YWPWT: Christmas Time is Here Pie

“Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?!”

“Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about…

Lights, please.”

If you recognize those lines then you will know exactly what inspired this pie.  I am going sentimental with this one.  Sure, I thought about a crazy Grinch inspired pie that would excuse any baking or decorating deficiencies I have, but I let the holiday spirit take over.

This month our You Want Pies With That? challenge was to create a pie based on your favorite holiday song.  I love – LOVE – A Charlie Brown Christmas.  I watched it with my parents when I was a kid. I watched it with my roommates in college.  One of my greatest joys in the holiday season is watching it with my kids, who love it.  My love for it even managed to survive the year my older son was two and he insisted we watch it on DVD until Valentine’s Day.

This pie is my ode to the opening song, Christmas Time is Here.  The second I hear the opening notes I am instantly in a holiday mood.  To my everlasting delight, my husband bought the Charlie Brown Christmas songbook and plays them for us all through December.  (I would like an explanation of how we got from Vince Guaraldi to Yo Gabba Gabba).

The top layer is vanilla custard with edible glitter to invoke the ice on the frozen pond.  The bottom layer is chocolate custard flavored with Peanuts hot cocoa.  Because what do you absolutely need after ice skating?  Hot cocoa.   

Mom and son pronounced it awesome.  I would love to have a picture of them enjoying it but, since the sun makes only a brief half-a** appearance this time of year, I will not subject you to another dark picture (for now).

Don’t you love the skating Snoopy?  My husband has a freak savant talent of being able to draw Peanuts characters…and only Peanuts characters.  He can’t draw anything else but he managed this free hand!  Awesome, I think and much appreciated.

If you celebrate Christmas and haven’t seen Charlie Brown Christmas, first crawl out from under your rock, then purchase a TV (go ahead and get the one that comes with the DVD player – you don’t have time to shop around) and then head to Blockbuster.  NOW.  A teaser below…

Double Custard Pie

Vanilla Custard

 Ingredients

• 1 C. sugar
• 1/3 C. flour
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 C. milk
• 3 egg yolks (lightly beaten)
• 2 tbsp. Butter
• 2 tsp. Vanilla

Directions

Mix the sugar, flour and salt in bowl.  In saucepan, heat milk to scald.  Whisk in flour mixture.  When it starts bubbling scoop a couple of spoonfuls into the egg yolks.  blend thoroughly and add back to the pan.  Let it begin bubbling again and cook for about one more minute.  Remove from heat and add the butter and vanilla.  Cooll until you can add it to an already cooked pie crust.  I like mine chilled in the fridge.

Chocolate Custard

Add four tablespoons of cocoa powder or use 1/2 cocoa powder with 1/2 hot cocoa mix.  Follow the same directions for the vanilla custard. 

To make a double custard, halve the amounts above.  I made the chocolate first and let it chill in the crust overnight before making and adding the vanilla layer.