Pioneer Womans Chocolate Pie Food

CHOCOLATE PIE

Steps:

• For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Pulse the cookies in a food processor until finely chopped. With the processor running, add the butter. Press the crumbs into the bottoms of four 4 1/4-inch disposable aluminum pie pans. Bake until set, about 5 minutes. Let cool.
• For the filling: Whisk together the sugar, cornstarch and salt in a medium saucepan. Whisk in the milk and egg yolks. Stir over medium heat until the mixture just barely comes to a boil and becomes thick, 6 to 8 minutes. The second it starts to bubble and thicken (it should be thick like pudding), remove it from the heat. Add the chocolate, butter and vanilla, then stir until everything is beautifully combined. Pour the pudding into the pie crusts and place in the fridge, uncovered, to chill for 4 hours. Serve topped with whipped cream.

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE PIE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the crust: Pulse the graham crackers in a food processor or crush in a resealable plastic bag until they are fine crumbs. Add the crumbs to a bowl and stir in the melted butter and sugar. Press the mixture into a pie pan and bake until set, about 4 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool completely.
• For the filling: Stir together the cornstarch, sugar and salt in a large saucepan over medium heat. Pour in the milk and beaten egg yolks. Cook, stirring, until the mixture comes to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate, butter and vanilla. Pour the chocolate filling into the cooled shell until it's filled to the brim. (You may have some left over.) Smooth the top of the pie, then gently press a piece of wax paper over the filling and chill until set, 3 to 4 hours. Store any leftover filling covered in the fridge for another use or snacking.
• For the meringue: Add the sugar, corn syrup, 2 tablespoons water and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, until the sugar has dissolved completely. Remove from the heat.
• Add the egg whites to the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat the egg whites on medium speed until frothy, about 1 minute. Add the cream of tartar and the remaining pinch salt and continue beating for 30 seconds. With the machine running on medium speed, drizzle the hot syrup mixture into the mixing bowl in a constant stream, then turn the speed to high and whip until the mixture forms stiff peaks (about 3 minutes).
• Remove the chilled pie from the fridge and discard the wax paper. Spread the meringue over the top of the chilled pie, making sure to get it to the edges. With the back of a spoon, lightly press into the meringue, lifting the spoon away, to create peaks. Toast the meringue with a brulee torch to the desired color. Slice and serve.

CHOCOLATE PIE

Steps:

• Combine the sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a medium saucepan. Stir or whisk together.
• Pour in milk and egg yolks, and whisk together.
• Stir over medium heat until the mixture just barely comes to a boil and becomes thick, about 6-8 minutes (maybe less, maybe more; just watch it!) The second it starts to bubble and thicken (note: It should be thick like pudding!) remove it from the heat. Add the chocolate, vanilla, and butter, and stir until everything is beautifully combined.
• Pour the pudding into the pie crust (if there is extra, spoon it into small dishes) and place in the fridge to chill for 4 hours uncovered.
• Cut into slices and serve with whipped cream!

LADD'S CHOCOLATE PIE

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, stir together the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Pour in the milk, then the beaten eggs. Cook, stirring, until the mixture comes to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the chocolate, butter and vanilla. Stir until the chocolate is all melted. Pour into the baked pie shell and chill in the fridge for several hours until set.
• Serve plain to Ladd, serve topped with everything for Ree!