Meet Our Finalists: Maureen Severin – German Chocolate Pie

Maureen (right) and her sister/Semifinals helper Sarah Flanigan

Can’t help but go back to last year’s Chocolate Layer Cake challenge. We were certain a German Chocolate Cake was going to enter the challenge. I guess German Chocolate was waiting for the pie. Maureen Severin’s German Chocolate Pie is the “holiday” dessert when nuts and chocolates are shared and gifted from fall through winter. It’s the “Special Occasion” pie for birthdays, promotions, anniversaries. German Chocolate lovers celebrate. They have the best of both worlds.

Read Maureen’s German Chocolate Pie Story

Maureen Severin
Homemaker
Crofton, MD

I remember when I was little “helping” my mom make pies around the holidays. She would let me measure the ingredients and make “pie cookies” by sprinkling cinnamon and sugar on top of pie scraps and baking them. The first pie I made by myself was a lemon meringue pie. However, I managed to ruin it by placing the finished pie on the stove that I didn’t know was turned on. The glass pie pan shattered and my pie was dangerously inedible. Lesson learned!

For this pie, my inspiration started with one of my favorite cake flavors, German Chocolate cake. Who doesn’t love rich, smooth milk chocolate and sticky sweet, tender coconut? Enrobed in caramel filling topped with crunchy pecans, this pie is decadence in a bite. I love this pie because it looks and tastes impressive but it is easy to make. It’s also a unique flavor, a great departure from your everyday apple or pumpkin pie. 
I’d say its rich enough for just one slice, but I find myself sneaking stealthily back to the kitchen to sneak another piece every time I make it. When I bring this pie to dinner, I rarely bring home any leftovers, and we all know the ultimate compliment to a pie baker is an empty pie plate. That, and maybe volunteering to do the dishes!

Who will win!? Makes-Me-Wanna SHOUT! Pie Baking Challenge Final Five, Tuesday, April 23, 5-7 PM at Eatonville Restaurant, 2121 14th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20010. No admission fee. Make your reservations by calling 202-332-ZORA (9672). Percentage of sales for the evening will be donated to Martha’s Table.