Chocolate Cream Pie

By

  • 10

Ingredients

  • Crust:
  • 1 1/2 c. flour
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 1/2 c. vegetable shortening
  • 3-4 Tb. cold water
  • Filling:
  • 1 c. sugar
  • 1/4 c. cocoa
  • 1/4 c. cornstarch
  • 1 3/4 c. milk
  • 3 Tb. butter
  • 3 egg yolks, beaten
  • 2 Tb. orange-flavored liqueur
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • Meringue:
  • 4 egg whites
  • 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar
  • 1 tsp. orange-flavored liqueur
  • 1/2 c. sifted powdered sugar

Preparation

Step 1

For crust, combine flour and salt in a medium bowl. Using a pastry blender or two knives, cut in shortening until mixture resembles coarse meal. Sprinkle with water; mix until a soft dough forms. On a lightly floured surface, use a floured rolling pin to roll out dough to 1/8" thickness. Transfer to a 9" pie plate and use a sharp knife to trim edge of dough. Prick bottom of crust with a fork. Chill 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Bake crust 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely on a wire rack.

For filling, combine sugar, cocoa, and cornstarch in a heavy medium saucepan. Stir in milk and butter. Stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until mixture thickens and begins to boil. Continuing to stir, boil 1 minute. Remove from heat. Add about 1/2 cup chocolate mixture to egg yolks; stir until well blended. Gradually add egg mixture to chocolate mixture in saucepan, stirring until well blended. Return to medium heat and bring to a boil; boil 1 minute or until mixture coats the back of a spoon. Stir in liqueur and vanilla. Remove filling from heat; pour into crust.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For meringue, beat egg whites and cream of tartar in a medium bowl until foamy. Add liqueur. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Spread meringue over filling. Bake 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm or chilled. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator.