Brandy Infused Chocolate Cherry Pie with Roasted Hazelnuts
on Nov 09, 2013, Updated Sep 15, 2020
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The tomatoes are long gone, the apples have been harvested, and the pier pulled in from the lake at our cottage. These are all sure signs of the impending holiday season, principally Thanksgiving and Christmas – both synonymous with food and in particular in our household, pies. Lots of pies.
It isn’t just the encroaching holiday season that will be prompting my pie production. Do you recall my posts from the past couple of months featuring the foods of Viva Italia, the major fundraiser of our church? Well, yours truly donated a pie a month for the silent auction of that event and I’m happy to say they went for a pretty penny. That means only one thing for me, time to get that rolling pin out.
I’m going to be real honest with you here; I’m pretty happy with my pie crusts. Did my technique take some practice? Yes. Did I toss out a couple of failures? Yes. Am I still challenged on occasion by an unruly dough or sticky pin? Yes.
Maybe it’s because I’ve always like to put together creations to throw in the oven, maybe it’s because I’ve always welcomed a challenge, and most definitely it’s because I love to eat – whatever the reason, I’m certain that if my mom was still around she would be pretty happy with the pies her boy was putting out.
This pie is a hybrid of chocolate chess pie. I was missing a number of key ingredients for that holiday classic, instead I pulled a few ingredients out of our pantry who I knew to be old friends.
A few dried cherries, some unsweetened chocolate, some hazelnuts, and a little brandy for good measure. I thought they would all get along quite nicely and as it turns out, my inclination proved correct.
You’re going to see a few more pies in the near future, here on Platter Talk. For now, take a look at this one and if you have an old favorite that I could feature for you, let me know. I’m always up for a challenge, and pie.
Brandy Infused Chocolate Cherry Pie with Roasted Hazelnuts
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup 1 stick unsalted butter
- 2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 tablespoon brandy
- 1/8 cup dried cherries
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup hazelnuts
- 1 9- inch pie crust, Purchased or homemade.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees, F.
- Place cherries in small container (coffee cup etc) and pour brandy over them, Allow to set.
- Remove skins from hazelnuts.
- Bring 2 cups water to boil and add 1 tablespoon baking soda
- Place hazelnuts in water for 3 minutes. Water will turn black.
- Drain nuts, dry with kitchen towel and remove skins
- Place hazelnuts, with skins removed, on small baking sheet and roast in oven for 15 to 20 minutes until aroma is unbearably inviting or nuts turn golden brown.
- Remove hazelnuts from oven and allow to cool, then crush on hard surface using rolling pin.
- In small saute pan over low heat, stir butter and chocolate until smooth and melted.
- Remove from heat and cool 10 minutes.
- Combine sugar and eggs in medium and mix thoroughly.
- Whisk in chocolate mixture, vanilla and salt.
- Stir brandy and cherries, add hazelnuts and stir until will blended.
- Spoon filling into crust and place in oven.
- Bake until edges of filling puff and begin to crack and center is just set, about 30 minutes.
- Transfer pie to rack and cool completely. Serve with whipped topping or ice cream.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Tips
- Pie crust recipe is found here.
- A fresh whipped cream recipe is found here.
Dan, this looks AMAZING!!! How on earth had I not seen this yet?! I must make this pie. If you had a spare moment, I would be delighted if you’d drop this (and anything else you’d like to share) by at the #PureBlogLove DIY and recipe link party!
p.s the video on the sidebar made me dog lose the plot when it started! So thank you for the unexpected laugh 🙂
Chocolate and cherries such a winning combo, but 14 cups of hazelnuts? Perhaps a typo?
Yes, definitely a typo! 1/4 cup of hazelnuts sounds more appropriate. Thanks so much for bringing this to our attention!
Okay, I pinned this for my nephew – cherries, his favorite, and for my niece – anything chocolate. I will be a winner either way. Thanks.
Wow, what’s not to love . Looks so amazing. Thank you so much for sharing at Share It One More Time. Cathy
Your crusts ARE pretty impressive!!!! And that brandy infused chocolate pie is a WINNER!!!! YUM!
Thanks, Brandi. Wish I could have shared a slice of this with you!
As you know, I don’t indulge in sweets very often, but if I have in front of me a slice of absolute heaven like I see right here, I know I cannot refuse! Just the combination of chocolate, cherries and hazelnuts alone has won me over! Stunning pie in every way…
The crust looks so flaky and I love that this pie while it appears to be “regal” seems rustic. Fantastic recipe.
Ooooo how did we miss this? What a fabulous recipe and boy this has to be GOOD!! I have to try this one weekend and share it with friends. Great dessert to serve with a sweet dessert wine, like an ice wine. right? …. Super recipe!
Thank you! This is a keeper!!
Boy this looks good! Really super blend of flavors. I’d have seconds on this! 😉 Good stuff – thanks.
Thanks for commenting, I am a big chocolate lover and so really got into this one!
This looks amazing and I’m in love with those roasted hazelnuts! I just have to try from not snacking on them before hand! 😉
Pamela,
Thank you for the comments. The more acquainted I become with hazelnuts, the more I am infatuated!
Dan, your pie looks outrageously good! Love the flavor combo. I adore chocolate and cherries (as you know from all my tart cherry recipes last summer and a fudgy chocolate recipe of late). Cannot wait to see your other pies and/or tarts for the holiday season! Thanks for sharing and have a fabulous autumn weekend!
Stacy,
Thanks for the comments; my philosophy is there is no such thing as chocolate and cherry creations!! Hope your weekend was Wicked Good!!