Description
Cool summer nights find sweet comfort in root beer float pie, a nostalgic dessert blending classic soda shop memories with creamy indulgence. Silky vanilla filling nestled in a graham cracker crust delivers a playful twist you’ll savor with delightful childhood glee.
Ingredients
Scale
Pie Crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
- 2 cups vanilla ice cream, softened
- 1 cup root beer
- 1 (3.4 oz) package vanilla instant pudding mix
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Topping:
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 2 tablespoons root beer
- 1/4 cup chocolate shavings
- 2 maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Combine graham cracker crumbs with melted butter, pressing the mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie dish to create a uniform crust. Refrigerate for 15 minutes to set the base.
- Whisk root beer and vanilla instant pudding mix together in a large mixing bowl until the mixture becomes smooth and slightly thickened.
- Fold softened vanilla ice cream into the root beer pudding mixture, stirring gently until completely incorporated and creating a creamy, consistent texture.
- Whip heavy cream until soft peaks form, then delicately fold into the root beer ice cream mixture to enhance the pie’s lightness.
- Pour the filling into the chilled graham cracker crust, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure an even surface.
- Freeze the pie for approximately 4 hours or until the filling is completely set and firm.
- Before serving, prepare the topping by blending whipped cream with root beer until light and airy.
- Spread the root beer-infused whipped cream over the frozen pie, creating decorative swirls.
- Sprinkle chocolate shavings generously across the top of the whipped cream layer.
- Garnish the pie with maraschino cherries placed strategically in the center or around the edges.
- Allow the pie to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before slicing to ensure clean, smooth cuts.
Notes
- Enhance the graham cracker crust by adding a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for extra depth of flavor and warmth.
- Select high-quality root beer with robust flavor to intensify the pie’s signature taste profile.
- Soften ice cream at room temperature for precisely 5-10 minutes to achieve perfect mixing consistency without melting completely.
- For gluten-free adaptation, substitute graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs to maintain the original texture and structure.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Freezing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 28 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg