Valentine's Day Chocolate Pudding Pie

Oh, My!!

Pudding filling:
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/3 cup plus 2 T. sugar, divided
3 T. unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 t. sea* salt
3 cups whole milk
4 oz. bittersweet chocolate (I would use milk chocolate*), finely chopped
1 t. pure vanilla extract
1 cup chilled heavy cream

Bittersweet chocolate shavings - for garnish
Toasted shredded coconut            "      "

Pie dough:
You can make your own all butter, really flaky dough, buy the refrigerated one, or deep dish frozen (which is what I buy).
If you make your own or use a refrigerated one, roll out on a lightly floured surface with a lightly floured rolling pin into an 11" round, then fit into a 9" pie pan. Trim edge, leaving a 1/2" overhang, then fold overhang under and crimp edge decoratively. Prick bottom and side of shell with a fork (if using a frozen one, let it thaw, prick, and rub all over including edges with soft butter), then chill shell for 30 mins. While shell chills, prehat oven to 375 with a baking sheet on the middle rack. Line shell with foil and fill with pie weights or marbles*. Bake on baking sheet until pastry is set and edge is pale golden about 25 mins. Watch carefully!!!* Cool shell on wire rack.

Make the pudding filling: Whisk together cornstarch, 1/3 cup sugar, cocoa powder, and salt in a 2 qt. heavy saucepan, then gradually whisk in milk. Brting to a boil over med. heat, whisking constantly, then boil, whisking two mins. (mixture will thicken). Remove from heat and whisk in chocolate and vanilla til smooth. Pour filling into cooled shell and chill, its surface covered with wax paper to prevent a skin from forming until cold, at least two hours. Just before serving, beat cream with remaining two T. sugar until it just holds soft peaks. Spoon onto pie and garnish with chocolate shavings and coconut (if desired).

Spread Love around. Make someone's day today.

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Love,

MM