Mother-in-law Pie on a Chai Cupcake

Could this have been two separate instructables? Perhaps. However, my intention was to combine my two favorite flavors,Vanilla and Chai better known as Vanilla Chai in my favorite Starbucks drink.

So what does my mother-in-law have to do with this? We are very close, believe it or not.  She recently gave up all bread, so I decided to dedicate the pie to her.  I could not make a third kind of pie and not let her have a piece.

Mother-in-law Pie (GLUTEN FREE)
Almond meal Crust (no roll):

• 1 1/4 cups of Almond meal
• 1 stick of butter
• 1/2 tbs of flax seed (optional)
• 1/2 tsp of salt
• 1/2 tbs of sugar

Vanilla Cream Cheese Pie Filling:

• 2 tbs of corn starch (why yes corn starch is gluten free!)
• 1 cream cheese block (fat-free optional)
• 1 pinch of salt
• 2 Eggs
• 1/2 tbs of vanilla extract
• 1 vanilla bean split and for caviar only
• 3/4 cups of sugar (stevia blend optional)

Chai cupcake: (Not gluten free, added for baker's benefit)

• 3/4 cups of Butter
• 3/4 cups of sugar (low calorie alternative optional)
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups of flour
• 1/2 tsp of baking powder
• 1/2 tsp of baking soda
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 2/3 cups of Starbucks Chai blend (can be purchased at Costco)

Vanilla Frosting

• 1 lbs of confectioners sugar (usually 1 box) + 1 cup
• 1 block of cream cheese
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla
• 1 vanilla bean split and for caviar only
• 6 drops of green food coloring (St. Patty's Day Festive)

Bake Time: Approx. 1 hour for everything
Prep time: 30 minutes

Almond meal Crust (no roll):

• 1 1/4 cups of Almond meal
• 1/2 tbs of flax seed (optional)
• 1/2 tsp of salt
• 1/2 tbs of sugar
• 1 stick of butter cut into 1/2'' cubes

In a bowl whisk the dry ingredients together: almond meal, salt, flax seed, and sugar.  With a pastry blender blend the pie crust mix.  Almond meal usually has a larger grit size than flour, but is not difficult to work with.  The crust can be hand pressed into the pie pan.

Vanilla Cream Cheese Pie Filling:
PREHEAT OVEN TO 350F

• 2 tbs of corn starch
• 1 cream cheese block (fat-free optional)
• 1 pinch of salt
• 2 Eggs
• 1/2 tbs of vanilla extract
• 1 vanilla bean split and for caviar only
• 3/4 cups of sugar (stevia blend optional)

In a medium bowl whip the cream cheese.  Then add the eggs, sugar, and salt and continue to blend.  Add the corn starch and vanilla.  Blend evenly.  Finally, blend in the vanilla bean caviar.  Pour into pie crust.  Pinch the edges down on the pie crust.


  

Chai cupcake: (Not gluten-free, added for baker's benefit)
PREHEAT OVEN TO 350F

• 3/4 cups of Butter
• 3/4 cups of sugar (low calorie alternative optional)
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups of flour
• 1/2 tsp of baking powder
• 1/2 tsp of baking soda
• 1/4 tsp of salt
• 2/3 cups of Starbucks Chai blend (can be purchased at Costco)

In a medium bowl whisk the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together.  In a large bowl mix the butter, sugar, eggs, and chai blend together.  Mix the flour in with the wet ingredients and blend until smooth.  Pour into cupcake liners.  This should make about nine, but since I used a pastry bag to pipe them in my yield was 8.

Bake the pie and cupcakes in the oven AT THE SAME TIME at 350F.  The cupcakes will be done in 30-40 minutes if you only have 9, and the pie will be done in 35-45 minutes.

Vanilla Frosting

• 1 lbs of confectioners sugar (usually 1 box) + 1 cup
• 1 block of cream cheese
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla
• 1 vanilla bean split and for caviar only
• 6 drops of green food coloring (St. Patty's Day Festive)

Whip the cream cheese block, add the sugar divided into three parts to avoid powder flying everywhere.  Add the Vanilla and Vanilla bean caviar.  Finally add food coloring (optional). 

With the Wilton tip of your choice cover the surface of the cupcake, starting from the outer edge, spiraling in to the center.  Since I used fat free cheese, it was more difficult to create a firm mixture. You can continue adding sugar to stiffen it. 
I do not like this method and will make an instructable on a full proof method for achieving this without the sugar, or flour.

Cut small pie slices and place them on the cupcakes.

Send 1/2 of the pie to your (s)mother-in-law. This may be difficult, but muscle through it!

Eat and Enjoy!