You feel the need for something sweet coming on and, oh no, you realize there are no Little Debbie Swiss Rolls or Chips Ahoy cookies in the pantry. Not even an old Hershey's kiss leftover from Easter. Nothing. Then such a situation calls for a "desperation pie."
What is a Desperation Pie?
It's just like what it sounds. You need or want something sweet and don't have anything obvious, so you scrounge for something sweet in your pantry and build dessert from it. Amish cooks and bakers are especially skilled at this because you usually don't find elaborate desserts anyway in most Amish kitchens. Fancy ganaches and flambes are not everyday eating among the Amish anyway.
Desperation pies especially caught on during the Great Depression when pantries were very bare. One of the more "famous" ones is Amish Vinegar Pie.
Usually these desperation pies can be whipped up using ingredients like:
- peanut butter
- oats
- cinnamon
- maple syrup
Anything that might have a hint of sweet can be used in a desperation dessert.
Step-by-Step Desperation Chocolate-Chip Cinnamon Desperation Pie
This really was a desperation pie. I didn't have anything sweet on hand, other than a few staples in the pantry. And I had a "chocolate crust" sitting there, so I thought I'd utilize that also and it was a nice additional touch of sweet,but you could use any pie crust you have.
Everything else you just use a bowl and mix. The "batter" is thick enough that you really can use your hands to mix it almost as well as a spoon would. I recommend just using your hands and "kneading" the batter like you would pie dough and then patting the mixture, once it is fully combined, into the bottom of the pie crust, just like in the photo below.
This won't win any beauty contests, but pat it into the crust and then stick in the oven at a preheated 375 for about 20-25 minutes. The top will be firm when you take it out.
This pie is so, so good because you have bites of whole chocolate buried in there from the chocolate chips. The addition of oats gives it a nice texture. Add some whipped topping and it is even more amazing.
I had some leftovers and I just put them in the fridge overnight and the next morning had some of this pie for breakfast and it was great then too, even better, actually, after all those flavors had had time to meld.
🥧 More Amazing Amish Pie Recipes
Amish Sugar Cream Pie
Amish Chocolate Dream Pie
Amish Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
Amish Vanilla Crumb Pie
Full Recipe
Desperation Pie: Cinnamon-Chocolate Chip Pie
Ingredients
- 2 cups flour
- 1 ½ cups white sugar
- 1 1 /2 cups chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon (this amount can be adjusted downward for those who want a less cinnamony pie!)
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons baking soda
- 1 cup oatmeal
- 1 pre-made pie crust
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
- Mix or "knead" ingredients together until everything is combined.
- Pat mixture into the bottom of a pre-made pie crust.
- Bake in oven about 25 minutes or until firm.
- Remove from the oven and cool, serve with whipped topping.
Darlene Livingston
What is the correct amount of flour used in this recipe - 2 cups or 1 tablespoon cups? Thank you!!
Kevin Williams
Sorry, that was an error, just ignore the 1 tablespoon flour (I just removed it from the recipe)
Noreen McCafferty
Desperation Pie lists; 1 Tablespoon Cups All Purpose Flour. What is the correct amount of flour? Thank You
Kevin Williams
Sorry, that was an error, just ignore the 1 tablespoon flour (I just removed it from the recipe)
Bonnie Cooper
I love the Amish recipes. Simply yummy!
Becky Dingler
Just curious! With the two cups of flour and one cup of oatmeal, that is kneaded, do you really need a crust? The filling must liquidify while baking. Does it?
Kevin Williams
That's a good point, Becky, I hadn't thought about that. I agree with you, I think you could do it without a crust and it would just be a "desperation dessert" and be delicious.
Becky. Dingler
As I mentioned in the past, I grew up in the Pennsylvania Dutch county of Lebanon PA, which is close to Lancaster, PA. Lebanon is famous for it's Lebanon Bologna. I attended school with Amish and Mennonite children, in the country, as I lived on a farm. Wonderful memories and a different dialect. I have been living in the South for many years, and now I have a southern drawl. However, I still call Pennsylvania "Home." I enjoy your website and the many memories it brings back..
Kevin Williams
Ahhhh, Lebanon Bologna, thanks for that food nostalgia...I haven't had some in a long time, I will have to get me some soon!