Contents

PART 1: Not-So-Humble Beginnings

Chapter 1: Pastry and Cookie Crusts

Flaky Pie Crust

Mealy Pie Crust

Cream Cheese Pastry Crust

All-Butter Pie Crust

Pepper Jack Pastry Crust

Almond Pastry Crust

Traditional Graham Cracker Crust

Short Crust for Tarts

Lemon and Lavender Short Crust Pastry

Spicy Cheddar Crust

Graham Pecan Crust

Ginger Snap Crust

Chocolate Cookie Crust

Blitz Puff Pastry

Cornmeal Tart Crust

Parmesan Pastry Crust

Brown Butter–Graham Cracker Tart Crust

Chapter 2: Toppings

Cinnamon Streusel Topping

Foolproof Meringue

Sour Cream Topping

Stabilized Whipped Cream

Spiked Whipped Cream

Biscuit Topping

Salted Caramel Sauce

Spiced Chocolate Sauce

Chocolate–Peanut Butter Fudge Sauce

PART 2: Sweet-as-Can-Be

Chapter 3: Creams, Custards, and Chiffons

Pomegranate Cream Cheese Pie

Chocolate Acai Chiffon Pie

Cantaloupe Cream Pie

Mango Chiffon Pie

Cookies and Cream Mousse Pie

Brandied Sweet Potato Pie

Maple Walnut Pie

White Chocolate Chiffon Pie

Orange and Dark Chocolate Cheese Pie

Cardamom and Saffron Chiffon Pie

Vanilla Rum Meringue Pie

Butternut Squash Pie

Limoncello Mousse Pie

Pineapple Chiffon Pie

White Chocolate and Prosecco Mousse Pie

White Chocolate Lime Mascarpone Cheese Pie

Key Lime Coconut Pie

Strawberry Chiffon Pie

Chocolate Almond Pie

Parsnip Custard Pie

Black-Bottom Tiramisu Pie

Triple-Layer Mousse Pie

Sweet Potato Meringue Pie

Chapter 4: Fruits, Nuts, and Berries

Bourbon Pecan Pie

Apple Pie with a Spicy Cheddar Crust

Blood Orange Curd Pie

Brandied Pear Pie

Vanilla Pear Pie

Orange Honey Pecan Pie

Lavender-Infused Lemon Curd Pie

Peach Ginger Hand Pies

Honey Lavender Apple Pie

Roasted Hatch Chilies, Apple, and Ricotta Hand Pies

Tea-Infused Pear Pie

Toffee Almond Pie

Peach Sour Cream Pie

Apricot and Walnut Pie

Pineapple Macadamia Nut Pie

Honey Cardamom Banana Nut Pie

Brandied Black Cherry Pie

Pineapple Coconut Chess Pie

Bourbon Caramel Apple Pie

Brandied Berry Pie

Strawberry Silk Pie

Green Tea Passion Fruit Mousse Pie

Triple-Berry Cream Puff Pie

Apricot Macaroon Pie

Chapter 5: Tarts, Tartlets, and Rustic Pies

Ginger Pear Tart

Pear Gorgonzola Tart

Torta della Nonna (Italian Cheese Tart)

White Chocolate Ganache Tart with Brûléed Bananas

Toasted Almond, Coconut, and Chocolate Tart

Vanilla Bean and Saffron Poached Pear Tart

Praline Crème Tart with Mocha Whipped Cream

Homemade Ricotta and Berry Compote Tart

Grilled Peach Puff Pastry Tart

Pumpkin Rum Mousse Tart

Strawberry White Chocolate Ganache Tart

Fresh Blackberry Tart with Spiked Crème Anglaise

Sour Cream Ganache Tart

Bourbon Peach Tart

Apricot Tart with a Coconut Crumble

Black Cherry Meringue Tart

Caramel Pineapple Tart

Apple Rose Tart

Blueberry Ricotta Tart

Quince Tart Tatin

Raspberry Curd Tart

Lemon Pistachio Tart

Honey Tarragon Peach Tart

Chocolate Coconut Caramel Tart

Lime Curd and Kiwi Tart

PART 3: Savory Situations

Chapter 6: Dinner Pies

Herbed Chicken Pie

Apple, Brie, and Bacon Tart

Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Tart

Goat Cheese and Roasted Red Pepper Tart

Sharp Cheddar and Mushroom Tart

Apple and Brie Tart with Bacon Crumble

Sun-dried Tomato, Pesto, and Mozzarella Tart

Butternut Squash and Kale Pie

Herb, Fennel, and Cheese Pie

New England Clam and Potato Pie

Seared Ahi Tuna and Wasabi Crème Tartlets

Smoked Salmon and Dill Tartlets

Mushroom and Goat Cheese Tart

Caramelized Onion, Potato, and Pancetta Tart

Polenta Pie with Italian Sausage and Roasted Peppers

Spinach and Artichoke Tart

Shredded Beef Hand Pies with Spiced Cheese Sauce

Creamy Prosciutto and Leek Pie

Steak and Black Truffle Pie

Caramelized Onion and Gruyère Tart

Individual Eggs Benedict Tarts

Roasted Heirloom Tomato Tart

Duck Confit Tart

Prosciutto, Date, and Chorizo Hand Pies

Chapter 7: Spicy, Salty, and Exotic Pies

Salted Lime Curd Tart

Chipotle Fudge Pie

Salted Peanut Pie

Raspberry Chipotle Crumb Tart

Chorizo Empanadas

Strawberry Jalapeño Pie

Mexican Hot Chocolate Pie

Salted Chocolate Meringue Pie

Habanero Passion Fruit Pie

Chipotle Peanut Butter Cheese Pie

Chocolate Coconut Curry Pie

Ancho Chili, Pecan, and Chocolate Toffee Pie

Bitter Chocolate and Salted Marshmallow Pie

Salted Caramel Pumpkin Pie

Meyer Lemon and Serrano Chili Meringue Pie

Salted Peach Crumble Pie

Salted Brûléed Apple Tart