CO U N T E RTO P C R E AT I O N S
Easy Chocolate Pecan Pie
Building Strong Teeth and Bones… Story by LYDIA ZIMMERMAN, Food Editor Photos by LIZ CHRISMAN
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’m sure almost everyone has heard the above phrase or seen the advertisement with celebrities wearing “milk mustaches” and the term “three servings a day”. But what a lot of people don’ know is that June is the official National Dairy Month. According to the IDFA (International Dairy Foods Association), National Dairy Food Month started out as National Milk Month in 1937 as a way to promote drinking milk. It was initially created to stabilize the dairy demand when production was at a surplus, but has now developed into an annual tradition that celebrates the contributions the dairy industry has made to the world. After the National Dairy Council stepped in to promote the cause, the name soon changed to “Dairy Month.” So as to celebrate this “udderly essential” food group, I’ve found some tasty recipes that include one, if not more, dairy products in its ingredients. I have also included two recipes of my father’s favorites desserts that my mother often made him as I was growing up. However, I have created my own version of these two desserts. Happy Dairy Month and Father’s Day!
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ABOUT the RIVER VALLEY ~
JUNE 2020
EASY CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE ABOUT Magazine Featured Recipe ~ JUNE 2020
1 stick of butter or margarine, softened 1 c sugar 3 T cocoa powder 1/4 c flour pinch of salt
1/4 c milk 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 1 c pecans, chopped and toasted 1 unbaked pie crust
Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. In a separate bowl stir together the remaining six ingredients. Place 1/2 c of the chopped pecans in the bottom of the unbaked pie crust. Pour the pie mixture into the crust and bake at 350 degrees for 30-40 minutes or until set. Remove from oven and let cool completely, then top with cool whip and remaining pecans.
