Mom’s Chocolate Pie
Ingredients:
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 tablespoons cocoa powder (unsweetened)
- 2 tablespoons butter (unsalted, room temperature)
- 2 cups milk (whole milk for a creamier texture)
- 3 egg yolks (separate yolks and whites, save the whites for the meringue)
- 1 pre-baked pie crust (9-inch, store-bought or homemade)
For the Meringue:
- 3 egg whites (reserved from the eggs above)
- 1/4 cup sugar
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Pie Filling
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, flour, salt, and cocoa powder. This helps to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
- In a separate bowl, lightly beat the 3 egg yolks and set aside.
- Gradually add the milk to the saucepan, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently to prevent the mixture from sticking to the bottom. Once the mixture begins to thicken (around 8-10 minutes), stir continuously until it reaches a thick, pudding-like consistency.
- Once the mixture has thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat. Temper the egg yolks by slowly adding a few spoonfuls of the hot mixture to the yolks, whisking constantly. This prevents the eggs from scrambling.
- Once tempered, pour the egg mixture back into the saucepan with the chocolate filling. Stir well to combine.
- Place the saucepan back on the stove over medium-low heat and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes until the filling reaches your desired thickness.
- Remove from heat and stir in the butter until melted and fully incorporated.
- Pour the hot chocolate filling into the pre-baked pie crust.
Step 2: Make the Meringue
- In a clean mixing bowl, beat the 3 egg whites with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.
- Gradually add the 1/4 cup sugar and continue beating until stiff, glossy peaks form. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
- Spread the meringue over the hot chocolate filling, ensuring that the meringue touches the edges of the pie crust to seal it completely. This prevents the meringue from shrinking during baking.
Step 3: Bake the Pie
- Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
- Place the pie in the oven and bake for about 5-7 minutes, or until the meringue is golden brown. Keep a close eye on it as meringue can brown quickly.
- Once browned, remove the pie from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
Serving Tips:
- Allow the pie to cool completely before slicing to ensure the filling sets properly.
- For a little extra flavor, top with a sprinkle of chocolate shavings or a dusting of cocoa powder once cooled.
Enjoy your mom’s classic chocolate pie with a perfect balance of rich chocolate and fluffy meringue!
enjoy^^