Mostly from Scratch Chocolate Pie

I love chocolate pie, but the best I've ever had wasn't made from a pudding box and it took me a long time to find a recipe that stood up to my memory of that scrumptious homemade chocolate pie. I say it's mostly made from scratch because I just don't have the patience or the strength to make my own pastry dough any more. This recipe calls for a pre-made pie crust. You can, of course, substitute your own flaky pie crust instead!

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 1 Pie

Ingredients

• 1  pie crust, baked
• 1⁄4 cup cornstarch
• 1⁄3 cup sugar
• 3  tablespoons  unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 2  cups  whole milk
• 1  cup half-and-half cream
• 4  ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1  teaspoon vanilla
• 1  cup heavy cream, chilled
• 2  tablespoons sugar
• 2  ounces bittersweet chocolate, shavings

Directions

1. Bake pie shell per manufacturer's instructions and set aside to cool.
2. Whisk together cornstarch, 1/3 cup sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a 2-qt heavy saucepan.
3. Gradually whisk in milk and half & half.
4. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly.
5. Continue at a boil, whisking, for 2 minutes until mixture has thickened.
6. Remove from heat and whisk in chocolate and vanilla until smooth.
7. Pour filling into cooled shell and chill until cold, at least 2 hours. Cover with wax paper if you want to prevent a skin from forming,.
8. Just before serving, beat cream with 2 T. sugar until it just holds soft peaks. Spoon onto pie.
9. Pie (without whipped cream) can be chilled up to 1 day.