Nothing says Christmas like baking a pie with candy cane whip cream

The original candy cane was made 350 years ago. Over time the candy cane has become a symbol and tradition during the Christmas holiday, used as a decoration for Christmas trees. The first candy cane was not made in the shape of a cane. It was white, completely straight and only flavored with sugar.

Legend has it that in 1670, the cane shaped candy became historical when a choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany bent the sugar-sticks into canes to appear as shepherd's hooks. The all-white candy canes were given out to children who attended the ceremonies. This became a popular tradition, and eventually the practice during church ceremonies which spread all over Europe and America.

CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE WITH PEPPERMINT WHIPPED CREAM

INGREDIENTS

1 Chocolate cookie crust

(crushed peppermint candies, chocolate shavings, optional)

FILLING:

4 egg yokes

3 cups Farmer's All Natural half-and-half

2/3 cups sugar

1/3 cup cornstarch

2 tbsp.unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 tsp.salt

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips (12 oz.)

2 tbsp.butter

1 tsp.vanilla

PEPPERMINT WHIPPED CREAM:

1 cup Farmer's All Natural whipping cream, whipped

1/4 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

Yields: 8 servings

DIRECTIONS

BEAT egg yolks in medium bowl; gradually

STIR in half-and-half until blended.

MIX sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder and salt in large heavy saucepan.

GRADUALLY stir in egg yolk mixture until blended.

COOK over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens and comes to a boil, about 12 minutes.

BOIL and stir 1 minute.

REMOVE from heat immediately.

STIR IN chocolate, butter and vanilla, until melted and smooth.

POUR into piecrust.

PRESS piece of plastic wrap onto surface of filling to prevent a “skin” from forming. REFRIGERATE until thoroughly chilled, at least 2 hours or overnight.

TO SERVE: FOLD crushed candies into whipped cream.

SPREAD over filling.

GARNISH with additional crushed candies and chocolate shavings, if desired.

Colorado Dairy, Wholesale Dairy, Colorado All Natural Dairy, Colorado Wholesale Dairy, Colorado Milk, Local Milk Colorado