Dutch Funny Pies

By Addie

“The texture of this dessert is like a soft cake. Grandma said that since it was baked in a pie plate, no one expects it to be frosted.”

Ingredients

• 2 3/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, softened
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
• 2 (9-inch) unbaked pie shells
• 3/4 cup boiling water
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Preparation

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350ºF.


Combine 13/4 cups granulated sugar and butter in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer set at medium speed until light and fluffy.


Add flour, milk, eggs, baking powder and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to creamed mixture and beat well. Spoon equal portions of the batter into each pie shell.


Combine remaining granulated sugar, the boiling water, cocoa and remaining vanilla extract in a medium bowl and mix well. Pour evenly over batter.


Bake pies until a toothpick inserted in centers comes out clean, about 40 minutes.
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Grandma's Secret Trick:

For accurately measured flour, Grandma used cup measures designed for dry ingredients. (Her set was metal and graduated in size.) Rather than scooping the flour with the cup, she spooned the flour into the cup so it was piled above the rim. Then she used a knife or spatula to level it off.