Disclosure: I was given a copy of Pieography in exchange for this review. All thoughts, opinions and extra inches on my waistline due to this cookbook are 100% true and all mine.
Wanted: A review of the new Pieography: Where Pie Meets Biography recipe book that features decadent, delicious pies and “42 fabulous recipes inspired by 39 extraordinary women.”
Where do I sign up and how soon can you send it to me?
Pieography is everything you’d expect from Jo Packham, the woman behind Where Women Cook, Where Women Create and Where Women Create Business magazines plus a host of other publications. It is full of gorgeous photos, wonderful stories about the featured pies and enough pie recipes to keep you (happily) in the kitchen for weeks on end.
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What kind of pie conveys the experience of starting a new job, getting married, becoming a mom? Over 30 of the country’s top foodies are here to tell you. Each one has devised a pie recipe that captures the essence of her life. Stir in beautiful photography, short essays, and brief bios, and voilá, you’ve got more than a cookbook: you’ve got Pieography. From Espresso Dream Pie to Salmon and Spinach Pie, this collection nourishes body and soul.
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Feeling fairly confident after success with Dutch apple pie and key lime pie (Nathan’s most favorite), I decided to try my hand at the Always Changing Brownie Pretzel Pie on page 100.
It’s basically the most decadent pie I’ve ever tasted.
The end.
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I’m glad I baked this pie for the family before baking it to take somewhere; I felt the recipe needed a little tweaking. The 1 1/4 cups butter in the pretzel crust seemed like way too much, so I cut it in half after finding this pretzel crust recipe.
And my brownie pretzel pie needed a good 5 to 10 minutes (or more) in the oven. The brownie pie filling wasn’t nearly as set as I think it should have been…not that it stopped us from eating a slice or two. It should be somewhere in between a fully baked brownie and brownie batter.
I added 1 cup each of dark chocolate chips and chopped walnuts, but I think next time I’ll try chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or Twix candy bars.
I’m crazy like that.
Printable recipe for brownie pie with pretzel crust below.
- 5 cups pretzels, crushed (approx. 2½ cups crushed pretzels)
- ¾ cup salted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 2¼ cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1¼ cups dark cocoa
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 T vanilla
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups of mix-ins (chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips, toffee bits, chopped nuts, crushed Oreos, chopped candy bars, etc.)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Using a food processor or blender, crush pretzels.
- Pour pretzels into a medium bowl and add melted butter and sugar. Mix until thoroughly combined. Press pretzel crust into a 10-inch pie pan; set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Stir in sugar and heat until mixture is hot but not simmering.
- While sugar is heating, crack eggs in a large bowl and beat well. Add cocoa, salt, baking powder and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Add butter and sugar mixture and mix well, then add flour and stir until thoroughly combined.
- Finally, add mix-ins. (NOTE: Let cool slightly before adding any variation of chocolate to avoid melting.)
- Pour brownie mixture into pretzel crust and bake for 45 to 50 minutes (or more) until set. Remove from oven and cool completely before serving.
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I love collecting recipe books that feature gorgeous food photography, and Pieography: Where Pie Meets Biography is no exception.
Beautiful photos accompanied by real life stories only sweetens the deal.
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Speaking of pie, check out my friend Lindsey’s Pieography post featuring her goat cheese tart with fresh cherry tomato compote. Note how her food photography is just as delicious as the pie. That’s a Cafe Johnsonia post for you…every time.
Allison
That pretzel crust brownie pie sounds amazing!
Barbara @ Barbara Bakes
I’m always happy to try a new pie recipe. I’m sure it’s fun to read the origins.
Glynis Jolly
Even though I literally hate my husband having Diabetes, it’s times like this that I am happy to be stopped from taking a recipe. Thanks for sharing though. :)
Mary Bartels
I love pie … this one sounds wonderful!
Robyn Jones
That brownie pie sounds amazing & I love Where Women Cook!
Karen
My favorite pie is my mom’s coconut cream pie.
deana c
My favorite kind of pie is a sugary sweet apple pie!
Jennifer
This pie sounds like one that needs to be made in our home very soon. Thanks for sharing!!
wendy
we are big lovers of pie at our house. we have birthday pie instead of cake and I think I might just have to make this pie for the next birthday that rolls around!
Tamar
I like Apple pie that is sweet and creamy
La Yen
I love all pies but Apple. Which is my husband’s favorite. We have pie compatibility issues.
Tricia Andrews
I love a good Boston Creme Pie. I am not really into fruit pies.
Liz L
Apple pie and coconut cream pie are our favorites.
Stephanie Larison
I love anything that is fruity and sweet when it comes to pie. My fave is strawberry!
Rust
Apple pie!
Laurie Emerson
I love fruit pies like Cherry, Strawberry-Rhubarb and Apple.
Stacie S-H
I like sweet and creamy pie. The smores’ pie is my favorite
susan smoaks
my favorite type of pie is apple, sweet apple pie
Cindy R
Thanks for the opportunity! Also, thanks for the recipes.
Samantha
Apple pie that’s sweet! I also love chocolate pudding pie, also sweet!