MOMMA'S ITALIAN PASTIERRA OR HOLIDAY PIE

Steps:

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