Chocolate Pumpkin Pie

I didn't get to talk much about the desserts I posted in the Halloween Desserts post.  The pumpkin spice cupcakes were fantastic, the lollipops were fun to make (although slightly stressful), the cookies soft, sugary and delicious.  But one dessert really stood out: this chocolate pumpkin pie.

Chocolate and pumpkin are a beautiful marriage, albeit on that can raise eyebrows if people are not familiar with the combination.  

I saw this cake in Martha Stewart's Halloween Issue and doggy-eared it to make. And I actually made it and didn't lost it in a pile of other doggy-eared recipes!  

First thing is first.  I am IN LOVE with this chocolate tart recipe.  Sweet,tender, with hints of spice, it is topped off beautifully with a layer of melted bittersweet chocolate that adds the perfect, unexpected layer of chocolate delight.  The tart is a perfect vessel for the creamy, spicy pumpkin pie, the recipe of which is my favorite recipe to date. I did not use the Martha Stewart Recipe, as I did not have sour cream on hand, so I found a recipe on Joy of Cooking, and yes, it was a joy to cook this. 

Bad joke? OK. Sorry. 

Let me tell you a little secret: I had never even tasted a pumpkin pie until last year, because throughout my childhood pumpkin pie seemed unnatural to me. Pumpkins were for carving on Halloween, not for eating! You all must be mad, I thought! Actually, the whole concept of pie seemed unnatural to me. Why have pie when you can have cake, I thought?  And why have cake when you can have Carvel Ice Cream Cake?  It has crunchies in the middle!

But I digress. I do now love pie (although I still prefer Carvel Ice Cream cake. Seriously. I have no shame). And I do love this pie. It was perfect for Halloween, decorated with a festive chocolate spiderweb (my first successful spiderweb decoration!).  But sans spiderweb, this will make a fabulous Thanksgiving dessert. Unless you have some weird Scary Thanksgiving theme going on.  If so, web away. 

Click here for the pie recipe.  Click here for the tart recipe. 

Comments

[lisaiscooking]

Pumpkin pie is possibly my favorite kind of pie, but I've never tried a pumpkin-chocolate pie. I should though, and soon! This looks fantastic.

[Nicole]

This pie looks fantastic! I, too, didn't have pumpkin pie until my adult years, probably 5 years ago. It also seemed strange to me, but when my future mother-in-law placed a piece before me, I was kinda sorta forced to try. I don't think I loved my first bite, but now I like a slice around the holidays.

[Jessie]

oh gosh, I have always loved pumpkin pie since I was kid! that chocolate pumpkin pie looks to die for especially since I love chocolate.

[Miranda]

Wow. This is a very lovely and fantastic looking pumpkin pie. Well done.

[Lauryn]

This pie looks awesome!!!!! Hope you are enjoying your new apt!! A working fireplace!! I am beyond jealous! Sounds like an NYC gem!

[ABowlOfMush]

Definitely the best pumpkin pie I've ever seen!

[grace]

i honestly wouldn't expect chocolate and pumpkin to make a good pairing, and since i don't like pumpkin even one little bit, i doubt i'll ever find out. i have to say, though, that your adornment of this pie is absolutely stunning. :)

[ingrid]

Hello, Teanna! Welcome back! All moved in and things settled down?

I'm one of those that is leery of the chocolate pumpkin combo. I guess I need to take your word for it and give it a try.
~ingrid

[Megan]

Crunchies! I haven't had Carvel in years - although we have several here in town.

Chocolate and pumpkin is just a wonderful combination. I'm going to run to the kitchen and make it asap.

[Natasha - 5 Star Foodie]

Yum! That pie looks gorgeous!

[jenn (Bread + Butter)]

Ooo, Teanna...that pie looks fantastic. I love the chocolate web on top. I don't think I would have had the patience to do something like that. I had the same thing as you when it came to pumpkins before. But now I love the stuff.

[Jen]

Your pie looks absolutely delicious! I have had some scary Thanksgivings -depending on which relatives were invited :)So the web could work... I love Carvel cakes also! I always requested them for my birthday as a kid.

[Experimental Culinary Pursuits]

Love the spiderweb pattern! Very intricate...and I don't think it takes someone familiar with the combination of chocolate and pumpkin to imagine that it would be a divine marriage!

[Jamie]

Gorgeous pie! I love the pattern on top...I too love chocolate and pumpkin although I just recently discovered this delectable combo! :)

[Jessica]

Pumpkin has been a favorite ingredient of mine in a variety of dishes; so happy you tried it (and in such a delicious capacity)!

I'm trying to figure out what kind of pumpkin pie to make this Thanksgiving...you've definitely planted a thought.

[Michele]

What a beautiful pie! great job.

[Andrea@WellnessNotes]

What an amazing looking and sounding pie! It's almost too pretty to eat! Almost... Well, a few years ago, I actually didn't like pumpkin either. But these days I can't get enough pumpkin! :)

[ValleyWriter]

Wow! This looks incredible! I think I'd do the design just for the beauty of it!

[wendy]

I love this pie. It's so gorgeous.

[Tracey]

Oh wow, this pie is SO cool!! Me and my hubs love the Carvel Ice Cream Cake too :) Those crunchies are seriously good!

[Kim]

That looks sooo good! I've never had pumpkin pie w/ chocolate before... must give it a taste:)

[Mary]

Wow...chocolate and pumpkin sound great together....and I secretly love Carvel Ice Cream Cakes too...they should do one with four or five layers of the crunchies in it.

[Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction]

Your pie looks so beautiful... I recently started making baked goods with pumpkin and chocolate - love the combination!

[Jennifer]

Teanna-I am always amazed by your talent in the kitchen. This confirmed it to the Nth degree! This tart looks AMAZING!!!!!

[The Wife]

The pie looks beautiful! And your spiderweb design was great!