Chocolate Tamale Cherry Pie

Desserts and Pastries — By Ben on 09 October 2008

Last month my good friend Ivy of Kopiaste (that amazing blog full of Greek deliciousness) held a savory pie event. Unfortunately, I missed it because I was sure it ended the 8th of October when in reality it ended the last day of September. That’s what happens when you live in an alternative world where people care about each other and the environment, equality exists and politicians are honest. It is 6 a.m. here and I am still dreaming, leave me alone. LOL

Anyway, Ivy decided to hold a second event, this time the theme is sweet pies (and this time she made sure to include the deadline on the badge so people like me don’t forget it) and I promised myself I was going to make it this time.

The pie I prepared (late) for last month’s event had a tortilla masa base instead of the typical pie pastry base which gave it the taste and feel of a tamale. I wanted to make something similar with a sweet pie, and chocolate tamales came to mind. When I was a kid my dad used to take us to this tamale place where the owners made the most delicious tamales ever. They had all kinds of flavors including pineapple and chocolate. I had some cherries leftover from this cake so I decided to make an unconventional cherry pie and this is what came out:

Ben’s chocolate tamale cherry pie.

For this recipe you will need:

1 can sweet cherries

1 cup sugar

2 TBSP corn starch

2 cups tortilla masa

1 abuelita chocolate bar

2 cups water

whipped cream

Preparation:

Drain cherries and pour them in a medium sized pot over medium high heat. Apart, mix sugar and corn starch and add to the cherries and a little bit of water, about 1 TBSP. Cook for 15 minutes and refrigerate for 2 hours before using.

Pre-heat oven to 350°F.

Pour 1 cup of water into a small pot over medium heat, add chocolate bar and stir constantly until it dissolves.

Using a wooden spoon mix tortilla masa, chocolate water and the rest of the water. until you get a uniform brown dough. Add more water as necessary if the dough looks dry or doesn’t hold together.

Spread chocolate dough on a baking dish covering the bottom and sides. Pour cherries and bake for 25-30 minutes.

Serve warm.

I liked this pie a lot, but honestly, it wasn’t close enough to the chocolate tamales from that little tamaleria. I need to ask my dad how to make those fluffy, moist tamales. He and the tamaleria owner were close friends and I know my dad learned how to make tamales like those. But in the meantime enjoy this unconventional pie.

¡Buen provecho!

This post is also an entry for Lore’s monthly roundup, Original recipes.If you have any original recipe don’t forget to send it over to Lore’s place.

Tagged as: Baking, Dessert, Mexican food, Mexican ingredients, Pie

« « Cabbage and chicken soup for lunch | Pasta, cabagge and chorizo meatballs » »

About Author

Ben

grew up around food. His family owned a restaurant in Mexico City and he spent a big deal of his childhood helping and learning after school the art of creating delicious dishes from simple ingredients. He created this blog to share his kitchen adventures with the world.

(28) Readers Comments

mikky
October 9, 2008 at 1:49 pm

hmmm… with cherries, this gotta be something special…

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recipes2share
October 9, 2008 at 2:08 pm

Chocolate & cherries must be a match made in heaven!

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clumbsycookie
October 9, 2008 at 2:16 pm

What a great looking pie you’ve made young man! Gotta love the abuelica chocolate, ahahah!

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peter
October 9, 2008 at 2:39 pm

A gorgeous looking cake Ben, I’d buy this.

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Teresa
October 9, 2008 at 2:46 pm

Speaking of chocolate tamales, that’s going to be one of my posts for the chocolate blog. I’ve never had Tamale Cherry Pie. I’ll have to try it. You did a great job.

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kat
October 9, 2008 at 3:03 pm

If you learn how to make those chocolate tamales you so have to share..I have half a bag of masa flour waiting to be used

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Deborah Smith
October 9, 2008 at 3:07 pm

This looks amazing. Wish I could bake. Didn’t get the baking gene I’m afraid, but I love the pictures.

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Beatriz
October 9, 2008 at 3:28 pm

I looked thru your food posts and was looking for a dish I had once in Mexico City called alambre. Have you ever made it or know what is generally in the traditional recipe? All I can remember is that I loved every bite of it.

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Adam
October 9, 2008 at 5:26 pm

Yup chocolate and cherries, a total winner. Maybe you and McCain can agree on that? Haha did I go there? Yup I sooo did… kidding of course

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kellypea
October 9, 2008 at 7:38 pm

That cake is humongous! You shared, right? I’m loving the idea of choco tamales. Seriously. Was the masa the only chocolate part, or were they filled with chocolate, too? I’m thinking a layer of melted chocolate under those cherries would be amazing…Yum!

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Kevin
October 9, 2008 at 7:52 pm

I like the sound of a masa chocolate cake made with the Mexican chocolate drink mix. Cherries sound like a great combo with this cake as well.

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Peter G
October 9, 2008 at 8:16 pm

Oooh! How delightful Ben! Love this whole chocolate and cherry combination. A great entry.

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JennDZ_The LeftoverQueen
October 9, 2008 at 9:49 pm

Wow, Ben! This looks fantastic! Not only is it a combination I have never heard of (but would love to try) but it is gorgeous!

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Rosa
October 10, 2008 at 12:22 am

Interesting! That Pie looks gorgeous! Really fantastic!

Cheers,

Rosa

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Ivy
October 10, 2008 at 1:19 am

The pie sounds and looks fantastic. I like the way you made the pastry shell, melting the chocolate in water and making the dough. Thanks for participating and good luck for the prize.

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b
October 10, 2008 at 5:14 am

Thanks for sharing this delicious dessert Ben!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!When I was a child I loved cherry pies the most!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!It was my moms favourite!!

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Happy Cook
October 10, 2008 at 8:30 am

Wow this looks sinfully delicious.
I would love to taste it as i have never had anythinglike this

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anudivya
October 10, 2008 at 10:47 am

Can’t believe you made it with tortilla flour! Looks amazing!

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Nicisme
October 10, 2008 at 10:58 am

Oh that looks so different from anything I’ve had before! Wonderful Ben.

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joan nova
October 10, 2008 at 4:01 pm

This is such an unusual and inviting combination of ingredients. I really wish I could taste it…right now!

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Lore
October 11, 2008 at 1:25 am

Double B you deserve your nickname big time . This is like nothing else I’ve ever seen! Thanks for sending it my way

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Mansi
October 15, 2008 at 2:27 pm

that looks awesome ben! I love the flavors:) I just baked a Pumpkin Pie for Ivy’s event!

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Cakelaw
November 3, 2008 at 8:02 pm

This looks absolutely delicious!!! I have never heard of masa or the type of chocolate that you mention, but i will seek them out – I’d love to make this.

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Chocolate Cherry Dessert
December 12, 2008 at 10:59 am

Okay, Chocolate Lovers out there; listen up! Do I have a recipe for you! This great old recipe is from the folks at Hershey’s Chocolate. Chocolate and cherries just seem to go together and this recipe is more proof of that. When you serve these tasty squares to your friends, be sure to have a copy of the recipe handy. They are sure to ask for it. Or you can be secretive, if you want, and tell them it’s one of your vintage recipes that you just don’t share. But be warned, they will be expecting you to make them anytime you get together.

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Kathy
April 2, 2010 at 2:46 am

Omg chocolate and cherries, they go great together! It would make any chocolate fan go nuts just to have a slice of this chocolatey treat!

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Nichole
September 6, 2010 at 9:58 pm

Very interesting, and it looks wonderful!

PS: This is a REALLY great blog! I've been following your links on Gather, and I am impressed!

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