Penelope never forgot this, she just forgot who told it to her. But anyway, the pie intelligence was: The technique for managing the temperature of a fruit pie is also true for regulating the heat in a marriage. Even though the outside may not look like it’s about to burn, if you feel that things are bubbling up on the inside, trust your instincts and turn down the heat, then walk away for a little while. The thing will sort itself out. Especially good advice for obsessive-compulsives, over-thinkers and micro-managers. Which is why this pie crust is not only terrific for cream pies, it’s also good practice for laying off someone who would actually like things to work out. With this no-bake cookie crust, you just put it together and leave it alone. Of course like advice in general, easier said than done.

  1. graham crackers, gingersnaps, biscotti or chocolate wafers are all delicious and fun to bash into crumbs (the chocolate wafers need 2 cups of crumbs)
  2. 1½ cup crumbs
  3. 2 tbs sugar
  4. pinch of salt
  5. ½ cup unsalted butter, melted

Combine the cookie crumbs, sugar and salt in a mixing bowl and toss well

Add the butter and stir hard until the big crumbs are tamed and the whole mixture is blended

Use your fingers and press the mixture over the bottom and sides of a 9 inch pie pan

You really don’t have to bake this, but if you insist on making life more difficult, preheat the oven to 325° and put the pie crust in for about 8 minutes

Cool completely before adding the filling