Milk Bar Crack Pie Recipe, Delicious & Sweet

This post for Milk Bar Crack Pie was originally posted on the 13th of November 2021.

While you know we are obsessed with sweet stuff – how could you not, when three-quarters of our recipes are dessert recipes? – this is a whole new level of sweetness. If sugar is an issue in your diet, then the Milk Bar Crack Pie it’s a big no-no for you. This is rich in it, and also a lot more, but the more you have, the more you want to have. As the name might have given away so far. But let’s do one little step at a time. This recipe for Milk Bar Crack Pie from Milk Bar needs plenty of time to go through it.

Let’s back off to the first time Fred and I visited New York City. It must have been 2017 or something, and we were mesmerized. Fred knew absolutely nothing about Milk Bar and I had to do the honours. So one morning we were walking in Nolita and I was ravenous. Or better, all I wanted was to go to Milk Bar. I had been begging her to take me there for so long!

Literally every single day of our stay. And eventually, I managed to convince her, imagine that! But because she had no clue about it, she went to the juice bar that was next to it. Which has closed down, by the way, in case you were wondering. I came out of that tiny Milk Bar with the following:

• 1 x Birthday Cookie
• One Compost Cookie
• One slice of Milk Bar Crack Pie
• 1 x bottle of Cereal Milk

To say that she was ever so slightly disgusted at my choice would be an understatement. Or better, not at the choice, but at the amounts for sure. She thought I had exaggerated. Did I really, though?

And then, when we went back to our hotel room that same evening, she of course was looking at my prize. And she saw me snacking on the Milk Bar Crack Pie slice, so she was curious. It was bound to happen and I should have known. I should have bought two slices. Boy did she think it was a brilliant little thing! She also scoffed my Compost cookie the following day, but I have forgiven her. Possibly.

And since that day, Fred has not only managed to bring us all back to New York for a tour of all the Milk Bars in town. She has also managed to not stop raving about the Milk Bar Crack Pie. Whenever she can, she will make sure to let you know she loves it. Dropping hints here and there and everywhere. In case you have not gathered, she is hooked. So now we are planning our next trip to New York. And what better way than doing so while cutting the next slice of this pie?

Let the milk bar crack pie party begin

What is Milk Bar Crack Pie?

Milk Bar Crack Pie is what dreams are made of: giant cookie (crust) with an extremely gooey middle. All dusted in sugar. Think of the oat cookie crust as a thick and crispy vessel for a smooth and buttery filling. Extremely sweet and addictive, hence why the name. As mentioned, it was invented by the darling Christina Tosi while she was working as a chef for David Chang’s Momofuku restaurant in New York City. I have Momofuku on the list of places I have to dine at before I die. One day I should make this list a post on here. Until then, you have one revealed right here.

Who invented the Milk Bar Crack Pie?

The Milk Bar Crack Pie was invented by the queen of desserts Christina Tosi. And the story about it it’s quite a funny one too – gotta order your copy of Momofuku Milk Bar, methinks. If you don’t want yet another book, I have the solution to it, I shall tell you the story.

Or Netflix can help you too, in this episode which features her! Have you ever watched Chef Table? If so, you do really need to check the Pastry instalment of it, it’s my absolute favourite, of course! She is such a talented chef, you are bound to fall in love with her and her thoughts. I definitely am. Not news, we all have a huge crush on her in this house!

Also, just before we dive in, the pie itself has been renamed in 2019. And it’s definitely worth mentioning as you might find it under different names. This is because of the number of complaints they got from former addicts and such.

Which, is completely understandable, as there is no way anyone should be glorifying drug use. In this case, though, I will stick to the original Milk Bar Crack Pie name. And you do you guys, you do you. You can read about the reasons – which are fair – on the name change here if you want. Do you agree with this?

What does it taste like?

The Milk Bar Crack Pie from Milk Bar tastes like heaven on earth, if you are a sugar addict. It’s buttery and crumbly, similar to the traditional Southern Chess Pie. But what is really different here is the oatmeal cookie crust you will be making from scratch. As to what is addicting, honestly, there is no added special ingredient other than plenty, plenty of sugar. Of all the pies you will be baking, this Milk Bar Crack Pie from Milk Bar will become a new obsession for sure. Be careful, it’s our only advice!

What ingredients do I need to make the milk bar Crack Pie from Milk Bar?

Sugar is the actual main ingredient here. Both granulated sugar and light brown sugar will be required. Then you will need milk powder and corn powder, but also butter and cream. And egg yolks! So, aside possibly from the corn powder, you should have everything in your pantry. And you should be able to make this pie as soon as possible! Why am I so pushy, you ask? Because you have to try this pie before telling me I was absolutely right.

It goes without saying, but the best egg yolks, butter and cream you can get your hands on, the better. The quality of ingredients does affect a bake and its taste, and you might know that already. So this is the one thing I would recommend over and over for everything and every dish or bake. Check the fat content in that butter you always pick up! Make sure your eggs are fresh! Pick the cream you like to work with! It is all worth the extra pennies at the end, when savouring your creation.

How do I make the milk bar Crack Pie crust from Milk Bar?

First things first, yes: it’s the oat cookie crust. You will start by placing the butter and both brown sugar and white sugar in the bowl of your standing mixer. Using the paddle attachment, you will cream them together until fluffy and pale yellow in colour.

You will then add the egg yolk and beat everything for a minute or 2 until the mixture is pale white. You can then add the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix everything until the dough comes together and all the dry ingredients are incorporated. You will then spread it on a baking sheet pan and bake it for 15 minutes. Easy and quick, right? Not your average cookie dough, for sure.

Start by setting up your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. You will blend half of the Oat Cookie with the sugar and salt until it is broken down. Then add the melted butter and mix everything until well combined. You will create the pie crust here by pressing the crumb in a pie dish and you’ll set it aside.

Then it comes to the pie filling of the milk bar Crack Pie, the main character in this story.

Using a paddle attachment for your stand mixer, combine the sugars, milk powder, corn powder and salt on low speed until fully blended. Once the dry ingredients are combined, you’ll add the butter, and eventually the cream and vanilla too. Scraping down with a spatula here it’s mandatory! All the sugar granules need to be gone, so make sure you beat it until all the sugar granules fully dissolve.

Finally, you can add the egg yolks and mix them in just to combine, making sure no air gets in the mix. Pour the mix in the pastry case to 3/4 full and bake for 15 minutes, until the Milk Bar pie is golden brown on top, but still very jiggly.

Now, when it comes to completing the pie, you will be ever so slightly overwhelmed. Not only does it bake for a few more minutes once the oven’s temperature drops. You will also need to freeze the Milk Bar Crack Pie for 3 hours or refrigerate it overnight. This is the signature technique to a perfectly executed pie! Once all this is done, you should be serving the Milk Bar Crack Pie cold, with a dusting of icing sugar.

Can I substitute any ingredients in the Milk Bar Crack Pie?

I wouldn’t recommend changing or switching any of the ingredients of this Milk Bar Crack Pie. This is because the whole idea behind the pie is to be packed with sugar and butter and cream and eggs. It has to be addictive, and if you cannot do even one of these ingredients, you are probably better off skipping this recipe all together.

Tips & Tricks

Aside from being fully ready to have a full-on day of baking, the tips and tricks for this Milk Bar crack pie recipe are very few.

But make sure to note the following, please:

1. It is a time-consuming recipe, and as such you need to consider the time you have on your hands;
2. It is a very easy recipe if every single piece of instruction is followed to a T;
3. You will require freezer space, so make sure you plan for this too;
4. Don’t eat it all in one go or you’ll end up sick – we have yet to be there but thought it was worth a shout out;
5. The rest of the Oat Cookie needs to be eaten by dunking in a great cup of coffee or tea, it’s a must;
6. Whoever you serve this Milk Bar Crack Pie to needs to know there is no crack involved in the making of this recipe.

Now, though, buckle up because this pie recipe will be intense.

First off, as mentioned, you will need an oatmeal cookie crust, and the best way to get your own oat cookie crust is to make your own oat cookie dough.

How to make your Oat Cookie Crust?

This will make the crust of your Milk Bar Crack Pie, but a great Oat Cookie recipe nonetheless. It will take around 15 minutes to bake and most of the time is just for it to rest. The Oat Cookie can be made ahead – it keeps well in the fridge wrapped in cling film for up to 1 week. But let’s see what we need.

INGREDIENTS

• 115g butter
• 75g light brown sugar
• 40g granulated sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• 80g flour
• 120g rolled oats
• 0.5g baking powder
• 0.25g baking soda
• 2g salt

HOW TO

1. Start by heating the oven at 180°C.
2. Place the butter and both sugars in the bowl of your standing mixer and, using the paddle attachment, cream together on medium-high until fluffy and pale yellow in colour – 2 to 3 minutes.
3. Lower the speed and add the egg yolk, then increase again and beat for a minute or 2, or until the mixture is pale white.
4. Lower the speed again and start adding the flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix until the dough comes together and all the dry ingredients are incorporated.
5. Place the cookie dough in the center of a pan covered with baking paper and spread it out – with the help of a spatula or by hand – until it’s around 5-6mm thick. It will not cover the whole pan, and it’s fine like this.
6. Bake for 15 minutes – it needs to be firm but golden. Cool completely for a couple of hours.

Once your Oat Cookie is ready, it’s time to rock’n’roll with the rest of the Milk Bar Crack Pie. I admire you if you end up doing it all in one day – I did, and I was exhausted.

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Shop the milk bar crack pie post

Falcon Pie Dish, £11.00 / All About Cake, £27.00 / Momofuku Milk Bar, £26.00 / Momofuku, £26.00 / KitchenAid Stand Mixer, £499.99 / KitchenAid Food Processor, £149.95

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As mentioned, this took a lot longer than your average pie. It’s not a difficult recipe per se, at all. It’s just made of a few (lots) different steps, which are there for a reason. But if you follow the recipe to the letter, this is bound to come out amazing.

Fred has just requested this for her birthday and you know it, I am bound to be baking this again in the near future for her. It’s her birthday at the end of the month, and if the middle sister asks for a Milk Bar Crack Pie, you make her the pie. And you try to perfect it as much as you can!

Fred is indeed a big fan of Crack Pie from Milk Bar – and their Birthday Cake Truffles too, of course. So the pressure is always on to get it done quickly and properly on the many trials. Trials and tribulations, of course.

Nothing we could not deliver – said no one ever! She is a very demanding lady (this is a note for the future husband, don’t say we did not warn you). And likes her pies perfect if you didn’t know. You need to read this post on tips on pies if you haven’t already.

Talking about pies, you know we have plenty for you to check out:

• this Chocolate Pecan Pie, which is insanely tasty;
• the other pie from Milk Bar, the Pumpkin Ganache Pie;
• a Bourbon & Mixed Berry pie;
• this Southern Buttermilk pie from Kimberly;
• the most delicious plum streusel pie;
• this Passion Fruit Meringue Pie which is to die for;
• a brilliantly different Strawberry Balsamic pie;
• the most traditional apple pie and a slightly different version with Graham crackers;
• these lovely peach hand pies;
• and in case you need savoury, least we forget the Chicken Pot pie we love to remake every time we can, in this yummy Halloween mummy version too.

As you can see, if you are after pie, we are bound to have a recipe for you, plus a whole load of tips because we love pie around here.

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