Momofuku Crack Bar

~Momofuku is infamous for their pork buns and crack pie, the brainchild of pastry diva Christina Tosi. Who knew butter, brown sugar, and oats could come together in such decadence? The original recipe is intended to be baked into 2 pie tins. As a personal preference, I feel that pie should resemble…well, pie. So I made them into “bars”- same thing, different shape.

Special Equipment:

Electric mixer

Mixing bowl

Flour sifter

Half sheet sized baking sheet

9 x 13 baking pan

Parchment paper

Step 1: Making the Cookie

2/3 cup and 1 tbsp flour

1/8 tsp baking powder

1/8 tsp baking soda

¼ tsp salt

1 stick softened unsalted sweet butter

1/3 cup brown sugar

3 tbsp granulated sugar

1 large egg

1 cup rolled oats

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. In the mixing bowl, beat butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in egg into the butter mixture until fully incorporated.
4. Sift into the mixture; flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat until fully combined. Set aside mixer. (No need to wash mixer or mixing bowl)
5. Stir in the oats until incorporated.
6. Spread the mixture evenly onto baking sheet and bake for 20 min or until golden brown.
7. Remove and set aside to cool completely.

Step 2: Making the Crust

Cookie from Step 1

½ stick unsalted sweet butter

1 ½ tbsp brown sugar

1/8 tsp salt

Instructions:

1. In the same mixing bowl, crumble cookie with hands (or pulse in food processor).
2. Using mixer, mix cookie, salt, and brown sugar.
3. Line baking pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave paper over sides of pan.
4. Press the crust along the bottom. Set aside and prepare filling.

Step 3: Making the Filling

1 ½ cups granulated sugar

¾ cup and 3 tsp brown sugar

¼ tsp salt

1/3 cup and 1 tsp milk powder

2 sticks melted unsalted sweet butter

¾ cup and 2 tbsp heavy cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

8 egg yolks

Powdered sugar for garnish

Ingredients:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In the (clean) mixing bowl, whisk granulated sugar, brown sugar, salt, and milk powder.
3. Whisk in butter, heavy cream, and vanilla.
4. Gently whisk in the egg yolks, being careful not to add too much air.
5. Poor filling onto cookie crust and spread evenly.
6. Bake for 15 min, then reduce the heat to 325 degrees.
7. Bake for another 10min or until the filling is slightly jiggly and golden brown (similar to a pecan pie). Remove pie and cool on a rack.
8. Refrigerate pie until well chilled. The pie is meant to be served cold, and the filling will be gooey.
9. Before serving, thoroughly dust with powdered sugar.