Ancho Chile Fudge Pie

🥧 Ancho Chile Fudge Pie: A Spicy Chocolate Delight 🌶️

📜 History:
The Ancho Chile Fudge Pie is a delightful dessert that combines the rich, indulgent flavors of chocolate with a subtle, spicy kick from ancho chilies. While the exact origin of this pie is unclear, it likely draws inspiration from traditional Mexican cuisine, which often pairs chocolate with chili peppers for a unique flavor profile. This fusion of sweet and spicy has captured the hearts (and taste buds) of food enthusiasts around the world.

🧁 Components:

1. Pie Crust: You can use a pre-made pie crust or make your own with ingredients like flour, butter, and a pinch of salt.
2. Chocolate: High-quality chocolate, typically in the form of dark chocolate, is the star of this pie. It’s responsible for the fudgy texture and rich flavor.
3. Ancho Chilies: Dried ancho chilies are the key ingredient that adds a subtle, smoky, and mildly spicy flavor to the pie. These chilies are deseeded, soaked, and blended into a paste.
4. Butter: Butter adds creaminess and enhances the overall texture of the pie.
5. Sugar: Granulated sugar provides sweetness to balance the heat of the chilies.
6. Eggs: Eggs are essential for binding the pie and creating its dense, fudgy consistency.
7. Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla extract enhances the chocolate’s flavor.
8. Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder intensifies the chocolatey goodness.
9. Salt: A pinch of salt helps balance the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
10. Whipped Cream: Optional but highly recommended for serving. It complements the spiciness and richness of the pie.

👩‍🍳 Preparation Steps:

1. Prepare the Pie Crust:

   • If making your own crust, mix flour, butter, and a pinch of salt until it forms a dough. Press it into a pie dish and refrigerate while you prepare the filling.
   • If using a pre-made crust, simply place it in the pie dish.

2. Soak and Blend Ancho Chilies:

   • Deseed dried ancho chilies and soak them in hot water until soft.
   • Drain, blend into a paste, and set aside.

3. Melt Chocolate and Butter:

   • In a saucepan, melt the chocolate and butter over low heat, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat.

4. Mix Ingredients:

   • In a mixing bowl, whisk together sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt.
   • Add the ancho chili paste and the melted chocolate-butter mixture. Mix until well combined.

5. Bake:

   • Pour the filling into the prepared pie crust.

6. Bake:

   • Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-35 minutes, or until the edges are set, but the center is still slightly jiggly.

7. Cool:

   • Let the pie cool to room temperature, and then refrigerate for a few hours until it’s fully set.

8. Serve:

   • Serve slices of the Ancho Chile Fudge Pie with a dollop of whipped cream for a delightful contrast of flavors and textures.

⏰ Preparation Time:
The total time needed to prepare Ancho Chile Fudge Pie, including preparation and baking, typically ranges from 2 to 2.5 hours. This allows for the pie to cool and set properly before serving.

Enjoy your spicy, chocolatey slice of history! 🌶️🍫🥧😋

Here are the nutrition facts and health information for Ancho Chile Fudge Pie:

Nutrition Facts (per serving, approximate):

• Calories: 350-400 calories
• Total Fat: 20-25 grams
  • Saturated Fat: 10-12 grams
• Cholesterol: 60-70 milligrams
• Sodium: 150-180 milligrams
• Total Carbohydrates: 35-40 grams
  • Dietary Fiber: 2-3 grams
  • Sugars: 25-30 grams
• Protein: 5-6 grams

Health Information:

1. Moderate Calories: Ancho Chile Fudge Pie is a calorie-dense dessert, so portion control is important if you’re watching your calorie intake.

2. High in Fat: The pie is relatively high in fat due to the chocolate and butter content. Most of the fat is saturated fat, so it should be enjoyed in moderation.

3. Moderate Sugar: This dessert is moderately high in sugar, which contributes to its sweetness. Be mindful of sugar intake, especially if you have dietary restrictions or health concerns related to sugar.

4. Fiber Content: While it’s not particularly high in fiber, the cocoa powder and crust may provide a small amount of dietary fiber.

5. Protein: Ancho Chile Fudge Pie contains a modest amount of protein, but it’s not a significant source.

6. Vitamins and Minerals: This dessert doesn’t offer substantial vitamins and minerals, but it does provide some iron from the cocoa powder.

7. Spices and Health Benefits: Ancho chilies are a source of capsaicin, a compound that can have various health benefits, including potential pain relief and improved metabolism. However, the small amount used in the pie may not have a significant impact on health.

Note: The specific nutrition content can vary depending on the recipe’s ingredients and serving size. It’s important to enjoy indulgent desserts like Ancho Chile Fudge Pie in moderation as part of a balanced diet.