I’ve introduced you to Keith’s parents before, but I’ve never told you about his grandmother, Maxine. I first met her the year that Keith and I started dating, more than twenty-five years ago. When I think of her, I still see the way she always greeted me: her face would light up in a big smile and she’d say, “hiii…,” the word stretched out in her sweet southern drawl.
She and her husband raised two sons, Edwin and Bob, in Memphis, Tennessee. Both sons settled in the west, one in Oregon, the other in California. As a young woman Maxine worked as a teacher’s aid, but after the untimely death of her husband, she decided to become a teacher herself.
Until her late eighties, she lived alone in her Memphis home where she was active in her church and sewing club, travelled internationally and drove a VW Bug that would act up occasionally. But not to worry, her neighbor had shown her how to pry just the right place open with a spoon to make it roar to life.
Each year during the winter holiday season, she would fly to the west for a month. (Once, she so charmed the man sitting next to her on the plane that he sent a Virginia ham to meet her at her destination.) On these visits, she divided her time between her son’s homes, an event that her four grandchildren especially looked forward to. She would fill her days making sugar cookies, rolls and pies – always happy to spare a bite of dough or make a batch of cinnamon sugar crisps from pie crust scraps. And in the evening, you might find her knitting hats for the homeless people of Memphis.
Grandma with her grandchildren, left to right: Keith, Rob, Beth and Ed.
There are at least two of Grandma’s recipes that are essential at every Stevens family holiday meal: Grandma’s Rolls and Chocolate Rum Pie.
If you’ve ever had chocolate and rum together, you know they’re a heavenly match. But think of adding lightly sweetened whipped cream and a delicate, flaky crust and you’ll know why this recipe is a Stevens family heirloom. An heirloom that I’ve been given permission to share.
What about Grandma’s rolls? I haven’t worked up the courage to ask about sharing that recipe yet. Maybe next year.
Grandma's Chocolate Rum Pie
Ingredients
- 1 10-inch pre-baked pie crust See recipe notes for suggestions.
Pie Filling
- 3/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons granulated sugar divided
- pinch salt
- 1 envelope gelatin
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 egg yolks beaten
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/3 cup rum
- 2 egg whites
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pie Topping
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Pre-bake a 10-inch pie crust (see links in Recipe Notes) and allow it to cool completely before filling.
- To make the pie filling, combine 1/2 cup sugar, gelatin and salt in a medium saucepan. Stir in milk and egg yolks. Place over medium-low heat; cook and stir until slightly thickened. Remove from heat, add chocolate chips and stir until melted. Add rum and stir. Chill until partially set. (I often use an ice bath, stirring occasionally, to speed this process).
- Once chocolate mixture has cooled, beat egg whites with a standing or handheld mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add 1/4 cup sugar; continue beating until stiff peaks form. Fold chocolate mixture into egg whites,
- In a separate bowl, beat 1 cup whipping cream until soft peaks form. Gradually add 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, beating until combined.
- Add 1/2 of chocolate mixture to prepared pie crust; top with 1/2 of whipped cream. Repeat so that you have 4 layers. Using a rubber spatula, carefully swirl the layers into a marble pattern. Cover and chill until firm - several hours or overnight.
- To serve: Beat 1 cup whipping cream until soft peaks form. Gradually add 2 tablespoons sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, beating until combined. Cut pie into 8 slices and serve each with a generous dollop of whipped cream.
Mindy says
March 10, 2019 at 7:12 pmHi,
Would rum /alcohol content be strong in this recipe?I am considering to make this for work, but don’t want to get in trouble for too much rum!
Marissa says
March 11, 2019 at 10:27 amHi Mindy! If the pie is divided into 8 slices, it’s equivalent to about 1/3 of an ounce of rum per slice. It’s not a lot of alcohol per person, but the rum is a pronounced flavor. Hope that’s helpful!
Jennie says
November 22, 2017 at 8:11 amHi long shot, but in case you are checking, this is v similat to my grandmas recipe. Im wondering if i doubled the filling- ( i have two pie crusts) if it would work. 1 packet of gelatin still or two? Any help appreciated! Jennie
Marissa says
November 27, 2017 at 1:41 pmHi Jennie – I’m afraid my response is after you’ve made your pies – sorry about that. I’d use a full two packets of gelatin in doubling the recipe.
Tessa @ Blooming Bites Photography says
April 3, 2017 at 9:04 pmWhat a fabulous recipe, and great blog post. I enjoyed reading every moment of it, thank you for sharing!
Marissa says
April 4, 2017 at 10:01 amSuch a sweet note. Thank you, Tessa!
Sabrina says
December 26, 2016 at 6:19 amWhat a wonderful family recipe :). Love the photos of Keith’s grandmother
Marissa says
December 28, 2016 at 2:48 pmThanks, Sabrina. 🙂 She was such a sweet lady…
Beeta @ Mon Petit Four says
December 22, 2016 at 11:45 amI loved reading this post! Grandma Stevens sounds like an incredible lady! Also this recipe seems like the perfect holiday dessert! Thank you for sharing sweet friend <3
Marissa says
December 28, 2016 at 2:48 pmThank you, Beeta. She really was…xo
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
December 18, 2016 at 11:12 amOh my gawsh, this is SUCH a great post, Marissa! Keith’s grandmother sounds like an absolutely wonderful woman and she is seriously SO cute! Thank you so much for sharing her chocolate rum pie with us!! Family recipes are the best and this one looks just amazing! I mean, chocolate AND rum in a pie?! I totally need that in my life!! Cheers, friend!
Marissa says
December 18, 2016 at 4:27 pmaww, thank you Cheyanne! 🙂
Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says
December 18, 2016 at 7:09 amThank you so much for sharing this heirloom! Recipes like this are one of my favorite things about the holidays. Maxine sounds like a truly incredible lady and this pie looks out of this world!
Marissa says
December 18, 2016 at 4:27 pmI agree, Faith. I love hearing about family recipes – they always come with a story. 🙂 xo
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
December 17, 2016 at 1:02 pmFamily recipes are always the best! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful post with us! And this pie!!! Oh my, my! Chocolate and rum?! Now that sounds like one stellar combo to me!
Marissa says
December 17, 2016 at 5:17 pmThank you, sweet Kathleen! 🙂
Tom B says
December 17, 2016 at 9:01 amI truly love family stories, and when they are about food that is the best! You did not mention type of rum (light or dark). Zaya would be choice – it a wonderful aged rhum from Trinidad, with a great finish and I think it would be a great match.
Zaya may also be a wonderful digestive after some of Maxine’s pie to bring the evening to a close. Hope to give it a try over the holidays.
BTW – another strange crossing… my father’s family was from Memphis
Marissa says
December 17, 2016 at 9:16 amTom, I can always count on you to come through with some sage advice. 🙂 We’ve used both dark and light rum to delicious results, but I’ll keep an eye out for this Zaya you speak of. I can say that one family member (who shall not be named) once tried doubling the rum to less-than-delicious results. 🙂
We really must get together this year…again and again we discover our kindred spirits!! (pun intended!)
cakespy says
December 17, 2016 at 3:58 amWhat a gorgeous old-fashioned pie. I love recipes like this.
Marissa says
December 17, 2016 at 5:17 pmThank you!! 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
December 16, 2016 at 3:58 pmI love reading about Grandma Maxine and then getting a recipe of her chocolate rum pie was the sweetest ending Marissa! :DS
Marissa says
December 16, 2016 at 5:32 pmAww, I love that you said Grandma Maxine. You’re the best, Lorraine. xo
Kevin | Keviniscooking says
December 16, 2016 at 3:32 pmWhat a wonderful post! I loved it and feel like I know her, what a cool lady. As for this beauty you shared of hers, thank you. I’m Pinning to give it a go sans the rum of course. Haven’t been feeling too well as of late and this got my stomach growling. 🙂 Enjoy the snow and weekend Marissa!
Marissa says
December 16, 2016 at 5:33 pmI’m so sorry that you haven’t been feeling well, Kevin! I wish I could make you some chicken soup!! I bet this would be good with cold, strong coffee or espresso in place of the rum. Feel better my friend! 🙂
Sally Stutler says
December 16, 2016 at 12:45 pmThis looks delicious and we will try making it. Thanks for the recipe. Work on the family for the homemade roll recipe! I absolutely love bread!!
Sally Stutler says
December 16, 2016 at 12:48 pmForgot to mention how much I love the story and pictures. Cherished memories for sure!
Marissa says
December 16, 2016 at 5:34 pmhaha, okay, I’ll work on them. 🙂 Thanks for such a nice comment, Sally. 🙂
Dorothy Dunton says
December 16, 2016 at 10:07 amHi Marissa! What a lovely post! Family recipes that are passed down are the best and this pie is a perfect example of that! This would not last long here as Gary has a BIG weakness for pies, all pies! If I am lucky I get a piece before they disappear! I compiled my first recipe collection at the kids’ request so they would have the recipes I’d cooked for them and all their friends through the years. Two years ago my son’s girlfriend asked if I would give her a copy for Christmas and I was honored to do so!
Marissa says
December 16, 2016 at 5:35 pmFrom the recipes you’ve shared with me, Dorothy, I would bet anything that your recipe collection is also an heirloom! You have such a wonderful sense of food and what it’s really all about…xoxo
Paula | Vintage Kitchen says
December 16, 2016 at 9:26 amStunning dessert Marissa! I used to make a chocolate rum mousse, and the flavor combo is outstanding! Thanks for the recipe.
Marissa says
December 16, 2016 at 5:36 pmI bet your mousse is incredible, Paula!! I’d love to try it…Have a wonderful weekend, my friend.
Kimberly Davis says
December 15, 2016 at 4:17 pmGreat read today as I sit at the table of one said Stevens Grandchild. Thank you for sharing — the story and the recipe!
Marissa says
December 16, 2016 at 5:37 pmThank you, Kimberly! What perfect timing…I was disappointed that Beth’s face didn’t show up in the blowing out the candles shot, but it was such a sweet moment that I couldn’t resist sharing it.