Graham Cracker Pie

I had never heard of Graham Cracker pie before, until my cousin Johnny and I recently had it at Barbara Fritchie Candystick Restaurant in Frederick, MD.  Here is what it looks like it.

There was a graham cracker crust and we certainly thought we tasted cinnamon and brown sugar, too.  The filling was vanilla pudding.  I thought this most likely was just an unusual specialty of the house.
 
On Monday, I stopped in at Weaver's Restaurant in Hancock, MD for lunch and they also had Graham Cracker pie.  Only their version had a taller, better meringue.  I haven't downloaded the photos yet, but will add the photo after I do.
 
Is Graham Cracker pie a western Maryland thing or do restaurants elsewhere in the country have it, too?

Did you like it?
 

Don-
The one at Barbara Fritchie's was just average, but then so was all the pie we tried there.  The Graham Cracker pie from Weaver's Restaurant, seen here:

was much better.  That is some fine meringue there!

Everything  at  Barbara  Fitchies  is  "just average".  I  would never call it  a roadfood  destination.

Graham cracker pie is also a southern Pennsylvania thing. I grew up in York County, PA and remember (very fondly) the ones we used to get in the cafeteria of the now defunct Bear's department store. It was served warm and the meringue was about five inches high. Thanks for the memory!

Thanks for the info shortchef.  Next time I'm in the area, I will keep my eye out for it.

My Grandmother in PA made Graham Cracker Pies. She usually put a coconut creme filling in them!
I Googled Graham Cracker Pie Recipe and there is a bunch of Stuff on there. Here's one from allrecipes.com  
Graham Cracker Pie
Submitted By: Jolene
Servings: 8
"The graham cracker crust for this pie is made with brown sugar and cinnamon, lending an extra depth of flavors to this tasty treat. The filling is a simple, but lovely egg custard with a hint of vanilla. Pour it into the shell and chill before serving. Decorate the pie with sprigs of mint and a sprinkling of nutmeg."
Ingredients:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
5 tablespoons all-purpose flou
1 pinch salt
2 cups milk
2 egg yolks, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
1.To Make Crust: In a medium bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Mix well, then stir in softened butter or margarine. Mix until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
2.Generously grease an 8 inch pie pan. Press graham cracker mixture evenly into pan. Chill until ready to use.
3.To Make Filling: In a heavy saucepan, mix together sugar, flour, and salt. Gradually add milk, stirring well. Add egg yolks and whisk until mixture is smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens. Stir in vanilla extract and allow mixture to cool.
4.Pour cooled filling into crust and chill before serving. 
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © 2010 Allrecipes.com
Printed from Allrecipes.com 10/8/2010
 

That's a stunning pie! 

Buffetbuster, Bear's isn't there anymore. Your best bet is to make your own. See foodbme's recipe above. But if you are in the York area, you might try Lee's Diner (I think they're still open) 'way out on West Market Street
. Their address is 4320 West Market Street and their phone number is 717-792-1300. They are famous for their pies and they may have that one.

shortchef-
Thanks for the tip on Lee's Diner, but sorry to hear Bear's isn't there any more.  As for me making my own, I am much more of an eater, than a baker!

We used to make the Chocolate pudding pies with graham Cracker crust. Thats how I won over my wife, not a Chef at the time of courting her...

Graham Cracker Pie is also made up here in Maine.

Found another good slice of graham cracker pie

this past weekend at the recently Bruce & Sue reviewed Summit Diner in Somerset, PA.  The vanilla filling tasted like it was from a box, but the airy meringue and graham cracker crust were both wonderful.
 
For those traveling the PA Turnpike, Summit Diner is very, very short distance off the highway.

Foodbme - thanks for the delicious looking recipe, is that light or dark brown sugar, or does it matter?

BelleReve


Foodbme - thanks for the delicious looking recipe, is that light or dark brown sugar, or does it matter?

It's kind of up to you:  if you use dark brown sugar you'll get a stronger molasses flavor than with the light brown.
 
BB:  I've never made a graham cracker pie, but have definitely wanted to try it!  Glad you posted on this. :)

love2bake-
If you do make the graham cracker pie , please let us know how it turns out!

Buffetbuster
 
If you ever make it to Diehl's in Nitro WV,  Graham Cracker Pie is also on their menu. As much as I wanted to try it, I passed it up for their peanut butter chocolate pie.

My mom made pies with graham cracker crust all the time when I was growing up.   It was the easy way to make a pie crust.   I never heard it called a 'graham cracker' pie; it was always lemon meringue,
vanilla, Cherri, type pies with graham cracker crust.

Same here , Ed. Mom made graham cracker crust for certain pies-the best was when she baked it with sliced almonds for her cherry pie. To die for.....

... ...

edwmax


My mom made pies with graham cracker crust all the time when I was growing up.   It was the easy way to make a pie crust.   I never heard it called a 'graham cracker' pie; it was always lemon meringue,
vanilla, Cherri, type pies with graham cracker crust.

 
That's because Graham Cracker pie is neither of these- it's a unique regional specialty indigenous to Appalachia
(think the I81 corridor from harrisburg PA down to WV)

wanderingjew


Buffetbuster

If you ever make it to Diehl's in Nitro WV,  Graham Cracker Pie is also on their menu. As much as I wanted to try it, I passed it up for their peanut butter chocolate pie.

Now that means I will have to try both pies when I get there.  You won't think less of me, will you? 

wanderingjew

edwmax


My mom made pies with graham cracker crust all the time when I was growing up.   It was the easy way to make a pie crust.   I never heard it called a 'graham cracker' pie; it was always lemon meringue,
vanilla, Cherri, type pies with graham cracker crust.

That's because Graham Cracker pie is neither of these- it's a unique regional specialty indigenous to Appalachia
(think the I81 corridor from harrisburg PA down to WV)

 
The pics and recipe given above are the same or similar to the way Mom made her pies.   A graham cracker crust with a pie filling.  We never called these 'graham cracker' pies.    ... From the title of the thread I expected something different.
 
So describe what you are referring to as a 'graham cracker' pie if the above is not it.
 
Oh ... I do realize this thread is more than 2 years old, but it got resurrected.

Edwmax-
From the three graham cracker pies I have found so far, the common theme seems to be graham cracker crust, vanilla filling and more graham cracker sprinkled on top of the meringue.  And in the case of the top photo, lots of graham cracker!

I first had graham cracker pie at the Rosenolw in Lincoln, Me about 40 yrs ago.  When they had it I ate graham ctacker pie for both breakfast and lunch.

Well Walt, I guess it isn't necessary to ask you if you liked it or not!
 
That is the second Maine reference in this thread.  Isn't it bad enough that Maine and Pennsylvania fight over the whoopie pie?

buffetbuster


love2bake-
If you do make the graham cracker pie , please let us know how it turns out!

Will do!  And it's about time for me to get a photo account somewhere so I can finally post pics. 

www.photobucket.com  
 
It's a great, free program for hosting your pictures.

buffetbuster


Edwmax-
From the three graham cracker pies I have found so far, the common theme seems to be graham cracker crust, vanilla filling and more graham cracker sprinkled on top of the meringue.  And in the case of the top photo, lots of graham cracker!

 
It's still the same. Mom most times used brown sugar sprinkled on top; sometimes brown sugar & graham cracker.    The top photo is a pie that is upside down.

Photobucket is the ONLY way to go!  Just make sure you mark it as PRIVATE.