between slices.