Italian Chocolate Cream Pie

By Joelene

Simply omit the vanilla and add 1 teaspoon of lemon extract to the cream in place of the chocolate.

Ingredients

• ~Filling:~
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 cups milk
• 1 pinch salt (good quality)
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips (good quality)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• ~Crust:~
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons shortening

Preparation

Step 1

In a mixing bowl, beat egg yolks well. Combine sugar and flour, and gradually add to the eggs, beating well. Add milk and salt, and mix well.

Heat mixture in a small saucepot, cooking on medium high heat until mixture thickens, stirring constantly. (Mixture will thicken completely during baking process.) Don’t let mixture burn or clump. When thickened, remove from heat and let cool for about 10 minutes. Add chocolate chips and vanilla, stirring to combine.

Crust:
In a bowl, stir together flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Add eggs, vanilla and shortening. Mix until dough is smooth. On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough into two 8” or 9” rounds. Place one round in a pie plate (glass, metal or ceramic).

Pour filling over unbaked dough. Cut second round into long strips and arrange lattice style over the filling. Bake at 400 degrees for about 35 minutes or until light brown and toothpick comes up clean. (Filling will thicken more as it cools and sets). Serve room temperature or cold.