How to make Egg Pie

Egg Pie is a sweet Filipino dessert that resembles an egg custard. Though famous in the Philippines and can be seen even in local bakeries, this delicious dessert has not made its own identity yet and is often confused as a giant egg custard or something else. Well, now is the right time to show-off some of our country’s sweet indulgence.

Ingredients:
Pie Crust
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into cubes
1/4 to 1/2 cup cold water
2 tablespoon granulated sugar

Filling
1 3/4 cups evaporated milk
3 pieces raw eggs
1 piece egg, white separated from the yolk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup granulated sugar

Watch the cooking video:



                Cooking procedure:

•  Create the crust
• Combine the flour, sugar, and salt then mix well.
•  Add the butter in the middle and mix using a pastry mixer.
•  Gradually pour the cold water while mixing the ingredients. Continue mixing until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
•  Gather the dough and mold it into a ball-shaped figure.
•  Refrigerate the dough for at least 30 minutes to harden the butter.
• Sprinkle flour on a clean flat surface and flatten the refrigerated dough using a rolling pin. The flattened dough should be wide enough to cover a 9 inch circular baking pan.
• Arrange the flattened dough on top of the baking pan and cut the extra edge using a pair of scissors.
•  Refrigerate while doing the filling.
•  Make the filling
•  Scald the evaporated milk by heating it in the microwave oven for 2 minutes.
•  In a large mixing bowl, combine the 3 raw eggs and the separated egg yolk then whisk.
•  Gradually add the granulated sugar while whisking.
•  Put-in the vanilla extract then whisk until every ingredient is properly distributed.
• Pour-in the scalded milk then mix thoroughly.
•  Beat the separated egg white using an electric mixer until it forms soft peaks.
•  Fold the processed egg white in the milk-eggs-sugar mixture.
•  Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
•  Pour the filling mixture on the refrigerated pie crust.
•  Bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit then lower the heat to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and continue baking for 30 to 40 minutes.
•  Remove the egg pie from the oven and let cool.
•  Serve for dessert. Share and enjoy!

For a crunchier crust, you may want to blind bake it first before putting-in the filling.

Steps for the Crust:

1. After completing step 1 above (cooking procedure -create the dough), pierce the base of the dough with a fork in random places to allow air to flow.
2. Place a baking or parchment paper over the pastry base. Make sure that the paper fits the base of the pastry and the sides as well.
3. Put uncooked rice, dried beans, or pie weights over the surface of the parchment paper. This will prevent the pastry base from rising because of air bubbles.
4. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the crust for about 12 minutes or until the color turns golden brown.
5. Remove from the oven and let cool for 3 -- 5 minutes. Proceed with Step 2 above (Cooking procedure – make the filling)

Note: You may need to cover the edges of the crust with an aluminum foil as a precautionary measure when baking it the second time with the filling in; doing this will prevent the edges of the crust from being burnt.

How to Make Brazo de Mercedes

Brazo de Mercedes is a type of rolled cake (sometimes referred to as jelly roll) made from a sheet of soft meringue with custard filling. This heavenly cake can be considered as one of the all-time favorites in the Philippines. 

What I love the most about this cake is the sponge like texture of the meringue that melts in my mouth. The light flavor of the meringue is balanced by the flavor of the rich custard filling. This is truly amazing!

Most of you might be thinking that this rolled cake is hard to create but I'll tell you it was one of the easiest cake in the world that you could bake.

• It was very easy
• Very affordable
• All the ingredients could be found in your market all over the world

Ingredients:

10 large raw eggs, yolks and whites separated
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons confectioners sugar
14 ounces condensed milk

           Cooking procedure:

1. Combine egg whites and cream of tartar then beat using an electric mixer until soft peaks form.

2. Make the meringue by gradually adding the granulated sugar while mixing the ingredients. Continue mixing until the texture is semi-firm.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Place wax paper on top of a cookie sheet or large rectangular baking pan and grease the surface.

5. Place the meringue on top of the greased wax paper then spread evenly using a spatula.

6. Bake the meringue for 20 to 22 minutes or until the color of the top part turns light to medium brown.

7. While the meringue is in the oven, make the filling by combining the egg yolks and condensed milk in a small cooking pot. Apply heat and cook the mixture while continuously stirring until the texture becomes thick.

8. Add the vanilla extract to the condensed milk and egg yolk mixture, turn off the heat, and mix thoroughly. Set aside.

9. Remove the meringue from the oven and cool down for a few minutes.

10. Sprinkle the confectioners sugar on top of the meringue then place wax paper on the top part of the meringue followed by a similar sized baking pan or tray. The meringue should now be in the middle of two baking trays.

11. Flip the meringue: the new cookie sheet/baking tray placed on top should now be below. Remove the baking tray and the wax paper (you should now see the opposite side of the baked meringue) then spread the filling (cooked egg yolks, condensed milk, and vanilla extract mixture) over the meringue.

12. Roll the meringue. Complete rolling side to side starting at the longest side. Make sure that the layer with filling is rolled inward.

13. Transfer to a serving plate then serve.