Banana Chocolate Cream Pie

My sons asked that I post this recipe for them. A true family favorite!

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 1 pie

Ingredients

• 1  cup sugar
• 3  tablespoons cornstarch
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 2  ounces  unsweetened chocolate squares, chopped
• 2  cups  whole milk
• 3  eggs, separated (reserve whites for meringue)
• 2  tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1  teaspoon vanilla bean paste
• 1⁄2 teaspoon  banana extract
• 3  bananas, sliced
• 1  baked & cooled  9 inch pie shell

• Meringue Topping

• 3  egg whites
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 6  tablespoons sugar

Directions

1. Bake & cool 9" pie crust. Set aside.
2. In medium saucepan, combine sugar, flour and salt; gradually stir in milk.
3. Add chocolate.
4. Cook and stir over medium heat till bubbly and slightly thickened.
5. Continue to cook, stirring constantly 2 minutes.
6. Remove from heat.
7. Stir small amount of the hot mixture into the yolks; immediately return to hot mixture and cook 2 more minutes, stir contanstly.
8. Remove from heat.
9. Stir in vanilla paste, banana extract and butter.
10. Peel and slice bananas into cooled pie shell.
11. Pour cooked mixture over bananas.
12. Make meringue: beat egg whites with vanilla & cream of tarter till soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar until stiff and glossy peaks form and all the sugar is dissolved.
13. Spread meringue over hot filling, sealing to edge of pastry. Bake at 350º for 12-15 minutes or till meringue is golden brown. Cool.