There are some things Covid-19 cannot wreck, and one of those is the Pieathalon. I thank all the stars in heaven for that. We Pieathaletes will continue to make mental pies. No matter what. Every year. Forever.
I was thrilled to get my recipe because it contained stuff I have never heard of. I am a Brit and phrases such as “Pie Crust Sticks” and “Pillsbury Fluffy White Frosting Mix” put me in mind of another time and another place. A beautiful one where all a woman had to worry about was how much water to add to all of the multifarious packet foods she had in her pantry.
If this pandemic has taught me one thing, it is that simple pleasures are the best pleasures. Plus, you have to treat yourself nicely right? So I made a DINKY Party Pink Pie, just for me myself and it was stupidly fun. Here’s the recipe, with suitably lurid food photography…
Doesn’t that look GORGEOUS?!
Here’s the book cover…
There’s a tip for newlyweds like me there on the inside pages…
And look, here’s a homemaker enjoying simple pleasures in pre-Covid days. Blissful childcare, the serene hanging of paintings, joyful cleaning of lampshades and the smug satisfaction of getting a roast in the oven. In eveningwear the perfect wife is rewarded with a back massage from her ever-loving husband who is just home from a rewarding day at the office. Now that was a GOOD DAY.
It was also a GOOD DAY the day I made my pie. How can you not have a little laugh inside when you sit down to an individual Pink Party Pie after a frenzied day of homemaking?
PIE NOTES – I added 1/4 cup of desiccated coconut to my usual shortcrust pastry for the base. I used cherries in kirsch because I couldn’t find cherry pie filling anywhere (although I remember it well from the 1970s) and Betty Crocker Butter Icing for the fluffy white icing mix – I know they are different but I WANNA LIVE IN AMERICA WHERE YOU CAN GET EVERYTHING YOU WANT.
How did it taste? Let’s just say that as I rarely eat anything sweet (being a crisps rather than chocolate kind of woman) I fully expect to be awake for 72 hours at least.
I will leave you with a little bit of fabulousness. I’ve had this in my head ever since this Party Pink Pie recipe hit my inbox and I want to give a huge thanks to Yinzerella of Dinner is Served 1972 for creating the Pieathalon and not letting it drop during this ongoing mayhem and to the lovely Greg of Recipes for Rebels who chose this recipe. Both of these things cheered me up no end..
Think pink my friends, think pink.
Long may people all over the world who have never met each other in person continue to amuse themselves and others with stuff like the Pieathalon. This is the best kind of thing to help get us through it all. Here are many other pie experiments that took place all around the world this week for your delight and delectation. I will add them in as they come through during the day.
Think Pink and Eat Pie!
- Dinner is Served 1972: Betty Crocker’s Sombrero Pie
- Culinary Adventures with Camilla: Lattice Pineapple Pie
- Dr. Bobb’s Kitschen: Empenadas Mariscona
- Velveteen Lounge: Chocolate Mint Prune Pie
- Kitchen Confidence: Sour Cream Apricot Pie
- Book of Cookyre:Honey Fruit Pie
- Silver Screen Suppers: Party Pink Pie
- A Day in the Life on the Farm: Cherry Blossom Pie
- Vintage Recipe Cards: Crumb Pie
- Retro Foods for Modern Times: Easy as Pie Chicken Salad
- The Nostalgic Cook:Lemon Pie Reliable
- Grannie Pantries: Avocado Lime Pie
- Book Club Cookbook: Pumpkin Pie with a Secret
- Recipes 4 Rebels: Apple Crumb Pie
56 responses
Whoa, that looks like someone at General Mills let their kids write the recipes! That artificial pink color is just mesmerizing to look at. Also, thank you for the recipe! We’ve saved it to make again!
Haha – you are going to make a Pink Party Pie?! PLEASE send me a photo of your version xx
Whoa, that looks like someone at General Mills let their kids write the recipes! That artificial pink color is just mesmerizing to look at. Also, thank you for the recipe! We’ve saved it to make again!
Haha – you are going to make a Pink Party Pie?! PLEASE send me a photo of your version xx
For some reason this morning I didn’t check email or the news first as is my usual procedure as I eat breakfast. I went straight to SilverScreenSuppers.com and found your new post. Of course I had to read it immediately. It was so enjoyable that I am loathe to look at the news at all.
I wasn’t familiar with cherries in kirsch and had to look it up. The recipe might be better with your substitution – in my opinion most pie filling here in the U.S. is quite sweet and skimpy on fruit.
What is a Party Brown Pie?
Ah Stephanie – I think during these crazy times it is much better to look at fun things like the Pieathalon rather than the news! Cherries in Kirsch are just delicious and as I have the day off work today to write I have treated myself to some on my cereal – booze for breakfast – haha!
I was trying to make a joke about the cover of the cookbook when I mentioned Party Brown Pie but when I read through the post again I realised that the picture was of a CAKE not a PIE so I took that bit out of the post. I am sure someone, somewhere in the past would have made a Party Brown Pie though – chocolate a go-go no doubt.
For some reason this morning I didn’t check email or the news first as is my usual procedure as I eat breakfast. I went straight to SilverScreenSuppers.com and found your new post. Of course I had to read it immediately. It was so enjoyable that I am loathe to look at the news at all.
I wasn’t familiar with cherries in kirsch and had to look it up. The recipe might be better with your substitution – in my opinion most pie filling here in the U.S. is quite sweet and skimpy on fruit.
What is a Party Brown Pie?
Ah Stephanie – I think during these crazy times it is much better to look at fun things like the Pieathalon rather than the news! Cherries in Kirsch are just delicious and as I have the day off work today to write I have treated myself to some on my cereal – booze for breakfast – haha!
I was trying to make a joke about the cover of the cookbook when I mentioned Party Brown Pie but when I read through the post again I realised that the picture was of a CAKE not a PIE so I took that bit out of the post. I am sure someone, somewhere in the past would have made a Party Brown Pie though – chocolate a go-go no doubt.
You do not want to live in America, believe me.
I love your dinky pie. It’s so festive and makes me smile.
Thank you again for joining Pieathalon. I’ll see you same time next year (god willing).
Ah, glad I made you smile Yinzerella. That has made my day. I think that as I live alone during the week I shall now make DINKY versions of everything. Unlike Mr Sauce Esq. I do like leftovers, but eating the same thing 5 days in a row just because I have made an enormous vat of it is getting a bit tiresome now…
You do not want to live in America, believe me.
I love your dinky pie. It’s so festive and makes me smile.
Thank you again for joining Pieathalon. I’ll see you same time next year (god willing).
Ah, glad I made you smile Yinzerella. That has made my day. I think that as I live alone during the week I shall now make DINKY versions of everything. Unlike Mr Sauce Esq. I do like leftovers, but eating the same thing 5 days in a row just because I have made an enormous vat of it is getting a bit tiresome now…
Hello: I’ve been a long-time reader, but this is my first comment: you had me at ‘think pink.’ As an aside, I love the movie Funny Face and that particular number is one of my favourites. But getting back to your pieathalon, what a great idea. I’m not normally a pie eater, unless it’s apple pie, but can really get into your dive into nostalgia. I’m not a baker, but my husband is, so I may ask him to give this pie a try.
Your site is one that i read as it is one of the things that is helping me deal with the stressors of Covid-19. Nostalgia, with all due respect to Peter de Vries, is exactly what it used to be, and what I need at the moment.
Thank you so much for your quirky sense of humour and your great recipes. A Canadian fan, Tracy.
Tracy, I cannot explain how happy your comment has made me. I am just so happy that you enjoy the blog and it is a way of helping you to deal with the crazy time we are going through. Sometimes I wonder why I continue to write this blog and then I get a lovely comment like this and it makes me want to carry on. Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to comment. Nostalgia is going to get us through all this. Lots of love to you in Canada from a sunny day in North London x
Hello: I’ve been a long-time reader, but this is my first comment: you had me at ‘think pink.’ As an aside, I love the movie Funny Face and that particular number is one of my favourites. But getting back to your pieathalon, what a great idea. I’m not normally a pie eater, unless it’s apple pie, but can really get into your dive into nostalgia. I’m not a baker, but my husband is, so I may ask him to give this pie a try.
Your site is one that i read as it is one of the things that is helping me deal with the stressors of Covid-19. Nostalgia, with all due respect to Peter de Vries, is exactly what it used to be, and what I need at the moment.
Thank you so much for your quirky sense of humour and your great recipes. A Canadian fan, Tracy.
Tracy, I cannot explain how happy your comment has made me. I am just so happy that you enjoy the blog and it is a way of helping you to deal with the crazy time we are going through. Sometimes I wonder why I continue to write this blog and then I get a lovely comment like this and it makes me want to carry on. Thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to comment. Nostalgia is going to get us through all this. Lots of love to you in Canada from a sunny day in North London x
I love looking at the pictures in old cookbooks that made homemaking look fun, easy, and a bit glamorous. Then I think about how glad I am not to be stuck catering to a man and kids all day because my livelihood depends on it…
I also love the sprinkles you added to the top of your pie! They’re really cute.
I hear ya Poppy. If I choose to clean a lampshade (which I cannot remember ever doing) I shall do it for me, myself and I – haha! I thought I had some PINK sprinkles, but could only find these at the back of a cupboard. When they came out of the shaker, they seemed to be every colour except pink. WHAT?! It did feel very festive though, looking at that pie. It cheered me up no end.
I love looking at the pictures in old cookbooks that made homemaking look fun, easy, and a bit glamorous. Then I think about how glad I am not to be stuck catering to a man and kids all day because my livelihood depends on it…
I also love the sprinkles you added to the top of your pie! They’re really cute.
I hear ya Poppy. If I choose to clean a lampshade (which I cannot remember ever doing) I shall do it for me, myself and I – haha! I thought I had some PINK sprinkles, but could only find these at the back of a cupboard. When they came out of the shaker, they seemed to be every colour except pink. WHAT?! It did feel very festive though, looking at that pie. It cheered me up no end.
Awww, your little pie is adorable and so festive!
Farm Boy remembers his mom using those pie crust sticks, but I don’t think I have ever seen them. Betty Crocker likes to give us convenience and then take it away!
I so wish we could get the full Betty Crocker range of bits and bobs over here. We only get tubs of pre-made icing (which I admit, I used to buy for topping birthday cakes for colleagues). Although I have a really easy way of making pastry, I was still looking for convenience when I made this. But it seems the packets of “add water to make pastry” that I remember from the 1980s no longer exist. Sigh. BRING BACK THE PAST!
Awww, your little pie is adorable and so festive!
Farm Boy remembers his mom using those pie crust sticks, but I don’t think I have ever seen them. Betty Crocker likes to give us convenience and then take it away!
I so wish we could get the full Betty Crocker range of bits and bobs over here. We only get tubs of pre-made icing (which I admit, I used to buy for topping birthday cakes for colleagues). Although I have a really easy way of making pastry, I was still looking for convenience when I made this. But it seems the packets of “add water to make pastry” that I remember from the 1980s no longer exist. Sigh. BRING BACK THE PAST!
Funny Face! Criminally underrated movie! But anyway, if it makes you feel better, I’m in America and cherry pie filling has been out of stock since about mid-March in my neck of the woods 🙁
First toilet paper, then bread flour, then yeast, and now cherry pie filling. WHAT KIND OF WORLD ARE WE LIVING IN?! I watched Funny Face for the first time as I was making this pie. I am now totally obsessed with Kay Thompson. That dance scene in the beatnik bar! Wish she was in more movies, and so wish I had a recipe for her. She’s top of my “most wanted recipe” list now.
Funny Face! Criminally underrated movie! But anyway, if it makes you feel better, I’m in America and cherry pie filling has been out of stock since about mid-March in my neck of the woods 🙁
First toilet paper, then bread flour, then yeast, and now cherry pie filling. WHAT KIND OF WORLD ARE WE LIVING IN?! I watched Funny Face for the first time as I was making this pie. I am now totally obsessed with Kay Thompson. That dance scene in the beatnik bar! Wish she was in more movies, and so wish I had a recipe for her. She’s top of my “most wanted recipe” list now.
I love that you turned this into an individual little pie and how can you not chuckle at this wonderful post.
Aww, thanks Wendy. This dinky pie gave me so much pleasure to make (not so much to eat though) and I’m glad it is invoking chuckles elsewhere in the world. Love from a sunny day in London – Jenny xx
I love that you turned this into an individual little pie and how can you not chuckle at this wonderful post.
Aww, thanks Wendy. This dinky pie gave me so much pleasure to make (not so much to eat though) and I’m glad it is invoking chuckles elsewhere in the world. Love from a sunny day in London – Jenny xx
You need to read _Something From The Oven_ by Laura Shapiro. I’m re-reading it now. https://www.amazon.com/Something-Oven-Reinventing-Dinner-America/dp/014303491X
Ooooh, Margie – thanks for that tip! Going on my “to read” list right now! Love to you from sunshine in North London xx
You need to read _Something From The Oven_ by Laura Shapiro. I’m re-reading it now. https://www.amazon.com/Something-Oven-Reinventing-Dinner-America/dp/014303491X
Ooooh, Margie – thanks for that tip! Going on my “to read” list right now! Love to you from sunshine in North London xx
Lovely pie Jenny! I empathise with your inability to source American ingredients! xx
Perhaps we should set up an import-export company Taryn! Looking forward to reading your post – kisses to you from the other side of the world xxx
Lovely pie Jenny! I empathise with your inability to source American ingredients! xx
Perhaps we should set up an import-export company Taryn! Looking forward to reading your post – kisses to you from the other side of the world xxx
Your lilliputian patisserie was absolutely adorable! The perfectly doll house-sized portion is hilarious! The “joyful dusting of lampshades” had me laughing for sure…
I had never heard of “Pie Crust Sticks” either and I was hoping this recipe would land in the inbox of someone just like you! A stroll through the supermarket baking aisle here in the week before submitting our recipes, revealed that Pillsbury no longer makes a “fluffy white frosting mix” although Betty Crocker still does…I’ve never tried it though.
The cherries in Kirsch was genius as was the “Funny Face” tie-in! Loved your whole take on the recipe!
Awwww, thanks lovely Greg! I am sooooooooo glad that I got your pie in the mix. It was such fun to make, the whole thing really lifted my spirits. I now have a big jar of cherries in kirsch to get through. I had some on my breakfast cereal yesterday. Booze for breakfast? Why not?! Kisses to you from sunny London xx
Your lilliputian patisserie was absolutely adorable! The perfectly doll house-sized portion is hilarious! The “joyful dusting of lampshades” had me laughing for sure…
I had never heard of “Pie Crust Sticks” either and I was hoping this recipe would land in the inbox of someone just like you! A stroll through the supermarket baking aisle here in the week before submitting our recipes, revealed that Pillsbury no longer makes a “fluffy white frosting mix” although Betty Crocker still does…I’ve never tried it though.
The cherries in Kirsch was genius as was the “Funny Face” tie-in! Loved your whole take on the recipe!
Awwww, thanks lovely Greg! I am sooooooooo glad that I got your pie in the mix. It was such fun to make, the whole thing really lifted my spirits. I now have a big jar of cherries in kirsch to get through. I had some on my breakfast cereal yesterday. Booze for breakfast? Why not?! Kisses to you from sunny London xx
If it makes you feel better, we no longer get crust sticks and frosting mix.
AHHH, thanks Kittentoes, I feel a tiny bit better xx
If it makes you feel better, we no longer get crust sticks and frosting mix.
AHHH, thanks Kittentoes, I feel a tiny bit better xx
Looks like a fun time was had by all! :o)
It was brilliant Annette, you should definitely be a Pieathelete! Email Yinzerella and get on the list! Jx
Looks like a fun time was had by all! :o)
It was brilliant Annette, you should definitely be a Pieathelete! Email Yinzerella and get on the list! Jx