Recreating the Famous Milk Bar Pie Recipe at home. This delicious brown sugar-butter, oatmeal cookie pie is what put Christina Tosi’s Milk Bar on the Map more than 10 years ago and here is how to make it!!!
Why Milk Bar Pie is So Popular
If you’re a fan of sweet and indulgent treats, then you’ve probably heard of Milk Bar Pie. This delectable dessert has taken the culinary world by storm with its unique combination of flavors and irresistible texture. But what exactly makes Milk Bar Pie so popular? In this blog post, we’ll explore the charm behind this iconic dessert and reveal the secrets to its success.
The Magic of Milk Bar Pie
Milk Bar Pie, also known as Crack Pie, originated from the famous Momofuku Milk Bar in New York City. It quickly gained a cult following, attracting both locals and tourists from around the world. So, what sets Milk Bar Pie apart from other desserts? Here are a few reasons why it has captured the hearts (and taste buds) of so many:
- Addictive Flavor: Milk Bar Pie is an explosion of sweet and buttery goodness. The filling is rich and custard-like, with a distinct caramelized flavor that keeps you coming back for more. The combination of brown sugar, butter, and a touch of salt creates a perfect balance of sweet and savory.
- Decadent Texture: One bite of Milk Bar Pie and you’ll be hooked. The texture is velvety smooth, reminiscent of a gooey cookie or a heavenly slice of pecan pie. It’s both chewy and creamy, making it a delightful sensory experience with every bite.
- Nostalgic Appeal: Milk Bar Pie has a timeless quality that evokes feelings of nostalgia. It’s the kind of dessert that takes you back to your childhood, filled with memories of homemade treats and cozy afternoons. The simplicity of the ingredients and the comforting flavors make Milk Bar Pie a beloved classic.
- Versatility: Milk Bar Pie is a versatile dessert that can be enjoyed on any occasion. Whether it’s a birthday celebration, a holiday gathering, or simply a cozy night in, Milk Bar Pie will always be a crowd-pleaser. It’s a dessert that brings people together and creates moments of shared joy.
Now that we understand the allure of Milk Bar Pie, let’s dive into the recipe and learn how to recreate this iconic dessert in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Milk Bar Pie Recipe
To make your own Milk Bar Pie, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Oatmeal Cookie
- 4 Tbsps Softened Butter
- 1 ½ Tbsps White Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar + 2 tbsps
- 1 Medium Egg Yolk
- 1/4 Cup Plain Flour
- 3/4 Cup Rolled Oats
- 1/8 Tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 Pinch Baking Soda
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
Milk Bar Pie Filling
- 8 Tbsps Softened Butter
- 3/4 Cup White Sugar
- 1/3 Cup Brown Sugar + 1 tbsp
- 4 Egg Yolks
- 1/3 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1/8 Cup Milk Powder
- 1/8 Cup Corn Starch (Use corn powder instead if you have it on hand)
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
Pie Crust
- Crushed up Oatmeal Cookie
- 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2 Tbsps Melted Butter
And here are the instructions for milk bar pie:
1. Oatmeal Cookie
- Preheat your oven to 175ºC
- Cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until combined
- Mix in your egg yolk until the batter is light and fluffy
- Fold in your flour, rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt until a cookie dough forms
- Place your cookie dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Using your hands, flatten your cookie out until it becomes around 1/4 inch thick
- Bake your oatmeal cookie in your preheated oven for around 10-15 mins
2. Milk Bar Pie Filling
- Cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until combined
- Mix in your egg yolks, heavy cream, milk powder, corn starch and salt and mix until combined
- Set this aside while we make your cookie crust
3. Pie Crust and Assembly
- Once your oatmeal cookie has cooled completely, crumble it up and place it into a blender/food processor Crushed up Oatmeal Cookie
- To the blender, add in brown sugar and melted butter
- Blend this mixture up until your pie crust resembles a wet sand texture
- Grease a removable bottom pie tin and press your pie crust into the tin
- Make sure to really pack and press your pie crust into the pie tin so that when you remove it from the pan after baking, it will hold it’s shape
- Spread your milk bar pie filling into the your pie crust (should fill your pie crust around 3/4 up)
- Bake your pie in your preheated oven for 15 mins
- Once 15 mins has passed, open your oven door, leaving the pie in the oven
- Change the oven temperature to 165ºC and leave the oven door open until your oven reaches this temperature
- Once the temperature has been reached, close the oven door and bake your pie for a further 5 mins or until only the centre of your pie is jiggly
- Leave the pie to chill in the fridge for around 2-3 hours or the freezer for about 45 mins (Christina Tosi says the pie tastes best this way)
- Enjoy your pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
Milk Bar Pie Variations
While the classic Milk Bar Pie recipe is undeniably delicious, there are a few variations that you can experiment with to put your own spin on this beloved dessert. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Chocolate Milk Bar Pie: For all the chocolate lovers out there, add ½ cup of cocoa powder to the filling mixture for a decadent chocolate twist. The rich and fudgy flavor will take Milk Bar Pie to a whole new level of indulgence.
- Nutty Milk Bar Pie: Incorporate your favorite nuts into the filling for a delightful crunch. Chopped pecans, walnuts, or even roasted almonds can add an extra layer of texture and flavor.
- Spiced Milk Bar Pie: Infuse the filling with warm and aromatic spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom. These spices will add depth and complexity to the flavor profile, making each bite a delightful surprise.
- Cookie Milk Bar Pie: Add 1/4 cup chocolate chips into the pie filling and add a couple chocolate chips on top to reimagine the milk bar as a chocolate chip cookie dough pie!
Remember, these variations are just the starting point for your creative journey. Feel free to add your own personal touch with different ingredients, toppings, or even combining different flavors. The possibilities are endless!
Did you like this recipe? Want to see me recreate more popular NYC desserts? Why not try the classic Copycat Levain Bakery Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe!
Milk Bar Pie Recipe 🥧💗
Ingredients
For the Oatmeal Cookie
- 4 Tbsps Softened Butter
- 1 ½ Tbsps White Sugar
- 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar + 2 tbsps
- 1 Medium Egg Yolk
- 1/4 Cup Plain Flour
- 3/4 Cup Rolled Oats
- 1/8 Tsp Baking Powder
- 1/2 Pinch Baking Soda
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
For the Milk Bar Pie Filling
- 8 Tbsps Softened Butter
- 3/4 Cup White Sugar
- 1/3 Cup Brown Sugar + 1 tbsp
- 4 Egg Yolks
- 1/3 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1/8 Cup Milk Powder
- 1/8 Cup Corn Starch (Use corn powder instead if you have it on hand)
- 1/2 Tsp Salt
For the Pie Crust
- Crushed up Oatmeal Cookie
- 1 Tbsp Brown Sugar
- 2 Tbsps Melted Butter
Instructions
For the Oatmeal Cookie
- Preheat your oven to 175ºC
- Cream together the butter, brown sugar and white sugar until combined4 Tbsps Softened Butter, 1 ½ Tbsps White Sugar, 1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
- Mix in your egg yolk until the batter is light and fluffy1 Medium Egg Yolk
- Fold in your flour, rolled oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt until a cookie dough forms1/4 Cup Plain Flour, 3/4 Cup Rolled Oats, 1/8 Tsp Baking Powder, 1/2 Pinch Baking Soda, 1/4 Tsp Salt
- Place your cookie dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Using your hands, flatten your cookie out until it becomes around 1/4 inch thick
- Bake your oatmeal cookie in your preheated oven for around 10-15 mins
For the Milk Bar Pie Filling
- Cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until combined8 Tbsps Softened Butter, 3/4 Cup White Sugar, 1/3 Cup Brown Sugar
- Mix in your egg yolks, heavy cream, milk powder, corn starch and salt and mix until combined4 Egg Yolks, 1/3 Cup Heavy Cream, 1/8 Cup Milk Powder, 1/8 Cup Corn Starch, 1/2 Tsp Salt
- Set this aside while we make your cookie crust
For the Pie Crust and Assembly
- Once your oatmeal cookie has cooled completely, crumble it up and place it into a blender/food processorCrushed up Oatmeal Cookie
- To the blender, add in brown sugar and melted butter1 Tbsp Brown Sugar, 2 Tbsps Melted Butter
- Blend this mixture up until your pie crust resembles a wet sand texture
- Grease a removable bottom pie tin and press your pie crust into the tin
- Make sure to really pack and press your pie crust into the pie tin so that when you remove it from the pan after baking, it will hold it’s shape
- Spread your milk bar pie filling into the your pie crust (should fill your pie crust around 3/4 up)
- Bake your pie in your preheated oven for 15 mins
- Once 15 mins has passed, open your oven door, leaving the pie in the oven
- Change the oven temperature to 165ºC and leave the oven door open until your oven reaches this temperature
- Once the temperature has been reached, close the oven door and bake your pie for a further 5 mins or until only the centre of your pie is jiggly
- Leave the pie to chill in the fridge for around 2-3 hours or the freezer for about 45 mins (Christina Tosi says the pie tastes best this way)
- Enjoy your pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy!
Video
And that’s just about it for this blog post! Did you like this recipe? Have any thoughts or questions? Leave us a comment below or email us on [email protected] 💓
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