Gingerbread Pie and Coffee Mascarpone Truffles

This will be brief.  I know you’re probably just as busy as I am with Christmas a mere week away.  I can hardly believe how fast time has flown by this year!

While the weather outside has been truly frightful, (check out our ice-encased trees!) my kitchen has been cozy and delightful.  Here are a couple of easy Christmas treats that have warmed my home.

Edit: I nearly forgot! I’m blogging for Pixiq now!  I’ll be doing future postings of food photography 101 and food styling tutorials. You can find my first article here.

The truffles are a variation of the super easy chocolate & cream cheese truffles.  They are made a little more fancy with mascarpone cheese.  The texture is so very smooth and it packs a big coffee punch!  These would be a great gift for the coffee lover in your life.

I decided to create my own version of gingerbread pie since I could only find one or two recipes available on the web. I adapted my favorite custard pie with molasses, brown sugar, ginger and cinnamon.  It has a beautiful moist texture and can be served with or without the mile-high marshmallow meringue. 

Gingerbread Pie                                       [Click for Printable]

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup molasses (not black strap)

3/4 cup light brown sugar

2 1/2 tbsp flour

pinch of salt

2 tsp ground ginger (or more to taste)

1 tsp ground cinnamon

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup buttermilk

1 9″ ready-made pie shell

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Using a hand mixer, combine butter, brown sugar and molasses until creamy.  Add flour, salt and spices; mix again until combined.  Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.  Add buttermilk and vanilla and mix until a consistent batter forms.  Pour into unbaked pie shell.  Bake for 50-55 minutes until custard has set and is not jiggly in the middle when moved.

Marshmallow Meringue

3 egg whites

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

1/4 cup sugar

1 -7oz. jar of marshmallow creme

Beat egg whites, vanilla and salt at high speed until foamy.  Gradually add sugar 1 tbsp at a time, beating until stiff peaks form.

Beat in 1/4 of the marshmallow creme.  Repeat with remaining creme until meringue is well mixed and fluffy.

Heap meringue in the middle of the cooled pie and swirl with the back of a spoon or spatula.  (I used a pastry comb for stripes.)  Bake at 400 until browned.  A kitchen torch may also be used.

*Note:  Meringue should be made the same day you plan to serve it on the pie.  After a couple of days it will begin to lose volume.

Coffee Mascarpone Truffles

Yield about 40-50 truffles                                                                               [Click for Printable]

2-12 oz packages semisweet chocolate chips (I love using mini chips, they melt evenly)

1 – 8 oz package mascarpone cheese, softened

2-3 tbsp instant coffee granules dissolved in 1 tsp hot water

Unsweetened cocoa powder for rolling truffles

*or 1 lb chocolate bark for dipping

Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler.  Add mascarpone cheese and coffee mixture; fold together with a spatula.  Pour into an 8×8 pan and allow to chill until firm enough to scoop into balls.  Roll into 1″ balls and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet.  Chill for 1-2 hours.  Roll in cocoa or dip in melted chocolate bark.  Store in parchment lined tins.

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Jessica @ How Sweet
Jessica @ How Sweet
13 years ago

The gingerbread pie intrigued me but the truffles totally sold me. Wow.

Rosa's Yummy Yums
Rosa's Yummy Yums
13 years ago

That pie looks so divine and devilish at the same time! ;-P And the truffles must be exquisite. Very festive and delightfully chocolatty.

Cheers,

Rosa

Stephanie
Stephanie
13 years ago

Oh no! Did you have to post these wonderful recipes 🙂 – just when I thought I had the holiday dessert table figured out now I have to try the gingerbread pie!!

Tiffany @ Conor & Bella
Tiffany @ Conor & Bella
13 years ago

Gingerbread Pie sounds lovely!

The Blue-Eyed Bakers
The Blue-Eyed Bakers
13 years ago

Gah which one to make first!? We're torn! They both sound amazing and so Christmas-perfect!

Lili
Lili
13 years ago

Oh your kitchen definitely is cozy and delightful! I love the way the truffles look in those sweet little baking cups. And oh my, the molasses pie looks so rich and creamy! Your icicle laden trees look so festive as long as you can view them from inside that is. Happy Holidays to you Heather! ~Lili

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

OH THANK YOU!!!! I wanted a fancy / flavorful dessert for Xmas Eve (I'm hosting) I think this is it for sure! What a great combo of flavors. I just know it will be a hit.

Dustin Baier
Dustin Baier
13 years ago

These look really good. I also think your pictures look great. You should post these over at http://www.dishfolio.com you would be a great addition.

Barida
Barida
13 years ago

This looks super yummy! :-))

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

Your pie looks to die for! Great Christmasy post, if only I had time to fit in that pie before the big day. x

Peggy
Peggy
13 years ago

Both of these sound fantastic! I'm an avid coffee lover so I know those truffles would be cherished in my house!

Libby
Libby
13 years ago

Oh my god. Your photography is drool worthy. I want. Now!

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

Sounds Delicious. Can't wait to try them.

Mara Campbell
Mara Campbell
13 years ago

The pie looks wonderful, I loooove the mile high meringue on top!

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

Hmmm the truffles is genius.

Sue
Sue
13 years ago

Oh this pie is calling my name, Heather! I've never had gingerbread PIE! :)Merry Christmas!

Holly
Holly
13 years ago

Gorgeous!! Love the truffles:)

Lindsey @ Hot Polka Dot
Lindsey @ Hot Polka Dot
13 years ago

Lady, this all looks amazing! I love all the brown and gold in your photos. Can I have a slice of that pie for breakfast?

Zibi
Zibi
13 years ago

I love mascarpone and I love gingerbread… which do I make first?
Beautiful photos, I look forward to reading your tips.

CaSaundraLeigh
CaSaundraLeigh
13 years ago

Ooo I bet both of these desserts made your kitchen smell fabulous!! You'd think that there would be recipes for gingerbread pie out there–but oh well, yours looks like a winner!

Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels
13 years ago

Oh my word, Gingerbread Pie?!! I'm in heaven. I LOVE all things gingerbread and have never heard of gingerbread pie. You're a genius. And the coffee mascarpone truffles look incredible.
I am so impressed with how absolutely gorgeous your photos are and how soooo delicious everything looks.

The Urban Baker
The Urban Baker
13 years ago

totally and completely fabulous post (as always). i love your photos. you and i need to shoot together! and your truffles are mouth watering!!

Andrea
Andrea
13 years ago

Have you ever tried coffee mascarpone? When spread on top of chocolate pound cake…Mmmmm…

Sprinkles of Parsley
Sprinkles of Parsley
13 years ago

wow… I'm really impressed! These desserts look insanely delicious! That pie… I want right.now. Those truffles… are insane! Great job!

Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather
Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather
13 years ago

Truffles! That's what I've been missing this year. Must make – they look great!

Jess [tenpenny splendid]
Jess [tenpenny splendid]
13 years ago

I'm definitely going to try making that pie for my boyfriend's family dinner on Christmas Eve. I was given dessert duty 🙂 Looks so good!!

Megan
Megan
13 years ago

I'm getting ready to mocha truffles for my friends dad and this is the recipe I was going to use, except using the cream cheese. So I guess it's really the other recipe I'm using. 😉
I'm glad to know it is *SprinkleBakes* Approved!!! 🙂 I only wish I had some mascarpone cheese in the house. I LUV mascarpone!

Merry Christmas Heather!

Heather Ozee
Heather Ozee
13 years ago

Just looking at these photos makes me feel guilty. Thank goodness I didn't start that New Years Resolution yet 😉
Love You Heather!

Hugs!
Heather

Leslie
Leslie
13 years ago

Amazingly delicious! Merry Christmas to you

Caroline
Caroline
13 years ago

Gingerbread pie – That's one I've never heard of before. It looks delicious. I'd almost expect with that coloring to be tasting a french silk – type pie, but then to be surprised/rewarded with molasses and brown sugar? Major win in my book!

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago

LOVED IT, I made both. Truffles for gifts and now the pie twice. I love the mile high marshmallow meringue. THANKS, bot a big hit

Unknown
Unknown
13 years ago
Amy at TheSceneFromMe
Amy at TheSceneFromMe
13 years ago

Uh yea, these both look delicious!
Wish I could scratch and sniff my computer screen right now 🙂

naomi
naomi
13 years ago

LOVE the truffles and the pie. Hope you had a great holiday!

Sue
Sue
13 years ago

I hope you received my email! Happy New Year! 🙂 XO Sue

Joanne
Joanne
13 years ago

I'm so excited about your pixiq blog. I can't wait to hear your photography tips…your food pictures are GORGEOUS. I loved the Alice and Wonderland stuff too!

marla
marla
13 years ago

How did I miss this pie??!! Must check out your photo tutorial as I am a huge fan of your photography & would love to learn some new skills 🙂 xo

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

I made this for Christmas Day and it was divine! Love it and will definately make again next year. Thanks!

Allison
Allison
13 years ago

I made the truffles for a work party and people were taking them home in napkins they were so good! Thanks for all the wonderful recipes!

shuttersandshuttles.com

Johnny
Johnny
13 years ago

Read this and wished I could reach into my computer screen and grab the pie. It looks seriously delicious Heather!

This might have to make it on the to do list next Christmas!
Hope you had a good one, and a great New Years.

Ingrid_3Bs
Ingrid_3Bs
13 years ago

Awesome about writing for Pixiq1 I'm gonna check out your articles.

While I'm not a fan of chocolate or coffee for that matter your truffles look good and don't even get me started on the pie. I love gingerbread!
~ingrid

Sarah/Homestyle Cooking Around The World
Sarah/Homestyle Cooking Around The World
13 years ago

wow! I just "stumbled upon" your site and am amazed at your photos and great food. The truffles and pie look amazing. Great job?
homestyleworldcook.blogspot.com

Anni / Needles and Roses
Anni / Needles and Roses
12 years ago

I just found your blog today and can't help but to absolutely love it! So amazing and inspiring!

needlesandroses.blogspot.com

Jess
Jess
12 years ago

WOW!!! I've just decided to make this right now! You are so talented and I just can't get enough of your recipes and photos! Love, love, love!!! ~ do you have any recipes for creme brulee?!?!?

LucyinAust
LucyinAust
11 years ago

I made the gingerbread pie today … mine didn't turn out as dark as in the picture (I also had to use another meringue recipe as I can't get marshmallow creme) … but it was just fabulous! Really delicious! I did up the spices a bit and would add even more ginger next time (and some ground fresh ginger for more zing). It was gobbled up by young and old!

KimB
KimB
11 years ago

So I made the Gingerbread Pie yesterday and had some trouble with it- it didn't cook all the way through even after adding 10 minutes to the bake time. I was wondering if I didn't mix the batter enough so that "a consistent batter forms". How long are you supposed to mix the batter once you add the buttermilk and vanilla? It was still kind of thin. Was it supposed to thicken? It still tasted yummy and we LOVE the marshmallow meringue!!