Heavenly Hula Pie

Hula Pie is an iconic ice cream dessert from Hawaii with oreo cookie crust, macadamia ice cream, and decadent fudge topping.

                                   

This cult favorite was originally created at Kimo’s in Lahaina, Maui with the trademark whipped cream layered to look like a hula skirt, toasted macadamias, and the hula pie placed exactly just so on Kimo’s hula pie plate. You can find Hula Pie a in 13 restaurants throughout Hawaii, including:

Maui: Kimo’s, Leilani’s on the Beach

Oahu: Duke’s Wakiki, La Mariana Sailing Club

Hawaii: Big Island Grill

Kauai: Keoki’s Paradise

But, if you can’t make the trip, and would like to celebrate with an ono treat from the islands, then here is a “copycat recipe” you can make at home:

                 Heavenly Hula Pie

• 1 Oreo Pie Crust (store bought or home made, recipe below)
• 1 gallon French Vanilla Ice Cream
• 2 tsp. coconut extract (optional)—Shredded Coconut is a great alternative!
• 1 c. Macadamia Nuts coarsely chopped (and toasted in the oven for a Kimo’s flair)
• 2 c. Fudge Topping (store bought or your favorite recipe)
• Whipped Cream
• Macadamia Nuts (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Prepare Oreo pie crust and place in freezer (or use store bought version): Blend 25 Oreos in a food processor. Place blended oreos in a bowl, add ¼ cup melted butter and combine. Press mixture into 9” pie pan and freeze.
2. Remove ice cream from freezer and allow to soften for 10-15 minutes. Do not allow to melt!
3. When the ice cream has softened enough to remove from the container, place it in a stand mixer bowl along with the dough hook attachment (can also use a wooden spoon and bowl). 
4. Turn mixer to "low" and allow the ice cream to be mixed until it reaches a thick frozen yogurt consistency. Add coconut extract (or shredded coconut) and macadamia nuts, mix gently just to combine. 
5. Find a mixing bowl where the rim will easily fit inside the Oreo pie crust (if using a 9" pie crust, find a bowl where the rim is under 9"-- remember you will be placing the bowl upside down inside the crust).
6. Line the bowl with plastic wrap, spray with cooking spray, and scoop ice cream into the bowl. Cover and freeze overnight. 
7. Remove ice cream and Oreo crust from freezer. Carefully place the bowl upside-down over the crust and pull at the plastic wrap until ice cream settles onto the crust. Remove bowl and plastic wrap from ice cream. 
8. Spoon fudge topping over the ice cream "dome" (do not heat the fudge-- you don't want it to melt the ice cream. If you must heat to soften, only do it for a few seconds until soft enough to remove from the container) and spread evenly until ice cream in covered in fudge. 
9. Freeze again until fudge becomes firm.
10. Remove from freezer and cut into slices. Top each slice with whipped cream, hot fudge (it's ok for this fudge to be hot), and macadamia nuts (toasted is so ono!).  
11. Now sit back, relax, and enjoy--on your own virtual tropical island.