Ingredients
– 1 pre-baked pie crust (homemade or store-bought)
– 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
– ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
– ¼ cup cornstarch
– ¼ teaspoon salt
– 2 ¾ cups whole milk
– 4 large egg yolks, lightly beaten
– 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 4 large egg whites
– ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
Equipment Needed
– 1 pie dish
– Mixing bowls
– Whisk
– Saucepan
– Rubber spatula
– Electric mixer (or a hand whisk, if you’re feeling ambitious)
– Measuring cups and spoons
Step-by-Step Instructions
To begin, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If you haven’t done so already, bake your pie crust until it’s golden brown. The smell of a freshly baked pie crust wafting through my kitchen is one of my favorites! Once your crust is cool, combine the sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and salt in a saucepan over medium heat. Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth and then cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture begins to thicken and bubble. This typically takes about 5-7 minutes, and believe me, the aroma of chocolate filling is divine. (See the next page below to continue steps…)