Thursday, September 11, 2014

Cooking: My Language of Love

My daughter returned to college for her sophomore year this week.  A few days before we drove the ten hours to her campus, I began to fret.  Had I made enough of her favorite meals this summer?

This worry, of course, was just a metaphor of my real thoughts: Have I spent enough time with her?  Have I done enough for her? Have I taught her well enough how to live on her own? Can I come to terms that my "little girl" no longer really lives at home? 


The meal plan at her college is so good, in reality she probably won't miss my cooking.  But, she had commented several times last year that she missed my desserts! So - with only two days left to spend at home, I asked her what desserts she would like to have.  


Even though she is excited to return to her college life, I think packing up her belongings was hard on my daughter, also. She carefully considered the possibilities, but then suggested her favorites



Chocolate Marshmallow Pie 

Since she suggested two desserts, of course I made them both, and some cookies to take to her roommates as well!

For me, the real name of Chocolate-Marshmallow Pie will always be "Hershey Chocolate Preschool Pie."  When my son was in preschool, his classmates all contributed recipes, and I was responsible for compiling them into a gift for his teacher. The mother of a classmate named Nathan submitted this recipe, and it looked so good I copied it down!  I don't know where the recipe originally came from, but I suspect it may have been developed in the Hershey Company kitchens.


The rich, delicious flavor of this pie may not be the only reason it has evolved into a favorite of my family. We have a strong affiliation to Hershey's chocolate, as my husband and I met when we both lived in Hershey, Pennsylvania!

Chocolate Marshmallow Pie (a.k.a. Hershey Chocolate Preschool Pie)


1. Melt over low heat, stirring occasionally, until marshmallows are completely melted:
  • 4 Hershey Bars (1.55 oz. each)
  • 20 regular sized marshmallows
  • 1/2 cup milk
2. Set melted chocolate mixture in fridge to cool.
3. Whip 1/2 pint whipping cream and fold into cooled mixture.
4. Pour into a 9-inch graham cracker shell. (purchased or homemade).
5. Let stand (in fridge) for several hours, or preferably overnight.
6. Serve with whipped cream as a garnish.


This dessert is so rich, for most people a small piece is enough.
I somehow found it comforting that before she headed back to college, my daughter asked for a dessert we have all enjoyed since preschool days. The time she was our little girl has not been long enough, but it was very special for us all.  

No matter how grown up they get, my husband and I will always try to provide a "Hershey Chocolate Preschool Pie" (metaphorically or otherwise!) whenever either of our kids need one.



My very favorite chocolate is Hershey chocolate.  What is yours?

This post may be linked to one of the great link-up parties I follow and list on my blog.  Check them out!


33 comments :

  1. That looks yummy and so easy! I'm going have to try it....your not loves your desserts she tastes the love! :)

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    1. That is exactly what I want for the foods I make - that people eating them will "taste the love!"

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  2. Love this post Susan! Hershey chocolate is my favorite too, and I'm going to make this pie SOON! Hope your daughter's second year is wonderful.

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    1. Thanks Lana - off to a good start! I think you will enjoy the pie!

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  3. How sweet! If my kids ask for certain dishes, I always try to make them, too. It really is a way to show love. :)

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    1. I had a lot of favorites growing up, and my mom always made them when I would be home on breaks.

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  4. You've always done so much for both your children, Susan, and your blog provides the added bonus of bringing back cherished memories that may have been forgotten! I got a little teary reading this touching account of another of your beautiful gestures of your love. And - the pie looks yummy! :)

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    1. Thanks Sally - a lot of my ideas have come from YOU!

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  5. Oh, and Lindt, Cadbury, Jersey Milk and Hershey chocolate are all my favorites!

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    1. Cadbury is actually a tie for me with Hershey ... that Canadian - American Citizenship thing at work!

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  6. My favourite chocolate is a very dark hand made chocolate that our local candy store makes on site. But hey.....I won't turn my nose up at any chocolate.

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  7. Oh my gosh, let's talk about how good this pie looks!

    Good luck to your daughter this year!

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    1. Thanks Jennifer. If you think it looks good - wait till you taste it!!

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  8. I have carefully NOT looked at the recipes. I really don't need to pack them onto my ever-expanding girth. They look good though.
    Chocolate? Lindt or Koko Black. And I try not to look at them too.

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    1. I know what you mean! I love to bake - and now it is a blogging occupational hazard as well, as I see so many good recipes I want to try!

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  9. We have so much in common. I have a sophomore in college but it's my freshman who's 10 hours away. His last week home I made all of his favorite dinners and desserts. Then I made 3 dz each of 2 different kinds of cookies and 12 dozen of another treat and left it all in his dorm room so he could invite people in and hopefully get to know people more easily.
    Hope your sophomore is doing as well as my freshman and sophomore are doing.

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    1. Glad to hear your kids are doing well - and thanks for asking about mine! She is doing wonderfully well - and was really excited to get back to school. My son is a junior in high school this year, so I have a bit of a breather before I have my youngest "leave the nest." Great idea of providing cookies as a way to meet people! Im not sure there was any room left in our car for that many cookies!

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  10. I can see why this would be a favorite! And I'm sure your daughter will always be requesting it. I've been out of my parent's home for 15 years now, and I still can't get enough of the favorites my Mom made (and still makes!) for me. Especially anything chocolate!

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    1. I know - I still love my mom's cooking as well. Even though I make a lot of her recipes, they just taste better to me when she prepares them. The ingredient of love ...

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  11. Oh what a great post I am slowly getting caught up still having my Google+ issues but finding my way around it. I've been writing more but I promise to get caught up I wanted to ask you if you belonged to The Women of Midlife? If not would you like to join it? You can post everyday on their fb thread and most of your readers already belong. If you do let me know and I'll contact Sharon it's a great group of women 40+

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    1. Hi Rena Thanks for taking the time to read past posts! Sorry to hear about the Google+ issues. I was having trouble replying to comments, but that seems to have resolved. Thanks for the heads-up about the Facebook group!

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  12. I love white chocolates, but this one here looks inviting! I trust your daughter is doing great at school, have a memorable SITS day!

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    1. Thanks Ugochi. Yes, she is doing well (and wrote my guest post today!) The pie is rich, but I love the flavor.

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  13. This made me teary! It reminded me of my own mom, and how she gets sentimental about me living away from home. It made me miss her and my whole family, but I know it's just a part of growing up. And coming from a family of great chefs, I can certainly resonate with making something special for someone! Thanks for sharing this great recipe, my boyfriend LOVES Hersheys, I need to try this one out :) Have a great day! Visiting from SITS! :)

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    1. Thanks for this comment, which makes me feel like I just got to know you a bit, Monique! I bit your mom misses you too!! I think you will like the Hershey pie!

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  14. Kinder chocolates are my fave - those Germans know how to make chocolate haha :) This pie looks amazing and very indulgent! Love it! :) thanks for sharing this recipe - I'm definitely bookmarking it. Have a great one Susan! -Iva

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    1. German, Swiss, Cadbury from Canada, Hershey's in the US ... I'm pretty International when it comes to chocolate preferences! Thanks for the comment, and hope you like the pie!

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  15. I love dark chocolate- the darker the better. I typically buy 85%, and don't really enjoy milk chocolate at all. In fact, when I was a kid, I thought I didn't like chocolate-- it was because I had never had dark chocolate!

    Cooking is my language of love, too! I think giving meals or homemade cookies or jams or soups is such a great gift- because so many people don't take the time to make homemade, nutritious meals for themselves, and they really enjoy it. And it's not just a gift- it's an investment of my time to let them know I am thinking of them.

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    1. I love milk chocolate, and while I would never turn down a piece of dark chocolate, it is not my favorite. And yes - food makes a wonderful gift!

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  16. Hi, visiting you via the SITS girls, my love language is baking, so I quite understand you. Wish you the best with your blog!

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    1. Thanks for visiting my blog. I stopped in at yours and I'm amazed by how many patterns you have posted!

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