National Pie Day

National Pie Day

“As American as apple pie.” Celebrate National Pie Day !

Today is National Pie Day! January 23, 2024

As a teaching chef at Art of Cookery in Whitehall Michigan, I’ve baked and tasted all sorts of mouth-watering pies, and I’m inviting you to celebrate National Pie Day! I’m even listed as one of MLIVE top Pie Bakers in Michigan.

My love for pies started early on, and I’ve baked hundreds of them over the years. From apple to pumpkin, pecan to blueberry, every pie has its unique character and flavor. There’s something about the flaky crust and the sweet filling that brings people together and warms their hearts. So, on this special day, let’s all take a moment to appreciate the humble pie and the joy it brings to our lives. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a pie novice, grab a slice, savor the flavor, and let’s all raise our forks to the national treasure that is Pie!

What is your favorite flavor of pie? Let me know in the comments.

Did you know that you can order pies (and other foods) from Art of Cookery? Have a look at our online shop to see flavor options and order. Know that I, Chef Valerie Hanson, make each pie to order so it will read as backordered.

Continue for pie tips and cooking class schedule.  

Here is a great recipe for easy pie pastry using your food processor….plus tips for enhancing the flavor.

Print Recipe

Pie Pastry

An easy pie pastry recipe. Makes 2
Prep Time5 minutes
Chilling Time30 minutes
Course: Dessert
Keyword: Pie Crust, Pie Pastry
Servings: 1 2-crust pie
Author: vkhanson

Equipment

  • 1 Food Processor

Ingredients

  • 1 1/4 cups all purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter chilled and cut into pieces
  • 2-3 tbsp ice water

Instructions

  • In the bowl of a food processor, combine the all-purpose flour and salt. Pulse a few times to mix.
  • Add the chilled butter cubes to the food processor. Pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs
  • With the food processor running, gradually add the ice water through the feed tube. Continue processing until the dough comes together into a ball.
  • Turn off the food processor and remove the dough. Shape it into a disc, wrap it in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  • After chilling, roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface into 2 rounds to fit your pie dish.

Notes

But don’t stop there! Get creative.
If you are making a crust for a sweet pie, add 2 T powdered sugar. Substituting half the water for chilled vodka adds lift to your crust. Think about how to bring the flavor of the pie filling into the crust. For example, a coconut cream pie would be enhanced by toasted a little bit of coconut flakes and putting in the food processor with the flour. A chocolate filling would become mocha if you substitute some or all of the water with iced coffee.
Making a savory pie like chicken pot pie? Add some poultry seasoning and even go as far as icing some chicken broth and swapping out the water.

Upcoming Classes and Mid-Winter Break

Art of Cookery is closing for a winter break mid-February but there are plenty of classes upcoming before then. Here is a link to see the full calendar.

Also, check out our website to see full class descriptions and options.

Quiche

Although quiche is now a classic dish of French cuisine, quiche actually originated in Germany, in the medieval kingdom of Lothringen, under German rule, and which the French later renamed Lorraine. The word ‘quiche’ is from the German ‘Kuchen’, meaning cake. – Wikipedia

Learn tips and techniques for this quintessential brunch/breakfast dish.

Chef Valerie has developed what she believes is the BEST quiche.  Join this class and learn what it takes to deliver a perfect quiche to the table.  Discover ways to adjust but still keep the quality and texture at its peak.  See how to tell when it is done.  Learn how to treat the crust so it doesn’t become soggy.

Discover the differences between quiche varieties like lorraine, au fromage,  aux champignons, florentine ,and provençale.

$32 pp making 1 quiche

$28 pp for a couple making 1 quiche together

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Pumpkin Pie Perfection

 

There truly is a difference in flavor when making a pumpkin pie from natural ingredients…and we mean the pumpkin too.  Learn how to easily make a pumpkin pie by opening ZERO cans of anything.

Upon arrival, participants will be putting a pie in the oven to bake while they learn all of the steps to getting to that point. 

Start by making the pastry and learn tips for keeping it from getting soggy under the wet custard.  Next, see how easy (and hands-off) it is to roast your own pumpkin, then.  Finally, make the pie filling using items normally on hand, as well as learn a few ways to adapt it to your tastes and bring it to another level.  At the end, get the pie from the oven while learning what it should look like when it is finished baking.   Bring a pie home with you. 

$35 per person or $60 for a team  of 2 making one pie.

Book Now

Pie Perfection

Want to learn how to make a great pie from scratch?

Does pie making challenge you?  Chef Valerie says it shouldn’t, and she should know, she was named one of the top 6 Pie Makers in Michigan!

Join us for a pastry session that will make you famous. Learn to make pie crusts and follow it up with baking a tasty pie using in-season fruit. You’ll take your pie home to enjoy (and brag about)!

Truly with a few good tips it is easy to get rid of store-bought and be the pie maker that is famous in your family. Bring your beverage of choice if you wish.

You will start by assembling a pie and getting it in the oven.  Then, while it is baking, learn all of the steps by making the pie pastry.  Examples would be tips on adapting the recipe to any fruit pie, how to finish a great pie with various top pastry adaptions (lattice crust, cut-outs, rustic), and finishing options (egg wash, cream wash, etc.)  Even learn about some tools that would be helpful.

$42 per person making 1 pie

$69 for 2 people making 1 pie

Book Now

Pie

In each box below, click on the name of the class you are interested in to see it’s description and schedule.  Remember you can request a class to be scheduled at a time/date that suits your calendar.  Use the Select by Category box to jump around by various topics.  Don’t see a topic of interest?  Make a request, the Chef loves a challenge.

Two Crust Pies

Pie Perfection – Flavor is seasonal

Pie Perfection – Flavor is Customer’s Choice

Mincemeat – Really, give it a try

Real Pot Pie – No Cans/Boxes

Select a Category

One Crust Pies

Cheesecake Pie

Cream Pie – Flavor varies

Pecan Pie – (old school, real food ingredients, no corn syrup)

Pumpkin Pie Perfection – (from a pumpkin)

Single Crust Pie – Flavor is Customer’s Choice

Quiche – Real men don’t just eat it, they make it!

Select a Category

Create Pie Pastry

How To Series – Show Me How To….

Create Pie Pastry

Join this pastry session that’ll make you famous. Truly learn that it is easy to get rid of store crusts and be your own pie maker.  There are some great tips in this session.  Learn how to make ahead and store the pastries for quick creation of a beautiful pie.

This class focuses on the pastry only, not making a pie.  If you want to learn how to make a full pie, check out all of our pie classes.

Adult $23

Book Now