SAMANTHA BEE’S SALTY CARAMEL PIE

This is a totally indulgent pud, perfect for a family Sunday lunch!

INGREDIENTS Makes one 9-inch (23-cm) pie Pretzel Crust 225 g pretzels (pick your favourite kind) 85 to 115 g unsalted butter, melted (pretzels can be very dry, so you may need more) Filling 300 g sugar 120 ml honey 120 ml heavy cream 115 g brown butter 2 tablespoons mascarpone 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon sea salt Topping 120 ml heavy cream 115 g bittersweet chocolate, chopped METHOD Make the crust:  Grind the pretzels in a food processor until finely ground or seal them in a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Pour in the butter and mix (hands are best for this) until the texture is that of wet sand. You may need more or less butter, depending on the texture of the pretzels. Firmly press the crumbs into a 9-inch (23-cm) pie pan. Chill the crust in the freezer or fridge. Make the filling:  In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, stir together ½ cup (120 ml) water, the sugar, and honey until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Cook over medium-high heat, moving the pan around occasionally, until the caramel has turned dark amber and reached 340°F (170°C) on a candy thermometer. Remove the caramel from the heat and slowly pour the cream down the side of the pan, whisking constantly. Be very careful here: The caramel will start to bubble violently and release a lot of hot steam. Whisk in the butter, then the mascarpone, then the vanilla and salt. Pour the filling into your prebaked pie shell, and refrigerate it, uncovered, until fully set—at least 5 hours. Make the topping: Heat the cream until scalded, and then pour it over the chocolate. Let it sit for a minute, then whisk until glossy. Spread or drizzle the ganache over the filling, allow it to set, and serve. This pie can be refrigerated for up to 1 week, covered well in plastic wrap. Allow it to come to room temperature before serving. For easier slicing, run your knife under hot water first to prevent the caramel from sticking to the blade. For more recipes get her book First Prize Pies: Shoo-Fly, Candy Apple, and Other Deliciously Inventive Pies for Every Week of the Year (and More)