Raspberry Chiffon Pie

(from 226-2tone’s recipe box)

Serves 8 to 10

The heavy cream must be ice cold; if not, it won’t hold stiff peaks, no matter how long or hard you beat it. Soften the cream cheese at room temperature; the microwave will cause the cheese to separate.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
We wanted our Raspberry Chiffon Pie recipe to produce an intensely flavored pie, so we ramped up its flavor by including a layer of sweetened, thickened fruit on the crust and beneath the chiffon. We also stiffened our recipe’s chiffon filling by using extra gelatin and a little cream cheese, which enabled it to hold additional raspberry puree for even more flavor.

Source: Cook's Country August/September 2006 (from RecipeThing user Bethany)

Categories: Desserts

Ingredients

  • FRUIT LAYER
  • 12 ounces frozen raspberries (2 cups)
  • 3 tablespoons powdered pectin (Sure-Jell)
  • 1 1/2 cups sugar
  • Pinch table salt
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries
  • 1 (9-inch) pie shell, baked and cooled (see related recipe)
  • CHIFFON LAYER
  • 3 tablespoons gelatin, raspberry flavored
  • 3 tablespoons boiling water
  • 3 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
  • WHIPPED CREAM TOPPING
  • 1 1/4 cups heavy cream, chilled
  • 2 tablespoons sugar

Directions

  1. For the fruit layer: Cook frozen berries in medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until berries begin to give up their juice, about 3 minutes. Stir in pectin and bring to full boil, stirring constantly. Stir in sugar and salt and return to full boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Pour through fine-mesh strainer into medium bowl, pressing on solids to extract as much puree as possible. Scrape puree off underside of strainer into bowl.

  2. Transfer 1/3 cup raspberry puree to small bowl and cool to room temperature. Gently fold fresh raspberries into remaining puree. Spread fruit mixture evenly over bottom of pie shell and set aside.

  3. For the chiffon layer: Dissolve gelatin in boiling water in large bowl. Add cream cheese and reserved 1/3 cup raspberry puree and beat with electric mixer on high speed, scraping down sides of bowl once or twice, until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add 1 cup cream and beat on medium-low until incorporated, about 30 seconds. Scrape down bowl. Beat on high speed until cream holds stiff peaks, 1 to 2 minutes. Spread evenly over fruit in pie shell. Cover pie with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until set, at least 3 hours or up to 2 days.

  4. For the whipped cream topping: When ready to serve, beat 1 1/4 cups cream and sugar to stiff peaks. Spread or pipe over chilled filling. Serve.

  5. TWO LAYERS, TWO THICKENERS For the Fruit Layer: For the bottom layer, we used Sure-Jell (pectin) to achieve a concentrated raspberry flavor and texture. There are two formulations of Sure-Jell. We found that the original formula (sold in the bright yellow box) made the smoothest, thickest bottom layer of fruit. For the Chiffon Layer: A few tablespoons of raspberry gelatin made for great stability and color in the creamy chiffon layer and reinforced the berry flavor.

Email to a friend | Print this recipe | Back