Chocolate Cream Pie

So there I was, trying to think of the next thing to put on this blog when it occurred to me that I hardly ever ask my daughter what SHE wants me to make.

So, of course it was chocolate.

And of course I was happy to oblige, even if it isn't even a week after Halloween and we have ton's of candy in the house.

I mean, who am I to say no.  Right?

Right.

Pinterest really comes in handy at times like these.  The original recipe uses a regular flour pie crust but I thought I'd like it more on a chocolate sandwich cookie pie crust.  So that's what I did.  When you make your own stuff from scratch you can do whatever you want. :)

The filling is super easy to make, just make sure to get it nice and cold before cutting so it doesn't slide all over the place.  The crust is super easy to make, and the whipped cream topping is super easy to make.  The longest part of making this pie is the time needed to refrigerate. Heck, you could even buy the pre-made Oreo pie crust and the pre-made whipped cream if you're really trying to save some effort but honestly, you'd be skimping on the flavor.  Homemade is best.

My whole family loved this pie, oh and we all loved it even more the second day.  Do yourself a favor and make it ahead of time so it can refrigerate for about a day.  It's amazing!!  The filling is super creamy and smooth, the whipped cream is light.  Add some mini chocolate chips to the top and you get that little texture every so often.  Just yum!

All you chocolate lovers will appreciate this recipe. Enjoy!

Homemade Chocolate Cream Pie

Pie Crust Recipe from What's Cooking America

Pie Filling Recipe from Cookie Madness

Ingredients

Chocolate Cookie Pie Crust

• 24 chocolate sandwich cookies (Oreo's)
• 1/4 cup butter, melted

Pie Filling

• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3 1/2 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 4 large egg yolks
• 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 3/4 tsp chocolate extract (optional)
• 3 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1 to 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 2 to 4 Tbsp confectioners' sugar

Cooking Directions

1. You can also use a regular pie crust that has been pre-baked.
2. To make the chocolate sandwich cookie pie crust, place the cookies in a food processor and pulse until the cookies are finely ground. Drizzle in the melted butter and pulse a couple more times until it all comes together. Press the mixture into a deep dish pie plate and set aside.
3. In a medium saucepan that is on a COLD stove add the sugar, cornstarch and salt.  Whisk together. 
4. Add the milk and egg yolks and whisk together.  Turn the heat on medium. Whisk continually until the mixture has begun to thicken. 
5. Add the butter one piece at a time and whisk until melted before adding the other. 
6. Add the vanilla extract, whisk.
7. Add the chocolate pieces a little at a time, whisking until incorporated before adding more. 
8. Pour the chocolate mixture into the prepared pie shell, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours until cold. 
9. In the bowl of your stand mixer or use a hand held beater with the whisk attachment.  Add the cream and whisk until stiff peaks begin to form. Slowly add the confectioners' sugar and whisk until incorporated. 
10. Spread the whipped cream onto the chocolate cream pie and top with shaved chocolate or mini chocolate chips if desired. 
11. Serve cold and refrigerate leftovers.