Penelope’s Pie Shop 4
For the previous editions of Penelope’s Pie Shop, look under the Neverending Stories tab at the top of this site!
Meg stared at the room in front of her, disbelief etched into every line of her face. She didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
The walls of the kitchen were filled with cookbooks. When she had peeked in before, she hadn’t noticed that every square inch of the walls were overflowing with shelves of books. In fact, she could barely see any paint. Except for the standard kitchen equipment like the stove, fridge and ovens, all the kitchen held was cookbooks. They were piled up in the sink, stacked on top of the refrigerator and dangled over the kitchen island on hooks, just waiting to be plucked up and perused through.
To Meg, an inexperienced baker, it was a terrifying sight.
Before she could decide which book to peek in first, the door chimed cheerfully. With a sigh of relief, Meg hurried back out into the shop. Three young girls wearing tiaras and pastel gowns beamed up at her.
“Hello,” Meg greeted them. “Welcome to Penelope’s Pie Shop. How may I help you?”
“We’re princesses,” one little girl informed her.
“I can see that,” Meg said with a smile. “Is it a special occasion? A birthday, perhaps?”
The little girls giggled. “Every day is the perfect day to be a princess,” the second little girl informed her.
“And a perfect day for pie!” the third little girl chirped, licking her lips.
“Of course,” Meg murmured. She was beginning to think she was the only person who didn’t celebrate her daily life with pie. “What kind of pie would you like?”
“Peanut Butter Ice Cream Pie!” the three girls exclaimed in unison.
Meg blinked. “Peanut butter ice cream pie? I’m not sure if we have that.”
One girl burst into tears. “Please, miss!” the second girl cried. “The Shabby Princess moved to another town, and we haven’t had peanut butter ice cream pie in ages!”
“Days! Months! Years!” the third girl howled, clutching the satin on her chest.
The first girl just wailed, tears and snot streaming down her red face. Meg rushed over to the refrigerated cases. “We have meringue,” she offered, wincing as the girls’ wails turned into shrieks of despair. “We have peanut butter pie and chocolate pie and chocolate creme pie…would any of those do?”
“We need peanut butter ice cream pie!” the first girl wailed. “We can’t be princesses without that pie!”
“And if we don’t have that pie, we’re doomed!” the second girl cried.
“Doomed!” the third girl shrieked. “Doomed to a life of boredom and being ordinary!”
All three girls burst into tears. Meg wrung her hands, biting her lip as she dashed from case to case. Her eyes scanned over the dozens of pies in vain, praying a peanut butter ice cream pie was hidden somewhere in the back. There was nothing. Out of the hundreds of pies Penelope had made, there was not a single peanut butter ice cream pie.
Meg rested her head against the cool glass, her thoughts racing. Tonight was her one chance. She needed this job. If Penelope thought she couldn’t even handle a couple of pint-sized customers, she’d be out of a job before she started. There was only one thing to do. She took a deep breath, her stomach clenching in knots.
“I could make one for you,” she offered, her voice weak.
One of the girls looked up from her hysterics. “What?”
“I could make one for you,” Meg whispered. She shoved her trembling hands behind her back. “You could pick it up tomorrow.”
“Why not tonight?” the second girl demanded.
“It’s complicated,” Meg stuttered, her eyes locked on the floor. “The ice cream needs time to cool, or it would be peanut butter soup pie.”
The girls giggled. “Peanut butter soup pie!” Wiping their noses and tear-stained cheeks on the hem of their skirts, which treated Meg to an unnecessary view of their frilly panties, the three princesses beamed up at her. “We’ll be back tomorrow afternoon then,” the first girl chirped.
“For our true princess party,” the second girl chirped.
“It’ll be the perfect day with the perfect peanut butter ice cream pie,” the third sighed in happiness. “Ta ta!” The girls flounced out of the shop. Meg slid down the wall and covered her face with her hands.
“You are an idiot,” she said aloud. “A moron. An imbecile. You have fleas for brains and the sense of a goose.” Uncovering her face, she stared mournfully at the pies. “I wonder if there’s any of that apple pie with the snickerdoodle crust left.”
Three pieces of apple pie later, Meg was back in the kitchen. Peering at the cookbooks, she plucked one with a dark cover off of the shelf.
“So now not only do I have to create a pie for Penelope, I have to make a peanut butter ice cream pie,” Meg muttered as she flipped through the pages. “I’ve never made a peanut butter pie at all. I’ve never made any pie at all.” Scanning the recipes, she gnawed on her lower lip. “I suppose I should start with something simple.” Clutching the book to her chest, she walked over to the fridge and pulled open the door. Gasping, she stepped back. The book dropped to the floor as she stared in horror at the fridge.
It was empty.
Jerking open the freezer, she wailed. It was empty.
She rushed over to the ovens and jerked them open. There was nothing there, not even a heating coil.
Meg burst into tears. “How am I supposed to make a pie without anything to make it with or cook it with?” she shouted, kicking the book at her feet. “I’m a patient person but come on! This is ridiculous!”
A faint scratching noise scribbled behind her. Whirling around, Meg’s eyes widened. The chalkboard by the kitchen that listed all the daily specials now was inscribed with three words.
“Ask the cookbooks.”
Meg stood frozen, staring at the chalkboard. Then she shrugged. Creeping over to the shelves, she turned to the cookbooks. “How do I make a pie?”
The chalk scribbled behind her. She turned to see a new message. “Read the recipe.”
Meg rolled her eyes. “You just said to ask them. Now you want me to read it?” Muttering under her breath, she plucked a book off the shelf and opened it.
“Banana Split Brownie Pie,” she read aloud. “Four ounces of German chocolate, 1/2 cup of butter, cubed, three eggs…” As her lips formed the words, the ingredients floated up off the pages. Her eyes wide, Meg watched as butter cubes floated around her face and eggs swirled through the air. A cabinet opened and a bowl slid out, lowering itself to the counter. The other ingredients followed, lining up patiently as they waited to be mixed.
“In a microwave, melt chocolate and butter until smooth,” Meg read, watching in wonder as the chocolate and butter melted instantly on the counter. “Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Place four scoops of ice cream and freeze until firm.”
One section of the counter turned a bright red, and Meg watched as pure liquid hardened into a chocolate crust. The ice cream scoops rising out of the pages hardened as they whizzed through the air, thunking against the counter like snowballs. In one swirling motion, the ice cream hopped into the crust and hot fudge and strawberries sprinkled over the top. Meg’s jaw dropped open. There was a banana split pie sitting on the counter, looking as though it had come from a magazine.
“Neat, isn’t it?” a voice from behind her said.
Banana Split Brownie Pie from Taste of Home
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces German sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup butter, cubed
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup Domino® or C&H® Granulated Pure Cane Sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1-1/3 cups vanilla ice cream
- 1-2/3 cups chocolate ice cream
- 1-2/3 cups strawberry ice cream
- 2 medium firm bananas, sliced
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup hot fudge ice cream topping, warmed
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup strawberry ice cream topping
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup toffee bits or almond brickle chips
- Whipped cream and sliced almonds
Directions:
In a microwave, melt chocolate and butter; stir until smooth. Cool. In a small bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, vanilla and chocolate mixture. Gradually add flour until well blended. Spread into a greased 9-in. springform pan.
Bake at 350° for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cover and freeze until firm.
Using 1/3 cup for each scoop, place four scoops of vanilla ice cream, five scoops of chocolate ice cream and five scoops of strawberry ice cream on a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Freeze until firm. Place vanilla scoops in center of brownie crust; alternate scoops of chocolate and strawberry around edge. Cover and freeze until firm.
Just before serving, remove sides of pan. Arrange bananas and strawberries over ice cream. Drizzle with hot fudge and strawberry toppings. Sprinkle with toffee bits. Garnish with whipped cream and almonds. Cut into wedges. Yield: 10 servings.
Peanut butter pie picture from meals.com.
Banana split pie from heb.com.
To be continued…
Stay tuned, Invisible Friends! We have a fabulous new recipe tomorrow and a new Twirl Friday! And soon, the Rubber Chicken will be back! Also, I’ve got a creative suprise coming up soon! Stay tuned!
And don’t forget the RSS feed on the bottom and my new button on the sidebar!
March 25th, 2009 at 2:31 am
LOL, they can’t be princesses without peanut butter pie!
March 25th, 2009 at 3:23 am
No wonder I haven’t been getting updates on you! You moved!!
Ahhhh! I bookmarked this site now!
And Yes, Twilight is great! One of my favorite movies!!
March 25th, 2009 at 3:58 am
I want a cookbook like that!!!
I am so making that Peanut Butter Pie for my mom’ birthday!
March 25th, 2009 at 4:12 am
Each story you have, just keeps me hanging on until the next part! I love them!!!
March 25th, 2009 at 5:51 am
I was wondering when the pie shop would become magical! I mean, it simply had to be magical!!
Hahaha and way to throw the Shabby Princess in the story! I had to giggle at that!
March 25th, 2009 at 6:14 am
I need cookbooks like that – filled with dinner recipes! I love this story…
March 25th, 2009 at 6:37 am
Wonderful story! I too want a cookbook like that. Stopping by from SITS
March 25th, 2009 at 6:50 am
I love peanut butter ice cream pie! Now I have a huge craving for it. But no one in my family is a huge fan of peanut butter, but me.
March 25th, 2009 at 6:51 am
I want the bannana split pie! I know this sounds terrible, but I could dive into face first. :s
March 25th, 2009 at 6:55 am
I have a defective kitchen. My stuff doesn’t get done by my saying so. Dammit! My life is a tragedy. No wonder I don’t make pie.
March 25th, 2009 at 6:57 am
“Every day is the perfect day to be a princess” “and a “perfect day for pie” — yup, two of my mottos right there.
March 25th, 2009 at 7:09 am
Oh my gosh! That banana split pie looks like heaven in a pie pan!
March 25th, 2009 at 7:22 am
Love the story and the recipe!
March 25th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Ohh my gosh, I am a princess (in my own mind) and I love Peanut Butter Pie!
March 25th, 2009 at 7:48 am
Hi Friend!!! Oh my, I am so behind. I think I will just have to buy Twirl when it comes out just to get caught up. LOL. I love this story. Can’t wait for more pie magic!
March 25th, 2009 at 8:29 am
AHHHHH!!!!!! I am beaming, just beaming! I feel so special. Thank you so much for including my pie–and of course, no one can be a princess without pie–ice cream or otherwise. Loving this story. Can’t wait to read more.
Thanks again, I am honored
March 25th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Oh, this chapter was great. That would be awesome if I had a cookbook like that!
March 25th, 2009 at 9:31 am
I don’t think I can be a princess without that pie either!
March 25th, 2009 at 9:37 am
This was a really good chapter, concluded with a really great looking pie!! I need to go and do some Chiaerobics firts, though, lest I get fat
March 25th, 2009 at 10:17 am
Can I move into Penelope’s Pie Shop, please? I promise to be really good! I don’t need much space — just a small place at the table with a fork and a big plate of pie!
March 25th, 2009 at 10:57 am
I appreciate the story and the tasty photos of the sweets!
March 25th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Oh my goodness! Your blog is so cute! And the first post I read is about pie. My favorite!! I love it. Thanks for stopping by my blog. It’s always fun to meet a fellow “Dancing Queen.” I love that you’re a writer. I wish I had that talent. It’s rough loving books so much but being terrible at writing. Anyway, have a great week!
March 25th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Super cute! And as always delicious!
March 25th, 2009 at 11:38 am
I am a princess of pie:-) Hee, hee, hee. Great recipes:-)
March 25th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Oh that pie looks decadent enough for a princess!
PB Ice Cream pie? Can’t wait to see it!
March 25th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
That looks so good. I want to make it right now! I’m having all sorts of chocolate cravings….
March 25th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Thanks. I’m going to give it a whirl and see where it goes…Good pie!
March 25th, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I have been wondering why your blog wasn’t updating and now I see why! You have your own website now!! How exciting
I LOVE it and I am going to add you to my list! Can’t wait to read more and that pie looks delicious!
March 25th, 2009 at 12:56 pm
That looks AWESOME!!
March 25th, 2009 at 1:46 pm
Wow. This sounds so yummy. It’s almost scary : ).
March 25th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
A. I love the pie photo…I want some…now!
B. I love your doggie aerobics! How cute is that!
March 25th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
You know what The Pond really needs? An honest to goodness Pie Sponsor. Do y’all have Marie Calendars in Texas?
-Francesca
March 25th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
All of this pie is making me hungry! Banana split brownie pie? Yum!!!!
March 25th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Mmmm, peanut better ice cream pie! Sounds delicious! And thanks for the recipe!
Great story Duckie – I wish I had a magical kitchen that would make whatever I say!
XOXO
Jen
March 25th, 2009 at 3:33 pm
That bannana split pie looks so yummy. I am going to have to try it.
March 25th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I’m seriously drooling at those pies. The Worldwide Pie Corporation should hire you as their chief marketing officer!
March 25th, 2009 at 4:11 pm
I want a kitchen like that!! The banana split pie sounds heavenly!
March 25th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
i want a slice of that pie, and i want it now. i will do what i need to to take it from you. so give it up willingly.
and i love that pie shop! i want pie to magically appear on my counter top!
March 25th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
My my what an awesome pie.
March 25th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Mmmmm….I’m literally licking my lips at that pie!
March 25th, 2009 at 6:19 pm
Hello, I’m really enjoying the pie shop story.
You make me feel like I’m standing right in the thick of it watching the story unfold. You have amazing talent my friend.
I displayed your precious new button!
March 25th, 2009 at 7:18 pm
How cool!!! I love peanut butter ice cream pie!!
March 25th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
If I wasn’t diabetic…I will definitely want to try making this!!! This is soooooo YUMMY!
March 25th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
I am not a fan of peanut butter and chocolate put together HOWEVER my hubby is and he would beg and plead if he seen the picture of this pie!
March 25th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
Oh my, this pie look so scrumptious, delicious…
Cheers,
elra
March 25th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Okay, now I MUST have some pie.
March 25th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
How come my cookbooks don’t do that?
That pie looks so good…. you are tempting me too much.
I just am dropping by to say hello and I hope you have a wonderful, pie filled week. Love, Lura
March 25th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
I think now, like right this minute, I want a tiarra and a pretty princess dress and a PIE. A whole pie just for me.I wonder if the family would understand my current demands or not. If I try to tell them about this girl who is like a duck in her own pond with pretty princesses and PIE they may just officially lock me up for good.
I shall blame you.
Rebecca~
March 26th, 2009 at 12:51 am
Mmmm pie!! LOL
March 26th, 2009 at 6:09 am
Duckie, I LOVE IT!! A magic cookbook that cooks before your very eyes as you read the words! Fabulous! I repeat, I love it! You are a literary genius and I adore every word that pours from the ends of your fingertips and out of your wonderful brain! I have some pretty interesting news and will e-mail you. Finally, some feedback that was NOT negative. I can’t wait to tell you! XXOO
March 26th, 2009 at 6:16 am
Duckie! I love it! Wouldn’t that be so neat? To just read out loud a recipe and have it come together just like that? Bet cleaning up would be a breeze too!
~ingrid
March 26th, 2009 at 7:49 am
Why don’t my cookbooks just bake pies for me?
Maybe I should have my niece Penelope read the recipes and she’ll instigate the magic? She’s only 6. Her reading skills may not be that good…
March 26th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
This is my favorite story! I get so excited when there’s a new chapter!
I’m happy to bake my own pies, but I would like it if my kitchen would clean up after me!
September 15th, 2009 at 1:24 am
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