Black Bottom Banana Cream Pie...light Version

This is a really great pie that has become a Thanksgiving regular. Recipe is from Cooking Light Nov 1998. I am lazy so I use a purchased pie crust and then just make the fillings. Time does not include 4 hours chill time.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 1 (9 inch)  pastry crust
• 3  tablespoons cornstarch, divided
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 2  tablespoons  unsweetened cocoa
• 1  dash salt
• 1 1⁄3 cups 1% low-fat milk, divided
• 1  ounce  semisweet chocolate, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup sugar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 2  large eggs
• 1  tablespoon  stick margarine or 1  tablespoon butter
• 2  teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2  ounces  block-style fat free cream cheese, softened
• 2  cups  sliced ripe bananas (about 2 large bananas)
• 1 1⁄2 cups  frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed
•  chocolate curls (optional)

Directions

1. Prepare and bake Pastry Crust in a 9-inch pie plate. Cool completely on a wire rack.
2. Combine 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 tablespoons sugar, cocoa, and dash of salt in a small, heavy saucepan; gradually add 1/3 cup milk, stirring with a whisk. Cook 2 minutes over medium-low heat. Stir in chocolate; bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat to low; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Spread chocolate mixture into bottom of prepared crust.
3. Combine 2 tablespoons cornstarch, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, eggs, 1 cup milk, and margarine in a heavy saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly with a whisk. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and cook 30 seconds or until thick. Remove from heat. Add vanilla. Beat cream cheese until light (about 30 seconds). Add 1/4 cup hot custard to cream cheese, and beat just until blended. Stir in remaining custard.
4. Arrange banana slices on top of chocolate layer; spoon custard over bananas. Press plastic wrap onto surface of custard; chill 4 hours. Remove plastic wrap. Spread whipped topping evenly over custard. Garnish with chocolate curls, if desired. Chill until ready to serve.