My Favorite Chocolate Cream Pie

A true diner classic, Chocolate Cream Pie is a head-turning treat, and just the thing for lovers of both chocolate and pie. The crust is blind-baked, then filled with a cooked, cooled chocolate filling. Topped with lightly sweetened whipped cream, it's the perfect combination of crispy crust, dense chocolatey filling, and ethereal cream garnish. This is a tall pie with a generous amount of filling. You can customize the chocolate flavor to your taste, by using bittersweet, semisweet, milk chocolate, or any combination of these that you like.


CRUST
1 1/2 cups  Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup lard (cold)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) cold unsalted butter
1/8 to 1/4 cup ice water
FILLING
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/3 cups semisweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
3 large egg yolks
1 cup heavy cream, divided
2 cups milk
TOPPING
1 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions


Crust
1) In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, and salt.


2) Cut in the shortening until it's in lumps the size of small peas


3) Dice the butter into 1/2-inch pieces, and cut into the mixture until you have flakes of butter the size of your fingernail.


4) Add the water, two tablespoons at a time, mixing with a fork as you sprinkle the water into the dough


5) When the dough is moist enough to hold together when you squeeze it, transfer it to a piece of wax or parchment paper. It's ok if there are dry spots in the pile. Use a spray bottle of water to lightly spritz these places; that way you'll add just enough water to bring the dough together without adding too much or creating a wet spot


6) Fold it over on itself three or four times to bring it together, then pat it into a disk 3/4-inch thick


7) Roll the disk on its edge, like a wheel, to smooth out the edges. This step will ensure your dough will roll out evenly, without a lot of cracks and splits at the edges later. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes before rolling


8) To blind bake the crust: Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9-inch pie pan that's at least 2 inches deep. This will make serving the pie easier after it's finished.


9) Roll out the pastry for the pie to a 13-inch circle. Transfer it to the prepared pan, and trim the edges so they overlap the edge by an inch all the way around. Tuck the edges up and under, and flute them. Put the lined pie pan in the refrigerator to chill for 10 minutes.


10) Line the crust with foil or parchment paper, and fill it with pie weights or dried beans. Bake the crust for 20 minutes. Remove it from the oven, and gently remove foil or parchment with the weights or beans. Return the crust to the oven for 10 more minutes, until it's golden brown all over. Remove from the oven and cool completely.


Filling
1) Place the chopped chocolate, butter, and vanilla extract in a 2-quart mixing bowl; set aside.


2) In a medium saucepan away from heat, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, cocoa and salt. Whisk in 1/4 cup of cold heavy cream until the mixture is smooth, with no lumps. Repeat with another 1/4 cup of the cream. Whisk in the egg yolks


3) Place the saucepan over medium heat, and gradually whisk in the remaining cream and milk.


4) Bring to a boil, whisking constantly as the mixture thickens; boil for 1 minute


5) Remove the pan from the heat and pour the mixture over the reserved chocolate and butter.


6) Whisk until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth.


7) Pass the filling through a strainer into a bowl to remove any lumps.


8. Place plastic wrap or buttered parchment paper on the surface to prevent a skin from forming, and chill thoroughly.


Topping
1) Place the heavy cream in a chilled mixing bowl.


2) Whip until the whisk begins to leave tracks in the bowl.


3) Add the sugar and vanilla and whip until the cream holds a medium peak.


Assembly
1) Transfer the cooled filling to the cooled, baked pie crust. Level the top with the back of a spoon or an offset spatula.


2) Spoon or pipe the whipped cream on top.


3) Chill the pie until ready to serve.


Variation: Meringue topping

1/8 tsp cream of tarter
3 large egg whites (reserved from filling)
pinch of salt
1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) sugar
3 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) water

1) Place the egg whites in a clean bowl with clean beaters. Add the pinch of salt and cream of tarter
2) In a small saucepan, bring the sugar and water to a boil, stirring occasionally, until the sugar dissolves. Boil for 2 minutes, then remove from the heat.
3) Whip the egg whites until they turn white and the whisk begins to leave tracks in the bowl. Slowly add the hot sugar syrup, and continue beating until the whites make stiff peaks.
4) Preheat the oven to 400°F.
5) Pipe or spoon the meringue over the top of the filled, chilled pie, making sure you cover the filling completely.
6) Place the pie in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes, until the top of the meringue is golden brown. Remove from the oven and refrigerate until ready to serve