December 3, 2008

Reese's "Jingle Bell Rock"-y Road Pie

Thanksgiving has come and gone and Christmas music is all over the radio! I finally feel ready for the holidays and this month's Pies With That theme- Holiday Songs. I had a ton of fun picking a theme but in all the mayhem I nearly missed making my own pie! It came to me, though, while I was driving one day- those chocolate bells could totally make a "Jingle Bell Rock" pie.

From there, I decided on Reese's chocolate bells and a rendition of my Aunt's wonderful peanut butter pie. For the rocky road portion, I mixed in toasted walnuts, marshmallows, and chopped chocolate (I opened my last bar of Greek chocolate I smuggled in my suitcase!). I also had to fight every urge to drizzle the whole thing with caramel or chocolate. It would have been beautiful but there was already PLENTY going on here without adding any more sugar!

That piece was cut out for the photo and stolen instantly! So much for a solo shot!

I intended to make a regular graham cracker crust but happened to run out of grahams before I got enough, so I threw some pretzels into the food processor to make up the difference. The crust ended up pleasantly salty and complimented the rest of the pie. I did make it in the spring form pan to hold more pie since I had a big crew eating it. Thankfully, this is one rich pie- so one 9 inch spring form covered about 16 people (plus toddlers- we don't usually count them for food but with desserts, they are starting to eat their share!). The end result reminded me a bit of Dorie's Peanut Butter Torte, but I liked it a bit more without the chocolate crust. But honestly... with peanut butter, chocolate, and more, "how bad can that be?!" Don't forget to enter the giveaway here if you haven't yet!

Previous Pie's With That entries:
Nie's Vintage Cherry Apple Pie and Galette
Emma Hearts Knightley Pie

Reese's "Jingle Bell Rock"-y Road Pie
from Anne Strawberry

Pretzel Graham Cracker Crust:

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1 cup pretzel crumbs
3/4 stick melted butter
3 Tablespoons sugar

Preheat the oven to 375.

Combine all ingredients with a fork and press into butter, 9 inch spring form pan. Bake for 10 minutes and set aside to cool.

Peanut Butter Rocky Road Filling:
2 packages of Neufchatel cheese (or cream cheese), softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (sifted if necessary)
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3 ounces chopped chocolate (not too fine)
1/2 cup toasted walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup mini marshmallows
1 bag Reese's peanut butter cup Christmas bells

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or a hand mixer), combine cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Gently fold in chocolate, walnuts, and marshmallows. Dump into cooled pie crust and smooth.

Using a thin serrated nice, slice the Reese's bells in half and position in a pattern on top of the pie.

Refrigerate until firm (at least 4 hours) and serve. Top with chocolate sauce or caramel (if you can handle it!)

36 comments:

  1. OH my, that looks so decadent and wonderful. I will need a glass of water with my slice, please.
    I have made my pie, just have to photo and serve, etc. Should be up by the morning.
    Cheers!

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  2. I totally had a "jingle bell rock" theme going in my head, but I couldn't think of something for the rocks - since nuts are OUT!

    And, I am totally going to miss the deadline, unless I have a brainstorm tonight -

    Anyways, I love the pie, and I think it looks awesome!

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  3. I wish I was in the States, you guys get all the good stuff! Hummm... haven't seen those here, yet.
    Very cool idea for Xmas, very appropriate Anne!

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  4. I've never seen those chocolate bells before! they are too cute!!

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  5. So cute! Love it. Very themed! (And now I'm stuck singing that song!

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  6. Good heavens, this looks FANTASTIC!

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  7. That is so cute! I love the chocolate bells.

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  8. This pie takes the cake, so to speak! I'm totally making a note of the recipe (with and without the chocolate bells!)
    Nancy

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  9. Well, I came to see your cute Linzer stars and wow- does this look good! I want to taste it, It really does sound divine. I love the bells and the song! You got me singing- thanks for a great theme!

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  10. Your pie sounds so delicious. I love that you used some pretzel crumbs in your crust. It's a brillant idea!

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  11. I would love a piece of this pie about now. The pretzels are a great idea to mix with the grahams.

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  12. You have me singing:) the pie looks fabulous!! I love all of the bells!

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  13. Oh, you are just too creative, Anne! What a fun theme! And your pie looks totally delicious -- I want a piece!

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  14. Oh boy, that looks wonderful. How creative with the little bells!

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  15. Goodness gracious! Make sure Nick over at Peanut Butter Boy sees this one! Delicious and cute and clever, too! Great job.

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  16. I'm in awe. Why didn't you drizzle? If you're going to fall off the wagon, might as well land on your head?

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  17. ohh pretzels in the graham crust--how smart is that!
    I would love this!

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  18. This looks so beautiful and delicious!

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  19. How fun! You are incredible creative! This pie turned out really cute and is definitely jingle bell rocking! Good Job! :-)

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  20. Love it Anne! I would eat more than one slice I'm afraid!

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  21. Oh Anne! Wow! I love the pretzels in the crust...this looks unbelievable!

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  22. This looks delicious! Love a pretzel crust. And great theme choice, too. Looks like everyone had a lot of fun with it.

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  23. Anne, I love how you arranged the reese's peanut butter bells on your pie. It looks fabulous!

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  24. Oh Please. You KNOW you had that pie in mind when you chose the theme! :)
    Awesome job...it looks soooo good.

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  25. This looks oh-so amazing... I think it could possibly be the most appealing thing I have ever come across in all my blogging days.
    [You don't know how much i lurrrve rocky road. And pie. And don't even get me started on Greek chocolate.]

    I'm obviously not the only person who does, judging by the nicked slice - I'm actually envious of that sneaky individual!

    A new fan and blogger, Emily x

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  26. Cute idea! I don't think I've ever had the bells. Very festive. I might have to bookmark the pie and make it for hubs.

    ~Cat

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  27. Wow! This looks scrumptious. I may have to try this one!

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  28. Oh My . . . you make the most yummy looking desserts, I will have to try this one. Thanks for sharing all the great recipes.

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  29. I'm featuring Christmas foods/recipes on my blog next week. Do you mind I use a photo of your pie and link to your blog?

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  30. Anne - I loved this theme! So much fun. Your pie looks amazing. My kids could probably clear it in one sitting.

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  31. Yummm... that looks deslish! I am going to have to try that one out soon. :)

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  32. Inspired! I didn't even know about the Reese's bells until I ate one at work today. What a great idea!

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