I made this pie for Thanksgiving, and it was the hit dessert of the night. People were fighting over the last slice, which is the best compliment a baker can receive.
The crust is a simple graham cracker and butter base, although the recipe fits snugly into a prebaked graham cracker crust if you want to skip that fuss. The chocolate filling is to die for. It melts in your mouth and is similar to a ganache. You can make it days in advance; the filling holds up well in the refrigerator and doesn’t get too hard.
The topping is a meringue-marshmallow combination, which should be made and applied just before serving. The marshmallow fluff brings it closer to the actual s’mores flavor instead of a traditional meringue topping found on citrus pies. And of course, torching the top before serving looks gorgeous and adds a hint of smoky campfire goodness. Although it takes three components and a bit of effort, the payoff is well worth it. Enjoy and happy baking!
S’more Pie with Marshmallow Meringue Adapted from a Smitten Kitchen recipe Makes 1 9-inch pie
5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
1½ cups graham cracker crumbs
¼ cup 2 Tbsp. plus sugar, divided
¼ tsp. kosher salt, divided
1 cup heavy cream
7 oz. fine-quality bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 large egg at room temperature
1 7-oz. jar Kraft Jet-puffed Marshmallow Creme
3 large egg whites
• Place an oven rack in the middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter or spray a 9-inch pie pan.
• Stir together the butter, graham cracker crumbs, 2 tablespoons sugar and 1/8 teaspoon salt in a bowl until combined. Press the mixture evenly on the bottom and up the sides of the pie pan. Bake 12 to 15 minutes, then cool to room temperature, at least 45 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a heavy saucepan, bring the cream just to a boil over medium-high heat, then turn remove from the burner and add the chocolate. Let stand 1 minute, then gently whisk until the chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Gently whisk in the egg until combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared crust.
• Cover the edges of pie with foil and bake 25 minutes, until the filling is just set and trembles slightly in center when gently shaken. Let the pie cool to room temperature on a rack (filling will firm as it cools), about 1 hour.
• Position a rack in the top third of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees.
• Using rubber spatula, scrape the marshmallow creme into large bowl. Set aside. Using an electric mixer, beat the egg whites and remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt in another large bowl until foamy. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, and beat until stiff and glossy peaks form.
• Add ½ cup beaten egg whites to the marshmallow creme and fold with a rubber spatula or spoon just until incorporated to lighten (marshmallow creme is very sticky and will be difficult to blend at first, but it will become easier as remaining whites are folded in). Fold in the remaining whites in 2 additions just until incorporated. Spread the meringue over top of pie, mounding slightly in center and swirling with knife to create peaks.
• Bake just until the peaks and ridges of marshmallow meringue are lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Let stand at room temperature until meringue is cool. Serve immediately. The pie will keep up to 4 days, refrigerated, before adding the meringue topping.
This article appears in December 2014.
