A Bavarian Pie: Traditional German Dessert Explained

Bavarian pie is a chilled dessert that can be made with a variety of ingredients, including chocolate, vanilla, and fruit. The pie is characterized by a unique, creamy texture created by thickening milk or other dairy products with gelatin and then folding in whipped cream. The pie can be served directly from the bowl it has been chilled in, or it can be unmolded and garnished with additional whipped cream or fruit.

History of Bavarian pie

Bavarian pie is a dessert with a long history, dating back to the early 19th century. The name "Bavarian" is believed to come from the region of Bavaria or perhaps a distinguished visiting Bavarian during the 17th and 18th centuries when French chefs cooked for the Wittelsbach princes, a German family that ruled Bavaria from the 12th century until 1918. The earliest versions of the dessert, sometimes called "fromage bavarois", did not include eggs or any actual cheese.

The classic dessert is believed to have been part of the repertoire of chef Marie-Antoine Carême, who is sometimes credited with its creation. It first appeared in print in Boston Cooking School books by D. A. Lincoln in 1884 and by Fannie Farmer in 1896. From 1884 to 2022, there were over 95,000 references to Bavarian cream in US and Canadian newspapers, featuring recipes, commentaries, and reviews. The peak of its popularity was in the 1930s, with over 14,000 references.

Bavarian pie is typically made with milk or another dairy product, thickened with gelatin, and then folded together with whipped cream. The texture is unique and delicious, and the pie is often chilled before serving. One popular variation is chocolate Bavarian pie, which includes chocolate and cocoa in addition to the dairy and gelatin base. This variation was featured in a 1963 McCall's cookbook, showcasing its enduring appeal.

Today, Bavarian pie remains a beloved dessert, with its creamy texture and versatile flavour combinations. It can be served chilled or frozen, making it a refreshing treat during the summer months.

Ingredients and recipe

Bavarian pie is a chilled dessert that can be made in a variety of flavours, including vanilla and chocolate. It is characterised by a creamy texture, achieved by thickening milk or another dairy product with gelatin and then folding in whipped cream.

Crust

For the crust, you can use a standard 9-inch baked pie crust, or get creative with a no-bake option. Some suggestions include a graham cracker crust, or a crust made from vanilla wafers, chocolate crème-filled cookies, or even animal crackers. If you opt for a baked crust, be sure to let it cool completely before filling.

Filling

The filling for a Bavarian pie typically starts with a custard base. To make the custard, you'll need:

• Milk
• Eggs
• Sugar
• Salt
• Vanilla
• Cornstarch (optional)

Whisk the egg yolks, sugar, salt, and vanilla until thick and creamy. In a separate saucepan, heat the milk until hot but not boiling. Once the milk is hot, slowly whisk it into the egg mixture. Then, pour the combined mixture back into the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.

Next, add your thickening agent. For a true Bavarian pie, gelatin is traditional, but you can also use cornstarch for a similar effect. Sprinkle the gelatin over cold water or milk and let it stand for several minutes to soften. Then, add it to your custard and stir until combined.

For a chocolate Bavarian pie, add chopped chocolate or cocoa powder to the custard mixture and stir until melted and combined.

Once you have your custard base, it's time to fold in the whipped cream. You'll need heavy whipping cream for this step, which you will want to whip until stiff peaks form. Take half of the whipped cream and gently fold it into the custard until combined.

Pour the filling into your prepared crust and top with the remaining whipped cream. For a chocolate Bavarian pie, you can garnish with chocolate curls. Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap and chill for at least 3 hours before serving.

If you want to get fancy, you can also make a frozen chocolate Bavarian pie by freezing the pie for 4-6 hours or overnight. Remove it from the freezer about 10-15 minutes before serving to let it soften slightly.

How to serve

Bavarian pie is a chilled dessert, typically served straight from the refrigerator. It is usually made with a baked pie crust, although some recipes suggest using a crumb crust made from graham crackers, vanilla wafers, chocolate crème-filled cookies, or even animal crackers.

To serve Bavarian pie, it is best to chill the pie for at least three hours to allow the filling to set. The pie can also be frozen for 4-6 hours or overnight for a frozen treat. If serving the frozen pie, remove it from the freezer 10-15 minutes before slicing and serving.

Bavarian pie is often garnished with whipped cream and can be served with sliced strawberries or a fruit sauce or purée, such as raspberry or apricot. It can also be drizzled with chocolate syrup before serving.

For a more decorative presentation, Bavarian cream (the filling of the pie) can be moulded before being placed in the pie crust. This is done by filling a fluted mould with the cream, chilling it until firm, and then turning it out onto a serving plate. Imperfections in the unmoulding can be disguised with piped whipped cream.

Variations

Bavarian pie is a dessert characterised by milk or another dairy product, thickened with gelatin, and then folded in with whipped cream. The pie is then chilled before serving.

There are several variations of the Bavarian pie, with different recipes yielding different results in terms of flavour, texture, and colour. Here are some popular variations:

Chocolate Bavarian Pie: This variation is a great summertime pie as it is chilled in the refrigerator, making it cool and refreshing. The recipe typically includes a combination of milk, sugar, cocoa, corn syrup, butter, vanilla, and whipped cream. The result is a pie with a smooth chocolate taste and a crunchy graham cracker crust.

Vanilla Bavarian Cream Pie: This variation features a delicate flavour and is often served with sliced strawberries. The recipe includes vanilla ice cream, vanilla extract, heavy whipping cream, and a baked pie crust. The custard is cooked in a double boiler until it thickens and coats the spoon.

Fruity Variations: Bavarian cream can be served with a variety of fruits or fruit sauces. This includes strawberries, raspberries, or apricot purée. The cream can also be served in a glazed fruit gelatin mould.

Savory Variation: In contrast to the sweet variations, a contemporary French recipe for "bavarois" is a savoury dish that includes a neufchâtel-type cheese and leeks.

Frozen Variation: The Chocolate Bavarian Pie can be made into a frozen treat by simply putting the finished pie in the freezer for 4 to 6 hours or overnight. This variation provides a refreshing dessert option.

No-Bake Pie Crust Variation: For those who prefer a no-bake option, the pie crust can be made from vanilla wafers, chocolate crème-filled cookies, or even animal crackers. This variation eliminates the need to turn on the oven.

Nutritional information

Bavarian pie is a dessert that is characterised by milk or another dairy product, thickened by gelatin, and then folded in with whipped cream. It is typically chilled and served cold. The texture is light and airy, similar to a mousse.

The nutritional value of a Bavarian pie will depend on the specific ingredients used and the quantities. However, as Bavarian pies are typically dairy-based and contain whipped cream, they are likely to be high in fat and calories.

A recipe for a Chocolate Bavarian Pie from Hersheyland includes saturated fat, cholesterol, and total carbohydrates in each serving. The saturated fat content is 11g, which equates to 55% of the daily value, and the cholesterol content is 45mg or 15% of the daily value. Each serving also contains 37g of total carbohydrates, which is 13% of the daily value, including 19g of added sugar, or 38% of the daily value.

Another recipe, for a Vanilla Bavarian Cream Pie, provides the total carbohydrate content per serving as 31g.

A Peppermint Bavarian Cream Pie recipe lists the total carbohydrate content per serving as 57g.

It is important to note that the daily values provided in these recipes are based on a 2,000-calorie diet, and individual calorie needs may vary. Therefore, the percentage of daily values may be higher or lower depending on an individual's specific calorie requirements.

In addition to the fat and carbohydrate content, Bavarian pies may also contain a significant amount of sugar, as well as other ingredients such as eggs, butter, and various flavourings. These ingredients can add to the overall calorie count and contribute to the nutritional profile of the dessert.

When considering the nutritional information for Bavarian pie, it is worth noting that it is typically a rich and indulgent dessert, and as such, it may be high in calories, fat, and sugar. Enjoying this treat in moderation and as part of a balanced diet is recommended.

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