If you love the classic molasses flavor, you’re going to love this Chocolate Molasses Oatmeal Pie!  Spicy bittersweet molasses with a chewy oatmeal cookie texture, all on top of a chocolate ganache-lined pie crust.  It’s the perfect spicy and warming winter pie (and gluten-free, too!).

My yearlong series of “delicious baked things” has become one of my favorite traditions here at Bunsen Burner Bakery.  In 2016, we did Quick Bread of the Month.  In 2017, it was Bundt Cake of the Month.  And as I hinted at in my last bundt cake post, 2018 is… drumroll please… Pie of the Month!

Why pie? Because I’m ready for a challenge.

Here’s the truth.  I love to eat pie.  I do not love to make pie.

Cutting a slice of pie gives me more stress and anxiety than anything else I make.

Faced with a beautiful, perfect pie, I feel nothing short of paralyzing fear at the thought of cutting into a slice, lest the crust crumbles and fall apart, or the slice sticks to the bottom, or it comes out in a messy blob.

Meaning that… I have to make the pie again.

Guys, these are not normal fears and phobias.  Most people put the crumbled piece of pie on a plate and enjoy it, because it still tastes damn good.

Most people are also not food bloggers, however, in need of a picture-perfect slice of pie.

And so this year, I am conquering my fear of cutting pie head on, by baking 12 24 32 pies.  (If the trend continues, because it took 3 different pies to get to this recipe which I liked enough to (a) share and (b) came out of the pie plate well enough to post.  Maybe more.  Hopefully fewer.  Please, hopefully fewer.)

Three pies a month to get one worthy of sharing on the food blog?  I like a good challenge.

And hopefully, by the time 2019 rolls around, I will no longer hold a knife and pie server in my hand, paralyzed with fear.  I’ll be ready to dig in and cut like a pro.

Molasses + Oatmeal = Perfect Winter Pie

And so, this brings us to January’s Pie of the Month: Chocolate Molasses Oatmeal Pie. 

I think pies are seasonal more than most other desserts — cherry pies in the summer, pumpkin pies in the fall, pecan pies for Thanksgiving.

January is a tough month: a dearth of fresh produce, no major food holidays.

But there’s something so warm and cozy about spicy molasses, which pairs perfectly with slightly chewy oatmeal.  And a little chocolate because really, who doesn’t like a little touch of chocolate?

Chocolate oatmeal molasses pie has that classic bittersweet molasses flavor, the chewiness of a perfectly cooked oatmeal cookie, and an ooey-gooey chocolate ganache bottom.  Yes, please!

What is Oatmeal Pie?

I’ve heard that oatmeal pies started in the south as a “poor man’s alternative” to pecan pies when pecans were too expensive during the Civil War.

A classic oatmeal pie is generally very similar to a pecan pie, except for substituting oatmeal for the pecans. Think lots of brown sugar and corn syrup.

We’re going to switch things up a little though, and use molasses in lieu of brown sugar and corn syrup!

Adding molasses to pies, including oatmeal pies, is a Pennsylvania Dutch/Amish tradition. This makes sense given that they are not too dissimilar from shoofly pie (one of my all-time favorites!).

The end result is a pie with a sweet and spicy molasses flavor combined with the slightly chewy texture of an oatmeal cookie. Absolutely delicious, and perfect for these long winter months!

Molasses in Baking

The star of the show in this molasses oatmeal pie is the molasses, but what is it, anyway?! Molasses is a viscous substance resulting from the sugar refining process.

There are three forms of molasses typically available: light molasses, dark molasses, and blackstrap molasses. Since they can’t all be used interchangeably, let’s discuss each briefly.

1. Light Molasses: Light molasses is the liquid that remains after the first boiling of the beet or cane syrup. This has a higher sugar content and is sweeter than dark molasses. Also called mild or fancy molasses.
2. Dark Molasses: Dark molasses is made from the second boiling of the beet or cane syrup. It is darker, thicker, and has a more “molasses-y” flavor with a lower sugar content. Also called full or robust molasses.
3. Blackstrap Molasses: Blackstrap molasses is made from the third boiling, resulting in very thick and more bitter molasses.

For this recipe, either light or dark molasses can be used. Light molasses will yield a sweeter, lighter flavor, while dark molasses will have more of a gingerbread flavor. Either way, just be sure to use unsulphered molasses. Why does this matter? It’s time for my favorite subject… kitchen chemistry!

Kitchen Chemistry

Traditionally, molasses was treated with sulphur dioxide as a preservative to kill mold or bacteria.  However, the sulfur dioxide can leave behind a strong chemical flavor and the molasses is less sweet and should not be used for baking.

Most molasses sold in grocery stores these days is unsulfphured, but always double-check to make sure!

Tips and Tricks for the Best Chocolate Molasses Oatmeal Pie

1. For the best flavor, use either light or dark unsulphured molasses. Do not use blackstrap molasses or sulfured molasses. For the sweetest pie and lightest molasses flavor, use light (also called mild or fancy) molasses.
2. Let the pie cool completely before slicing. The filling needs to set completely – I recommend waiting overnight if possible.
3. Make the pie ahead of time. This pie can be kept at room temperature for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Perfect to take the stress off of holiday desserts!
4. For extra flavor and presentation, top with drizzled chocolate swirls, whipped cream, or a scoop of ice cream.
5. To make a gluten-free pie, use the chocolate molasses oatmeal filling in your favorite gluten-free pie crust! Confirm all ingredients (molasses, oatmeal, etc) are certified gluten-free.

More Winter Desserts

• Baked Peppermint Mocha Donuts
• Cranberry Brownies
• Cranberry Orange Bundt Cake
• Hot Chocolate Bundt Cake
• Clementine Vanilla Quick Bread
• All Winter Recipes »

2018 Pie of the Month Series