Autumn Fruit Tart with Cream Cheese Pumpkin Crust

I love Fall. It's the only time of year that I feel homesick. Utah is a beautiful state, it's one of the reasons I live here. But it's Fall beauty doesn't even compare to a Michigan Fall. I also love transformation. Fall to me represents a powering down to a Winter of inward reflection. Plus it leads to some good cuddling, and who doesn't love that? :) So today I give you:

Autumn Fruit Tart. Nestled oh-so-tenderly into a Cream Cheese Crust, rolled in Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate....just for kicks. Finally, topped with Apricot Jam. Probably the BEST pie I've made yet. I baked one, and gave it away without trying it. It smelled so freaking good that I had to make another one. It lasted a day and a half at my house....I ate 3 pieces. 

Catching Up

Well, I'm a couple posts behind, so here's the deal

Dark Chocolate Rum Ganache in a Shortbread Tart

This was my next effort at reclaiming myself. I had reached a point of total exhaustion, pulled myself out, crawled home, and showered off, and climbed into bed to rest up. This tart was revisiting my recharge mode without crossing the line into hibernation. It's very symbolic of the old Sarah with the rum and darkness of the chocolate, contrasted in the light, buttery shortbread....I felt like it was very much the union of old Sarah and new, refined Sarah coming together to create a beautiful harmony of flavors. The rum flavor turned out a little stronger than I wanted, therefore I gave it to my friend Tyler, who appreciated rum more than most of my other friends :)

Razzle-Berry Pie

I'm finally back to normal, feeling like I can spread my wings and fly again. Which means I'm attempting to jump back into the dating game. The current flirtation loves Razzleberry Pie, and commanded that I make one. Early on in my pie research I remembered that I actually detested Razzleberry Pie, which makes no sense considering it has blackberries and raspberries, which both come straight from God Himself....So I vowed I would make the most amazing Razzleberry Pie known to man. And this seemed to be the perfect opportunity. Now, said boy lives far away, so there was no way he was going to taste it anyway, which meant it was still for me :) Let's just say, it really was the best Razzleberry Pie known to Man. I brought it into work and my boss, who hates fruit pies, said "That's damn good pie!" I felt accomplished. Plus it was one of the prettiest pies I've made. I cut out the top to look like Argyle, but my egg-wash didn't turn out quite as I had hoped. However, it still looked BOMB!!! Not to mention I tried a new pastry crust recipe....and I'd consider it perfection.

Almond Joy Tart

This was my first solo project. I dreamt it up in the middle of a massage and have been waiting for the correct moment to spring it on someone. Turns out last week my friend was have a terribly crappy week and Almond Joys happen to be his favorite. Perfect!!! I made a delectable almond crust, found a recipe for Almond Joy Filling, and made my chocolate ganache to drizzle over the top. Put it all in my tart pan and hand delivered happiness! This has probably been my proudest accomplishment. I thought it up and had the skill to put it into action...That's a really great feeling. Not to mention the look on Denver's face was probably the happiest moment of my week. 

Mojito Key Lime

About a two weeks ago I realized that my metaphorical gas gauge was broken. While it read 3/4 full, I was - in all actuality - completely empty. Last week's Harvest Peach was my trek to the gas station followed by a pitiful offering of 1 solitary gallon of gas. Since that time I've been gradually filling up my tank and I finally feel that accomplished feeling of security you feel when you pull away from the gas station on a full tank. And of course to celebrate, I had to bake a pie!

I give you: Mojito Key Lime in a homemade Graham Cracker Crust! For those of your who don't know, a Mojito is an excellent cocktail of rum, lime, and mint. Symbolic of everything I've been feeling: Bright and refreshing with a hint of sass. Sarah at her finest :)


It was celebrated with peeps who were catalysts in bringing "Mojito Sarah" back to life. The pie was the topic of discussion for about a week, and since it took a full day to set, there was a lot of build up. Plenty of Heytells, texts and Facebook posts were spent screaming our excitement right up until the second we cut into it.

Fortunately, it was a booming success, and round two will probably be made this weekend. Here's to the return of Sarah!

Harvest Peach

After a long week of stressful over-bookedness, I embarked on my first pie. Peaches are reminiscent of Georgia for me. Not only was it the place where I felt the most purpose, but it also embodies all things home, comfort and simplicity.

I tend to forget how rejuvenating mornings can be to me. They're quiet, calm and peaceful. Plus, is there anything more poetic than experiencing first hand the cool dew of the morning transitioning into a beautiful fall day? I submit to you that there is not. I could feel the life coming back into me as I drove, in silence, to the farmers market - window down, morning air rushing in, left foot so tenderly propped on the dash....life was already coming back into me.

I spent the next couple hours exploring every peach stand at the market. I had already decided when stand #3 let me sample their Lemon Elberta Peach. It was sweet and honey like, with childlike nostalgia that lingered long after you'd swallowed. Perfect. I purchased a basket, got a henna tattoo and then headed home.

One of the blessings of fresh Peach Pie is that it takes hours. Hours without time constraints, deadlines, phone calls, and, most importantly, unceasing thoughts about my next task. I could just turn off logical, responsible Sarah, and spend time focusing on each step, watching the colors and flavors come together into a beautiful creation.

Bring it Betty.

I'm not sure why I fell in love with pies - if it was the feeling of the dough between my fingers, the way the carefully selected crust can compliment the personality of the filling, not the mention the limitless artistic possibilities and the beauty of the contrasting colors....regardless, there's something soothing about them for me. To me, pies are a symbol of home, comfort and family, and unfortunately, with the birth of Marie Callendar's and the McDonald's mockery of Apple Pie, it's become a dying art. Therefore, this blog is an attempt at rejuvenation of all those things, within the world, and more importantly, within myself.

My friend Lauren put it best when she said that the amazing and complicated thing about me is that I'm actually really smart and logical, but naturally - deep inside - I'm all heart. But somewhere along the way, I decided it's more effective to approach the world from my cerebral self, leaving my heart largely unexpressed. "Eat My Pie" is a way for me to allow my soul to create something full of heart, and at the end I can do what I do best: Serve.

Here are the rules:

1. One pie a week 
2. Everything from scratch :)
3. The pie must be shared
4. No one can be invited to pie until it is in the oven

Each pie has a story; it will be created within the thoughts, events and personal growth of the week, taking on a personality and purpose, which will then be bestowed upon someone whom I love. Then the recipes will be recorded in my super sweet journal.

Hey Betty Crocker....bring it.