French Silk Pie Bars
Today I’ve got the best present for you: something that’s going to reawaken your sense of kitchen whimsy. No, not these French Silk Pie Bars, though they will reawaken your sense of kitchen GIMME THAT FORK RIGHT NOW.
No, I mean my friend Amanda’s amazing new book, Surprise-Inside Cakes.
I love flipping through cookbooks. Do you do this, too? Lie in bed and page through them like a novel, consuming the food with your eyes, doing a mental inventory of your pantry, trying to visualize yourself making each recipe? Sorting the dishes with thoughts like, “This one seems easy enough,” “No way I’d make that,” “I think I have almost all of these ingredients,” “This sounds like a good special occasion meal”? I find it so relaxing. Surprise-Inside Cakes, with its gorgeous photos by Susan Powers and stunningly conceived cakes, is certainly great for that.
But here’s the thing about this cookbook. The recipes are amazing, but best thing it gives me as a home cook isn’t even in its pages.
Every now and then someone writes a cookbook that doesn’t just describe how to make their food, but helps you imagine creating your own food. It teaches you techniques that you could see applying to your own concept. It gives you examples of what someone — with a lot of patience and creativity — was able to create, and makes it seem accessible for you to embark on the same artistic adventure. That’s what this cookbook does. It’s not just a book of recipes, but a showcase and an invitation: here’s what I did, what will you do?
To be honest, I haven’t felt this way since Bakerella started the creative cake pop craze. Amanda isn’t the only person in the world to put something cool inside a cake, sure. But her innovation in the kitchen is inspiring. She makes surprise-inside cakes seem accessible to the home cook on her blog, i am baker, and now in her book as well.
So if you need me, I’ll be lying in bed, flipping through these beautiful pages, dreaming of new creations. Want to join me? Not in my bed; that’d be weird. But in flipping through this new book? The Surprise-Inside publishers are offering one free copy to a lucky Willow Bird reader! Just enter using the giveaway widget below.
Now onto pie! I’ve been on a pie bar kick, in case you haven’t noticed. Coconut Cream Pie Bars, Lemon Cream Pie Bars, and now French Silk Pie Bars. These things are crazy! They remind me of going to Perkins Family Restaurant as a kid and getting a huuuge slice of French Silk Pie to devour all by myself. Enjoy them with a huge glass of milk. But be sure to enter the giveaway first!
One year ago: Almond Scones with Raspberry Jam and Clotted Cream
Two years ago: My Favorite Pie Crust Dough
Three years ago: Three Safe-to-Eat Cookie Doughs: Chocolate Chip, Sugar, and Cake Batter!
Four years ago: Chocolate Sheet Cake
French Silk Pie Bars
Recipe by: Willow Bird Baking adapted from Brown Eyed Baker
Yield: 9 bars
If you love French Silk pie, this is your kind of dessert! A buttery shortbread crust forms the base for creamy chocolate mousse and fluffy whipped cream. Use Pioneer Woman’s tutorial for making cute chocolate curls to boost the presentation!
Crust Ingredients:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup icing sugar
Filling Ingredients:
1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
3 eggs
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into ½-inch pieces
Topping Ingredients:
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon gelatin
2 tablespoons cold water
4-5 tablespoons powdered sugar
chocolate curls (optional)
Directions:
Make shortbread crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Prepare an 8-inch square baking dish by lining it with parchment paper. Cut the butter into the flour and icing sugar and press into the baking dish (I used a food processor to cut the fat into the flour — about 6-10 pulses — and then the bottom of a glass to press the mixture into the pan). Bake 18-20 minutes or until light brown. Set on a wire rack.
Make the filling: Melt your chocolate by heating in 30-second intervals on half power, stirring between each. Once melted, set the chocolate aside as you complete the filling. In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream to stiff peaks. Place it in a bowl in the fridge to chill until it’s needed. In the heatproof bowl of a stand mixer, beat together eggs, sugar, and water for 5 minutes until pale yellow and slightly thickened. Set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water to form a sort of double boiler. Heat, whisking occasionally, until a candy thermometer reads 160 degrees F.
Put the bowl onto the stand mixer carefully and beat on medium speed until cooled to room temperature and thickened, about 8 minutes. While beating, add in the chocolate and vanilla. My chocolate almost seemed to stick to the bowl and get difficult here, but I just turned the mixer up for a few seconds and all was well. Beat in the room temperature butter a piece at a time, mixing between each. Fold in the whipped cream until no white streaks remain, and then pour the mixture over your cooled shortbread crust and smooth the top. Cover and chill the bars for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Make the topping: In a small bowl, sprinkle the gelatin over the 2 tablespoons cold water to soften for 2 minutes. Heat for 15 or so seconds in the microwave, whisking to dissolve the gelatin. Whip 1 cup heavy whipping cream to stiff peaks, adding the gelatin and powdered sugar halfway through. Chill in the fridge until set.
Want to see some of my own “surprise inside” cakes? I’ll be honest: I use a special pan to craft my heart-shaped creations. Amanda’s book will help you to be much more crafty!
89 Comments on French Silk Pie Bars (and a Surprise-Inside Cakes giveaway!)
1Pingbacks & Trackbacks on French Silk Pie Bars (and a Surprise-Inside Cakes giveaway!)
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[…] French Silk Pie Bars from Willow Bird Baking. My mind is racing with ideas as I crave a bite of these pie bars. Pure genius! Well played, Julie, well played. […]
Liz S.
March 24, 2014 at 1:42 am (11 years ago)Love this pie/bar hybrid recipe!
My favorite kind of cake is Chocolate Fudge Cake.
Sara @ Confectionary Tales
March 24, 2014 at 2:30 am (11 years ago)I love anything with chocolate. Or ice cream cake.
Kim G
March 24, 2014 at 5:09 am (11 years ago)The bars look yummy!
My favorite cake is carrot cake!
Sue
March 24, 2014 at 5:37 am (11 years ago)Love the rainbow heart cake!!
Sue
March 24, 2014 at 5:40 am (11 years ago)Lovexoxoxo
Ali
March 24, 2014 at 6:20 am (11 years ago)My favorite cake is my great Grandma’s famous jimmy cake 🙂
fran
March 24, 2014 at 7:16 am (11 years ago)I love all cake…
Samantha H
March 24, 2014 at 7:42 am (11 years ago)My favourite cake is Chocolate Mud Cake, although I have yet to find a recipe that duplicates the moist, rich, dense, fudge heaven that I’ve tried in a cafe before…
June G.
March 24, 2014 at 7:45 am (11 years ago)Mmmm, I love Black Forest cake!
Jessica L.
March 24, 2014 at 8:23 am (11 years ago)I love yellow cake with chocolate frosting…so classic, but SO good!
Jenna O
March 24, 2014 at 8:45 am (11 years ago)I love chocolate cakes 🙂
Luz
March 24, 2014 at 8:51 am (11 years ago)I love buttermilk chocolate cake with cream cheese frosting mmmmm!
Abigail
March 24, 2014 at 8:54 am (11 years ago)I’ve loved her blog for so long, how awesome! Also, this cake looks amazing.
Favorite cake? My birthday cake is always either orange cake with lemon frosting, or lemon cake with orange frosting. (This year it’s the latter.)
Brandi Bryant
March 24, 2014 at 10:26 am (11 years ago)My favorite now is thin yellow layers with cooked chocolate frosting. Thanks for the giveaway. Good luck everyone.
Kim Henrichs
March 24, 2014 at 10:30 am (11 years ago)My favorite cake is chocolate with strawberry, bananas and whipped cream!
Kelster
March 24, 2014 at 10:37 am (11 years ago)Chocolate cake. I haven’t made one in months. I also gave up chocolate for Lent. It’s a rough life.
alicia p
March 24, 2014 at 10:56 am (11 years ago)I’m a lover of all cakes – but I can never deny how delicious chocolate cake is!
Megan
March 24, 2014 at 11:07 am (11 years ago)Chocolate with chocolate frosting!
Barbi B
March 24, 2014 at 11:12 am (11 years ago)Black Joe cake with Peanut Butter Frosting…..who am I kidding any home made chocolate cake!
Elizabeth
March 24, 2014 at 11:35 am (11 years ago)These bars look fabulous.
Anyways, my favourite cake would be either red velvet or carrot. Though there are not many cakes I would turn down.
Rebecca {foodie with family}
March 24, 2014 at 11:47 am (11 years ago)French silk BARS? Oh goodness, yes please! This is gorgeous, Julie.
Trudy
March 24, 2014 at 11:55 am (11 years ago)I love most cakes, but anything chocolate would be at the top of my list.
Lacey B
March 24, 2014 at 1:08 pm (11 years ago)Anything chocolate
Laura Van B.
March 24, 2014 at 1:26 pm (11 years ago)If I had to choose one…Hungarian Dobos, exquisite all the way, hands down the best.
Terri B
March 24, 2014 at 1:30 pm (11 years ago)My favorite is red velvet!
LauriM
March 24, 2014 at 1:32 pm (11 years ago)I love pretty much any chocolate cake and anything that works well with it.
Lindsay Lee
March 24, 2014 at 1:38 pm (11 years ago)Strawberry Cake with Strawberry Frosting YUM!!!
Birdiebee
March 24, 2014 at 2:07 pm (11 years ago)I love chocolate mousse cake.
Mari @ Oh, Sweet & Savory
March 24, 2014 at 2:28 pm (11 years ago)My favorites are carrot cake; red velvet cake comes a close second!
Rebecca
March 24, 2014 at 4:25 pm (11 years ago)I love red velvet cake. This looks great too.
Rachel @ Bakerita
March 24, 2014 at 5:01 pm (11 years ago)I love a good, fudgy chocolate cake!
Egg
March 24, 2014 at 5:56 pm (11 years ago)Red velvet cake is the best. 🙂
Stacia
March 24, 2014 at 5:57 pm (11 years ago)My favorite type of cake is yellow with chocolate buttercream!
Steph
March 24, 2014 at 7:24 pm (11 years ago)Chocolate cake! and Pumpkin Dump Cake…
Eileen A-W
March 24, 2014 at 7:35 pm (11 years ago)Any cake that has chocolate in it!!
Jenny
March 24, 2014 at 8:40 pm (11 years ago)I love a good mocha cake!
Keli
March 24, 2014 at 9:56 pm (11 years ago)I absolutely love dark chocolate cake with Rich’s whipped vanilla icing! Will be my fave til I die!
Dorothea
March 24, 2014 at 10:18 pm (11 years ago)My favorite cake is one I first made many, many years ago – it’s a chocolate layer cake with sweetened whipped cream in between the layers, and enrobed in a fudge-like frosting!
Tanya
March 24, 2014 at 10:18 pm (11 years ago)Strawberry cream cake is my favorite 🙂
Traci
March 24, 2014 at 10:31 pm (11 years ago)Mocha flavored cakes are my favorite.
Diane
March 24, 2014 at 10:45 pm (11 years ago)My favorite cake is white almond cake with buttercream icing.
cheri
March 24, 2014 at 10:56 pm (11 years ago)carrot cakes are my favorite!
Beth
March 24, 2014 at 11:04 pm (11 years ago)Caramel!
Melissa Poling
March 24, 2014 at 11:13 pm (11 years ago)My favorite cake is yellow cake w/chocolate icing!
Leslee
March 25, 2014 at 12:27 am (11 years ago)Texas Sheet Cake
Laurel Wycoff
March 25, 2014 at 12:31 am (11 years ago)Black forest cherry cake, pls!
jessica
March 25, 2014 at 1:17 am (11 years ago)I would have to go with chocolate!!
Marje
March 25, 2014 at 2:46 am (11 years ago)My favorite cake is anything with chocolate
Jess Z
March 25, 2014 at 4:34 am (11 years ago)I love peanut butter chocolate chip or banana creme. Honestly, any type of cake! 🙂
Phyllis
March 25, 2014 at 5:31 am (11 years ago)Favorite cake is chocolate with chocolate frosting & vanilla ice cream
Debbie K
March 25, 2014 at 6:13 am (11 years ago)Peach Sunrise cake… or Triple Chocolate cake… or…. ANY cake, pretty much
MicheleW
March 25, 2014 at 7:34 am (11 years ago)Chocolate frosting and cake
Denise McDonald
March 25, 2014 at 8:25 am (11 years ago)I’ve never met a cake I didn’t like, but chocolate is always a favorite.
Heather
March 25, 2014 at 10:16 am (11 years ago)Chocolate coke cake with fudge frosting
Jeanne
March 25, 2014 at 10:58 am (11 years ago)I make a cake using Swiss Mocha Instant Coffee with a whipped cream icing that is to die for!!
Kim
March 25, 2014 at 11:40 am (11 years ago)my fav kind of cake is coconut cake!!
Mercedes
March 25, 2014 at 11:50 am (11 years ago)My favorite kind of cake is german chocolate!
Peggy Luna
March 25, 2014 at 12:00 pm (11 years ago)Love German Chocolate Cake, it reminds me of my mother who use to bake it. Plus Boston Cream Pie, same reason…my mom use to make it.
nimbe
March 25, 2014 at 12:01 pm (11 years ago)my favorite cake is chocolate or flan!
Tamika
March 25, 2014 at 3:01 pm (11 years ago)My favorite cake is a classic pound cake.
keely
March 25, 2014 at 4:03 pm (11 years ago)devils food with chocolate frosting! 🙂
Melinda
March 25, 2014 at 4:11 pm (11 years ago)cheesecake
Amanda
March 25, 2014 at 5:39 pm (11 years ago)Hmm…my favorite kind of cake? That’s such a toughie….. Maybe Yellow cake with chocolate Frosting!
stephanie
March 25, 2014 at 6:09 pm (11 years ago)Any layer cake with pudding as layers! Or lemon curd.
Elizabeth
March 25, 2014 at 7:03 pm (11 years ago)I just had lemon cake with blackberries–delicious!
heidi
March 25, 2014 at 9:45 pm (11 years ago)my favorite cake is flourless chocolate cake with fresh raspberries.especially as thick as fudge!yum
mariel
March 25, 2014 at 10:11 pm (11 years ago)I’ll never stop loving funfetti
MelodyJ
March 26, 2014 at 1:04 am (11 years ago)I love half vanilla half chocolate cakes.
MelodyJ
March 26, 2014 at 1:04 am (11 years ago)I love half vanilla half chocolate cakes.
Stephanie Johnson
March 26, 2014 at 8:17 am (11 years ago)These look delicious!
My favorite is angelfood cake. Love. It.
Terri C.
March 26, 2014 at 9:31 am (11 years ago)My favorite cake is German Chocolate
katy b
March 26, 2014 at 9:39 am (11 years ago)this silk pie looks amazing! my favorite cake is a meringue cake with caramel filling
Megan
March 26, 2014 at 10:20 pm (11 years ago)Fave cake…..chocolate with either peanut butter or coconut filing and covered in chocolate ganache. Mmmm
itzia
March 26, 2014 at 11:15 pm (11 years ago)coconut cake with coconut pudding
Lauren G.
March 27, 2014 at 4:47 pm (11 years ago)I’m a purist…chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream.
Elizabeth R
March 27, 2014 at 5:59 pm (11 years ago)My favorite kind of cake is carrot cake with cream cheese icing
Emily
March 28, 2014 at 8:29 am (11 years ago)I love lemon velvet cake!
Grace
March 28, 2014 at 1:53 pm (11 years ago)danish layer cake with whipped cream and fruit!
Marcia S.
March 29, 2014 at 12:58 am (11 years ago)I love hummingbird cake with cream cheese frosting!
Katie
March 29, 2014 at 8:14 am (11 years ago)I love French Silk Pie! I might just have to try making this!
My favorite cake is the Ultimate Coconut Cake that I made from your recipe :o)
Mabel chan
March 30, 2014 at 3:37 am (11 years ago)I love carrot cake! Lots of crream cheese frosting too!
kiki
March 30, 2014 at 7:22 am (11 years ago)That Chai Mousse Croque em Bouche cake is a masterpiece! What an artist! Chapeaux !!! Greetings from Bavaria
Angela H.
March 31, 2014 at 1:22 am (11 years ago)Chocolate cake with a good ganache. Yummy!
Karri S
March 31, 2014 at 8:44 am (11 years ago)I love a good vanilla cake with chocolate frosting.
Vaishali Ramjee
March 31, 2014 at 4:20 pm (11 years ago)I love making layered cakes with cinnamon,caramel and chocolate cream.
Renee @ Awesome on $20
April 6, 2014 at 12:29 am (11 years ago)Oh my god, Perkins!!!! I haven’t thought about that place in ages. These bars look amazing!
Amanda
November 24, 2015 at 9:55 am (9 years ago)I was wondering if you’ve ever made this in a 9×13 pan? It looks like the crust and filling are pretty thick layers, so I wondered if it would work in a larger pan for thinner bars.
Julie Ruble
November 24, 2015 at 10:21 am (9 years ago)I’ve never tried it. I think the crust might run a bit short, but perhaps the filling would work for a thinner layer as you described. If you try it, let me know how it goes!