Dessert Tips by Best Restaurants

Dessert Tips: Enjoy These Pie Possibilities

 by: Best Restaurants

There may not be a better dessert than a mouth-watering slice of pie fresh from the oven. But serving your pie with a dollop of whipped cream, or "a la mode" with a cool scoop of vanilla ice cream can dress up this treat. Add a dash more creativity and a humble pie becomes a true work of art that will have your family and friends coming back for seconds.

"You can make your own pie from scratch or serve one our new line of frozen "unbaked" pies -that look and taste just like they're homemade," says Chris Glowienka, spokesperson for Sara Lee. "Either way, here are some other 'pie possibilities' to elevate this favourite dessert from delectable comestible to mouth-watering masterpiece."

• • Make individual treats by cutting a baked and chilled pumpkin pie into bite-sized squares. Place a decorative toothpick in each bite.

• • Sprinkle the top of your apple pie with shredded cheddar cheese three to five minutes before the end of baking.

• • Break up apple pie leftovers into an ovenproof dish, cover with grated cheese and raisins. Microwave or run under the broiler until the cheese melts. Yum!

• • Remove the streusel topping from one of Sara Lee's frozen, unbaked Dutch Apple Pies and place it in a bowl. Mix the streusel with raisins nuts, dried fruit, or a combination. Replace streusel topping on the frozen pie and bake according to instructions. For a festive holiday flourish, cool the pie, and then add whipped topping and cranberry sauce.

• • For a decadent "Pecan Sundae", cut out a circle of pecan pie and top with a scoop of butter pecan ice cream. Drizzle with butterscotch sauce, pile on whipped topping and garnish with crust crumbles from the pie and top with a maraschino cherry. Eat it and weep.