I think I inherited a passion for chocolate from my dad.  He was a chocolate freak. His favorite besides chocolate cake was Hershey’s with Almonds.  Oddly, he disliked chocolate ice cream and chocolate pudding.  Go figure!

He was such a chocolate fan that when we lived in Pennsylvania he used to buy cocoa hulls (that came from Hershey, I think) to use as mulch in his garden. The entire yard smelled like Willy Wonka’s place.  I don’t know if you can still do that but if you can…you should!  It is amazing.

To me there are few desserts I like more than chocolate meringue pie.  Creamy and rich, piled miles high with fluffy, sweet meringue; chocolate pie just is the perfect make ahead dessert for summer.

Review how to make a perfect pie crust with the tutorial.  Prick holes all over the crust with a fork and sprinkle with a little sugar. Bake it at 425 until  golden.  Now you are ready to go!

The filling can be made with heavy cream, half and half, or whole milk.  It can be made with a combination of them but do not make it with skim milk.  You will lose the texture completely.

Filling for Chocolate Meringue Pie 

3 c milk

1 c sugar

4 egg yolks, beaten

1/3 c cocoa

1/4 c flour

1/4 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 c unsalted butter

Whisk milk and sugar until smooth.

Mix the flour, salt, and cocoa and then carefully whisk into the milk mixture.  Cook, stirring constantly until mixture thickens.  Add some of the hot mixture to the egg yolks and then quickly stir the egg yolks into the pudding mixture and heat for approximately one more minute.  Mixture will be quite thick.

Remove from heat and add the butter.  Stir until melted and add the vanilla.  Pour into baked pie shell.

Rinse a mixer bowl and balloon whisks with vinegar.  Beat egg whites with a pinch of salt until frothy. Slowly add 1/2 c sugar and continue to beat until stif, glossy peaks form.  Spread thickly over hot filling and bake at 350 for 15 minutes, or until the meringue is golden.

Serves 8 (one 9 inch pie)

Image:Marye Audet 

Post from: Baking Delights