Momma's Italian Pastierra or Holiday Pie

I think this began as an "Easter" tradition in my family and over the years because of its popularity became our Holiday Pie. As kids we turned up our nose to the taste of liquor which Grandma's recipe specified. With Mom's adjustments to please us, this pie became a holiday staple and now brings back happy childhood memories of times gone by...it's worth the love and time that goes into making this specialty. I hope you will try it!

• Ready In: 2 hrs
• Serves: 24

Ingredients

• dough

• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄4 lb unsalted butter (softened)
• 2  cups flour
• 2  egg yolks (lightly beaten)
• 4  tablespoons  orange juice or 4  tablespoons water (liquor may be substituted)

• Filling

• 1 (3 lb) container whole milk ricotta cheese
• 2  cups sugar
• 12  eggs (beaten)
• 1  teaspoon  orange juice or 1  teaspoon lemon juice or 1  teaspoon  anise extract (liquor can be substituted)
•  x orange, zest of
•  x lemon, zest of
• 1  cup  semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1⁄2 bottle maraschino cherry (chopped)
• 2  tablespoons candied citron peel (finely chopped & optional)
•  sponge cake
•  confectioners' sugar (for dusting)

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream together sugar and softened butter.
2. To this, add egg yolks one at a time alternating between flour also added a bit at a time.
3. Add 1 Tbsp.
4. water at a time, until all is incorporated and dough is smooth.
5. Set aside; and keep in a cool place to rest until ready to roll out while you prepare the filling.
6. FILLING: I do all this is a food processor but it can be done with an electric mixer easily.
7. Add the cheese, eggs, sugar,*orange water, zest of lemon, zest of orange and mix well until smooth.
8. Set aside.
9. Mix in cherries and citron by hand.
10. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough 1/4-inch thick and fit into the bottom and up the sides of a 15" round, 4" high cake pan.
11. This dough is very forgiving and can be manipulated easily to fit the pan and to patch torn areas.
12. If you have extra dough, roll and cutout thin strips to place on top of filling in a lattice pattern.
13. On top of dough, cut and place 1/2-inch slices of sponge cake to fit around the bottom of the pan.
14. Sprinkle the chocolate chips on top of sponge cake.
15. Pour batter into pan.
16. Top with lattice strips.
17. Preheat oven temperature to 375 degrees.
18. Bake for 1-1/4 hours.
19. Turn off oven and leave the pie in the oven with door open to cool slowly.
20. After completely cooled, dust the top of the pie with confectionery sugar.